My New $39 Camera

Okay, I know I just said (in my last post) that it really doesn’t matter which camera or equipment you use. What’s important is that you actually go out and take some pictures. So why am I buying another camera? Well, it’s complicated! There are some things that have to be considered with regard to the equipment you use.

My eyes are not what they used to be. I have to confess that lately I have been having trouble focusing. I have worn glasses for many years and glasses are problematic when trying to compose through the typical SLR or DSLR viewfinders. I know they make diopter correction lenses you can put on the camera but I have astigmatisms in both eyes so that doesn’t solve the problem for me. For many years I solved the problem easily enough by simply removing my glasses when I used the camera. Unfortunately my eyesight has gotten to the point that I cannot do that anymore and still see well enough to focus.

One of the things I like about all my digital cameras, including the Nikon P-300 I have become so find of is their AF ability. That said, this is also one of the things I complain about most often when it doesn’t work (usually when I’m trying to shoot in the dark) or when it takes so long that I miss a shot (again usually when I’m shooting in the dark – or nearly so).

Noting that I do have occasion to take quick “carefree” snap shots from time to time where it would indeed be nice to have a fully automatic quick focusing film camera I happened to run across a deal at Adorama . A Pentax Zx-30 with a date back and a 28-80mm AF zoom lens, in excellent condition and all for $39. How can you beat that?

I do not know how this camera/lens combo could not be worth the money but I will let you know as soon as I’ve had a chance to try it out and get the film processed.