Do you use an APS P&S camera?

[Dr. Strangelove]

I actually kind of like the APS system and I use my Konica Revio Z3 APS P&S on a fairly regular basis. It is a great little camera with a reasonably high quality 26-72 mm equivalent (21-58 mm actual focal length) zoom lens. The image quality in my opinion is quite sufficient for many uses (equivalent in practice to 5 or 6 MP digital P&S) and I especially like the 16:9 APS-H aspect ratio.

The only problems I have with APS are the developing costs and the fact that real B&W, slide or higher than ISO 400 films are not available (there once were ISO 800 APS films, but they have been discontinued). In my opinion the APS system in general has a much worse reputation than it would deserve. It is by far the best sub-35 mm film format ever developed.

One of these days I might even get an APS SLR, if I can get one very cheaply...

 

[RayPA]

"never" is a strong word, and a long time, but that's my answer. i've never seen the value. APS seems more anti-film than digital. 🙂


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[tominabox1]

Dr., Get a Minolta Vectis S-100 to go with your Revio 😀

I have a revio myself, but I'm trying to sell it, just too slow for me.

 

[Welsh_Italian]

Yes I have. I use a Canon M-1 compact sometimes - it's so tiny, a genuine pocket-fitter. There's no zoom lens but the lens itself doesn't seem too bad. I do like the way the viewfinder can accommodate different perspectives (the panoramic often gives me ideas). The problems are the availability of films, the cost of developing, and the size, though for most purposes, it's not too bad.

I also managed to get my paws onto a Canon APS SLR which is fun - it uses the EOS range of lenses, but I have an adapter that lets me fit M42s without any real problem. However, that's being sold even though it's cute and fun for digital funds. If you're in the UK, would you be interested in buying it? I was going to put it on the Bay to see what I got soon, but if you're interested...

You can see some recent (last couple of weeks) photos here

 

[mfunnell]

I have not used one but might like to try. I'm currently using an Olympus mju-II (aka Stylus Epic) and a Contax T2. If I saw some benefit I might try an APS p&s.

...Mike

 

[Feanor]

First off let me say I'm a new guy around here. The last time I owned a rangefinder camera was circa 1968, but I recently purchased a Bessa R and Kiev 4A -- both still in the mail: I can hardly wait. My '68 experience was with a Lieca M3 -- greatest piece of any

 

[Feanor]

First off let me say I'm a new guy around here. The last time I owned a rangefinder camera was circa 1968, but I recently purchased a Bessa R and Kiev 4A -- both still in the mail: I can hardly wait. My '68 experience was with a Lieca M3 -- I had it only a short time but it was greatest piece of equipment of any kind that I've ever owned.

As for APS, I have a little Canon Elph. It's a great but very small, camera. I love its wide angle lens. Processing is a killer though 😡 , and I won't be taking a lot more pictures with it on that account.

 

[ebolton]

I carry an original Canon Elph in my jersey pocket while riding my bike. Its very small, takes decent pictures, and is rugged so it works out very well.

I also have a Canon EOS-IX SLR that I don't use much, but every time I do I'm reminded how excellent it handles and how quiet it is for a motor drive SLR.

Ed

 

[rovnguy]

I have a couple of APS cameras, but never really used them. The Yashica Profile 4000 is an odd one. I never cared for the photo quality... too much grain where I didn't want grain. Then there is the one my wife appropriated, the Canon ELPH LT. She gets remarkable results with it and would not think of using anything else... even though the cost of film and processing is exceptionally high. I definitely agree with RayPA about this format being the anti-film film. Whatever possessed those knucklehead manufacturers to brings us this. They could have done the APS thing with 35mm film and we wouldn't be having this chat right now.

 

[dexdog]

I have one, a waterproof Canon that I use on the rare occasions that I go snorkeling. I used it to get some great pics of sea turtles last year. Bought it on eBay for $25 a few years ago.

 

[Finder]

APS = Antique Photo System

Some interesting cameras were made for that format.

 

[oftheherd]

I have one and have used it. Can't remember the name right now. Shows how much I use it I guess. Funny, because it stays in my trunk in the Omaha Steak box with some of my more used cameras like my Canonet and my folders. I never thought too much of the APS system, and also often wondered why they didn't do the same with 35mm cameras. The one I have is one that was given to me or I probably wouldn't have it. I used it mostly just to try it out since I had never had one. Sort of like 110. I never had one and wouldn't probably want to try anything but the Pentax 110 SLR. As to the APS, probably the only good thing about it was the aspect ratio. I thought the panoramic was dumb. You can visualize and do the same thing with any format. You could even mask a lot of camera viewfinders if you wanted to. Oh well. Its value is described in its lasting qualities I suppose. Just like 110.

 

[CameraQuest]

the basic problem with the APS system it that it was designed to give you less compared to 35mm while separating you from your money much faster via high film processing and printing fees.

 

[spysmart]

No one's mentioned the Contax Tix yet:

I've got a black one with a superb Zeiss 28 f/2.8 lens - built like a little titanium tank.

I used to de-spool the APS films and print in the enlarger. The frame being smaller than 35mm gave a natural rebate which looked great. The only down side was the frames were a bit close to each other.

However the good films are all now gone : BW400 and Fuji800 and Fuji100 were all once available. I wonder what would happen now if I sent in my last roll of Fuji APS slide film.

Now film choices are such that I've only used it once in the last year.

A digital APS sensor behind that Zeiss lens would be the business 🙂

 

[ebolton]

I got an APS adapter for my Nikon LS-30 film scanner pretty reasonably on E-Bay. At my local Wal Mart, the last time I had used any APS (this spring), the film was cheaper and the processing was the same as 35mm.

There isn't much of a down side for me other than being weird (and being weird is not unusual for me), and it's nice getting the exposure data on the back of the prints.

Ed

 

[IGMeanwell]

My main camera in highschool before I was really into photography was a Kodak Advantix C400

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/products/ekn004586.jhtml?pq-path=4350

great flash on it, I still have many memorable photos on my wall from this camera

actually I still have the camera

 

[John Robertson]

Nikon Pronea S; a tiny SLR with two lenses, I bought new for a £100, they were being remaindered by a photo store. I use a R/F camera 95% of the time but the little Pronea takes excellent shots is easy to use.. I keep it for parties and the like. its a lovely camera to handle, my 12 year old grand daughter has it just now and is reluctant to give it back!!
It reminds me of my beloved Rollei SL26, a 126 format SLR. A tiny thing with three lenses I carried on many mountain treks in the 1970's. It took great shots and was a delight to use, I reluctantly sold it about 15 years ago when the range of films reduced.

 

[Keith]

I looked at this thread and though "what the hell is APS?" ... something else I have to learn about!

I did a google search which eventually led me to this ....

http://photo.net/equipment/aps/

Quite informative and entertaining! ;-))

 

[sbug]

Sure, check the link in my sig. (sorry for the lack of recent updates) 🙂

I had the original Elph. Nice little camera, finally crapped out within the past year. I now have some Fuji that JoeFriday gave to me along with 7 or 9 rolls of APS film. Once I'm done with those rolls though, I'm done with that format.

 

[Doug]

I got a Canon ELPH Jr on eBay a few years ago, the one with the fixed 26mm f/2.8 lens. I never have used it very often, but usually with BW400 and it's surprisingly good. And so very compact and easy to have along in its Canon belt pouch.