Vista KX-500

[Harlee]

It's a SLR; it's a RF; it's a digital - wrong, it's the world famous Vista KX-500, made in the tradition of old world craftsmanship - what could be older than China??? But read on. This camera is complete with built in flash, removable lens hood, four F-stops, hot shoe! What more could anyone ask for. But on top of that, you don't have to focus it, and it's not auto focus, nothing to go wrong! It sports an "Auto Fix Focus 50MM Lens F1.6," and the lens is made in Japan [it says]. Obviously the finest plastic was used in the manufacture of this "fine" piece of optical equiptment. Why the lens alone is worth the price. On Ebay, these "beauties" sell for $29.00, or more, and it states that these are "professional" models. So this was a steal at $7.99 at Good Will. How lucky can a guy be?????? Heh, heh, heh!!!

Some years ago, I believe it was either in Popular or Modern Photography [25-30 years ago], a contest was held to see what quality of picture can be obtained from a fixed focus camera, and I must admit I was quite amazed at some of the pictures that were submitted. So, I have this crazy idea. Why don't we have some pictures sent in taken on a fixed lens el-cheapo type camera just to see what we can get from them. Instead of the camera thinking for us, you'll have to use your understanding of lighting, subject, distance, imagination, etc.

When I saw this Vista in the box, brand new, at Good Will, I wondered what this plastic piece of Chinese junk was capable of. I'll shoot some film through it and post some pics when I get them. Stay tuned for further developments.

 

[petronius]

Wonderful piece of craftsmanship! I like this sort of camera too. There is a german site on a similar model:
http://www.canomatic.de/
and I found an article about other gems: http://www.acpress.com/crapcams.htm
The best for me is the junkstorecameras-site: http://www.merrillphoto.com/JunkStoreCameras.htm
You can see some examples of my work with crappy equipment at my blog www.classicameras.blogspot.com

 

[Harlee]

It took me some time to pull up your website and blog, due to my ailing computer, but while many of them look as though they were taken on my first camera when I was around 8 years old [1941-42] some of them came out really nice. I'm going to see if I can get on a better computer and check out all of your pictures; I think they're really neat. I'm trying to read the German text, and while I can make out some of it, I'm afraid I've forgotten most the German I once knew. My father, a Slovak, came from Wein and German and Slovak were his first two languages until he came to the US. Anyway, I enjoyed your pics and commentaries. I've loaded up my Vista KX-500 with some Fuji 400 and hopefully can get out today and snap off a few shots. Thank you for your comments and website addr esses.

 

[zuikologist]

Harlee - nice idea. I'll see what I candredge up for this adventure.

Petronius - some of those are very nce shots. Lots of atmosphere and feel. The Cosmic is surprisingly good.

 

[Harlee]

Vista KX 500

Vista KX 500

Finally got some pics back from this piece of Chinese junk. I must admit however, they came out better than I thought they would. I was just curious as to what this thing would produce. But since some of these things are advertised as "professional" cameras on eBaY, I shouldn't be surprised.