Wish list: Control over film P&S's from past

[btgc]

Rerecently I sat down scratching head why fine cameras from past, like those midrange PC35AF, AF-C, FF-70/90, then T4/T5 and Mju/Epic (let's leave TC-1, T28 and such in hi-end segment), didn't have simplest possible control over AE?

I imagine it's too expensive (and unnecessary, most of times) to put dedicated speed/aperture controls on P&S camera. After all, that's why it's called point-and-shoot.

Though many people were scared away from Mju/Epic because it willingly opened aperture to minimize camera shake. Coupled to improper focusing technique, no wonder good bunch of people thought it's tricky camera.

If exposure is determined by AE, would it be hard to implement switch(button, trigger, selector) - between speed/aperture biased modes? Anyway camera brain selects speed/aperture, just change preference. Most people would read this as portrait/sports modes or like that.

Don't you think this indirect control would make them even better cameras for what they were intended - they still would serve as fast picture taking device and please those knowing what they expect? For those in doubt there could be even third "Don't care" mode aka general snaps, just like most P&S cameras work, anyway.

 

[Al Kaplan]

P&S are "don't care cameras" so why concern yourself with it unless you don't care? Because if you are concerned then it's obvious that you must care? Ah, the conundrums that face camera designers. At least the P&S crowd has largely given up on "Chrome vs. Black".

 

[btgc]

Sometimes one cares while not caring (have rather sharp picture of jumping monkey than blurry - even if I like motion blur). And not cares while caring.(if I take picture of standing Japanese crane, I'd choose larger aperture, be it f2.8, f4 or even f5.6 instead of safe f16).

 

[George S.]

The target market for those cameras was people who wanted ease of use and not have to think about settings.

 

[btgc]

The target market for those cameras was people who wanted ease of use and not have to think about settings.

Right, especially those who bought Konica BIGmini with expocorrection and Mju/Epic with spot meter.

That switch wouldn't be too difficult, anyway. In fact, much easier than cycle through date settings in models with databacks.

 

[petronius]

I always liked the fact that some cameras don´t give you any controls, just the release button. Work with the limitations of the tool, whether it is is a Holga, a P&S or a Hassy.

 

[btgc]

I always liked the fact that some cameras don´t give you any controls, just the release button. Work with the limitations of the tool, whether it is is a Holga, a P&S or a Hassy.

Good point. This year I took on vacation two P&S cameras - one color, another - B&W film. Well, one has aperture control though otherwise it's automatic. Just to have more time not fussing with exposure and else.

My ultimate P&S is C35....no, it has means to focus. It's younger sister, Konica POP with fixed focus lens and single shutter speed is my choice of simplicity.

 

[antiquark]

That's why they're called "point-and-shoots", rather than "point-and-think-and-twiddle-with-dials-and-shoots" 🙂

 

[btgc]

Guys, you are replying like I've wished eye-controlled AF 🙂

There's is a good outcome - next roll I'll expose in simplest P&S I can find.