Standard Cameras v APS Cameras (APS Cameras in General)

Member Name: bleat

Product:	APS Cameras in General
Date:	28/07/01 (279 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Esay to load film, Panoramic!! Try it!

Disadvantages: Slightly more expensive

I was bought an APS camera recently, and took it on holiday with me. My boyfriend took his standard camera and we decided to compare the two together. We both took pictures of the same things, and then when they were developed, we decided which we liked the better.

But first, let me tell you what it was like to use.

The first thing I noticed was the film. APS film is more expensive then std film, but it comes in 25exp and 40exp, with a variety of types, depending on what pictures you intend to take; just like normal camera film.
The film is also so much easier to load. It's just like the tv adverts, you literally just put it in, and the camera does the rest. No fidly bits of film, just pop in and that's it. It depends on what camera you have as to how it winds on the film, but all I had to do with my camera was press the button as if I was taking a picture.

APS cameras' main feature, apart form the eay to load film, is thier 3 styles of picture. There is 'Classic', 'HDTV' and 'Panoramic'.
'Classic' gives you normal pictures, just like std cameras. 'HDTV' gives you slightly taller pictures, but are much like classic. But it is with 'Panoramic' that the camera really comes into it's own.

Panoramic does exactly what it implies, gives a wide view of the picture. But this is perfect for mountain views, sweeping vistas and for pictures where you need a wider frame just to fit it all in. We visited a dormant volcano on holiday, and I took panoramic pictures from inside the crater, as did my boyfriend with his camera. My panoramic pictures were breathaking; easily the best picures I have taken, and beautifully captured the outstanding views and perpectives. In comparison to his normal pictures, my camera easily won, there was just no contest.

When I flicked between 'C', 'H', and 'P', th actual viewfinder changed as well, s
o I was able to line up the picture properly. It only looked subtle through the viewfinder, but the developed pictures were very different.

With regards to taking pictures, an APS works like any normal camera, you point and click. There are different cameras that zoom, have timers; just like normal cameras.

Developing the film is also easy.

Again, it is slightly more expensive, but because of how the APS system works, you get your orginal film back, and you can re-develop it as often as you want, so no more fidley negatives to lose!
Each film is individually numbered, and there are symbols on the top that tell you if it is unused, partially used, fully used or developed.
Most reputable developers give you an index print of each of your pictures, showing the whole available picture, and what frame you chose to take. So for example, if you accidentally took a 'classic' of a mountain view, you can re-develop it as a 'panoramic'. In my case, I got carried away with the 'panoramic,' so had lots of pictures with unnecessary sky, which I had redeveloped as 'classics'. It allows you to make mistakes and rectify them.

Overall, I much prefer APS cameras to normal cameras. They are much easier to load the film, and with the potential of 40exp to a film, your film lasts longer. The different frames make your pictures more powerful, especially the panoramic ones. Re-development is also easy, no negatives to lose and you can chose which frame to re-develop it in.

Try one, even if you only borrow one form a friend, I think you'll like the difference.

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