meleahk's Full Review: Vivitar EZ35 35mm Film Camera
You know sometimes in life great things come in the way of a small, less expensive item. Did you know that Vivitar make a great little camera for less that 40.00? Well they do! And did you know that you could get them in colors? Well you can!
Last June (01) I bought me a Vivitar 35mm Auto Winding Camera, purple, for my husband’s birthday. Yeah I know it was his birthday and I actually did try to give it to him on his day, but when it came in I just couldn’t resist telling him it was mine and that he could use it.
At any rate, this little camera has been a great camera. It takes wonderful pictures and no red-eye like with some cameras. Then again the way the film is developed has a lot to do with red eye.
The Camera
Vivitar 35mm Auto Winding camera is a camera with style. It comes if various colors like, purple, blue, black and green. (However the colors may be different now, from when I bought ours.) The model number is EZ35 Point and Shoot. And that is pretty much what you do! Point and Shoot!
The camera also has a built in flash, with a built in flash ready indicator, which is really nice to have. And auto load film function.
The frame format is 24mm x 36mm, the lens is 28mm, 2 groups, 2 elements. The film advance auto winds by a built in motor that will stop automatically at the end of the film. The film rewind is operated by the rewind switch, which is found on the bottom of the camera for easy access. The camera is focus free, which is very nice.
The exposure has a shutter speed of 1/100 sec. F/8 (whatever that means). The fill-in-flash provides proper exposure for dark subjects in the daylight hours. And an approx. 5-second flash recycling time with a fresh AA battery. (takes two of these).
The camera is not a large bulky camera either, but a slick, neat little camera that you can carry in your hand if you choose to do so. There is also a strap for easy carrying around the wrist.
Some Simple Guidelines
All cameras are fairly simple to use. Loading and unloading film as well is easy with most camera. This is no different. You simply open the back, drop you film in, and bring the film across the camera, making sure that the edge of the film is on the spokes of the wheel in the camera and close. The film will automatically wound for the first picture to be taken.
When the roll is finished you simply press the release on the bottom of the camera and the film will start to automatically rewind. Pretty simple, and like I said most cameras work in this manner and most of us know this much.
You should use 2 AA alkaline batteries and not the Ni-CD batteries. And of course to take your pictures make sure the subject is in the viewfinder before clicking! You can find the release button on the top of the camera. Also remember that there is auto focus so this will not be a problem for you. Unless of course you are trying to take a picture at a far away distance, then most likely the subject will not make a very good picture.
Also there is a built in low light indicator which lets you know if the flash should be used or not. So be on the look out for it in shaded or dark areas before taking your picture. The last thing you want to do is go to pick up your pictures and be disappointed because you forgot to use the flash.
Also be sure and take care of your camera by keeping it clean! Even these cheaper models like a little tender loving care from time to time. And as always keep it from rain and damp areas. Clean the lens with a soft cloth and no chemicals of any kind. You can remove any rust from the film compartment with an air blower. But be careful doing this. And never ever keep your camera in your car or areas where there is excessive heat.
And of course there is the usual limited one-year warranty.
The Company
Take the camera back to the store you purchased it from.
Or you can write to:
Vivitar Corp. USA Service
1280 Rancho Conejo Blvd
Newbury Park, CA. 91320
Or call at:
1-800-498-7008
or you can even fax to:
1-805-498-5086
There are also offices in Canada, England, Hong Kong, Australia, France and New Zealand. Consult your warranty page for this information.
And remember to read your warranty information and your manual of operations before using.
How I Feel
Vivitar has been around for a while now. And when they first came out people were certainly very leery of them. They use to make a very cheap camera, cheap. Now, their cheaper cameras are made a lot more durable and people have come to depend and love the name of Vivitar. They do make some very expensive cameras as well I believe. But for this camera, the EZ35, the price was right for our budget, 39.99 on sale for 29.99 and has been one of the best camera we have owned. And you can take that to the bank!
I have enjoyed this camera, it takes great pictures. As some of you know my first grandson was born on Christmas day. And of course I had my Vivitar with me. I was proud of every picture I got of my little guy! They all came out very well.
I also look for a place that develops film really well. Not all places know what they are doing. And they can really mess up your pictures! Which is very heart breaking. The camera is very easy to use, even my seven-year-old son can use it! And I don’t mind letting him use it either, because it was not that expensive. Now the more expensive cameras and my son, well that is another story all together.
So, if you are in the market for a new camera and the budget is tight! Look at this camera from Vivitar. You may just be glad you did.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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