Nikon FunTouch 6...

[ic-racer]

I tend to like the angle of view a 28mm lens yields. I saw this Nikon Fun•Touch 6 with a fixed-focal length 28mm lens and thought I'd try it.

Good:
The camera focuses (thought it is very difficult to test, it is hard to get to camera to operate with the back open).
The camera has a light sensor.
28mm f5.6 lens (3 elements) (glass I presume).

Bad:
No focus confirmation indication
Shutter speed fixed at 1/100.
DX coding for only two speeds, ISO 100 and ISO 400.
I believe the aperture is also fixed at f5.6, with the light sensor only to enable the "Auto" function of the flash firing or not. Essentialy no exposure control.

T

 

[ic-racer]

Testing Results*, ISO 100 (flash defeated)

EV 14 1/99 +2.14EV
EV 13 1/99 +1.00EV
EV 12 1/110 + 0.08EV
EV 11 1/100 -0.79EV
EV 10 1/108 -1.50EV

Flash fires automatically at EV 12 and below.

Flash measured at GN 40 (feet).

*To get the camera to fire with the exposure testing sensor at the film plane, a test roll needs to be loaded, then back opened and film removed. The latch needs to be popped closed by pressing on the little release. To cock the shutter, the gear that rides the sprocket holes, needs to be manually spun with one's finger.

 

[ic-racer]

Proof sheet (HP5):

 

[ic-racer]

In spite of that poor proof sheet, if the light was correct, there would be the possiblity of a 'chance' correct exposure.

These are on 8x10" Foma warm tone, but scanned in B&W (note scanner artifact). Usually I photocopy my prints to avoid that kind of thing.

 

[ic-racer]

Attaching this to the front might actually make the camera useable.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

In spite of that poor proof sheet, if the light was correct, there would be the possiblity of a 'chance' correct exposure.

These are on 8x10" Foma warm tone, but scanned in B&W (note scanner artifact). Usually I photocopy my prints to avoid that kind of thing.

View attachment 386497 View attachment 386498 View attachment 386496

The influence of Lee Friedlander is unmistakable

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Perhaps the shortcomings of these cameras - as well as those of earlier lenses - should be appreciated as characteristics. There are apps that simulate precisely such „flaws" as vignetting, uneven exposure, flaring, etc.

 

[reddesert]

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Nikon_AF/Fun•Touch_series

I had (actually still have) the first camera of this series, the Lite Touch aka AF600. This had a 28mm/3.5 lens and a somewhat larger range of DX ISO settings. I don't recall if it had a variable aperture, but I think so - perhaps one of those mechanisms where the aperture is formed by two shutter blades whose maximum open is varied to set the aperture.

I got it because I was interested in a 28mm lens in a compact camera. It was simple and entertaining to use, but I never fully got along with the shutter lag of P&S cameras. I also don't love a flash that can't be disabled, although the reality is that these types of cameras were never intended for available-darkness shots and typically don't have very slow shutter speeds. I believe they were intended to work with the fairly large exposure latitude of modern negative film and their exposure limitations are something one just has to work with.

 

[darinwc]

You may also want to add to the 'good'.. Its cheap!
Thanks for looking at it. I have this camera but have not been brave enough to really try it.
I too like the 28mm focal length. Not very many fixed lens cameras use it.

I have a Nikon Lite Touch/AF600 that has a 28mm lens and is a bit more capable than the fun touch. A bit slow and noisy auto focus and motorized film advance.
I bought this recently and I just need to develop some film.

Another option is the Olympus XA4 which is uncommon. I can attest to this having a high quality 4 element coated glass lens. It is a zone-focus model so not as convenient as AF. Takes DX coding or manual ISO 25-1600, and a backlight correction of +1.5 stops. Super quiet shutter, fast if you pre-focus, and manual film advance. Very compact.

Any other not-so-expensive compacts with 28mm lenses?