Newsgroups: rec.photo
From: acs@csri.toronto.edu (Alvin Chia-Hua Shih)
Subject: Re: The "perfect" automated 35mm camera? (was: Re: Canon 10s Vs Nikon N90, Which one?)
Date: 25 Dec 92 03:20:16 GMT

In <BEN_WEN.92Dec23160140@w20-575-50.mit.edu> ben_wen@athena.mit.edu (Benson Wen) writes:

>*** N90-SB25 automated flash (without the pathetic bounce card, thank you!
>Let's hear it for LumiQuest!)
The bounce card is fine.  It's supposed to do the job of the Lumiquest 80/20.

>*** Full field AF with the A2E selection mechanism, in either portrait
>or landscape orientation.
A2E doesn't work for me with my glasses.

>*** Focus point biased meter. (flash and ambient)
>*** Off camera cordless flash control, a la 7xi/9xi.
>*** Quiet operation...A2(e) style.
>*** Customizable control...akin to most EOS's
>*** On demand MF...like EOS USM's (note, A2(E) doesn't have this for
>L-class USM glass in the custom function list)
>*** Nikon low-light AF
I'm not convinced yet.  Spot AF sounds good though.

>Plus the usual:
>*** High sync speed, high shutter speed (1/8000+)
>*** MLU, DOF prev.
>*** Two wheeled, like 9xi, 7xi, A2, 1, Elan
Hey.  Left out Pentax PZ-1!  :-)

>*** AA or lithiums
>*** Built like a tank (and/or a stepstool).
>*** Side release/controls
>*** interchangeable screens, backs, battery packs
The screens available should support manual focusing aids!

>*** PC socket, remote
>*** spot/center weighted meters
>*** mounts Canon glass ;)

>Hah!  Maybe I should start my own camera company!

Before you do, let me add:
- Multispot metering (T90, Minolta Maxxum with cards, OM4T with back, etc.)
- Teeny but accurate spot meter < 1%
- Matering (spot and full-frame) down to EV -5 (ISO 100)
- ISO selectable from 1 to 64000 (for TMAX pushers! :-)
- ATTL preflash metering (with underexposure warning)
- AFTER flash underexposure warning
- Flash Exposure Lock (T90, spot flash metering in the camera!
   I *hate* Canon for not carrying it into the EOS line.  *WAY*
   better than multi-segment flash metering!!!)
- IR emitter under main flash head to allow invisible ATTL with bounce
   flash, and TTL metering of preflash (not from flash sensor)
- built-in AF assist light (becoming more common)
- TTL FP sync
- Interchangeable heads (I want a waist-level finder!)
- 100% viewfinder with markings on screen to give approximate slide mount
   encroachment
- *FULL* info display (viewfinder and top deck) that includes:
    On the bottom:
     - metering mode, aperture, shutter speed
     - multiple exposure count
     - bracketing info
    On the right:
     - exposure compensation index/match needle index
     - frame counter
    On the top:
     - focal length, subject distance
     - focus mode, wind mode
    On the left:
     - flash mode, flash ready, flash fully charged, flash exposure compensation

    Some of this may make the viewfinder too small, so maybe some kind of
     button to give a "heads-up" display like the 7xi/9xi might be ok
     (but not at the cost of viewfinder brightness)

- User selectable viewfinder light (viewfinder light can sometimes affect
   metering)
- Lit top deck.
- Supplementary LCD display on back
- Selectable wind speeds (1-5 fps)
- interface via RS-232 (to PC or HP-48sx)
- Dedicated hammer head flash with secondary head for catchlights
- Selectable bracketing (by changing, shutter, aperture, or along program
   curve)
- exquisite user interface (allows everything to be done from viewfinder)
- data back that memorizes *all* information and dumps it via RS232
- trap focus
- eyepiece curtain
- diopter adjustment
- vertical grip attachment (*with* optional power source, like AA's)
- DETAILED USER MANUALS
- under $2000 :-)

>-Ben
>--

Did I forget anything? :-)

ACS
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Newsgroups: rec.photo