You may recall in some of my recent posts where I spoke of getting back into film photography with such cameras as the Holga 135 “toy” camera and the legendary Olympus MJU II point and shoot. Well, the interest continued on when I picked up another point and shoot camera with a 2.8 lens: the Nikon AF3 One Touch point and shoot.
I scored the AF3 for less than $19 (probably still too much) on FleaBay in unknown working condition. Thankfully, it turns out it works.
The first thing I noticed about the AF3 was that it is pretty much the opposite of the Olympus. Where the MJU II is quiet, light, small, sleek and silver. The AF3 is big, black, boxy, heavy, clunky with a shutter that sounds like it has a team of factory workers advancing the film inside.
For my first roll I once again used Fuji Superia X-Tra 400 film because that’s pretty much the only film any local stores sell. While the AF3 is not as legendary as the MJU II/Stylus Epic, and the images IMHO aren’t as good as ones shot with the Olympus, there are things about it that I like better: like the larger viewfinder, the button that you can hold down to prevent the flash from firing, and believe it or not, I’m actually a bit fond of the Russian T-34-like sounds the shutter and film advance make. Yeah, it wouldn’t be your first–or even twentieth–choice for covert street photography, but for general use it’s fine. It’s size is potentially an issue for some and you won’t be slipping it into any front pants pockets, but it fits fine in my jersey pocket.
On the downside, and much of this is user error, I didn’t take ANY successful indoor shots. I chose not to use the flash, hoping that the 400 ISO film could handle the lower light, but I was wrong– the subjects blurred. Also, while the “macro” allows you to focus on subjects roughly a foot and a half a way, I had no luck with correct focus when taking close up portraits of B or Jake (the dog). However I will add, on some shots I may have been closer than 1.5 feet.
As far as outside performance I was pretty happy. Not as happy as I was with some of the shots I’m getting from my non-light leaking Stylus Epic, but still happy. Since I take more shots outside in bright, mid-day conditions, I think I may try a roll of 200 ISO film for the next batch and see what happens, as well as consult the directions (which unbelievably were still in the case the camera came in) about the AF3’s focussing, etc.
The only problem with these ongoing film experiments has been finding out that the last place in town (one of our two Walgreens) to develop film in-store is stopping any day now. From now on I will have to do mail order or make the 30 minute drive to Meier Camera Shop in Midland and drop it off. Of course that may be a better option anyway, as I have a feeling their processing might be more reliable than Walgreens.
For a more insightful review of the Nikon AF3 One Touch, as well as a host of other point and shoot film cameras check out www.35mmc.com. Lots of good information and WAY better photos over there!
Overall I’m thinking that the $19 was money well spent on the AF3 and I’m looking forward to shooting another roll soon and seeing what happens.
Later.