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Nikon FM3A My take -
Reviews: Apogee Photo Mag-- "...The aesthetics, handling, and construction are second to none, ...Twenty years ago, few photographers treated the FM or FE cameras as classics, but what we have here is destined to become one...." ePhotozine-- "This camera is not for those who like the easy life... It is, however, ideal for those new to photography, who want to learn the basics, but want a camera that will last a lifetime. The Nikon FM3A is an excellent camera, and one you should consider if you are serious about your photography." Photo.net-- "The Nikon FM3A is a great camera that you could use very happily for the rest of your life and then hand down to your children. Until that day when you turn the camera over to your kids, you can throw it into a tote bag or backpack ... and always be ready to capture the moment." PhotoGraphic-- "No, this isn't a camera for point-and-shooters. But it's a great choice for photography students who want a camera that'll last them a long time and take them as far into 35mm photography as they want to go (and who like being able to use lots of great Nikkor lenses!), for shooters who like to control things themselves—and for anyone who's ever missed a shot because the camera battery died." PhotoMalaysia-- "... I was extremely satisfied with my new FM3A ... It's mechanical enough for the "Amish photographer" in me but has just enough automation to fall back on... For as long as I can buy ... any film... this camera will be there to take pictures reliably with it. Then maybe I can sell it on eBay for some bucks as the last film-based regular production camera produced by Nikon. That's unarguable value gained for money spent." More reviews: Malaysian Internet Resources [interesting parent site...] johan.nocrew.org joshmadison.com |
Sony DSC-F828 My take -
Reviews: Luminous-Landscape-- "...I know of no other camera at the price, or even close to it, that offers the small size, low weight, superb build quality, excellent and versatile optics and fine image quality of the Sony F828. Now if only Sony would address and fix some of the camera's glaring flaws it would really be something.... So, should you wait for the F838 and some of the needed fixes. Hell no — you'd be missing out on one of the most enjoyable digital cameras yet available." Digital outback Photo-- "The Sony F828 is very nicely built (Sony Style), is very different from other cameras and feels well. Also the Zeiss lens adds to the coolness factor. But this lens has to be excellent to resolve the tiny 2.7 micron pixels in the 8MP four color 11mm wide CCD.... the chromatic abberation is the main issue we need to deal with if we want to get quality results from the F828 camera." Steves Digicams-- "With its excellent build quality, manually-operated Carl Zeiss 7x zoom lens, robust shooting performance, excellent image quality, superior low-light performance and rich feature set, the F828 is sure to please. And with its high resolution 8-megapixel imager, there's no need to be concerned about obsolescence any time soon." Digital Photography Review-- "...physically the DSC-F828 is one of the most unusual and arguably best designed prosumer digital cameras... the F828's biggest issue becomes chromatic aberrations, with noise a second place.... [but due to the] advantages the camera offers, the extra resolution, the ability to produce very good images with a little experience, the flexibility of the lens (wide angle, reach, fast maximum aperture, mechanical zoom), the improved build quality and feature set the DSC-F828 just scraped through to a Recommended rating." Imaging Resource-- "the F828 is a bit of a mixed bag, in my mind coming out ahead of the pack of current high-end digicams when all factors are considered.... There's a great deal to like, particularly for users who want loads of resolution (it has that in spades), superb color, ultra-fast shutter response, and Sony-only technologies like Hologram Autofocus and NightShot/NightFraming. On the other hand, if you're bothered by higher than average image noise (relative to current high-end prosumer cameras at least, all of which were still 5 megapixel models as I write this) and the dreaded "purple fringe" problem, it may not be the camera for you. " DCResource-- "...the F828 comes out on top in almost all areas, including resolution (unless you count the S7000's 12MP mode), focusing, performance, gimmicks (Nightshot and movie mode), and build quality. The F828's lens is stunning, as well.... noise levels in images are comparable, the F828 does tend to have higher levels of purple fringing.... Most of the cameras I listed have a RAW mode, but the Sony's is a little more annoying than the rest." |
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If it feels like I am comparing apples and oranges, that is correct in a way, because essentially I'm trying to find out if I need an apple now, or an orange. The FM3A and the F828 are both right tools for the right jobs, but I don't know which job is right for me right now. Ideally, of course, it'll be best if I could buy both of them, but then we don't live in a world where I have that kind of cash to blow! Well, there is still time to think. I don't think I'm buying before I submit my thesis on April 1st. Till then, I guess I'll oscillate between the two horns. |