Apr 17, 2002 08:39 AM
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(Updated Apr 17, 2002 08:39 AM)
INTRODUCTION
The Canon Prima AF-8 was introduced back in March 1997. It was a very popular point and shoot, not because it is really that great, but because of its ease of use and of course its low prices.
It is not difficult to find one unit of the Canon Prima AF-8 for testing. I have one unit of it on the shelf of our photography club, left over by one of the member after he upgrade to SLR, and just left it in the club for casual use. But the fact that everyone has their own cameras, it was left on the shelf for over a years without being used. Since we kept the battery away, so it will still remain clean.
BUILD
I will not expect anything great about the build for a camera at this price. In fact, it is as bad as I would imagine. The whole body is make of plastic, and that will explain how strong it will be.
I have not managed to drop the camera or give it a hard knock, with my experience, I doubt it will survives anything like that.
FOCUSING
The Canon Prima AF-8 is a Autofocus camera. It employed a 3-step active Autofocus system.
FEATURES
The Canon Prima AF-8 also provides the following features
1) OK to Shoot Indicator
2) Built in Flash
3) DX Film Coding
LENS
The Canon Prima AF-8 employs the Canon fixed focal length lens of 35mm f4.5 (3 elements in 3 groups).
This is a moderate wide angle lens, but a rather slow one.
QUALITY TEST
One day, I urgently need a small camera to carry for a party, and I do not have any. Remembering that there is a unit of the Canon Prima AF-8 lying on the dry cabinet for months, I took it down and use it with fresh battery. That is how I got to use it.
I load the Canon Prima AF-8 with a roll of Kodak Max 400, which is found in the dry cabinet. Till now, I have no idea which film it is.
The Canon Prima AF-8 is a point and shoot camera that do not need a manual to operate. All you need is some basic knowledge of loading films, look through the viewfinder and press the shutter button. That is how simple it is to use the Canon Prima AF-8.
I do not have the manual when I take the camera down from the dry cabinet in the photography club. And I do not have problem figuring it out myself. There are not many buttons on the camera, so you will not have any chance to mess things up.
The layout on the camera is easy to understand. It is very simple, and any users will not be intimidated by it.
The sleek design of the plastic Canon Prima AF-8 make it easy to carry around and handle. It is rather bulky when compared to the more expensive slim designs. I do not actually like the shape of it, although handling it is not much of a problem, and shooting in any position is reasonably easy.
The Autofocus of the camera is a rather disappointment to me. It managed to focus properly for most shots, but for close range shot, it will not give any warning if it failed to focus. You will need to ensure there is a reasonable distance kept to shoot. Just maintain 2 meter and you will be safe.
The Canon 35mm f4.5 lens provided in the Canon Prima AF-8 is generally okay in quality. Pictures taken are of good quality, if not excellent.
The Canon Prima AF-8 provides a Built in flash, which fire automatically when needed during low light situation. I am not impressed by the flash capability, which offers a low Guide No. of only 9.
SUMMARY
I have been using SLR cameras for nearly a decade, and I still believe in SLR technology. The Canon Prima AF-8 is not an ideal camera for creative photography, it could just be employed as a quick snap purposes.
There is plenty of more capable point and shoot cameras available in the market that provides the flexibility of creative shooting, but at a much higher price.
I have seen the Canon Prima AF-8 selling for just SGD20.00 is 2nd hand shops. At such a price, it is a very cheap option to carry around for dangerous area if you fear you will be robbed from your expensive cameras.
