Canon A80, a great backup camera

[james_kennedy2]

There seems to be a lot of gloom in this forum regarding the demise

of film at the expense of digital. Why not take advantage of the

best of both worlds? I have wanted a backup camera, one that I could

take in situations where I would not risk my (irreplaceable, to me)

LTMs, one that would (nearly) fit into a shirt pocket, so I could

have it with me always, one that I could capture scenes so that I

could return to photograph with a real camera, and one that would

produce results of some quality. After a lot of google research and

handling at photo stores, I settled on a Canon A80, street value

about US $350. It is 4 mp and can be used as a fully auto P&S, but

also has fairly complete manual controls (aperture, shutter, focus,

white balance, ISO, etc) along with a swivel LCD and a 3x zoom. It

uses AA batteries, looks like a real camera, and (thanks to the

battery bulge) fits comfortably in my hand. If you surf the CAnon

forum at dpreview.com, you will find a lot of examples of its

capability. All camera designs are compromises, and the A80 is well

thought out, with excellent workmanship. One of those rare products

where everything comes together extremely well.

 

I am curious as to what forum members use as a backup camera. I

could use a second LTM as backup, but the combination of film and

digital gives me, I think, the best (or good) of both worlds, film

quality with the instant feedback of digital. Let me know what you

think. If you are considering a modest cost digital product, check

out the A80. I am a rocket scientist (MIT, NASA, Air Force, Boeing)

for over 45 years but an avid photo amateur and I must say that I am

impressed by the intelligence and craftmanship that went into the

A80. I have no financial stake in this, just want to highlight a

product that may be of interest to forum members.

[arnold_y_chong]

Rocket scientist & long time Leica user combo carry significant credibility, little commercial and/or personal bias here. Informative thread. Thanks.

[andy_sprauer]

Jim, I own almost every high end camera in the world & I'm truly amazed at the Canon A80 masterpiece!! I'm thinking of getting the the Canon D10 - what for?? The A80 is replacing M6 dinasour!!

[steve_barnett2]

James, I have a Canon S50, and a 10d, as 'backup' cameras. While I think the colour reproduction is superior in the digital format, it is very easy to get carried away in initial enthusiasm before realizing the error of ones ways. I think an M6, or whatever, with an Elmar is nearly as convenient as a small digicam, and is far more capable of expressive photography. The big downside to any small digicam is the DOF, the sheer vastness of it! Then there is the shutter lag, the digital noise (not nearly as nice as real grain), and battery usage. My 10d largely overcomes these criticisms, but it is a big lump. Getting back to an M Leica after shooting with any digital camera is a breath of fresh air, unpolluted with worries about archival permanence and deleting ones life at the press of the 'dustbin' button.

[h._p.]

I've been carrying a Ricoh Caplio G3s in my pocket for a few months now. Quality is adequate, though not stunning, for when I need a picture really quickly. It's main advantage is that it has a very acceptable shutter lag of 0.14 seconds which makes it far more usable for grab shots than most digitals.

 

I prefer my film cameras, they're just so much nicer to use, but the Caplio is good insurance.

[m_.]

I will personally take an Olympus XA or such as a backup to my Leica. At least that will be HP5+ on it.

 

I use digital (Olympus C-5050) only for fun but I will not consider anything digital at this moment a serous backup. I think when it comes to a backup, a lot of people think it is less serious than the main camera. But I would like to think it should be as important as the main camera. Otherwise, why backup?

 

But if the A80 works the wonder for you, it must work then. Good point you brought it up.

[majk]

I like the A80 as a camera, but IMHO battery performance -- especially shelf life --

make digitals questionable as a backup. You just can't let them sit and then expect

them to be ready. At least that never works for me.

[dougmiles]

When it comes to backing up important equipment like a camera (or even a self-defense pistol), I think there's a lot to be said for having a second much the same or very similar. If the main item is broken, stolen, or in for servicing, the backup can use the same accessories and operates in the same familiar way. And smart to use the two alternately to be confident both are working properly.

 

Yes, viewing the cameras on hand, I do largely follow my own advice, as my cameras seem to come in pairs. And certainly a good justification for getting a second copy of the currrent favorite!

[godfrey]

<center>

<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/godders/lamps-0074s.jpg"><br>

<i>Lamps - Sony DSC-U60</i><br>

</center><br>

Digital "back up" camera ... <br>

If you want a camera that has a good "shelf life" when it comes to batteries, buy

something that takes Lithium-Ion batteries rather than NiMH.

<br><br>

I shoot primarily with a Canon EOS 10D these days, but I have two "back up" cameras.

I prefer to refer to them as "pocketable compacts" however as I carry them when with

the 10D kit is a bit too much to be lugging about. One is a Konica KD500Z and the

other is a Sony DSC-U60. The Konica is about the size of a Minox 35, returns some

excellent 5Mpixel images with a 3:1 zoom lens. The Sony is a bit smaller 2Mpixel

camera, has an f/2.8 prime lens to give it the field of view of a 30mm lense on 35mm,

and is ruggedized/waterproof so I can shoot underwater if necessary.

<br><br>

Due to the small format of these two cameras' digital sensors, DoF is very very deep

so you can play with near-far relationships. They're both fun as can be and take

amazingly good photographs.

<br><br>

A lot of folks I know have the Canon A80 and like it a lot. You should also look at the

Canon SD10 ... I understand that's their latest in subcompact size cameras and it

should be an excellent performer.

<br><br>

Godfrey

[incitatus_rex]

As a scientist you don't need to hear about technical stuff you well know so I won't repeat it. But here's an opinion about convenience: cameras fall into two classes, those which fit in a pocket and those that don't. Shirt pockets are out as any camera's weight (barring perhaps Minox) will cause the shirt to sag, so that pretty much leaves jacket pockets (I also don't like heavy stuff in my trouser pockets). That's one reason I like the Rollei 35 and the Contax T3 (which comes with a belt pouch). I expect many digicams have similar dimensions but I've not used them yet.

 

If you can take a small bag the horizon expands considerably and a standard M6+35 or 50 travel kit will easily fit. Lately I've been toting a Cambo Wide+ Grafmatic for grab shots with scale focussing and love the results when there's enough light (lens is f5.6), the slides are a real pleasure to see.

 

Instant feedback must be nice but on the other hand it's great to get developed film when you've forgotten what it contained.

[jsparkes]

I have a Canon G3, and do most of my colour photography with it.

One of the main characteristics of compact digital cameras is the large depth of field. I can set it to manual focus and avoid lots of the shutter lag, and use it somewhat like a Leica. The G3 battery lasts a long time, especially if you shoot without flash.