1990's Point and shoot how do they focus ?

BADGER.BRAD · Jul 17, 2017

Hello all,
I'm currently using a a point and shoot camera to document the build of my Dog kennel (to home 7 dogs) There was a film already in it which could be from the 90's but I thought I would shoot it anyway along side a digital point and press just in case.The camera is a Praktica Regal which is much like many point and press cameras from the late 80's /90's. It has a light to say it is too dark (should I use flash in daylight if this comes on) so there is some level of metering but wondered is the focusing likely just to be fixed. I also wondered is there likely to be a brain in the camera to measure this and what is it likely to change in order to expose correctly ,aperture or time or both ? The digital hated the images as there was a line of light/ dark due to shadow through most of the day which just bleached the bright parts out so it will be interesting to see how the lowfi film camera copes! I have a couple more of these to try so it will be interesting to see how they work. The camera also has a motor drive to advance the film. I guess I'm just asking about the level of sophistication in these cheapish camera at the time ?

Ps if nothing else I have enjoyed using it as I reminded me of cameras I used in the past as a teen.

Alan Johnson · Jul 18, 2017

It may be part of the Praktica Sport series, I don't think anyone has done a review of them.
They turn up in flea markets, here is one with a fixed focus 28mm lens:
https://austerityphoto.co.uk/praktica-sp301-review-poundland-challenge-camera-no-9/#more-580

jim10219 · Jul 20, 2017

They usually have a fixed focal length set to the hyperfocal distance. So they're set to focus just a bit short of infinity, and have a very small, fixed aperture that gives them a large depth of field. The exact point of focus varies as you change the lenses focal length and size of the aperture. Then they vary the exposure by adjusting the shutter speed. If the meter comes on telling you it is too dark, then you should probably use a flash, even outdoors. It may still not expose properly, but it's probably the best you can do. They usually have a very limited range of shutter speeds.

Some point and shoot cameras will have autofocus motors and more control over the aperture and shutter speed. It all depends on the model. But if yours doesn't seem to have autofocus, then a fixed focal length set at the hyperfocal distance and aperture is the most likely scenario.

AgX · Jul 20, 2017

Alan Johnson said:
It may be part of the Praktica Sport series, ...
https://austerityphoto.co.uk/praktica-sp301-review-poundland-challenge-camera-no-9/#more-580

There also is the true "Praktica Sport" made by Pentacon in the 80s.

BADGER.BRAD · Jul 23, 2017

Next question !! I have shot all the film in the Paktica so am going to move on to another point and press I have a Panasonic C-420af. This camera actually says auto focus on the front but as far as I can tell the lens does not move, I cannot find much info on this actual camera but have found other Panasonic cameras which state that the focusing is multi element does this mean there are different lenses put in line with the main lens to get various focal points ? How does it sense which one is needed ? Again as the view finder on this one has a central square I'm guessing this needs to cover the main subject in the photo ! Thanks everyone, I'm still learning.

Ps it also says DX on the film view window on the back of the camera from other info I have seen it appears the film will need to be 100 or 400 ASA am I best to stick to this or would I get away with the 200asa film I have plenty of.

Thanks.

AgX · Jul 23, 2017

As with manual focusing cameras the principle of "front cell focusing" may be applied. Such is harder to see than a complete lens moving.

MattKing · Jul 23, 2017

Perform a Google search on the camera name and "butkus". That will lead you to Mike Butkus' camera manual site (butkus.org)
Mike Butkus' site is really useful - I'd recommend sending him his requested donation.
Your camera is an autofocus camera using a "pre-focus". 200 ISO negative film will work fine, because the camera will use the setting for 100 ASA, and give you very usable negatives.

AgX · Jul 23, 2017

MattKing said:
Your camera is an autofocus camera using a "pre-focus".

None of the two.
But yes, I know at least one camera model with fixed focus that got something of "autofocus" on its body.

MattKing · Jul 23, 2017

AgX said:
None of the two.
But yes, I know at least one camera model with fixed focus that got something of "autofocus" on its body.

The instruction manual describes it as thus.

AgX · Jul 23, 2017

In that manual "prefocus" does not mean "fixed-focus" but "focus-lock": reframing whilst keeping the focus at the setting before reframing.

This is already an advanced feature.

AgX · Jul 23, 2017

BADGER.BRAD said:
... but have found other Panasonic cameras which state that the focusing is multi element does this mean there are different lenses put in line with the main lens to get various focal points ?

Manufacturers' speech...
It could mean that there is a fan of metering beams which allows one to either set the camera on spot focus metering (within that classic autofocus rectangle) or select focusing over the whole viewer width, and then the camera focuses on the nearest subject within the finder.

MattKing · Jul 23, 2017

The manual I have looked at is here: http://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/panasonic_c-420af.pdf
Note the reference to the two "infrared auto focus window(s)" - one on each side of the viewfinder window.
As well as the description of the "Special Auto Focus Situations".
Reads like auto focus to me.

AgX · Jul 23, 2017

I never doubted that very camera to have autofocus.
As I said it even has the additional feature of focus-lock. Which is not to be mixed up with fixed-focus...

MattKing · Jul 23, 2017

I think we have a language difficulty, but I now think that we might actually be agreeing on this.

BADGER.BRAD · Jul 30, 2017

Thanks everyone ,much appreciated.I amazed two people today when out at a local Country House when they realized I was using film, they thought it dead ! Can anyone suggest a point and shoot that will give me more scope with regards to different light conditions ? Both the Praktica and the Panasonic just give me the no no don't do it red light if the conditions are dull, this I think will be a big problem in British winter.

Ko.Fe. · Jul 30, 2017

Fixed focus was low end. More advanced P&S, "pieces of soap" shaped film cameras with prime lens from 90's were with two range AF distances, close and else. But I don't know how it worked. But it actually worked.

One has AF stuck, I wasn't hesitant to restore it with WD-40

xya · Aug 31, 2017

BADGER.BRAD said:
...Can anyone suggest a point and shoot that will give me more scope with regards to different light conditions ? Both the Praktica and the Panasonic just give me the no no don't do it red light if the conditions are dull, this I think will be a big problem in British winter.

have a look at my website www.135compact.com and you will find the features of those I have tested.

baray · Feb 2, 2020

I have the same question! I got this point and shoot Canon Autoboy Zoom a couple of days ago and quickly shot a test roll. It says its a fully automatic autofocus camera and there seems to be an AF emitter and AF receiver on either side of the light meter. However, I really don't know if the autofocus did its magic (by half-pressing the shutter button) because I couldn't hear the lenses moving. I am used to hearing mechanical sounds while the camera is autofocusing. Anybody familiar with this camera?

xya · Feb 2, 2020

the camera has autofocus, see https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/film125.html. it seems to me that a lot of the cameras use prefocus and by half pressing the shutter, you hear the lenses move. but there are some which just get measuring ready and do a quick and inaudible move when you fire the shutter. but maybe I'm wrong...

baray · Feb 2, 2020

If that's the case, the lenses move really quietly. I literally tested it now and had my ears up to the camera back and also at the front of the lens and couldn't hear anything except for the mechanical noise of the shutter firing. I hope this camera's not a dud and my test shots turn out fine!

pentaxuser · Feb 2, 2020

BADGER.BRAD said:
Thanks everyone ,much appreciated.I amazed two people today when out at a local Country House when they realized I was using film, they thought it dead ! C.

Take every opportunity you can to relate to such people Henning's good news that a film revival has already arrived and is growing. I still wonder if such ignorance you met indicates that the film revival is not quite as big a some think it is in real economic terms or simply that there will always be people who will remain "out of touch" even when film once again overtakes digital.

pentaxuser

John Koehrer · Feb 2, 2020

That lens likely uses internal focusing because the front beauty ring can't move. With the focal lengths
of the zoom it's not going to move much at all. Since you've already shot a test roll, wait 'til you get the pictures back
before shooting anything else.

1990's Point and shoot how do they focus ?

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