Most disappointing cameras?

[removed account4]

As to Land Rovers..... I currently have a Defender 110 (2.4Tdi) and whilst the drive-train is OK the rest of the car utterly and profoundly sucks. The door latches/locks, window lowering mechanisms, wipers, *lack" of an effective window defroster/heater assembly (essentially *anything electronic*) are just a few examples of the most absolutely pathetic bit of 'engineering' I've ever seen!!! I've *never* seen such poor quality in a vehicle (design and/or manufacturing) and that includes comparisons to American autos and/or the 'lowly' Yugo (which i see daily).

i almost bought a yugo rally back in 1988 ... it would have cost about 1500$USD new. i wish i bought it ... fun to drive - but yugo north america went
bankrupt before i could buy it.

 

[benjiboy]

In more than fifty years of photography I can't say I've ever had a camera I was disappointed with, which is worrying because the law of averages says it will probably be my next one.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Land Rovers wish they had such a sterling reputation for performing in damp conditions as the F.
I disagree on the appearance of the Land Rover, I think they are a handsome vehicle.

Designed by a Scotsman to be rugged because he wisely put the spare wheel on the hood impeding the view of the rocks one is about to smash the axle over!

Aristophanes evidently realized that four wheel drive vehicles are meant to be used rather than be a fashion statement for moneyed wanta-bees!

 

[fstop]

I'm a big fan of form follows function and great designers like Raymond Loewy who understand this.

 

[Marc Akemann]

As I move to larger and larger formats and away from 35mm, I'm gradually discovering that all of the 35mm cameras I've used are disappointing. (Not an entirely fair statement but perhaps partially true.)

-Marc

 

[Roger Cole]

As I move to larger and larger formats and away from 35mm, I'm gradually discovering that all of the 35mm cameras I've used are disappointing. (Not an entirely fair statement but perhaps partially true.)

-Marc

I have to agree with that. For years I shot 4x5 when the purpose of going out was photography and I had time, and 35mm if I just wanted to carry a camera while pursuing other activities or for moving subjects or when time was limited or any other time the Linhof wouldn't do. But since getting a Yashica Mat 124 the 35mm kit gets a lot less use. I could see something like a Mamiya 640 Pro with a couple of lenses including the f/1.9 replacing most of those times I still use 35mm too. Mostly I shoot 35mm now for low light and color slides.

I'm not quite ready to give up 35mm but... size does matter.

 

[mablo]

I bought a Leica M + 50mm/1.4 Summi for myself as a birthday present. Used the combo intermittently for a year and a half but never fell in love with it. I honestly think a Leica M is great but you'd better have it as your only camera. Then it might become a 'second nature'.

 

[Katie]

There are already dozens of XG-1 parts cameras on ebay. I think that's a sign.

Even so, I love my XG-1's ... and I have a backup. Just had to replace the light seals on both, so hopefully they work now. What seems to be the matter with yours? Maybe I could fix it?

As for Land Rovers - my was THE WORST vehicle I've ever owned. Ever. The hydraulic system was never quite right - left me leaning to one side or the other constantly. I could feel the damn thing moving up and down all the time. It was rather as if I was floating; just bobbing around all the time, about to tip over at any moment. I should have known that I wouldn't like it - my husband says my first Mercedes did me in. However, I am driving the all American station wagon on steroids now : AKA: Suburban. I like three things about it: it's paid for, the DVD system for the kids, and the enormous grill guard that swats unfortunate deer away from me (must to their demise).

 

[Sirius Glass]

.. and the enormous grill guard that swats unfortunate deer away from me (must to their demise).

Dear deer!

 

[wblynch]

Even so, I love my XG-1's ... and I have a backup. Just had to replace the light seals on both, so hopefully they work now. What seems to be the matter with yours? Maybe I could fix it?

Hi Katie, Yeah I was disappointed because the camera was in perfect cosmetic condition and I was anxious to use it.

It came in a $15 box-o-stuff from the thrift shop so I really didn't expect much.

I "assumed" it only needed new batteries but that didn't work so I opened it up and saw greasy thumb prints so I knew another amateur had already been there.

It was hopelessly broken so I went against my nature and threw it in the trash. I just couldn't bear seeing it sit there, all pretty, knowing it would never work again. I had to put it out of my misery.


If anyone needs a nice Minolta MD 50mm/2.0 lens let me know...

-Bill

 

[fstop]

When I say Land rover I mean a real Land Rover, An 88, not the vehicle being sold today.

 

[tomalophicon]

When I say Land rover I mean a real Land Rover, An 88, not the vehicle being sold today.

Actually the 80s are the real Land Rovers.

The new Defenders are still remarkably similar though.

 

[fmajor]

I have a "real" Land Rover - a Defender 110 and aside from the motor, trans, and marginally, the suspension - it is an utter piece of crap. As are many of the others i see here - much like a Lada Niva if you're familiar with 'em.

The Range Rovers are a notch better - all luxury - and better built.

 

[Katie]

I had an LR3. JUNK. All the way...

Hi Katie, Yeah I was disappointed because the camera was in perfect cosmetic condition and I was anxious to use it.

It came in a $15 box-o-stuff from the thrift shop so I really didn't expect much.

I "assumed" it only needed new batteries but that didn't work so I opened it up and saw greasy thumb prints so I knew another amateur had already been there.

It was hopelessly broken so I went against my nature and threw it in the trash. I just couldn't bear seeing it sit there, all pretty, knowing it would never work again. I had to put it out of my misery.


If anyone needs a nice Minolta MD 50mm/2.0 lens let me know...

-Bill

I have that lens, too ... never used it. I just love the shape, look and feel of those little 35mm cameras, that I would have at least set it out for viewing; but I understand being so disappointed that you have to chuck it to stop reminding yourself what could have been.

 

[wblynch]

... I would have at least set it out for viewing...

I don't think I have a hoarding problem but DW Jane would disagree.

Believe me that one would not notice yet another camera in my hobby room.

Chucking this one out may be my first step to recovery

 

[whlogan]

Why all this BS of comparing cameras to cars. Grow up people. Cameras is cameras cars moves us to places to use them. Figure it out! They ain't the same & never will be!
Logan

 

[wblynch]

I saw where a guy built a huge (24"x24" ??) camera into the back of his Jeep. He had to drive up to the point and back the Jeep into the spot he wanted to take the photo from. In that case it was both a car and a camera!

Don't know if it had auto-focus or auto-exposure but seeing as it was built into a Jeep I suspect the camera was all Manual !

 

[erikg]

Why are old Rovers like Defenders selling for such big money used? Is that just in the US?

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

I looked to British market and 40,50 years old ones are very very expensive. In Turkey , they go half of the price of England. Even wartime jeeps are cheaper restorated to carry tourists on the terrain town to town , 3000 dollars.

 

[Selidor]

In more than fifty years of photography I can't say I've ever had a camera I was disappointed with, which is worrying because the law of averages says it will probably be my next one.

You're in the UK and seem like a decent chap, so Ill sell you my XD7 and then every subsequent camera you buy will be all sunshine and rainbows. Deal?

I also remembered a Nikon EM I had was pretty disappointing. Not at first mind you - the camera had just been serviced and I had grand plans of buying the matching motor drive and flash, and going outside with some Tri-X and doing reportage style photos. Then I realised I couldn't live without manual mode, and Tri-X wasn't contrasty enough in XTOL... My dreams ended before they really began! Thats it really, all the other cameras Ive had has either matched or exceeded my expectations (Nikon FE2, F801s, F5, Canon AE1 Program, EOS 1n, EOS 5, EOS 300, EOS 1000Fn, Olympus OM-1n, OM-2n, Minolta 7000).

The solution to your *very unfortunate* XD experience is to buy a Minolta SRT102 or SRT202 - then you still get to use your lovely Rokkor lenses AND have match needle exposure!!!

That would be the smart thing to do.
I am now looking at Spotmatics' - Because I am not smart

 

[lxdude]

I saw where a guy built a huge (24"x24" ??) camera into the back of his Jeep. He had to drive up to the point and back the Jeep into the spot he wanted to take the photo from. In that case it was both a car and a camera!

Don't know if it had auto-focus or auto-exposure but seeing as it was built into a Jeep I suspect the camera was all Manual !

Well, it was motorized..

 

[wblynch]

I am now looking at Spotmatics' - Because I am not smart

Funniest post of the thread !!

 

[fstop]

Why all this BS of comparing cameras to cars. Grow up people. Cameras is cameras cars moves us to places to use them. Figure it out! They ain't the same & never will be!
Logan

Don't worry, put your helmut on and pack up your crayons and get in the back of the bus.

 

[Aristophanes]

Don't worry, put your helmut on and pack up your crayons and get in the back of the bus.

Land Rover.

Bus.

Funny.

 

[fstop]

ok enough with the fooling around and funny stuff, I was disappointed by the Mamiya 645.Suppose to be medium format...