Nikon Action Touch (LF35AW) -- Nikonos Alternative?

[ic-racer]

I had good results with my Nikon One Touch (LF35AF-3) so I picked up the underwater version (Action Touch LF35AW) to see how that one works. I use my Nikonos in bad weather, and the Action Touch seemed to have some features that the Nikonos does not have.

Here are some pictures:

 

[ic-racer]

Camera	Nikonos V	Action Touch
Lens Focal Length	35mm / 7 elements	35mm / 4 elements
Lens Aperture	f2.5	f2.8
Focus	Manual Only	Manual or Autofocus (Land Only)
Exposure	Auto and Manual	Auto Only
Flash	External Only	Built-in Only
Film Winding	Manual Only	Automatic Only

 

[ic-racer]

Handling: The Action Touch is lighter than the Nikonos and heavier than the One Touch. The One Touch feels like cheap plastic to the Action Touch. The Action Touch has some heft to it that makes it feel like a more substantial camera. Kind of like the One Touch camera & 35/2.8 lens in more of a Prosumer package.

 

[Nige]

I have one (not used for many years). My snorkeling ability was a limiting factor to using it effectively! It is solid and the lens seems good out of the water.

 

[Paul Howell]

I've looked at Action Touch but as I have Pentax and Konica weather resistance and a Minolta duel that is good to about 10 feet underwater that I use in the rain so far I have passed. Might reconsider if I can find one at a good price.

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

I bought a Nikon AW AD waterproof camera around 1990 and it worked pretty well. Used it in war zones and wherever the weather or conditions were really bad. Had to send it into Nikon for service about 5 years later and it still works today.

A good friend who happens to own the last surviving camera shop in New Mexico told me that he got a pile of Nikonos equipment in, so I went to look. I bought a very nice Nikonos III with 35mm and 80mm lenses.

In the past I owned a Nikonos V, but quickly let it go - a little too plasticky and I didn’t like that it depended so much on electronics. The III is far better in my opinion - very solid aluminum construction and 100% mechanical.