ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA - HERE! 

This column is dedicated to all those professional and amateur photography buffs who have spent untold years and dollars trying to master the intricacies of the modern camera with its myriad focus and exposure adjustments. The new electronic cameras make memories easy to capture.

One of the latest is the Sony Still Video Hi-Band Format Mavica Camera, Model MVC-A10 with a 15mm f/2.8 lens. It records 10-second sound bites with the pictures, through the built-in omni-directional or external microphone. It automatically handles backlight compensation and the pictures can be shot in sequence onto four tracks (in one second, that's low speed) or on 10 tracks per second (to catch moving golf and tennis balls). MACRO photography, as close as 50 cm (20 inches) from the lens surface, is also possible. A display window records tracks and numbers. As with most old-style film cameras from earlier this year, when the shutter button is pressed halfway, the green LED glows in the viewfinder to indicate correct focus and exposure. You then press the button all the way down to take the picture. The flash goes off automatically if required.

A battery of simple icons in the display window show when the unit is in PLAY mode, when all tracks have been recorded; when a Mavipak twoinch square video floppy disc which replaces antique film and takes 50 pictures is full; restricted to 25 pictures when sound is injected; and indicates when a disc is inserted without a protective recording tab to prevent accidental erasure. The disc can be used over and over, just like videocam moving video picture units. When in a blank search mode, it shows the current track number, seconds remaining for audio recording, the standard warning indicator advising of a weak battery and a buzzer indicator. An icon flashes to indicate that the recording head is clogged. It comes equipped with flash, self-timer lamp, shooting mode selector and a MACRO chooser.

The camera sensor unit provides 280,000 pixels, with ISO 80 film. Shutter speed ranges between 1/60 to 1/500 sec. The camera contains a 10-second delay self-timer and operates with contained battery pack or via six-volt DC. The Mavica weighs one pound, six oz including battery pack.

While it isn't yet a Hasselblad the picture is on the screen: this is the future of photography. Just as full-action video cameras are replacing film movie cameras, the Mavica will do the same for the still film cameras of the past. They are more convenient and less expensive with reusable tape and rechargeable batteries. Far superior units should hit the market within a few years. But, don't delay, get one now and be the electronic camera expert on your block. Photos can be replayed directly from the camera on to a television screen or via a video projector onto a movie size screen. From take to the big screen in three minutes which is mostly set up time. For computer buffs, it's the dream come true. Photos are fed directly from the camera to the computer already digitalized. Your description or comments can then be added -- over the pictures if desired -- then sent over ordinary phone lines via electronic mail or fax, then printed out by your machine or on optional Poloraid-type printer.

Current Canadian price: $300., plus taxes. The reuseable video disc currently costs $19.98.

* * *

< previous | chapter index | next >
back to Main Chapter Listing
back to Home Page