Bedford Scenes - Nikon Lite-Touch Zoom AF (Zoom 300 AF) Test

[br1078lum]

This one was only a dollar at Goodwill because it didn't have a price sticker.  35-70mm zoom Macro, four flash modes, self timer, and infinity lock.  Was introduced by Nikon in 1994 as "The worlds smallest and lightest AF Zoom camera".  It certainly fits the bill.  Slow focus though causes a full second or more of shutter lag.  The shutter is so quiet though, if not for the automatic film winding, you'd never know it took the photo.  Great at the wide end, so-so at the tele, with some exposure setting excursions.  And it's leaking light a slight bit.  Didn't notice it on this roll, but a second roll (T-MAX 400) confirmed it.

It is a very nice looking camera, and sits in the hand very well (I'll have to get a shot of it later).  But for having been through Goodwill (and who knows where before that), it's in good shape, and if I were to use it mostly on landscapes or still lifes with the lens set at 35mm, it might be a decent performer.

Samples on Kodak UltraMAX 400 color:  Click the link at the bottom for the complete set.

Nikon Lite-Touch Zoom AF


Country Rhinos 3 by br1078phot, on Flickr
Former advertising for a corner country store, now a church.


Standing Tall by br1078phot, on Flickr
I loved the way these swayed in the wind.


Lost Business by br1078phot, on Flickr
Former textiles mill.


Asphalt Beach by br1078phot, on Flickr
A crop of a small portion (maybe 35% of the frame) from the original.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157629172458938/

PF

[Olypen]

I think that was a dollar well spent.  (At our Goodwill, it's hard to find anything for less than 4.99).  In most of the situations, it performs very well. top notch actually.  It doesn't seem too comfortable with wide ranges of brightness; that's pretty common all up and down the p&s scale, I suppose.  The full roll of photos is a nice introduction to the place  -- another one to look up on the map, which I don't have handy right now.  You have an impressive collection of p&s photos that you've posted recently; and I think that I missed some of them when I wasn't able to check regularly.

Bill

[jamesmck]

Very nice set, Phil.  "Lost Business" looks like it might provide other good photo ops.  I don't suppose it's possible to get inside.  I like "Asphalt Beach" a lot.  I agree with Bill about your impressive work with rescued P&S cameras.  Many of your subject matters in these posts make me want to wander around your area of VA.

James

[br1078lum]

Thanks, Bill and James.  I always try to wrangle what I can out of my P&S cameras.

PF