Affordable easy-to-use manual SLR perfect for first-time usersDepth-of-field preview multiple exposure capability bright viewfinderHot shot with x-contact for flash photographyFilm speed range: ISO 25 to 32005 2/5 W x 3 1/2 H x 2 3/10 DShipping package dimensions: 7x7x5.25 (len x wid x dep)
Get classic with the Vivitar V3800N, a 35mm SLR camera with a 28-70mm zoom lens packed with features ideal for aspiring photographers. A bright viewfinder with split-image focusing and three-LED display makes composing shots painless and easy. The depth-of-field preview and multiple exposure settings provide the fine-tuning control that great photographers demand.
Film loading is manual with the traditional single-frame advance, and a safety mechanism prevents double-frame advance or double exposures. The camera is also equipped with a hot shoe so you can easily connect a flash unit for more light. The self-timer has a 10-second delay, useful for taking group photos or self-portraits. Weighing barely over a pound, the V3800N is an easy carry for photographers on the go.
1 great for beginners
i would recommend this camera kit for anyone who is learning b&w photography. it is all manual, which is perfect for learning and lets you have more control, and it is inexpensive, so if you decide photography isn't your thing after all, at least you didn't waste too much money on it. of course, it is inexpensive for a reason. the lens isn't that great, and it's a little hard to find another one that fits, and i had some minor problems with the film advance that wouldn't normally occur in a new camera (nothing that affected my pictures, but it might if it gets worse). all in all, though, this is great for starting out photograhy, especially if you are taking a class. i would recommend the kit with the 50mm lens instead of the zoom lens, though, 'cause the zoom lens is f3.4, whereas the 50mm is f1.4, so you can take pictures in lower light without having to use flash.
2 I love this camera
I bought this camera for a beginners B&W photography class, and although it's basically the bottom of the line, it's a great little camera. All of my pictures came out clear, unless by my beginners error, of course. It's light weight and very easy to use. I'd reccomend this camera to anyone who wants a good SLR, beginner or non.
3 Great camera, poor lens
I purchased this camera as my first SLR to start learning photography.
The Good: The camera body is excellent. It has all the features one needs for manual photography including metering, depth of field preview, and multiple exposure.
The Bad: The lens is slow (f3.4). Unless the scene is very well lit, you'll find yourself shooting at f3.4 with a slow shutter speed almost all the time at ISO 100, even with a tripod. Also, I have never been able to achieve a sharp photograph with this lens, even at mid-range apertures (f8 and f11). At first, I attributed this to inexperience and poor technique. But as soon as I started shooting with a used Sigma lens, the difference was astonishing. I finally know what a sharp photograph looks like.
Overall, I would not recommend this camera package. The camera body is excellent, and is worth buying separately. However, the poor quality lens is not worth it. You will be much better off purchasing a used lens. The lens that comes with this camera can be very discouraging for beginning photographers.
4 For those of us who love the essentials...
I love, love, love this manual camera. Personally, I feel that a lot of the bad reviews stem from the fact that some reviewers have skewed expectations for the V3800--it would probably be best to pack your cute digital point-and-shoot for Aunt Edith's party, for instance.
Don't get me wrong--it's the photographer, not the camera that produces a great picture--but this is definetely a device for those of us who are trying for "art", not the family scrapbook, and prefer not to be encumbered by extraneous settings.
I'm not saying I'll never come back to my cute little Rebel EOS(there's something to be said for not having to manually wind your film!) but it's wonderful to be able to set your exposure with a few little dials. Much faster than having to sort through the all the digital silliness. And who really uses that "Night Portrait Mode" anyway? Not I.
Of course, there are some flaws. The flash sync only goes up to 125 and the body is on the heavy side compared to the featherlight cameras produced these days. But even these "flaws" are easy to ignore; I can live without a fast flash sync, as I'm not one for sports photography and prefer ambient light; I also find that my camera shake is greatly reduced now that I've got something to grab on to.
Buy it!! Makes you feel like Brenda Starr or Mickey Spillane, depending :)
5 Want quality? Better keep looking.
I recently bought a Vivitar v3800N camera from a local, specialty camera store. After having the camera for less than 2 months and having shot only about 4 rolls of film the camera BROKE! I have taken extreme care with this camera and have not found a reason for it to malfunction. I will not recommend this camera to anyone.
I am not trying to be harsh or unfair toward Vivitar. I would just write this problem off as a fluke, but I have had two of these cameras and this exact same thing has happened....twice! If you are curious about the problem, the shutter is jammed, for some unknown reason, which I might add is quite expensive to repair. I will not buy another Vivitar camera.
6 Excellent for what it is...
I was looking for a camera that would allow me full manual control and the ability to shoot without batteries (except for the meter) as a reliable back-up camera. My wife has an old Vivitar v2000 and it is a tank, takes beautiful pictures if you know what you are doing, and best of all has that "nearly universal" K-mount that opens up the possibility of so many high-quality, relatively inexpensive lens.
My 3800 is equally impressive in its simplicity and basic but strong features. My only nits are an overly tight aperature ring at the 3.5 f-stop position, like it wants to slip out of position (but it hasn't) and a very slightly crooked hot shoe.
This camera doesn't compare to my main units in terms of total creative control and overall "coolness", but that is perfectly fine because that is not why I bought it. Knowing what you need and want is usually the key to a happy purchase, and I am very happy!
7 buyer beware
This is just a plastic box. I sent it back the day after I got it! It is not as advertised.
8 Jewel in the dust! The real professional camera!
I was looking for a replacement for my trusted but worn out
manual Pentax K-1000 SLR.
Its spare parts and repair costs became very prohibitive.
I didn't want to buy used and old camera for the reasons given above.
I've tested at least fifteen different modern professional SLR's.
I stopped experimenting only when I came across this Vivitar V3800n camera.
I was amazed by the quality of the pictures and reliability of its mechanics.
This camera has all features needed in professional photography.
Depth of the field preview, wide range of the film speeds B-1/2000,
split image focusing, multiple exposure button, flash socket and direct Xcontact.
I completed two photographic seasons with this camera and purchased the second
one of the same model to keep it as a spare.
All my pictures selected and sold for publishing in the magazines and journals
I'm contracting with, were performed using this professional camera.
I can use all set of lenses left from my old Pentax with Vivitar 3800n camera
'cause they have the same K-type mount.
...
This is a truly professional grade camera ...!
9 Beginning photography student
I wanted an old Canon AE-1, mostly for nostalgia and known quality but didn't really want a used camera I may have to have fixed right away.
The class is black and white photography only, so for now, that's all I can comment on. Most of the other students have new Canon Rebels or other Canons and I swear I'm getting better prints! We use only 400 speed film on 8x10 prints and develop our own film. I've been using only Kodak T-Max 36exp so far, but would like to try Ilford HP5 next for their nice grey mixing. Also, we are using only available light. The clarity and focus on my prints is phenomenal! The detail is very precise. The exposure meter calls it pretty good for the most part, but you have to learn when and when not to use the setting it's suggesting. Mostly to adjust for extreme lights and darks, but that's not a camera function, it's something you just learn how to adjust for.
Luckily, for me, this is a completely idiot proof camera. You load the film, set the film speed, then let it tell you how to set your aperture and shutter. If you're new to manual cameras, I highly suggest taking a course of some kind anyway. You learn the settings and depth of field stuff etc.
The lens gives you a wide range for a beginner. The 28mm almost ensures the entire shot will be in focus. If you go to the zoom distances, the depth of field range gives you a great effect. The split-field focus wasn't as intimidating as I was told it would be. It works pretty slick, just line up the line, what's so hard about that! All my photos have been in focus. No problem.
This is definitely not a waste of money for what you get!
10 Vivitar Camera
I love this camera I was shocked to read all of those awful things about it I am going to be a photographer and I think that this is a great camera expecially for starting out photographers!
Good luck with your new camera!
11 A very underated camera
I was concerned when I read so many negative reviews, but I was amazed at the quality When I received the camera. The complaints about the lens are unfounded, since all zoom lens' require a bit more light. But the new high speed films out there compensate. I was able to shoot in heavy overcast with 400 film no sweat. Works indoors with at flash at 125 speed, much better than the 60 speed slrs out there. The frame is made of high quality high impact polymer resin,but with a metal ring to change lens's and the camera has a very nice heft to it. I had no problems with the tripod screw stripping. The light meter only tells you if you are over, under, or at the right exposure, allowing you to make the artistic decision to adjust the aperature or speed. The lens is clear and bright. It comes with a nice collapsable lens hood, and eye hood. The shutter is crisp with a max 2000, and the film max is 3200. The shoulder strap is durable and strong, the case is excellent, both strong and attractive. Most importantly, using asa400 both indoors and out, close and far, the photo quality is superb. Have no doubt that this is a professional camera, with total control for the artist, and bright easy to read numbers on both the camera and lens. I own 8 cameras. Now I carry 2. This is one of them. Best regards, Jon Charles
12 Unfortunate thing
This is a camera made by Cosina, I believe it matches Cosina 1s.
The shutter mechanism is kind of OK, but the construction quality is dreadful. It is made of a cheapest possible soft plastic. Even the screw that holds the camera in case is made of soft plastic that desintegrates after a couple film changes. Moreover, the tripod screw mount is made of soft plastic as well, so it desintegrates quickly too.
13 cheap for a reason
Bought the camera for a photo class because it seemed like a good deal, but have had several problems with the advance lever not working. Sending it back and forth for repair has been a hassle. I wouldn't mind it so much if I could have dealt with a local store instead of mail order for the repairs.
14 Vivitar
I have "done" photography for a few years,and Vivitar,while not
Nikon,does a Good job with the production of their product.Now I
saw a review 'bout the lens'f-stop,and the rated f-stop of the lens,is the Speed that it allows in light.An f-stop of f.3-f.x IS
a heckuva lot faster than say,another Brand w/an f-stop of f.4.
The "other brand" with the f.4 lens Will be a S-L-O-W-E-R lens than the Vivitar w/an f-stop of f.3. Now rhe "older" cameras,ie,
Pentax K-1000 SLR has an lens-speed(how fast the lens gathers-in
light) of f.1.8! That was thee Fastest lens on the market,at that time.And w/ TTL(thru the lens(metering))it was a "killer"
camera!Amen. 'nuf said.
15 dont waste your money
The camera itself is ok. The lens that it comes with is worthless, a maximum apeture of 3.5 is not very big at all. Pictures will be crap unless you are in a lot of light, especially if you like to use slow speed film. If you really like the camera, I would recommend buying the body and lens seprately.
16 no title
This reviewer never got the chance to use this camera because the metering/LED system was defective, or else 3 sets of 1.5 volt batteries were powerless. Returned camera the day after receiving it. It sure seemed like a great camera, and regretted having to send it back because of a defect.
17 It looks good on the web....it feels best in your hands!!!!!
I totally agree with other fellows who say this camera is under rated. Also, I think this camera shouldn't be advertised only as: "student's" or "beginner's" camera. It's great for skilled photographers too. Mainly for art photography, rather than for "party" or "snapy" photography. It is very well constructed. It feels heavy enough to make you feel it's a "real camera".That's why I entitled this review as I did. I suppose that, if this camera would come for sale in stores, it would become very popular as a "heavy duty" camera all around. I dare to bet that V3800N will very easily take the place of the K-1000. And I mean, way easily.......I'm glad I have one.
18 under-rated!!
this camera is really under-rated. i bought this camera on a hunch and am so glad i did. when i saw the results of my first roll of film, i was so impressed. i was considering buying the v4000 but i wanted something no one else had. this camera has some features that the v4000 doesn't have. why the v4000 is priced more than the v3800n? i will never know. this camera has a depth of field preview and a self timer. also if the batteries run out the camera still works. (batteries only control light metering) also this camera has multi exp. button which really helps,and a metering button when working with aperture. the only negatives i can find is the lack of info that is provided in the instruction manual. but if you know cameras or have other means to find out how to work this "bad boy" then this is the camera for you! the lens that comes with the camera is fairly decent. good for starting you off. it has a 1:4 macro setting which gets you started working with macro. maximum aperture is 3.4. not very big, but like i said a starter. all around my favorite!
19 tired
i have looked all over this site and there is no information for this cameria. i would like to purchase the cameria, but not enough info. thank you, elaine
