[Steve Beswick]

Over the weekend I bought a K mount camera that has a questionable reputation on eBay for the sum of $10.50 shipped. It was listed as coming with the lens, so I figured that either way I was getting a good deal. I picked it up from the post office, and when I first got my hands on it I knew I had made a good decision. Although there is a lot of plastic on this camera, it is metal where it counts. It has a timer that pre-fires the mirror, DOF preview, a PC cord socket, And a built in, super easy to use multiple exposure function. It also has nicely sculpted built in grips front and rear.

Give up? It's a Vivitar v3800N. Yep, that one. The one that gets one star in 50% of reviews. This one came with the 50mm f/1.7, which is mostly of metal construction, but unfortunately has a plastic aperture ring.

The other specs: 1/2000th - 1 second shutter speed (& bulb), 1/125th flash sync, ISO range of 25-3200. Takes a standard threaded cable release. Metal vertical travel shutter is fully mechanical, as is the rest of the camera, except for the meter.

As I understand it, the early runs of this camera had a very high meter failure rate. That's really a shame, because now this camera has a really bad reputation. The photo department at my school refuses to buy them due to the three they bought all dying within two months of purchase. Maybe I can use this one to change their mind!

As far as my transaction goes, it couldn't have been better. It was shipped in a medium flat rate box, which must have cost as much as I paid for the whole thing. It even came with a very nice Targus camera bag.

The best part of the whole deal is the nicely formatted note the seller put in the box:

"I would like to thank you so much for your purchase from me. I have enjoyed using this camera and it has taken some wonderful pictures. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."

Thank you Amanda. I'm quite sure I will enjoy it greatly.

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Last edited by Steve Beswick; 02-04-2011 at 07:31 PM.

[stevebrot]

If I did not already have so many cameras, I would probably get me a Vivitar. They are inexpensive (even new) and a basically sound design. I may yet get the Nikon version just to get something in F mount


Steve

[Spare Tire]

If the camera is know to have failing light meters then i'd feel safer to buy used than new! At least then someone would have "quality controlled" it.

[SpecialK]

Congratulations on the new/used toy. But what is wrong with plastic? It lasts forever :-)

[Steve Beswick]

If the camera is know to have failing light meters then i'd feel safer to buy used than new! At least then someone would have "quality controlled" it.

Well from what I have heard it was just the early examples, and the newer ones are fine.

Congratulations on the new/used toy. But what is wrong with plastic? It lasts forever :-)

For me its not an issue. To be honest, my favorite "design" for a camera is a plastic shell wrapped around a metal core, like this one or a P3n. Some people have a stigma against plastic on their cameras, which is why I mentioned it.

[SpecialK]

For me its not an issue. ...Some people have a stigma against plastic on their cameras, which is why I mentioned it.

Of course, it was a joke. I smile when someone complains that "it" (something made of plastic) "feels so plasticky".

[Steve Beswick]

Of course, it was a joke. I smile when someone complains that "it" (something made of plastic) "feels so plasticky".

Whoops! I missed the smiley. I might be a bit too tired for posting!

[PGillin]

Those look like pretty good cameras. There's one in the case of the camera store I usually go to, maybe next time I'm in I'll handle it a little bit. I was looking at the 85mm Vivitar lens, so I'm interested to hear how the lens holds up.

[Steve Beswick]

Those look like pretty good cameras. There's one in the case of the camera store I usually go to, maybe next time I'm in I'll handle it a little bit. I was looking at the 85mm Vivitar lens, so I'm interested to hear how the lens holds up.

The one I have is the black version. Beware of the finish on the grey version - from what I have seen it chips very easily.

[Abstract]

There seems to be plenty of them for cheap on ebay that look fairly unused....some come with the same lens you got also I think, well its a 1.7.

Doesn't look like a bad camera, probably just had some production problems(Like many cameras still have today, nothing is ever perfect, especially when first released, I am looking at you K5 haha....)