Which (if any) point and shoot camera works best for B&W? Does anyone have any preference toward makes or models?

-- Eric Whitaker (ewhitake@linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us), December 09, 1997

Answers

Re: Point and Shoot B&W cameras

Eric,

This is my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. Black and white photography is all about expression. All of the point and shoot cameras that I'm aware of don't let you control the critical elements of the scene, such as shutter speed, aperature, or filtration of any kind. Most point and shoots also have limited lens focal lengths available. IMO you would be better of seeking out a good used manual camera like a Nikon FM or something. I know that Pentax makes a good entry level camera, the K1000.(it's only around $250 new, I think) You probably won't spend any more on that type of system than you would on a top of the line point and shoot. I find that most point and shoot cameras, as well as most SLRs on automatic program, usually choose an average shutter speed, choose an average aperature, and the end result is an average photograph.

-- Jef Torp (JefTorp@aol.com), December 09, 1997.

Camera's aren't distinguished by the film format criteria ie colour or BW. When buying any camera you have to think about what sort of features are right for you and for point 'n shoots I would go for the ones that allow as much flexibility as possible and for the best quality optics. Canon, Olympus and Nikon all make good point n shoots. However you will have to pay big money for the better ones and for the same price (or less) you could buy an exceptional used SLR and have so much more control over the creative process (as Jef Torp pointed out).

-- Andy Laycock (aglay@interchange.ubc.ca), December 09, 1997.

There are plenty of valid reasons for choosing something other than an SLR, including size, lack of mirror and fp shutter vibration, etc. However, the cameras that give adequate control generally aren't considered point and shoots. I use old rangefinders (especially when traveling in areas where camera theft is a serious risk) and a Hexar. These meet many of the same criteria as point and shoots (the Hexar can come very close) yet have full control for black and white shots.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeffs@hyperreal.org), December 09, 1997.

Point and Shoot B&W Cameras

Eric, there really is nothing about any camera's features that would make it better or worse for B&W. Better to look for models that offer the best price/performance ratio, and features that gives you more control over the image. To use a computer term...relative to B&W, color and slide film, all cameras are "cross-platform". :-)

As I read your post, I remembered that when I was a lad in the mid-60s, I was given an Ansco Cadet, a predecessor to today's P&S cameras. The Cadet had two settings: "color" and "b&w"! I guess consumer color print film in those days came in only one ASA, and b&w came in another.

-- Mason Resnick (mresnick@idt.net), December 09, 1997.

point & shoot

There seems to be an assumption that you are asking this question from a total lack of camera experience. If that is the case I would agree with most of the suggestions already made. If this is not the case -- I have used the Yashica T-4 as a backup camera for the past few years and have rarely been disapointed with the results.

-- jim megargee (mvjim@interport.net), December 10, 1997.

Eric,

I often carry a Ricoh GR-1 around in a Motorola mobile phone soft leather case which I clip on my belt. It fits perfectly! I agree with the above posts that B&W photography requires a camera with adequate exposure control. The GR-1 includes features such as user set aperture, exposure +/- 2 compensation, and enough overrides to match an SLR. With the GR-1 I prefer to set the aperture myself and use the exposure compensation dial all the time. Lastly, the 28mm lens is very very sharp. I use it exclusively for B&W, mostly with Tri-X and XP-2. Conversely, with a more basic, automatic P&S such as the superb Yashica T4, the photographer really need to think more just to predict what the camera will do an in turn compensate. With B&W, IMHO, the simplest cameras are actually harder to use.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), February 10, 1998.