My Prima Photo Gallery by James Clarke at pbase.com

My Prima

I get sick of hearing from people "You must have a very expensive camera", when they see some of my photos. While now-a-days I shot with mostly with a Nikon D50 (which was the cheapest dSRL at the time when I bought it), for 9 years I shot exclusively with my Canon Prima AF-7.

I bought this camera in 1995 for $130(AUD) and took it everywhere. I used in Rain, Snow, Tropical Humidity, Underground in Caves, Hong Kong Subways, Dry 42 degree heat, and it still works to this day.

This camera has a built in 35mm f/4.5 lens (so I recommend using iso 400 film for best results). It has Auto Focus, Auto Exposure, and Auto Flash. The only manual controls are to Turn the Flash Off or Force the Flash.

This camera suffers from Flash Vignetting because the flash isn't as wide as the lens. My copy also has some softness sometimes in the top left corner of the images.

I haven't got to scanning the negatives of everything I took with this camera, but here are a couple of galleries which I used this camera:-

https://pbase.com/jameslclarke/japan9798
https://pbase.com/jameslclarke/japan99

For further info on the Canon Prima AF-7 check out this page on Canon's Camera Museum

Prima AF-7 Front Lens Cover Closed	Prima AF-7 Top	Prima AF-7 Back	Prima AF-7 Looking Slightly Down
Prima AF-7 Front Lens Cover Opened	Prima AF-7 On an Angle	Prima AF-7 Base	Example 1: Fill Flash Bright Background
Example 2: Fill Flash Dark Background	Example 3: Even Lighting	Example 4: Contrasting Light

comment |

Syed Owais Ali Zaidy		25-Nov-2011 15:27
hi there, i am from Pakistan and used the AF-7 Prima for years, like you said, took it everywhere and it works to this day. Although i have not used it for a long time now but i am looking for some accessories, the hanging strap and the leather cover, could you help me in that bro? owais.aliz@gmail.com Thank you

Nishat		05-Dec-2009 18:52
your solutions are very helpfull.&thank you for your help.

Colin Clarke		17-Aug-2009 09:57
You are absolutely right. It is rarely the 'light tight box' which seeks out and makes the image. :-) Good gallery and philosophy. V

Sam_C		10-Nov-2007 07:35
James, I love it man!! LoL! The weirder the better. You've done with the Canon Prima what I was never able to do with my Hasselblad, that is, take a decent pic! Seriously, great shots from the Prima, and I do have a soft spot for the Japanese cameras, especially 'odd' point 'n shoots. Big Vote!! :-)

Doug Chinn		08-Nov-2007 22:59
Hi James, Nice piccies, nice to see someone doing good work with a 35mm compact. I'm jealous of the Japan pics, I'd love to go, but I never will, being stuck in a wheelchair and unable to fly (dodgy ticker). Still, thanks to people like you I CAN enjoy the views. Please keep doing it, some people, like me for instance, would even find your back yard interesting. I did find your comment about flash vignetting interesting, I've never come across that before. I use a modern digital now, but still hanker after 35mm, and compacts. I use an EOS 5 for 35mm and an EOS 5D for the 'good stuff'. I also use a canon A1, EOS 1000 and EOS300 for odds and ends. T he EOS1000 hangs on to my telescope, being all plastic and sooooo light. Usual Canon quality shots of course. I do have a favour to ask of you if I may? Now there's a surprise. I just got my AF-7 today from a charity shop, good price needless to say! Problem? No instruction manual. By any chance, do you have one, or a copy I may buy from you? I'll, naturally pay for it, and all expenses. I know it's not exactly rocket science, but I do like to know all there is to know, I'm sure you understand! I'll keep an eye on your site with much interest. All my best wishes, Doug. :-)

Roland		29-Oct-2007 21:52
As they say, it's your eyes, not the camera that makes it worthwhile.

Vick Soulios		11-Mar-2007 07:58
Yo James, I managed to find my old Canon Prima Junior Hi in the Canon Camera Museum (1987-1991). I might dust it off and load it with a roll of film and have a play around with it down at Freo in the next few weeks. http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/1987-1991/data/1989_snpv.html Vick Soulios _____________________________________________ Web: http://www.pbase.com/actionphotography Email: vickonphotography@iinet.net.au

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