Customer Reviews

Minolta Vectis Weathermatic Zoom APS Camera

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I bought this camera while on a trip to St. Maarten. I have since used it while skiing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, etc. and have found it to take great pictures. Due to its construction and watertight casing, I don't have to worry about it being broken when getting wet or banged against something. The APS 3 picture size feature is great. Also, the accessories available make it much easier to carry and keep accessible.

I would highly recommend this camera for anyone who is active, or just like to take great pictures easily.

I have bought it 4 months ago and I never no if the pictures will be good or bad. The flash seems very weak (or it may be a problem with the light reader) and indoor pictures are usually so dark they are not worthy. Outdoor pictures with good light are usually very good !

Underwater pictures also need good light. Indoor pools are not an option for UW pictures as flash is really weak.

I bought this Vectis Weathermatic after being an [other brand] user for 7 years. I work as an agricultural consultant and most pictures I take are outdoors. My [other camera] finally fell into an irrigation canal and I decided to replace it with a waterproof, shock resistant camera. But with my [other camera] I always new what to expect, with my Minolta I never now if the pictures will come out with good light or not.

Another CON: can't take pictures if object is moving (no matter if ASA 400) as it can't focus correctly.

Conclusion: this camera will probably last longer than my [other camera] but I will probably replace it before as I am not satisfied with the quality of the pictures.

I bought this Minolta Weathermatic Vectis to replace the 20 yr old Weathermatic 110 style I had used for so long after realizing this APS would withstand the beach visits with a toddler and develop wonderful beach /play photos as well as the dipping into the ocean capturing photos of the child.I have no complaints, having used the camera for 2 yrs now and highly recommend it. I am considering buying the Vectis deluxe for 249. as it goes into a pocket easier in winter/fall. I have used the Weathermatic to take great snow shots too and as it is a point and shoot with a timer you can get anyone to take a group photo or set the timer. Get serious we are real families taking real photos. Buy this you will not regret it, loading the film is easy too.

I bought the APS Weathermatic about four years ago and I like it very much. I took it with me while scuba diving & snorkeling in Bonaire. The pics I had were comparable to a Nikonos UW camera! PROS: APS film was easy to load. Autofocus capability underwater. 33ft not too shabby, most worthwhile photographic stuff is within 33ft anyways. The recessed lens cuts down on the "snowflake" effect common to UW photography. Landside pictures pretty decent too, easy to carry and use while on dry land. CONS: UW autofocus only works if both you and your subject remain very, very, very still. Expensive compared to other amateur UW cameras. Flash is a little on the weak side while UW, this camera takes it's best photos in bright light. ALL underwater cameras (except disposibles) require special care. This means that the camera has to be rinsed in a bowl/pool of water ASAP after being in saltwater. Also sand and grit can sneak under the dial and cracks easily if you are not careful. Special care and attention is needed to clean out sand from the gaskets. The Weathermatic does snorkeling and shallow diving just fine. Minolta warns against moving water to reduce the possibility of physical damage caused by a heavy wave or strong faucet spray. Once the camera is underwater, it should be fine.

I bought this camera specifically to take underwater pictures in the Galapagos islands. When I finished my third role of film the camera jammed during the rewind process and I was unable to get the role out of the camera. I had to send it back to Minolta and they exposed my film - which means I lost 33% of the pictures I took. The rolls that I was able to develop were mediocre - I could have taken pictures that were just as good with a $10 disposable Kodak. Overall, this camera is grossly overpriced for the quality of pictures it produces (assuming it doesn't break within the first month)

This camera has had a recurring problem wherein the "replace battery" icon flashes and the camera will not allow us to take any more photos - even after replacing the battery. This camera was purchased for vacation photos and three times now it has malfunctioned and needed repairs during the vacation, effectively making it useless. The zoom feature was previously repaired under warranty after minimal use. It took 3 months for Minolta to return the camera on that occasion. Our experience may or may not be rare, but it was bad enough to dissuade another purchase from Minolta.

I bought this camera to take with me on a 'whale encounter' vacation- where I was able to get in the water (snorkeling) with Humpback whales. The underwater shots that came from the Minolta camera were unbelievable. It captured the beauty of whales so well! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys snorkeling or shallow water scuba diving. The zoom feature as well as the option of changing the print size were easy to operate underwater. It was small enough not to interfere in swimming or manuevering underwater. It also comes in handy on those rainy days! One weakness was the wrist cord/strap- there wasn't a way to secure it close to my wrist (so it wouldn't fall to the bottom of the ocean!)

This camera was great! I say was as I had it stolen just recently and am replacing it ASAP. Underwater fishing shots, snow or water skiing, snorkeling, name it, it does it. I several great sunrise panoramics that I took with this box... If I can't take the FE due to the conditions, the Vectis is the choice. Mid roll film changing is a problem as it isn't possible, and it's slightly bulky but as good as it gets otherwise.

Used camera kayaking and boating with no problems for about two years. Last month, after exposing another roll and getting home, I could not open the film compartment to get the film out. Took camera to local camera store;they could not open the film compartment either, and told me this was not the first time they had seen this problem. I am not sure if this is a defect or just a random occurence. I also found the Minolta USA web site to be useless. They certainly do not seem to encourage customer feedback. Having used AMEX to purchase the camera, the warranty period was still valid and AMEX refunded my purchase cost. Their repair facility was also unable to open the film compartment! At this point I am not sure if I will buy another Weathermatic or not.

I bought this camera in 1991 and on my first scuba/sailing trip, it fell down a flight of wooden stairs. It wasn't bothered at all. My camera has taken some serious abuse in ten years and has always performed well. It recently quit working and Minolta's website gave good instructions on their repair service. Within two weeks of shipping it, I got an estimate to repair to factory specs ...(very reasonably). My favorite part of this camera is that it can withstand sand, saltwater and rough handling. Great for an active lifestyle. Excellent product and great support.