Customer Reviews

Vivitar V-4000 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ 35-70mm Lens

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my day (15 years ago), a typical manual SLR had a max of 1/1000 shutter speed and a 50mm lens. Today, most manual SLR's have a max of 1/2000 and a zoom lens. The Vivitar V4000 camera is a modern-day entry-level SLR. The K-mount lens mount was developed by Pentax and incorporated in the extremely popular Pentax K-1000 released in the 1970s and sold as new until being discontinued by Pentax recently. The K-mount is pretty much THE lens mount for manual focus lenses and is shared across several manufacturer's lines: Pentax, Vivitar, Olympus, and Chinon to name a few, so you can expect to find a variety of lenses (new and used) at just about every camera shop in town. A K-mount lens made in the '80s will fit a '00s K-mount camera.

As you look at the camera front, the knob on the right at the top is the film rewinder. The flash shoe is in the middle, the knob next to it on the left is the film speed and shutter speed selector, and the film winder is on the far left. A ring around the base of the lens sets the aperture, from f3 to f22 (or maybe f16, I can't recall exactly). Hands-off shutter cable release is the inexpensive screw-in type, widely used and available everywhere.

Light metering is 3 LED lights - 1 red over, 1 green in, 1 red under, and averages the frame (I don't believe center-weighted is available but I could be wrong). The batteries power the meter only, so you can still use the camera if the batteries die (something that autofocus cameras can't do).

If you missed your chance to get a Pentax K-1000 fresh from the Asahi factory, you'll be pleased to know you can get the updated competitive product now.

This Camera is great for first time photographers, and also more experienced photographers. Earlier this year I took a photography class in which I knew nothing about SLR's, but I found this camera easy to learn and operate. It has a great choice of shutter speed and also has a light meter that will help create great exposures, its light-weight makes it easy to handle, and it's fairly inexpensive. I think it is a great buy for anyone interested in photography.

This is a neat product simple enough for a beginner to use, offering standard features that all pros would want to have. A good match for this camera is the Vivitar 2800 flash (Amazon, please list this flash in the accessories section). Overall a great buy.

The Vivitar V4000 camera is a modern-day entry-level SLR. The K-mount lens mount was developed by Pentax and incorporated in the extremely popular Pentax K-1000 released in the 1970s and sold as new until being discontinued by Pentax recently. The K-mount is pretty much THE lens mount for manual focus lenses and is shared across several manufacturer's lines. What could have been better would be an aperture setting below 3.5-- the fact that the lowest aperture is so high makes it difficult to get good exposures in all types of weather without lowering the shutter spead or using a tripod, something that's not always handy. I found this camera easy to learn and operate. It has a great choice of shutter speed and also has a light meter that will help create great exposures, its light-weight makes it easy to handle, and it's fairly inexpensive.

If you are just getting into cameras, get something else...but if you have been with cameras for a while, even if you are a novice, this is a good buy. Good camera for on the go people. Hope this review was helpful. Ciao,

I bought this camera in January 2002 after weeks of researching all types of SLRs on amazon.com. I finally decided on this one and I know I made the right choice! I am 17 years old and this is my first "serious" camera. After reading the instruction manual and after going through about 2 rolls of "experimental" film, I found it easy to take beautiful, clear and sharp photgraphs. I actually prefer the all-manual settings. They are easy to get used to, and the simplicty of the camera helps you to focus on taking great pictures right away. The light meter is great, and indispensible to me. The camera feels balanced and sturdy and well made.
I highly recommend it!

This camera has many great features but lacks in a couple of places. The zoom lens is a great feature and fun to work with and the LED display for exposure is very helpful. The camera has a wide selection of shutter speads (B, 1 second-1/2000) and is overall very easy to use. What could have been better would be an aperture setting below 3.5-- the fact that the lowest aperture is so high makes it difficult to get good exposures in all types of weather without lowering the shutter spead or using a tripod, something that's not always handy. I would definately reccomend getting a flash with this camera. Also this camera does not have a depth-of-feild meter so one has to use their judgement in this area. BUT, overall a very nice camera, has all the basics and a decent price.

I have just begun using an SLR camera. This was the right choice. It is simple to handle and does not have any confusing features. And best of all, it doesnt break. All around i think this camera was a good buy.

Sharp pictures. Easy to use even for the non-mechanical. Great light indicator- which tells you if you have enough light for a certain shot. I am a beginner and this is my first SLR, but my pictures are great!

So there I was... a college guy who wanted to do photography of the world around him and become the next (insert famous photographer) but had failed a class in high school and wasn't ready to drop a ton of cash on something he would be sick of in the next week.

At first, I thought this was a piece of junk. It's lightweight (almost plastic body) and didn't look like it would hold up in my klutzy lifestyle. I WAS WRONG.

This camera has traveled accross the country, been in rain and snow storms and still held up with the best cameras out there.

The only drawback is that it's a manual camera. Which means, you need to know what you are doing to take good shots. I had no idea what was going on when I first started and now I am shooting pictures that hang in galleries and have won all sorts of awards.

I will tell you that I did buy more lenses for it - and you know what! They were darn cheap on those auction websites.

This is the best camera you are gonna get for the amount of money you are spending. Don't be fooled by it's low price either. I love mine, and am hesitant to trade it in for anything else.

...

This camera was for my daughter's photography class in college. It arrived in great shape and was very reasonably priced. The icing on the cake was that it was the exact same camera that is referenced in her text book, so it was a win/win all around. The camera is not complicated and easy to use. We were very happy.