Fun With APS

(Advanced Photo System)

Now, as of January 2004, Kodak has announced that they will stop producing APS cameras. APS film will still be produced for some time, but it's obvious that APS was pushed aside by digital. So, if you are into using this format, better stock up your freezer with film...

Like many people that had used 35mm for many years, I pooh-poohed the arrival of APS in 1996 as another Kodak film flavor of the decade (remember the Disc camera?). I still mourn the loss of 620 and 127 film from Kodak. And hey, they stopped making 126 Instamatic film a couple of years ago. However, since Kodak convinced so many other manufacturers to join in the APS bandwagon, you can get APS film from Fuji, Agfa, and of course, Kodak. Just about any major camera manufacturing company makes APS cameras. I suspect that there is a licensing fee involved, which may explain why there are no cheap Chinese knock-offs in APS. However, Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Fuji, Leitz, and Kodak sell APS or Advantix cameras.

What makes APS a lot of fun is that is is designed to be used in PHD (push here dummy) cameras, and the encoding on the film allows printing in different print-size formats - Classic, HDTV and Panoramic, all on the same roll of film. Film speeds range from 100 to 400 (maybe 800?) and Kodak also makes a chromogenic (C-41) black and white film in APS size. In Europe, Fuji sells a color slide APS film, but not here in the USA. The small size of the cameras, fool-proof loading of film, and reasonable optics make these cameras ideal for snap-shots, which is the bulk of Kodak's market.

My friend Bill Brudon was shooting with a Nikon Pronea SLR last fall, and I was amazed with the panoramic images he got. Of course, the Pronea is a top of the line APS camera, but as of May, 2001 it can be found brand-new for less than $200, which is an amazing price for such a product. In Feb. 2001, I picked up a Fuji one-use APS camera for a few bucks and was rather delighted with the images I got with it. Since then I have picked up a cheap Kodak Advantix 1600 camera. It fits easily into a pocket, and it's there when I see something interesting. Later, my favorite APS shooter was a Fuji Endeavor 100ix, which I really like -- small, lots of nice features, and easy to use. However,

In January 2003, I purchased a Minolta Vectis S-1 for less than $80 - refurbished by Minolta. This is a cool little SLR, and I have added a 50mm macro lens for it. It takes very sharp photos, and is fun to use. Minolta has always made great cameras, and this S-1 even has spot metering - something my Nikon SLRs don't have.

Photography is supposed to be fun and allow room for creativity. I know APS won't ever replace my Nikon SLR equipment, nor would I want to. However, for taking those quick shots that you might have missed otherwise, the APS format is attractive. Plus, the quirky panoramic format is a lot of fun to experiment with. The Minolta S-1 is available as a factory refurbished model on the web for less than $100.

Some APS examples.

A mailbox in downtown Ann Arbor on Detroit Street. 50mm lens, Minolta S-1. One of the fox squirrels that comes to my window for a daily handout. Minolta S-1, 50mm lens.

Sycamore bark. 02/01/2003. Minolta Vectis S-1, 50mm macro lens.

THE Rock at Hill and Washtenaw in Ann Arbor. It gets painted something different nearly every other day. You never know what you'll see. This one looks like it's going to swallow the cars passing by. This was taken with the Fuji Quicksnap APS single-use camera one morning in March, as I was preparing to scrape the frost off the car.

A view of Tappan School, Ann Arbor. Fuji Quicksnap APS camera.

A view of the wonderful fountain near the UM League Bldg. Kodak Adantix 1600 camera.

The wonderful Peony Garden at Nichols Arborteum - June, 2001. Kodak Advantix 1600. My friend Dick Alexander and Tom and Robbie Pyle putting up hay. Fuji Endeavor 100ix. July, 2001.

Two views of an old Ford truck on Tom Pyle's property. July 2001. Fuji Endeavor 100ix.

Cacti at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Sept. 2001, Fuji 100 film, Endeavor100ix.

Palms at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Fuji 100 film, Endeavor 100ix. Sept., 2001.
Side view of one of the wings of the Ruthven Museums Bldg, University of Michigan. 100 ASA Fujifilm, Endeavor 100ix. Fall 2001.

A mailbox in downtown Ann Arbor on Detroit Street. 50mm lens, Minolta S-1.	One of the fox squirrels that comes to my window for a daily handout. Minolta S-1, 50mm lens.
Sycamore bark. 02/01/2003. Minolta Vectis S-1, 50mm macro lens.
THE Rock at Hill and Washtenaw in Ann Arbor. It gets painted something different nearly every other day. You never know what you'll see. This one looks like it's going to swallow the cars passing by.	This was taken with the Fuji Quicksnap APS single-use camera one morning in March, as I was preparing to scrape the frost off the car.
A view of Tappan School, Ann Arbor. Fuji Quicksnap APS camera.	A view of the wonderful fountain near the UM League Bldg. Kodak Adantix 1600 camera.
The wonderful Peony Garden at Nichols Arborteum - June, 2001. Kodak Advantix 1600.	My friend Dick Alexander and Tom and Robbie Pyle putting up hay. Fuji Endeavor 100ix. July, 2001.
Two views of an old Ford truck on Tom Pyle's property. July 2001. Fuji Endeavor 100ix.	Cacti at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Sept. 2001, Fuji 100 film, Endeavor100ix.
Palms at Matthaei Botanical Gardens Fuji 100 film, Endeavor 100ix. Sept., 2001.	Side view of one of the wings of the Ruthven Museums Bldg, University of Michigan. 100 ASA Fujifilm, Endeavor 100ix. Fall 2001.

Fun With APS

(Advanced Photo System)

Some APS examples.

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