Product Description
There are a number of ways to explore life. But have you ever tried exploring life with pictures? Well, Minolta has the perfect camera for exploring life. The Freedom Zoom Explorer EX.The Explorer EX's 2.7-times zoom lens lets you shoot high-quality photographs with ease. Get as close as 15.6 inches to capture a hidden world that often goes unseen. Or widen out for sweeping landscapes, beautiful night views, memorable travel photos, or full-frame portraits. The Freedom Zoom Explorer EX does it all, and it's ready when you are - in your pocket, purse, or fanny pack.
Amazon.com Review
The Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer offers advanced features in a slim, compact package. Its zoom lens, multiple preset programs, easy panorama switch and continuous-drive mode make it a versatile, portable camera perfect for both beginners and those needing higher-end point-and-shoot capability.
The Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer is one of the more compact 35mm cameras we've seen; its automatic sliding lens cover and smooth form make it easy to carry in a pocket without a case. We found it easy to use, although we recommend reading the manual to learn how to use the preset exposure and continuous-drive modes.
The Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer reads DX-coded film from ISO 25 to 3,200, making it suitable for specialty slow and high-speed work. (Many point-and-shoots accept only a limited range of film speeds.) It offers both automatic and manual rewind options.
The Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer has a 28mm to 70mm zoom lens for shots ranging from wide-angle to portraits or medium close-ups. The only drawback we experienced was that the zoom lens retracts in steps rather than in one continuous motion; if you need to frame a photo exactly, we recommend zooming in instead of out. Besides auto-exposure mode, the Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer also provides macro, night-portrait, and landscape settings for optimal exposure and focus. The built-in flash can be set to auto, red-eye reduction, fill-flash, or off.
The Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer's continuous-drive mode lets you take pictures continuously by holding down the shutter release. This advanced feature is good for sporting events and other action subjects--just be prepared with extra film if you take a long series of photos. The Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer also offers panorama capability via an easy-to-use switch. You can take panoramic photos on the same roll as regular pictures, although you'll have to have them specially reprinted to get the larger-size panoramic prints.
Pros:
- Preset exposure and focus options
- Accepts a wide range of film
- Continuous-drive option
- Panorama switch
- Compact construction
Cons:
Customer Reviews:
Not much manual override, but pretty good anyway..contrasty lens.......2007-09-04
This a good fast P+S zoom camera in many situations. It does have AF/AE lock, which is almost the only form of real exposure control it has. There are some other nice options though, including fill flash, infinity lock (landscape), macro/closeup, continuous shooting, flash off, night scene, redeye off/on. The zoom is fast and not too loud, it starts up quickly, recharges the flash moderately quickly, has a pretty fast (f3.5 on the 28mm end), sharp and CONTRASTY lens for this type of 35mm camera. I've gotten some beautiful images from it already (bought it used at Amazon a few weeks ago)with little effort, partially due to having the wide sharp lens and partially due to the ease of use and good center-weighted metering. It'd be nice if it went to 85mm or so, but then it would probably have to be a little more complex, slower, and heavier, so why burden the design? The lens is a little distorted (pincushion) on the edges at 28mm, so watch that when photographing buildings. Also remember that it'll always default to flash ON mode after restarting, though it maintains the flash OFF mode while on if you set it that way.I prefer flash OFF most of the time, so I wish it had a Personal settings mode like the Canon z90w and Sure Shot 120, but that's NOT in the package..
Solid build quality with good 28mm lens.......2002-04-04
I bought this some time in the year of '99 for about [money]. It has the date imprint feature, and came with a carrying pouch. It was one of the few point and shoot that has a 28mm zoom lens(the other two I found were from Olympus and Pentax. For some reason they were all priced about 50% higher than the Minolta.) I like the date imprint on the front of picture, instead of on back like those APS cameras. So I can see the date when the picture was taken while looking at the photo album without having to rip out the picture.
It takes good pictures. Panoramic pictures, printed at about 4"x10", are a real crowd pleaser. The flash is a little weak in some indoor situations. I'd wish it takes regular AA batteries like those digital cameras, so I can use rechargeable NiMH. Overall I'm very satisfied.
Excellent all-around point and shoot camera.......2000-10-17
I like this camera for its all around versatility and picture quality. I've used it in work, for art and for family fun--and it's a good choice for all.
The camera is small, light and easy to use on the job. I photo houses for insurance inspections. The zoom helps getting close ups, and the 28 mm wide angle is great for shooting the entire house--I don't have to move very far away. Likewise for landscape photos, sunsets, etc.
The flash is very versatile, and can be turned off (with only a little trouble) to save batteries when not needed. The red-eye reduction helps a lot for family shots.
This new version is missing the very useful date/time stamp--present on the older model I use.
The picture quality is probably not that of a professional SLR, but pretty close for most of the things I shoot.
The camera seems quite durable. I used it for 2 years occasionally for fun and art, and recently put it into professional service. It held up for 10 months with daily use--25-40 photos and being turned on and off 10-15 times per day--before it broke down. I also dropped it several times, but it kept on ticking. It will probably last you a few more years, if you just use it for a family camera!
Very Satisfied!.......2000-04-21
I bought my Minolta Explorer Freedom Zoom a month ago and I am totally satisfied with my purchase. For the price, you can't beat it. What you are getting is next generation technology, yet a user friendly point and shoot camera that takes very clear, very crisp pictures that rival the more expensive SLR's. I can't believe what this camera can do and for it to be so small and compact! Also, I am really into the way it feels in your hands, it's well balanced and just a sharp little camera. I never thought I could get excited about a simple point and shoot, but I am. Go ahead and shop around, but you won't find a better camera for the money.
Great wide angle point & shoot camera.......1999-08-27
I have a degree in photography, worked at National Geographis for over 8 years and my camera of choice is this one. My big Nikon sits collecting dust. I just had mine stolen and after researching every P&S camera now available, I'm buying another Explorer. My camera did not have the zoom in stages problem as discribed in the above discription. It is one of the only 28mm wide p&s cameras. It's very small and powerful. Takes nice pictures too.
Product Description
The Freedom Zoom 140, which is loaded with state of the art features, is unlike any camera you have ever used. The Freedom Zoom 140 camera incorporates Konica Minolta's latest AREA-AF autofocus technology. Simply raise the camera to your eye, locate the subject and the camera will do the rest. The Freedom Zoom 140 evaluates the objects in the area autofocus frames and locks the focus on the subject. If that's not enough, the Freedom Zoom 140, which is equipped with a 3.7x zoom lens, has fast autofocusing. Bring the camera to your eye and the eye-start sensor activates the focus and exposure systems so that the camera is ready to capture the image when you are. This sophisticated compact autofocus camera is smart enough to recognize your subject and fast enough to capture it on the move.
Product Description
There are a number of ways to explore life. But have you ever tried exploring life with pictures? Well, Minolta has the perfect camera for exploring life. The Freedom Zoom Explorer EX. This camera provides point-and-shoot ease, exciting features, and high-quality results. Its 2.7-times zoom lens lets you shoot high-quality photographs with ease. Get close to capture a hidden world that often goes unseen. Or widen out for sweeping landscapes, beautiful night views, memorable travel photos, or full-frame portraits. Freedom Zoom Explorer EX does it all, and it's ready when you are - in your pocket, purse, or fanny pack.Minolta's Freedom Zoom Explorer EX features a slim, smooth, and protective design that makes it very easy to carry in a pocket, purse, or fanny pack. When the camera is turned off, the lens and flash retract completely into the camera body to form a smooth, capsule-like shape. The body is finished in eye-catching metallic silver matte, and the control buttons are in brilliant metallic silver, to give the camera an elegant, high-precision appearance. To make the Explorer EX very easy to operate, each button is positioned next to its corresponding indicator in the data panel, so that the user can see at a glance which functions each button controls.This package includes Freedom Zoom Explorer camera, RC-3 remote control, case, film roll, and battery.
Amazon.com Product Description
This stylish pocket-sized "capsule" 35mm Minolta Freedom Explorer camera features a built-in wide-angle 28-75mm lens. Designed for both scenic shots and close-ups, the Minolta Freedom Explorer EX lets users select panorama mode and date imprinting at any time. Users may also choose between selectable exposure modes to ensure proper exposure for close-up, night portrait, or landscape/night view shots every time.
This camera also offers precise, three-beam active infrared autofocus for sharp pictures. The built-in automatic flash system includes "soft flash" for close-ups, along with red-eye reduction, autoflash, flash fill, and cancel flash. Film advance and rewind are automatic and fuss free, and users can select continuous advance or midroll rewind. The Minolta Freedom Explorer EX also features a 10-second self-timer setting and wireless remote control release. Along with the camera, the kit includes a carrying case, strap, film, batteries, remote control, and a two-year warranty.
Customer Reviews:
Very good, but not perfect........2003-04-16
.
I chose to buy this camera because it was rated number 1 in Consumer Reports magazine. Besides being one of the few that was rated as actually taking good photos (which is the most important thing!), it also got a high rating for being small, light, simple to use, for containing many features, and for being well priced.
I agree with this in general and recommend it. I tested all the features and they seemed to work well. I even compared photos from this camera with those taken at the same time with my other two cameras (including an SLR). My conclusion is that the Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer does take nice clear pictures with good colours that I am pleased with. However, a potential buyer should be aware of certain things:
1) The viewfinder itself is quite small and dim, and the objects within the viewfinder are also very small. The viewfinder is the biggest problem with the camera and an annoying one. You have to squint and struggle to get your objects into the frame even if you are not an eyeglass wearer. Dark settings will make the situation worse.
2) Some, but not all, of my 28mm wide-angle photos have a dimness or darkness near the sides.
3) When you turn the camera on, it goes to the 28mm wide-angle setting by default. This is annoying since you will rarely use this setting for photos. Instead it should go to a more common middle setting like 50mm (since that represents what you see with your naked eye).
4) There is no way to know what zoom setting you are at. Ideally, as you zoom in and out you should see the numbers (mm) displayed in the viewfinder or at least on the main LCD display. The camera does not do this, and the objects in the viewfinder are too small and dim to even help guide you. So you are basically guessing with every shot.
5) When taking shots with no flash, especially self-timer shots, you'll have a hard time knowing when the shutter has closed. You can hardly hear it when you are not right next to the camera or if you are in a loud environment. A light should stay on for the length of time that the shutter is open. Otherwise you or your subjects might stop posing before the camera is done taking the picture, which produces a blurred image.
6) The remote works, but not as smoothly as I would have liked. Sometimes I have to push the button 2 or 3 times to get the camera to shoot. I did test the battery and it is good.
7) It is difficult to use this camera with gloves on because the buttons are quite small.
8) A couple more features like the BULB feature (to keep the shutter open for as long as you want) and the feature that overlaps frames (for cool effects) would have been good to have. Some point and shoot cameras have these features.
But besides all this, all the features that the camera has work well on mine like Macro (for close-ups), Panoramic, Night, Landscape, even the Red Eye Reduction seemed to do its job despite all the flashing being so annoying.
It is also a very easy to understand and use camera, and I like the yellow Date numbers on my photos instead of red ones that most cameras produce.
Overall, I am very pleased with this small, light, fun camera in general, and still recommend it despite the faults written above.
.
Point and Shoot Warrier.......2002-12-09
I was drawn to this camera because of the special macro setting with a minimum distance from objects at 1.1 feet. It is specified as having a "smallest field of 6 inches" - but at 1.1 feet, the smallest frame is about 17" wide. Out of focus close-up images happen about 40% of the time - either because I was closer than 1.1 feet or the autofocus may be inaccurate at that distance.
All these P&S cameras start out in 28mm wide angle mode - which naturally distorts the image (at the edges especially and indoors as noted in other reviews). There is no way to find the "standard" 50mm setting to minimize the distortion, except to guess w/ the zoom.
These finer points should not discurage most users of this very sturdy camera. However, the zoom control is cramped (if you use your left eye to focus), and it does take some time to find the image in the viewfinder, especially with a dark image in view.
The camera endured 2 years of torture in the bottom of my bookbag. Maybe I'll actually use the free softcase in the bookbag to provide more padding. It's light enough to carry around all the time for those moments when you say "I wish I had a camera right now". Good flash control. You must use the "landscape" setting if there is an object in the forground - or you get an image focused on the back of someone's head.
Repair Problem.......2002-11-20
I purchased the Freedom Zoom Explorer about a year and a half ago after my 6-year old Olympus Stylus Zoom bit the dust. I've really enjoyed the camera--it takes great pictures most of the time. There is a problem with the flash rebound--it takes several seconds for the flash to recharge which is not good when trying to capture continuous flash shots of your kid's squad in cheerleading competitions. You can take the pictures, but most of them will not have the flash activated. I am now camera shopping to replace the Explorer. I started to use it the other day, but when I took it out of the case (which was also in the video cam case), the LCD on the top of the camera was black and mottled. It still took pictures, but I have no idea what setting it was on or how many shots were left on the film. At least I was able to rewind the film. After taking it to a local camera shop, they determined that it could be sent off to the factory and repaired.... They couldn't tell me what had happened or how it had happened, and I certainly don't have a clue since it's been safely stored since it was last used. This has been a good camera, but I was hoping to keep it longer than eighteen months. I don't think I'll be purchasing another.
camer has wider angle lens than others.......2002-07-18
I got this camera 6 months ago after reading that it was a rated one of the best in Consumer Reports, and I have been extrememly happy about it. The pictures are extremely clear and just exceptional. The only thing to watch out for is that the lens is wide angle when unzoomed. That means you get more of the field of view in, which is great on some shots, such as in big buildings. However, shots of scenery that have not been zoomed may have dark corners as the lens creats a fish eye effect. Its not bad, and the wider angle is great for many occasions. If it happens just know its not a defect, just something to watch for.
poor flash photography.......2002-07-01
I've never seen anything like it. My photos looked like they were taken with a filter that darkened the right and/or left sides of the image. Same problem indoors or outdoors, with flash and wide angle. Also not happy with the sharpness of the focus.
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