Konica Minolta Vectis 40 APS Camera

Review Date
October 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by
Bomberal , Casual

Price Paid
$800.00 at Fletchers Lismore 19

Photography Experience
21+ years , Other

Summary
I purchased this camera new in 1998 and have used it continually for family and holiday pics with satisfactory results.
Despite good care it has failed to stand up structurally and electronically.
The battery cover broke after 3 years and the shutter release failed after 5.
I could not recommend it to anyone on the basis that it has proved to be totally uneconomical with only a 5 year lifetime -
I still have my SRT101 after 25+ years.

Strengths
Ease of use. Good flash results.

Weaknesses
Photo quality of APS is inferior to 35mm. Battery door latch failed after 3 years.
Total write off after 5 years when the shutter release failed

Similar Products Used
Previously Minolta SRT101 35mm

Customer Service
Minolta Australia are "anti-competition", they will not allow anyone else to do repairs on their APS cameras. They charge $110 just to quote (which is deducted from the repair if you accept their quote). They quoted $743 to repair my camera which is an insult to anyones intelligence. Surely they could simply say that it is "uneconomical to repair" and allow $110 discount from a new product. My next camera will definitely not be a Minolta unless they allow other repairers to compete with them.

Review Date
June 27, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
Gixxer75024 , Intermediate

Price Paid
$40.00 at Long's

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
No, the price isn't a mistake. I've been working in the long's photo lab for a few years now, and never sold one of these things! Most people don't go to longs for a 400 dollar camera. We had a stack of about ten, so my manager said "ok, just go 40 bucks each." My jaw dropped, and all my friends and I have one. I don't know if it is worth the 400 dollars, but DEFINATELY worth the 40.

It is a solid feeling camera, which is not too common in APS cameras. The zoom is VERY powerful for an APS camera as well. There are many people that aren't fans of the APS film, but for what it is meant for (simplicicy) it does a fantastic job. The autofocus on this camera semms great, as well as the sharpness of the pictures. Minolta says it's weatherproof, so I decided to take it rafting. It got splashed quite a bit, and still works great. I've seen lots of reviews of this camera not being reliable, but it has worked great for me so far, and it's been through a lot.

Overall, I think it is a great camera to have in a collection, if you can find a good deal on one. Keep in mind this camera is a few years old now, and going and spending 400 dollars on it would be a waste of money. Still, I think it is the best APS camera around. The only worry I have is this....how much longer will APS film be around?

Strengths
Great Zoom. Great Optics. Great Autofocus. Weatherproof. Many Features. Great camera!

Weaknesses
It's a bit bulky for an APS camera. Very expensive retail price.

Similar Products Used
Probably every camera in the Olympus stylus line!

Customer Service
Haven't needed any.

Review Date
August 18, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
Stan , Casual

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
Only APS camera I've used. Of almost 2,000 pictures taken since February 1998, vast majority have been excellent. Those that were not were generally due to user error (should have used tripod; should have used fill flash; etc.). Most pictures of outdoors (Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Washington, DC monuments, various locations in France). Many photos of people. 5x7's very crisp. 8x10's acceptably crisp.

Strengths
Ease of use
Remote control
Strong zoom
Pretty much idiot proof

Weaknesses
No lense cap

Customer Service
Problem with mid-roll change when first purchased. Corrected immediately. No problems since.

Review Date
February 5, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
DIANNE2001 , Casual , from SPIRIT LAKE IDAHO

Price Paid
$499.00 at KITS CARMERA

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Outdoor

Summary
I REALLY LIKE THIS CAMERA- I TAKE IT HORSEBACK RIDING AND IT GETS BUMPED AND JOLTED, NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND MY PICTURES ARE GREAT. JUST A FUN AND EASY CAMERA TO HAVE AND USE.

Strengths
GREAT PICTURES AND SUPER EASYAND QUICK TO LOAD AND UNLOAD

Weaknesses
NONE

Similar Products Used
FIRST APS

Customer Service
N/A

Review Date
March 23, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by
Norm Bogdanovs , Intermediate , from Perth, Australia

Price Paid
$500.00 at Camera House

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
I still think this is a great camera, even if a bit expensive. We have many great shots and memories from trips to Europe and US. Probably about 95% success rate with about 3000 shots over 4 years. Any bad shots are usually caused by inattentive operator (me).

There is obviously a fault with the zoom. You can live with the rest but the zoom problem means the camera eventually just refuses to take a photo and just shuts down when you press the shutter release.

My wife loves the APS format and I like SLR so we might look at the Nikon Pronera as a compromise or she may just go and buy the Olympus 75 zoom. I will have to check out the reviews.

With better customer service or a reliable zoom I would give it a five star rating and not even look at another camera.

Strengths
Easy to use point and shoot with a great zoom. Versatile camera that delivers consistent results in most conditions.
I like the size and layout of the controls.

Weaknesses
Read the other reviews and you will see the pattern - battery door latch broken, the zoom fails and body plastic chips and cracks. I know 3 other users with the same problems.

Red eye reduction does not always work.

Similar Products Used
Canon Elph, Olympus 75 zoom

Customer Service
Minolta in Australia not interested in discussing compromise deals on repairs. Quoted price to fix zoom is A$450, USD $230. Will not guarantee repairs more than three months or give some assurance the problem has been identified and fixed.