Home > Consumer Reviews > Vivitar V3800N 35mm SLR Camera w/ 28-70mm Lens

this camera is really under-rated. i bought this camera on a hunch and am so glad i did. when i saw the results of my first roll of film, i was so impressed. i was considering buying the v4000 but i wanted something no one else had. this camera has some features that the v4000 doesn't have. why the v4000 is priced more than the v3800n? i will never know. this camera has a depth of field preview and a self timer. also if the batteries run out the camera still works. (batteries only control light metering) also this camera has multi exp. button which really helps,and a metering button when working with aperture. the only negatives i can find is the lack of info that is provided in the instruction manual. but if you know cameras or have other means to find out how to work this "bad boy" then this is the camera for you! the lens that comes with the camera is fairly decent. good for starting you off. it has a 1:4 macro setting which gets you started working with macro. maximum aperture is 3.4. not very big, but like i said a starter. all around my favorite!

I was concerned when I read so many negative reviews, but I was amazed at the quality When I received the camera. The complaints about the lens are unfounded, since all zoom lens' require a bit more light. But the new high speed films out there compensate. I was able to shoot in heavy overcast with 400 film no sweat. Works indoors with at flash at 125 speed, much better than the 60 speed slrs out there. The frame is made of high quality high impact polymer resin,but with a metal ring to change lens's and the camera has a very nice heft to it. I had no problems with the tripod screw stripping. The light meter only tells you if you are over, under, or at the right exposure, allowing you to make the artistic decision to adjust the aperature or speed. The lens is clear and bright. It comes with a nice collapsable lens hood, and eye hood. The shutter is crisp with a max 2000, and the film max is 3200. The shoulder strap is durable and strong, the case is excellent, both strong and attractive. Most importantly, using asa400 both indoors and out, close and far, the photo quality is superb. Have no doubt that this is a professional camera, with total control for the artist, and bright easy to read numbers on both the camera and lens. I own 8 cameras. Now I carry 2. This is one of them. Best regards, Jon Charles

I was looking for a replacement for my trusted but worn out
manual Pentax K-1000 SLR.
Its spare parts and repair costs became very prohibitive.
I didn't want to buy used and old camera for the reasons given above.
I've tested at least fifteen different modern professional SLR's.
I stopped experimenting only when I came across this Vivitar V3800n camera.
I was amazed by the quality of the pictures and reliability of its mechanics.
This camera has all features needed in professional photography.
Depth of the field preview, wide range of the film speeds B-1/2000,
split image focusing, multiple exposure button, flash socket and direct Xcontact.
I completed two photographic seasons with this camera and purchased the second
one of the same model to keep it as a spare.
All my pictures selected and sold for publishing in the magazines and journals
I'm contracting with, were performed using this professional camera.
I can use all set of lenses left from my old Pentax with Vivitar 3800n camera
'cause they have the same K-type mount.
...
This is a truly professional grade camera ...!

I totally agree with other fellows who say this camera is under rated. Also, I think this camera shouldn't be advertised only as: "student's" or "beginner's" camera. It's great for skilled photographers too. Mainly for art photography, rather than for "party" or "snapy" photography. It is very well constructed. It feels heavy enough to make you feel it's a "real camera".That's why I entitled this review as I did. I suppose that, if this camera would come for sale in stores, it would become very popular as a "heavy duty" camera all around. I dare to bet that V3800N will very easily take the place of the K-1000. And I mean, way easily.......I'm glad I have one.

I wanted an old Canon AE-1, mostly for nostalgia and known quality but didn't really want a used camera I may have to have fixed right away.

The class is black and white photography only, so for now, that's all I can comment on. Most of the other students have new Canon Rebels or other Canons and I swear I'm getting better prints! We use only 400 speed film on 8x10 prints and develop our own film. I've been using only Kodak T-Max 36exp so far, but would like to try Ilford HP5 next for their nice grey mixing. Also, we are using only available light. The clarity and focus on my prints is phenomenal! The detail is very precise. The exposure meter calls it pretty good for the most part, but you have to learn when and when not to use the setting it's suggesting. Mostly to adjust for extreme lights and darks, but that's not a camera function, it's something you just learn how to adjust for.

Luckily, for me, this is a completely idiot proof camera. You load the film, set the film speed, then let it tell you how to set your aperture and shutter. If you're new to manual cameras, I highly suggest taking a course of some kind anyway. You learn the settings and depth of field stuff etc.

The lens gives you a wide range for a beginner. The 28mm almost ensures the entire shot will be in focus. If you go to the zoom distances, the depth of field range gives you a great effect. The split-field focus wasn't as intimidating as I was told it would be. It works pretty slick, just line up the line, what's so hard about that! All my photos have been in focus. No problem.

This is definitely not a waste of money for what you get!