Vivitar V3800N Manual SLR Camera with 50mm Lens & Case

I bought this last minute and it came exactly when I needed it and on time, This camera is perfect for a beginner like myself.

It has every feature needed for a beginner to learn photography. What I have learned in this process is that you need everything manual (not automatic) to truly learn the ins and outs of photography. Otherwise, you rely too much on the automatic features of a camera, and therefore do not learn how to do it yourself.By the way, this camera comes with the worst owner's manual ever published. The one I received must be at least 12 year old, or older. Hopefully there is a better one to download.

Awesome beginners camera. Will last a lifetime if taken care of. Very pleased.

The camera that I bought is for my daughter. It is is perfect condition and works fine.

This camera was delivered broken. The shutter was not working properly, which then made the entire camera useless. The camera was also promised brand new, but when received the case looked worn and the camera instruction book was wrinkled. Failure of the shutter meant the camera was not useful and had to be returned.

Summary:If you prefer or tolerate used equipment, find and obtain a respectable camera from the 1980s or 1990s. If you prefer new equipment, the Vivitar 3800N is a decent choice, but not as good as the best mechanical SLRs in their heyday.Background:I bought this camera in order to re-enter film photography. I had my own darkroom kit since middle school. I love technology and in 1997 bought one of the early consumer-oriented digital cameras (it came with a 2 megabyte compact flash card). After some years of digital photography I decided that there is much to say about film photography. I wanted to leverage my investment in K-mount lenses, and because I prefer brand-new, I bought what seems to be the last of a dying breed: a purely mechanical SLR.Review:The Vivitar 3800N is a steal considering how complex the mechanism is. And I'm satisfied because I got my money's worth. But that's the point -- it's not very well built.Hate to say this folks: this camera is cheap. The serial number is a sticker on the bottom plate (not stamped into the metal). The rubbery material that covers most of the back plate is sure to deteriorate over time (it's sticky). The multiple-exposure button is located right under and in front of the shutter dial, and it's easy to press by mistake. (To be fair, it's a mere distraction, because pressing the multi-exposure button won't due any harm, because the button only works when it's pushed in while the film winder lever is advanced to charge the shutter.) The mirror is hardly damped and makes a big clunk. Engaging the self-timer immediately raises the mirror which stays up until the focal-plane shutter opens and closes.None of these issues are big deals -- the camera does work. It sports a vertical travel metal focal-plane shutter, and a diagonally split image rangefinder surrounded by a microprism ring area. If the Vivitar 3800N were sold in the 1960s, it would have commanded considerable respect. But film cameras evolved to T-rex levels in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Compared to the mechanical cameras of that era, the Vivitar represents the lingering remnants of a bygone tradition. Perhaps Pentax will consider a limited revival production run of the K1000, KX, or MX. That would be something worth paying a bit over the Vivitar 3800N.Footnote:I got the "kit" package, which includes a flash (the worst I've every held in my hands), a multi-exposure toy cap (hmm this could be a conversation piece), a UV filter (nice), batteries for the internal exposure meter (not needed for the camera's operation), two cases (a camera case and a kit case; haven't had a SLR case in 35 years), a roll of monochrome film, and a 50mm f1.7 lens. I got the "kit" package because I was curious. Knowing what I know now, I would've bought only the Vivitar 3800N body if I could have.

I purchased this camera less than a month ago and have been using non-stop ever since. A few things you might want to know about it is... the Vivitar V3800N is an amazing camera if you use the right film with it. The right film can really make this camera live up to its potential. I've gotten two rolls back - one very dark, grainy, and dull. And another where every picture is outstanding! So you really will want to load this baby with some real film: Fujifilm, Kodak, you know...You probably should know already that this camera is 100% manual, pretty much nothing about it is automatic. You set your own ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and focus. The hardest part about this is the focusing, and maybe the aperture. The viewfinder is VERY hazy and weird to look through, but I will say that after using it for a while, you get used to it and focus pretty easily. It's hard to know what to set your aperture to, also. You can put batteries in the camera so that when you look through the viewfinder and press the shutter halfway, it will give you a green light indicating that your lighting is correct. I think that this system isn't thought out very well. It depends on your film speed, really. When I am REALLY wanting to get the shot, I will pull out my Nikon DSLR and snap a shot with that, then check the exif info and set the film camera to the same aperture, ISO, and even shutter speed. That has worked very well with me, and when I got the film developed, some of those shots are the very best.Don't think that this camera will be too hard for you to use. Film is such an amazing, raw experience. Much better than digital if you can imagine! This camera is a learning process - it will seriously strengthen your photographic skills and teach you a lot. I paid an arm and a leg for this camera (don't know if the Amazon price is less... probably) but I must say it is worth it. Makes for a LOT of fun and memories. You can't go wrong! PLUS, everyone has Canons, Nikons, and digital cameras for that matter. Having a Vivitar film camera makes you super cool!Go out and shoot, I advise that you buy this camera for the experience, fun, and learning! But most of all, the many memories it will make.

i liked the camera, it looks new and all but the battery cover was 95% broken, and it fell off and i didn't know it can't without cover. it gave me a hard time my first day in class :(. I ordered a battery compartment online but i won't get it for another week which is probably gonna effect my class assignment!!! :( but overall it looks new and good but useless till i get battery compartment (another 10$ expense)