VANTA
Vanta isn't exactly a well-known camera brand name -- anywhere.
Vanta G-5
But Vanta sold a 35mm SLR camera -- the G-5 -- which was made by Seagull
and has a Minolta SLR lens mount. It was a one-shot wonder and who
knows where it was designed to be sold. Still, it has a unique mix
of features all its own. Let's start with the shutter. It has the typical
speeds of 1/1,000 - 1 second, plus B -- but it adds a T setting! Press
the shutter release once, and the shutter opens -- until you press it again.
This obviates the need for a cable release, but the G-5 has a cable
release connection anyway! Go figure!
The shutter is electronic, but the G-5 does not have automatic exposure.
It does have a TTL meter which provides metered-manual exposure control
with the help of three LEDs in the right-hand side of the viewfinder. A RED
dot in the upper right indicates under-exposure. An ORANGE dot in the
lower right indicates over-exposure. A GREEN dot in the middle right
indicates correct exposure.
While it drops the sensa-switch, and there is no need for an exposure
lock, the G-5 has a self-timer, and adds a small lever next to the film advance
lever for easy multiple exposures-- VERY NICE! In addition, it has
a DOF button -- unlike most Seagull cameras.
Due to the simplified viefinder display, the flash shoe is HOT, but
not DEDICATED. It lacks a "flash ready" light in the viewfinder. It
also lacks a PC connection.
The back has a film display window and a thumb grip, but the G-5 lacks
any auto-winder connections.
| Shutter | Shutter speeds |
Flash synch speed |
TTL meter- ing? |
ISO settings |
Auto expo- sure? |
AE lock? |
View- finder info |
Flash shoe |
Sensa- switch? |
PC plug? |
Multi- expo- sure? |
Cable release plug? |
Stop down button? |
Self timer? |
Mirror lock-up? |
Motor drive option? |
Battery used for |
Film indicator |
|
| Vanta G-5 | cloth, horizontal |
1-1,000 B,T |
1/60 | Y | 12- 3200 |
N | N | 3 LEDs |
Hot | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | meter & shutter |
Window |