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I first became aware of this camera from a tiny snippet on the internet that equated it
to the Leica Mini II. I have searched for information on this camera and there is very
little available. I found that this camera was sold as the Freedom Escort, the Riva
Mini, and the Leica Mini II. It may have also been badged with Panasonic and Vivitar.
Rumor has it that the camera was manufactured by Matsushita (Panasonic) using
Minolta lenses. Unlike many other compact 35mm cameras, this one was made in
Japan.
The Freedom Escort is a fully automatic camera with infrared autofocus, programmed
autoexposure, built-in flash and a self-timer. The camera has a 34mm f/3.5 lens
consisting of 4 elements in 3 groups. The lens is very sharp and has a great angle of
view for snap shots and street shooting. Color rendition is very nice with the colors
being natural, bright and clear.
Even though this is an automatic camera, the photographer has quite a bit of control.
The focus can be locked by pressing the shutter release halfway. This allows the
camera to hold the focus so that the picture can be recomposed placing the subject
off center. The built-in flash provides five different modes that the photographer
can choose from. These are auto flash with red-eye reduction, auto flash, fill flash
with red-eye reduction, fill flash and flash off. Beyond this, the camera handles all of
the other decisions using the autoexposure.
After some searching, I found one for sale. My camera was originally owned by the
Indiana State Police. The camera arrived in great shape; I was expecting it to show
more wear. It came with the original case and the instruction manual. It is very light
and compact and because the lens retracts the camera fits into a pocket without any
problems. The Freedom Escort is well designed and it is easy to hold with one hand
for snap shots. The controls and LCD display are on the top of the camera and are
easy to use. My version has a Quartz Data back. This allows for the imprinting of the
time and date on the pictures. This does add a few millimeters to the thickness of
the camera.
My experience with the camera has been quite positive for a usage point of view.
Also, the pictures that I have created with the Freedom Escort have surpassed my
expectations. One thing too watch out for; frame your pictures a little tighter than
what is showing in the viewfinder and they should be properly composed. They
came out sharp and colorful. This is truly on of the best compact point and shoot
cameras. I think that it has been pasted over by the collectors for a couple of
reasons. No manual control over the exposure at all and the camera does not carry
one of the high end names like Leica or Contax. Also, I think the scarcity of the
camera keeps modern collectors unaware of this wonderful little shooter.
Click the picture below to see examples from this camera on my Flickr.com site.
to the Leica Mini II. I have searched for information on this camera and there is very
little available. I found that this camera was sold as the Freedom Escort, the Riva
Mini, and the Leica Mini II. It may have also been badged with Panasonic and Vivitar.
Rumor has it that the camera was manufactured by Matsushita (Panasonic) using
Minolta lenses. Unlike many other compact 35mm cameras, this one was made in
Japan.
The Freedom Escort is a fully automatic camera with infrared autofocus, programmed
autoexposure, built-in flash and a self-timer. The camera has a 34mm f/3.5 lens
consisting of 4 elements in 3 groups. The lens is very sharp and has a great angle of
view for snap shots and street shooting. Color rendition is very nice with the colors
being natural, bright and clear.
Even though this is an automatic camera, the photographer has quite a bit of control.
The focus can be locked by pressing the shutter release halfway. This allows the
camera to hold the focus so that the picture can be recomposed placing the subject
off center. The built-in flash provides five different modes that the photographer
can choose from. These are auto flash with red-eye reduction, auto flash, fill flash
with red-eye reduction, fill flash and flash off. Beyond this, the camera handles all of
the other decisions using the autoexposure.
After some searching, I found one for sale. My camera was originally owned by the
Indiana State Police. The camera arrived in great shape; I was expecting it to show
more wear. It came with the original case and the instruction manual. It is very light
and compact and because the lens retracts the camera fits into a pocket without any
problems. The Freedom Escort is well designed and it is easy to hold with one hand
for snap shots. The controls and LCD display are on the top of the camera and are
easy to use. My version has a Quartz Data back. This allows for the imprinting of the
time and date on the pictures. This does add a few millimeters to the thickness of
the camera.
My experience with the camera has been quite positive for a usage point of view.
Also, the pictures that I have created with the Freedom Escort have surpassed my
expectations. One thing too watch out for; frame your pictures a little tighter than
what is showing in the viewfinder and they should be properly composed. They
came out sharp and colorful. This is truly on of the best compact point and shoot
cameras. I think that it has been pasted over by the collectors for a couple of
reasons. No manual control over the exposure at all and the camera does not carry
one of the high end names like Leica or Contax. Also, I think the scarcity of the
camera keeps modern collectors unaware of this wonderful little shooter.
Click the picture below to see examples from this camera on my Flickr.com site.
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| Phoenix, Arizona Photography Enthusiast Specializing in Portrait, Landscape and Fine Art Photography |
