Is Vivitar 3000(28-70mm) SLR is a good camera please suggest?

[Lotus]

can anybody suggest me that the above camera is good or not,
and what is the meaning of 28-70mm on that.
also what is mean by 52 mm on the main lense.
and what is macro lense.
thanks in advance
bye
lotus

[alistair]

Sorry I can't really tell you whether or not it is a good camera but I can help you with the rest.
35-70 is the range of focal lengths covered by the zoom lens. This means you can set the lens at any focal length within this range.
50mm is considered "normal" and will give a view similar to that of the human eye.
Longer focal lenghts will give a narrower view and objects closer than they actually are.
Shorter focal lengths will give a wider view
and objects will appear further away. You can use a lens like this, called a wideangle, to include more of a scence in your photograph.
The 52mm marked on the lens is the diameter of the lens which you need to know if you are going to be attaching filters or hoods to the lens.
The word "macro" marked on a lens like this usually indicates some ability for the lens to focus on very close objects.
With a true macro lens it should be possible to record a life size or greater image of the subject on the negative.
"Macro" zoom lenses can sometimes manage an image about 1/4 life size but the word is often marked on the lens more as a selling point than a true ability.
hope this helps a bit.
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alistair
http://www.silverlight.co.uk