storage case / software / tripod ??? F31fd

[mrmax]

Recommendations Please...
I'm shopping for a decent storage case for F31fd that would store everything that came in the box for the new F31fd including manual and software CD.

What software do you use in addition to the CD fuji software?

Looking for a tripod, I am thinking of both a mini and a tall one, but being being portable and light is critical.

I haven't used a digital on a tripod yet, but it seems to me a way to trigger the shutter release button remotely would be a nice feature. IDEA! a small infrared remote control to simply trigger the shutter release, seems like a decent feature for a digital.

[aurin]

oh , yes a an infrared trigger would be amazing!

you dont need the cd, unless i am very mistaken, (i dont know whats on it except for negative reports on the forum) and if you need to carry software around, use a memory stick, put picasa on it! The manual is better read and learned at once, but of course is slightly handy in the beginning, although a real handbook to digiphoto would be of much better use

as for bag now, try to get the "zeroshock" bumb'n bang protective gear - you can play tennis with this one, and theres a tiny pocket for extra memory card, its zipped (both ways) and has a strong handle, i let the f31 handle (string) be outside, and grip that before unzipping to avoid dropping it.

as for tripod, i use a tiny, ittybitty one with flexible feet that is always with me, and then a mediumsized 300gram model for having in a backpack, plus a real tripod for demanding shots, rarely used due to size and weight

now a zip has three advantages over velcro: it is silent, it prevents rain and its strong, i have looked at a hundred other bags and would not take any over this, the bag is is onesizefitsallifyourelucky and thats exactly fitting!!

[aurin]

these programs are really handy together, i have configured neatimage to automatically profile the f31, so when i drag apicture from picasa to neatimage, it is automatically finetuned, noise removed and sharpened (as needed for high iso) saved and done

then in photoacute i load for comparing photos, try it and you'll see what i mean, also just dragging photos from picasa - the point of photoacute is to take a series of photos to remove noise while keeping clarity and that works fine, i take iso 1600 or 3200 in series of last 3 if the situation needs it, but the comparing feature is worth the program

i sometimes use panorama maker which is almost too simple but has a slightly weird interface, makes ok panoramas though

picasa is the number one for importing, sorting, organizing, posting, emailing and printing - for heavy editing i select it in picasa and drag (or rightclick) into the photoediting program, but i almost entirely rely on the mentioned programs and as i dont have a slr see little point in photoshop or lightroom, that are too big for my computer anyway (core solo, 512mb ram mac mini:)

aurin