What Fuji Camera To Buy?

[CorisCapnSkip]

Questions about what it will do.

I've decided on a Fuji but not which model. First of all,

1. What model is the easiest and most likely to find cards for? Like if I had to just rush into a Wal-Mart, Staples, etc., when memory was full? What models have great memory so I wouldn't have to buy cards often and could just order a supply online?

2. I need to take some macro (wildlife possibly), LOTS of micro (items to sell on eBay or record for insurance where detail is important) and lots in a dark setting (theater where stage is lit but pictures may still come out dark.)

3. The camera needs to be able to switch from still to movie settings and be sturdy with a good long-lasting battery. I want to spend $150-$350.

One thing I don't understand about digital cameras. Some of my best pictures on 35 mm were in low light with either a slow shutter speed, or where the battery was starting to die and flash wasn't up to usual speed. Faces came out clear but there'd be a blur of movement on certain moving things such as arms or legs. Can digital cameras be made to capture slow-motion effects, or is the image ALWAYS a perfectly clear freeze?

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

[David Metsky]

Digital cameras are exactly the same as film cameras when it comes to freezing the action; it's all optics no matter how you record the image. If anything, digitals have the reputation of being worse at low light then film cameras, but I think that's more a perception problem. If you have full manual controls you can turn off the flash, set the shutter speed, and adjust the ISO and aperture to get the results you want.

If you are interested in low light shooting with crisp clear images you'll want a Fuji with the SuperCCD that has excellent high ISO performance. Not all Fujis have that sensor so read the reviews.

SD cards are much easier to find then xD cards. Most current Fujis have dual card slots at this point, so SD is what you are looking for. All cameras can take video, battery life will depend on a variety of factors.

It's hard to find a camera that does everything you want. The big zoom with the SuperCCD (S6000) doesn't take SD cards and costs more then you want. The F50 might not have the zoom you are looking for. You'll have to read the reviews and decide what's important to you.

BTW, why are you set on Fuji?

-dave-

[BiPolarBear]

one minor point, depending on where he is the S6000 is within his budget. Roughly $325 these days, or less than that if you're willing to buy a graymarket camera.

[Bynx]

I highly recommend the Fuji S700/5700. Ive had mine since June and had no problems with it. Its worked well under a wide variety of situations. The specs all fall within your criteria. Its a point and shoot with no extras to buy except an ac adapter. 10X optical zoom with a very good sensor. You can add screw on filters if you feel the need and can even add a telephoto and wide angle screw on lens as well.

[blue]

1. What model is the easiest and most likely to find cards for?

i have Fuji A820 and S6500. I think A820 would meet your requirements , it is very easy to operate, light and nice to handle. and it takes SD cards.

[David Metsky]

i have Fuji A820 and S6500. I think A820 would meet your requirements , it is very easy to operate, light and nice to handle. and it takes SD cards.
But it doesn't meet his zoom or low light needs.

[CorisCapnSkip]

Digital cameras are exactly the same as film cameras when it comes to freezing the action; it's all optics no matter how you record the image. If anything, digitals have the reputation of being worse at low light then film cameras, but I think that's more a perception problem. If you have full manual controls you can turn off the flash, set the shutter speed, and adjust the ISO and aperture to get the results you want.

If you are interested in low light shooting with crisp clear images you'll want a Fuji with the SuperCCD that has excellent high ISO performance. Not all Fujis have that sensor so read the reviews.

Actually, I'm interested in BOTH. Freezing the action in some situations and blurring it in others, or doing both in the same situation with different settings.


BTW, why are you set on Fuji?

-dave-

My first good camera was a Fuji, had it twenty years. Had a Nikon five years, it started dying after four. Two knowledgeable friends strongly recommended Fuji.

[CorisCapnSkip]

There's the s8000, http://cameras.pricegrabber.com/digital/m/47578046/search=Fujifilm but it doesn't seem to have Super CCD or Manual Zoom.

[David Metsky]

Actually, I'm interested in BOTH. Freezing the action in some situations and blurring it in others, or doing both in the same situation with different settings.
Then you need full manual controls and high ISO performance. A DSLR will be a better long term solution but with added complexity, size, and cost.

My first good camera was a Fuji, had it twenty years. Had a Nikon five years, it started dying after four. Two knowledgeable friends strongly recommended Fuji.
Fujis are good, and their SuperCCD is great, but I'd expand your search to include Canon, Panasonic, and Sony to get a full view of what is available. There are lots of good cameras out there, don't unnecessarily restrict yourself.

[CorisCapnSkip]

Okay, I'll post the same questions under Sony, thanks.

[Bynx]

Good thing you arent looking for a wife. Im sure you would be here forever because everyone would have their own favorite with that too.

[David Metsky]

Okay, I'll post the same questions under Sony, thanks.
Why don't you fill out the questionnaire in the What Camera Should I Buy? forum rather then a bunch of isolated ones? Brands aren't really that important; cameras are.

[CorisCapnSkip]

Why don't you fill out the questionnaire in the What Camera Should I Buy? forum rather then a bunch of isolated ones? Brands aren't really that important; cameras are.

If all else fails.

[tim11]

For low light performer S6000fd/S6500fd is the best. Search no further. Unless you want a DSLR...

[CorisCapnSkip]

That looks great. I especially appreciate the powerful zoom lens with manual control. It seems, though, as if it takes only an x-D card and someone said S-D was much easier to find.

[tim11]

Where I am, xD are as easy to find as SD; you just have to pay a little extra. However, a camera that's excellent in lowlight and more than fair in bright light is even rare than xD cards. It's not like you have to buy a card everyday...

[Bynx]

The Fuji S700 can use either SD or XD cards so the choice is yours. Im using SD and getting along quite well.

[CorisCapnSkip]

The S700 looks great, too, and certainly I could get everything it needs at Wal-Mart as they sell them there--for less than the manufacturer's price but still more than you can get them for at some places online.

I'm having trouble understanding the differences between the models, what are the differences and why so many.

[David Metsky]

That's what reviews are for. :)

The S700 doesn't have the SuperCCD, so it's low light performance is just average, not like the S6000. It's a smaller, lighter super zoom.

There are lots of models because people look for different things in cameras. That's why there's a questionnaire at the top of the "What Camera Should I Buy?" forum to give us enough information to make recommendations.

Lots of places online are ripoff joints. Don't fall for the lowest advertised price; buy from a reputable retailer (B&H, newegg, etc), pay a few more dollars, or buy from a brick and mortar store where you can easily return the item.

[barryindallas]

I just got a Fuji S8000fd with it's mega 18X zoom, I got it to shoot sporting events, so far so good except you can't zoom in and out during "movie" mode like my S700 but for $335 at www.buy.com I'm not complaining. Macro works great if you like really close up pics of flowers and stuff.

[CorisCapnSkip]

Having so many answers on my Fuji query and none on my Sony is pushing me even more towards Fuji. I will try filling out that questionnaire and posting the answers in this thread.

[David Metsky]

Having so many answers on my Fuji query and none on my Sony is pushing me even more towards Fuji. I will try filling out that questionnaire and posting the answers in this thread.
Good idea. :)

But why restrict yourself to Fujis? Post the results in the "What Camera Should I Buy?" forum and you may get more responses. Not everyone reads the camera specific forums.

[CorisCapnSkip]

Here is my completed questionnaire. Sorry for the long delay. I used the week following the last posting to catch up on other things. Just as I was about to get back to considering the camera question, my father died, which has used up most of the rest of the time. So now I need a good working camera like...Monday, if I can get it.

Meaning, I'm hoping for not only a recommendation for a camera but for a reliable company which will sell me one for less than I would spend in a store (even more important now that I've had expenses) and send it by Fed Ex or some other fast carrier right away.

At the funeral I conferred with my cousin, who preferred Sony. My video camera is a Sony and works great, so I am posting this under Sony as well as Fuji. Several people I trust, though, prefer Fuji and my first good camera was a Fuji.

Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.

I'd prefer to stay under $200.00 and absolutely under $300.00.

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?

Large enough to operate and not look dinky, but NOT HUGE! A video camera and tripod are my constant companions so I have to go easy on size of the still camera.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?

Enough to make good clear 8 x 10" and possibly larger prints. I think someone said 4 or 5 for this but I'm not sure. The more, the better, I guess.

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)

A lot of macro/micro. I might want to shoot anything from very tiny items, like detailed pictures of jewelry, to birds and animals in the wild.

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)

10. I don't want fuzzy, blurry, grainy pictures!

Do you care for manual controls?

I prefer a manual and auto option.

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?

For the last six years, MOST of my pictures have been taken in a theater--meaning, most of the room very dark, but with stage lighting which can be quite bright depending on the scene.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?

I haven't, but want the option to should I choose.

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?

YES! I wonder if I can get the option of high shutter speed/no flash, using flash, or slowing shutter speed, like if people are dancing with canes, their faces come out clear but the movement of the canes blurs which is a really cool effect.

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?

YES! (Dance)

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?

Like Fuji and Sony. My last Nikon conked out in under five years so not pleased about that.

Are there particular models you already have in mind?

Fuji and Sony.

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)

Yes, I'd like image stabilization, rotating LCD in case I want to shoot pictures including myself, some kind of flash, doesn't have to be hotshoe, and of course it needs a standard tripod mount.

My other requirements are, it has to shoot still pictures AND short video sequences (15 minutes or less is fine) and whatever sort of memory card it takes has to be readily available at a place like Wal-Mart or Staples because I don't want to have to go online every time I need a new memory card! Thanks VERY MUCH for your help!

[johnpierce]

Does anyone know if the S9100 has the super CCD?

Johnp

[pas49ras]

Does anyone know if the S9100 has the super CCD?

Johnp

Fuji says it does........

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/digitalcamera/overview.jsp?prodCatId=857102&item=I857102&dbid=857102&urltype=overview&NavBarId=I857102