First Results with Fuji Natura Camera

[raid]

Turn the camera on,
Press 'date' until '----' shows on LCD.
No?

Thanks! I set it to today's date. I will figure out how to get ----.

 

[DougK]

Nice shots, Raid. That little guy has a pretty good lens on it.

I'm tempted, so very tempted...

 

[raid]

Doug: Any 24mm lens will set you back more than what this camera costs. I still need to figure out how to use the camera in available light. I have seen some impressive shots with such a camera and available light.

 

[celluloidprop]

re: available-light shooting, this is what's posted in another thread here, I don't know if it's possible to change to this mode with other types of film.

24mm f1.9 is great, but it's not the only special point of this small camera.
When a roll of film with the DX code 1600 or higher is loaded, the camera will be set to NP mode - no auto-flash, +2EV ex-comp, 1/45sec limited slow shutter speed -.
Fuji says that over 40% of photographs are made inside at night with under LV8 or lower - living rooms, restrants, bars or something. Most of those snapshots tend to be unnatural(sometime harsh) with auto-flash. That's what the Natura cameras are designed for.
Most of P&S lowlight snapshots without flash tend to be 2EV under exposed because of top lightings and warm color of modern interior lights(camera meters mainly read green. interior lights tend to lack blue).
Fuji also found that most of average P&S users can hold a camera without significant camera shake in shutter speed of 1/45sec, but not longer. And LV3.5 seems like darkest situation they use a camera.
With a 1600 speed film, +2EV ex-comp, 1/45sec slowest shutter speed and lowest light LV3.5, f1.9 lens was then needed.

Don't judge the Natura cameras only with lens sharpness, AF accuracy or lack of manual controls, but real "AUTO" point and shooting under various situations in daily life(with 1600 film).
There is no auto-everything camera which is like Natura cameras.

 

[raid]

Thanks celluloidprop ... I have one ASA 1600 natura film, but I hate such fast films.

 

[celluloidprop]

Automatically setting the meter to overexpose two stops, making the 1600 film an effective 400 seems odd.

 

[raid]

I wish it is possible to set the 1.9 aperture and just shoot, with the possibility of manually adjusting the exposure.

 

[sfb_dot_com]

You either like the fall-off/vignetting or you don't. It's a little bit like the 12mm Heliar, which is of course much wider, but the gradation seems very sudden. I was therefore wondering if it's actually the lens shade itself, as from looking at the pictures of the camera itself, it seems that the lens is quite deeply recessed in an oblong 'shade' possibly to prevent flare. That would also account for why it's not so apparent in vertical shots. My evidence to back this up is that I had something similar when I inadvertently put my 12mm Heliar's lens shade on incorrectly.

For the record I do like the results, nice and crisp and pleasing, although as CV lenses are quite cheap, I'd rather have the 25 f4 Skopar and a Bessa L body. Then again AF compacts have never been my thing.

Regards

Andy

 

[raid]

You either like the fall-off/vignetting or you don't. It's a little bit like the 12mm Heliar, which is of course much wider, but the gradation seems very sudden. I was therefore wondering if it's actually the lens shade itself, as from looking at the pictures of the camera itself, it seems that the lens is quite deeply recessed in an oblong 'shade' possibly to prevent flare. That would also account for why it's not so apparent in vertical shots. My evidence to back this up is that I had something similar when I inadvertently put my 12mm Heliar's lens shade on incorrectly.

For the record I do like the results, nice and crisp and pleasing, although as CV lenses are quite cheap, I'd rather have the 25 f4 Skopar and a Bessa L body. Then again AF compacts have never been my thing.

Regards

Andy

Andy: You could be quite right about the light fall-off because of the lens and camera design. I need to experiment with the Natura and figure out which type of photos work best with it. I got the camera even though I already have a Bessa L with the 25mm/4 (which I love). The max aperture of 1.9 does make a difference and it is a camera that people view as a snapshot P&S camera so it is possible to make great candid photos with it.

 

[dcsang]

hmm.m. I'm still interested in this camera but I'm curious to see more tests in available light Raid...

I personally don't mind the light fall off but I know it may be different in an indoor lowlight setting; and seeing as how I don't mind fast films (1600, 3200), I'd like to see how this performs.


When you say you can't set the camera at f1.9; does the camera "do it all" for you? (i.e. it's a true P&S vs a P&S with manual overrides)?

Dave

 

[raid]

hmm.m. I'm still interested in this camera but I'm curious to see more tests in available light Raid...

I personally don't mind the light fall off but I know it may be different in an indoor lowlight setting; and seeing as how I don't mind fast films (1600, 3200), I'd like to see how this performs.


When you say you can't set the camera at f1.9; does the camera "do it all" for you? (i.e. it's a true P&S vs a P&S with manual overrides)?

Dave

Dave,
Don't get me wrong; this is a great little camera with an exceptional lens and built-in electronics. I don't think it is possible to choose the aperture though. I will try to locate the write-up on the camera with examples of low-light photos.

 

[dcsang]

Dave,
Don't get me wrong; this is a great little camera with an exceptional lens and built-in electronics. I don't think it is possible to choose the aperture though. I will try to locate the write-up on the camera with examples of low-light photos.

Thanks Raid,

I know it's a great cam.. I'd be very interested in getting one and I've spotted one on Ebay out in Taiwan.. seller seems reputable (100%) and has been around for almost 4 years.. At issue of course is the fact that EVERYTHING is in Japanese 😀

So I appreciate your putting this cam through its paces.. and for that I say "Arigato Raid-San" 😀

Cheers
Dave

 

[hth]

There are three big languages in Taiwan and none of them are Japanese... 🙂

Will you get a girlish Lavender or Pink Natura BTW? 😛

/Håkan

Thanks Raid,

I know it's a great cam.. I'd be very interested in getting one and I've spotted one on Ebay out in Taiwan.. seller seems reputable (100%) and has been around for almost 4 years.. At issue of course is the fact that EVERYTHING is in Japanese 😀

So I appreciate your putting this cam through its paces.. and for that I say "Arigato Raid-San" 😀

Cheers
Dave

 

[raid]

There has to be a way to translate the information from Japanese to English. I tried one of the online translation sites, but it keeps on giving me an error code.

 

[DougK]

All right, already! You guys made me blow my resolve for not purchasing a camera this month!

However, on the plus side I've only bought one camera in the last three months prior to today and now I have a Natura S Black on its way here thanks to the magic of the internet. 😀

I can't wait to play with this camera. Now I need to go get some high speed film...

 

[raid]

Congrats Doug.

I wonder if I can trick the camera by using an ASA1600 cartridge with ASA400 film and some exposure compensation to get the NP mode.

 

[Taipei-metro]

Congrats Doug.

I wonder if I can trick the camera by using an ASA1600 cartridge with ASA400 film and some exposure compensation to get the NP mode.

Fuji did not mention a 1/45 sec was used in NP(natural photo) mode when loaded w Natura 1600 film, I believe when you put the 1600 film in, the camera goes to NP mode; no flash, 1/45 sec or higher speed, no 2ev over-ride, w necessary f stop. If the scene is dimmer then 20 lux, camera gives out warning and you may want to switch to 'flash on' mode.
I think Fuji may want to sell their more expensive film. I don't even use 800.
I think, just use 100 film in low light, turn the flash off, to induce f1.9. But I think you'll never know it's f1.9 in the photo.(?)

 

[raid]

Fuji did not mention a 1/45 sec was used in NP(natural photo) mode when loaded w Natura 1600 film, I believe when you put the 1600 film in, the camera goes to NP mode; no flash, 1/45 sec or higher speed, no 2ev over-ride, w necessary f stop. If the scene is dimmer then 20 lux, camera gives out warning and you may want to switch to 'flash on' mode.
I think Fuji may want to sell their more expensive film. I don't even use 800.
I think, just use 100 film in low light, turn the flash off, to induce f1.9. But I think you'll never know it's f1.9 in the photo.(?)

I will try this method out, but I fear that the camera will not go to the 1.9 aperture and will instead use a longer exposure. I will not buy any film faster than ASA400 for B&W and I stick to ASA 100 for color.

 

[Taipei-metro]

So use 400 film w 1600 DX cartrige to set on the NP mode, you have 2 stop under, may not be that serious for print film.
This is a 6 group 7 element lens, lots to explore for its capacity.
I used 400 fuji film for the famous 'night food market', set to f2, aperture priority, no flash, autofocus w Hexar Silver (35mm f2). Lots of fun, of course many times I wish a wider lens.

 

[raid]

I still don't see how this would be different from using any speed film and adjusting the exposure. Maybe I am missing something here.