Fuji Natura anyone? 24mmF1.9 P&S

I have been using them since the first model came out late last year. There are two models, a basic, fully-auto p+s, and a black model "Natura Black" that adds +/- 2EV exposure compensation in 0.5 EV steps.

The "Natura Black" has much better construction than the basic model. It feels sturdier and there is a finger "pad" on the front of the body for your finger to rest on for better support.

At first, after using the Leica CM and M7, it was hard to get used to the shutter release button, which is small and almost to the edge of the camera body, especially when shooting in the portrait orientation, but after some use I found it easy to trip the shutter with the thumb.

I would say the PQ is on par with the Olympus Mju. One cannot really compare the two fairly as the focal lengths are so different, and few extreme wide angle lenses resolve details that finely.

While the inability to select aperture is a drawback, it is still a nifty little camera. At 195g its truly pocketable and its capable of fine indoor, low-light shots. I usually shoot NPZ800 with it indoors.

The color rendition is on the cool side. I actually think it works better with black and white film.

The focussing is quite quick and fairly accurate. Because of the extreme wide angle and the small size of the camera, I find its best not to recompose if shooting in the portrait orientation. A small tilt can translate into significant back focus.
 
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What do people think about this camera at approx $334 incl. shipping to Switzerland, vs $467 for a Ricoh GR1v NOS in a local store?

Fuji = 24/1.9, few manual controls
Ricoh = 28/2.8, more manual controls

The wider angle appeals to me, esp. combined with the 1 stop gain. But less manual control is a disadvantage.

How do the lenses compare in quality?

Thanks,
Nick
 
Ricoh GR1v & Fuji Natura vs Me

Ricoh GR1v & Fuji Natura vs Me

Personally I would buy both.

Although I am a Fuji fan, this time I would go for the Ricoh because of the better manual options and for me even the 28mm lens is a bit too wide. Buy the Ricoh, give it a go and if you don't like it sell it to me here. I have always wanted a Ricoh GR1.

Berci
 
nksyoon said:
What do people think about this camera at approx $334 incl. shipping to Switzerland, vs $467 for a Ricoh GR1v NOS in a local store?

Fuji = 24/1.9, few manual controls
Ricoh = 28/2.8, more manual controls

The wider angle appeals to me, esp. combined with the 1 stop gain. But less manual control is a disadvantage.

How do the lenses compare in quality?

Thanks,
Nick
Click to expand...

Get the fuji and send the Ricoh to me. :D
 
The Natura Black is kinda popular in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Put a roll of 1600 film in it and you got yourself the ultimate low light P&S. It's hard to find another camera that does the same thing at that price/size. I'm very interested in it too, I found a website that sells it at 27800yen and would ship outside Japan. (I can PM you the URL if interested as I don't know if it's appropriate to post it here.)
 
Taipei-metro said:
Is it Map Camera in Tokyo?
Black ones are cool!
Non-black ones are cheaper, Y$22,900, $200US.
One new film camera from Fuji; Natura Classica w 28-56 f2.8-5.4. Really really Cool! This one took 6 years to come, from the DL Super Mini-Zoom( I have one, excellent lens), wheew!
Good street machine.
Click to expand...

Yes I believe it's Map, but I don't read Japanese so it's just a page-ful of gibberish to me =P

I've heard of the Natura Classic too, but its longer and slower lens doesn't appeal to me. The 24/1.9 being a little more than a stop faster does make a huge difference in low light situations - what the Natura S/Black is often purchased for.

P.S. I believe the Natura Black has an extra function that is not found on the Natura S... but I'll have to look it up.
 
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.

Mine is Natura S - lavender color - cute ! :)
 
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Megaperls said:
The Natura S Black is no longer being made and sold out (almost) everywhere. You're lucky if you have one.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of putting my Natura S Black up for sale (only because I need the money) but now I'm not so sure. One feature I don't see mentioned is how when you load the film the camera winds it to its end and then works backward. Nice to know up front if I'm going to manage 36 or 37 shots off a roll and if someone were to accidentally open the back the entire roll would not be compromised.

Have you heard if Fuji is going to produce the Klasse II or not? It was announced along with the Natura Classica/Natura NS zoom models but nothing seems to have some of it. The original Klasse was rebranded as the AFM 35 for Rollei.
 
I would agree with this logic

I would agree with this logic

Makes sense to me, but I wish the Natura (and GSN) gave a tad bit more control like the hexar does -- e.g. manual ISO override, setting slowest shutter speed, EV comp, and actually setting an Av or Tv mode, rather than getting stuck with the DX speed on the cassette, and fixed 1/45th lowest speed, +2 EV, and no direct control over Tv or Av (or knowing what is chosen).

kunihiko said:
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.

Mine is Natura S - lavender color - cute ! :)
Click to expand...
 
ampguy said:
Makes sense to me, but I wish the Natura (and GSN) gave a tad bit more control like the hexar does -- e.g. manual ISO override, setting slowest shutter speed, EV comp, and actually setting an Av or Tv mode, rather than getting stuck with the DX speed on the cassette, and fixed 1/45th lowest speed, +2 EV, and no direct control over Tv or Av (or knowing what is chosen).
Click to expand...

The Natura S Black version adds +/-2 stops exposure compensation which has come in handy for me. The regular Natura S lacks this.
 
Supposedly, production has been discontinued. I thought about one, but just couldn't justify it for low light situations vs. a high ISO digital--like the new Fuji F30. Did I screw up or not?

The bottom line for me is $300 is a lot for a film P&S when I can get a tiny digital for the same price. Maybe that's what killed it
 
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