Fuji thrills me again

[btgc]

You know, Fuji? Same Fuji which made stylish 3mpix F601Zoom (design by Porsche, whatever it means), compact F10/11/30 and Natura? While I don't see I could shell out money asked for Natura, I broke and got Zoom Date F2.8 Silver (Black were sold in Japan only, differs by expocorrection), know as Silvi in Japan.

Yes, my first P&S with zoom lens, 24-50mm - very reasonable range, like my Tokina 25-50/4 lens, just in even more compact form. Camera of same size as Mju][/Epic - just of same thickness on both sides. Sure, no control over aperture nor speed - it's P&S camera, though.

Most useful info on this camera I've read is here (proceed to last replay). Quick shot mode (24mm, fixed focus, dedicated button which activates QS mode, also from OFF state) would be charmer when using for candid street shots. AF infinity lock, missing on Mju/Epic.

Another nice feature is - two release buttons; one can use both or make active only either one. My wife is lefty - hope she will enjoy left hand release.

UI is displayed on large LCD (green, turns into red when editing settings, after seconds of inactivity blanks).

So tomorrow I'll load film (it's prewound on load and wound back into cassette as you shoot) and see what we can do.

 

[shadowfox]

Too bad it doesn't look as sleek as the Ricoh GR-1. I like Fuji lenses so it'll be interesting to see the images from it.

 

[btgc]

Too bad it doesn't look as sleek as the Ricoh GR-1. I like Fuji lenses so it'll be interesting to see the images from it.

Oh sure, agreed - it's not eye-catching camera. It looks like any of zillion of casual P&S and sometimes it can be a good thing - like colored body Konica C35 EF3 makes people thinking it's toy camera and ignoring it. Mju II/Epic has nice form, which makes thicker end like a grip. And that aerodynamics...Though Fuji is like casually looking woman in which you suddenly see clear hints of sleeping talents. And you start to see it in new light, and you want to know her better.

Today I loaded it (counter ran to 38, then reverted back to 37). Already like that VF is located on left side, like on FL RF's - can frame with right eye, having left open to see around and not having face obstructed by camera. Green AF confirmation light isn't in VF but next to VF window. No red flash light to see what cameras thinks about light, thus forcing me to switch flash off to be sure.

But then I like pitch of motors. Not loud, not low, smooth and sounds as precision does. After year of not using Epic, I jump up when it advances. Not so with Fuji. I like large LCD - first I thought it's posh, and my vision has improved, though why stare at small symbols in tiny 3-symbols display?

Release buttons are fine and short travel is right for me. Again, Epic after this year feels having too long travel (my pure Epic, I still count you as one of finest affordable AF P&S's).

Stepped zoom is OK for me, as I look at zoom as lens having several focal lengths not way to fill frame. So I either stay with default 24mm or drive to 40-50mm. In fact, I like idea of dual focus lenses - back then there were also dual-focus P&S cameras, very good concept.

So far so good, hope to finish roll by weekend and get film souped at beginning of next week.

 

[NickTrop]

Fuji - I like their films esp. 1600 bw Neopan.
My favorite rangefinder - Fujica Compact Deluxe (just love how the lens renders on that thing f 2.8-f4...)
Only digital I use regularly - Fuji Finepix F20...

Yeah - Fuji knows what they're doin' - but, hey, it's Fuji. They're not exactly new at this...

 

[btgc]

Yeah - Fuji knows what they're doin' - but, hey, it's Fuji. They're not exactly new at this...

While I were aware about Fuji 645 series, and I mostly use Fuji film, though I think again what a great company they are. They certainly know how to make compact cameras, too. So I don't wonder about their popular digital series.

Finally got film back and must admit, it's well spent money (on camera). While body is not attractive like Mju, though Yashica T-series also aren't design queens 😛 besides that, ergonomics, metering and glass are what counts. btw on front are two semicircular-like pieces - they are for better grip. Fingers snap on them better than on plain plastics.

For a first roll I'm pleased with results I got. Black version has EV+-2 correction, though on Silver I were fine without it (anyway correction is made through menu, not dedicated buttons or dial).

Some pictures are filtered out of my flickr stream to share -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17767363@N00/tags/fujizoomdatef28/

 

[Avotius]

Fuji can make stuff like this, and those great klasse cameras.....why the hell have they not bothered to stick the sensor from a S5 in one???? It is not as if electronics are not small enough yet...

 

[btgc]

idea out of thinfoil helmet

idea out of thinfoil helmet

Fuji can make stuff like this, and those great klasse cameras.....why the hell have they not bothered to stick the sensor from a S5 in one???? It is not as if electronics are not small enough yet...

probably to make you purchasing S5?

Feature-wise compact camera with large and too good sensor would immediately withdraw those DSLR users who aren't system users, just looking for camera better than their crappy no hi-iso capable digital P&S. I have seen enough people who buy DSLR after they discover digiP&S performs awfully without lots of light. Probably lately problem has been solved by new models, can't say for it.

 

[peter_n]

probably to make you purchasing S5?

Fuji discontinued the S5. They do not currently manufacture a dSLR.

 

[sienarot]

What do you mean again? Fuji has never stopped thrilling me! In fact when it comes to colour film, I only use Fuji. My intent is that all my large format lenses will be Fuji as well (already have 2, going to trade up one of them for the Fuji equivalent, and I have another Fuji lens I'm on the lookout for).

There's only two names I have any brand loyalty for: Carl Zeiss and Fuji.

 

[btgc]

Fuji discontinued the S5. They do not currently manufacture a dSLR.

uh, I mean general trends, not Fuji particularly. If they make DSLR, P&S will lack some features met on entry level DSLR which lack features of their fat-end DSLR's.

What do you mean again? Fuji has never stopped thrilling me! In fact when it comes to colour film, I only use Fuji. My intent is that all my large format lenses will be Fuji as well (already have 2, going to trade up one of them for the Fuji equivalent, and I have another Fuji lens I'm on the lookout for).

There's only two names I have any brand loyalty for: Carl Zeiss and Fuji.

After I were been thrilled by 800Z, Reala and even Superia 200 (which is superior to Inferia 100 and 400), for some time I took Fuji as granted and spent time with Olympus, Yashica and Ricoh. That way this comes again.

 

[chubasco]

Btgc, post some pics, would love to see what this Fuji can do! Looked on
your flickr, some real dazzlers this month, excellent work!

EDIT: OK, the dazzlers were all taken with the Silvi!

Bill

 

[Trius]

What do you mean again? Fuji has never stopped thrilling me! In fact when it comes to colour film, I only use Fuji. My intent is that all my large format lenses will be Fuji as well (already have 2, going to trade up one of them for the Fuji equivalent, and I have another Fuji lens I'm on the lookout for).

There's only two names I have any brand loyalty for: Carl Zeiss and Fuji.

The only GAS I have is for the 240A. The 150/5.6 and 90/8 are brilliant. I had the 400T, but wasn't using it, so sold it.

 

[sienarot]

The only GAS I have is for the 240A. The 150/5.6 and 90/8 are brilliant. I had the 400T, but wasn't using it, so sold it.

Hehe, I have the 125/5.6 W and the 210/5.6 W. I'm looking to trade up my super angulon 90/8 for the Fujinon and I'm still deciding over whether or not to get the 65/8 (wider, but less coverage/movement) or the 75/8 (not as wide, but more coverage/movement).