FujiFilm S9600

[Mike.C]

Hi I am looking for another digital camera and I like the look of this one http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/store ... tId=715000

Has anyone used one of these or the older S9500 model it replaced? As with everything else that comes under the heading of technology I am a bit of a novice, so with this in mind is this type of camera easy to use? I live in an area that has some lovely sea and mountain views and so I am after a camera with a good zoom, do you think that this one would cover this?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Philly]

Mike
I believe Alf has that model - hopefully she'll be along soon.
I have the S7000, and love it. Fuji make some great cameras, at a great price.
Cheers
Philly

 

[Mike.C]

Thanks for the fast reply Philly. I have been looking for one on and off for a while now and I keep on coming back to this one.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Gerry]

Another very happy S7000 use here! The only way I would change it is to go to Digital SLR.

Gerry

 

[devonwoody]

My S5000 fuji is on the blink, it has done over 10.000 pics. tho.
I sent back the fuki S5500 last week because it had so many things missing from the camera it was supposed to succeed.
Might have to step up to the S9600, I think the extra wide angle is one up on the 7000.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I have the earlier 6500, very similar. Lovely camera, great output, easy to use.
Very unhappy recently when I discovered that the burglars had nicked my MIcrodrive. Bought another to discover that the new 4G are a different OS so they don't work and they don't make 1G any more. Fortunately mine also takes CF, expecting a new card today.

BTW, mine was £700 when I bought it, Feb 2003.

It looks like it also has a cable release on it. If it does, you'll find that very useful if you use a tripod.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Alf]

Despite its flash looks, I actually have its little brother, the S6500fd. And yes, it really is as good as everyone says; very good bang for the buck (and I notice I can smugly say I paid slightly less buck than this ) In making up my mind I found the reviews here extremely helpful. My second Fuji in a row (and three in the household all told) and I wouldn't hesitate to go with them again.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Mike.C]

Thanks Alf and the rest of you guys you have twisted my arm, but before I put my order in I need to know which extra memory card to order. It takes both the XD (up to 2GB'S) and CF Flash (up to 4GB's). What is the difference between the two? Common sense tells me to go for the CF Flash because it is double the size of the XD, but what do you think?

My old tripod has had it and so I am going to get another one. Should I go for a Fuji or can you get decent universal ones that will fit any camera?

Finally what is the difference between say the digital Fujifilm and a digital slr such as this Sony? http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... ameras.htm

As I have said above there are some beautiful views where I live and so I want a camera with a decent zoom. Is the one on the fuji a good one and can you add an extra lens to help boost this?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Steve Maskery]

Mike
As regards tripods, the tripod itself will come with a plate which fits that particular model of tripod (all manufacturers have their own, unfortunately) but that plate will be universal as regards its fit in the bottom of the camera. It will probably be 1/4" although some large cameras have 5/16 or 3/8 - can't remember.

I have two tripods and they are as different as chalk and cheese.

My Hamma is light & easy to carry, and is fine for stills work but useless for my camcorder. It's simply too wobbly, I've only got to touch it and it shakes (that's why the cable release is so good). But then again, it only cost about £30.

I also have a Manfrotto, big, sturdy, robust and very versatile, it can be put into several different configurations. But then it s £250 worth of tripod and head.

YPYMATYC.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Neil]

Mike,

Make sure you shop around if you decide to go for it - for instance, Pixmania has it for £233.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[Mike.C]

Thanks Neil well spotted.

Cheers

Mike

 

[cambournepete]

Please whatever camera you get avoid Argos like the plague and go somewhere like Warehouse Express or Digital Depot.
I've bought from both and had very good service from both. They're also cheaper than Argos.

Panasonic also do cameras with a similar zoom range for the same money.
For a 28-500mm zoom range try Olympus. I think I might have got this rather than a DSLR if it had been available, and then I'd have had more money for tools...
Check out the reviews on DPReview and try and play with the camera before purchase (Jessops might be useful for this).

A DSLR is likely to give you a better picture as (very simplistically) the lenses and sensor are bigger, but will cost you more to get the same zoom range. Again go to a proper dealer and not a box shifter liked Argos.

 

[Mike.C]

Many thanks for the links Pete and I will steer clear of Argos.

Cheers

Mike

 

[devonwoody]

Mike,

Make sure you shop around if you decide to go for it - for instance, Pixmania has it for £233.

Cheers,
Neil

I have just ordered mine from amazon total £242 including delivery but without the extras (which I already have)

 

[Pete W]

TI need to know which extra memory card to order. It takes both the XD (up to 2GB'S) and CF Flash (up to 4GB's).

Mike, I don't know that there's much difference except the XD cards are physically smaller than CF.

Did you buy that laptop you were asking about recently? If so, does it have a built-in card reader (my laptop will read XD, SD and a couple of other formats, but not Compact Flash). I find it more convenient to take the card out of my camera, plug it into the laptop for picture transfers. Lightning quick, and I don't have to keep track of yet another odd cable.

Something to consider

 

[Mike.C]

Hi Pete, thats a good idea. My Brother all in one printer also takes memory cards directly. I put the smart media card from my old camera in it, and it prints out in no time at all.

Cheers

Mike

 

[devonwoody]

there are two types of xd cards, H & M.
The H variety wont work with my card reader, I have to use a cable.

 

[Mike.C]

Thanks DW.

Cheers

Mike

 

[aldel]

Mike,
Purchase compact flash in preference to XD cards. XD cards are very slow.

Compact flash cards are available in type 1 or type 11. Most cameras will take either but always check. 2gig Sandisk 11 (high speed) are the best value. Higher speed 111 or 4 are available at much greater cost. In use there will be very little difference in read/write speed as the camera electronics are the bottle neck. Comet currently have a good price for the two gig high speed 11 at about £33.00. Avoid Jessops at something like £ 67.00 for the same thing. BEWARE.......... many of those offered on the 'Bay for cheap prices are inferior copies.

Aldel

 

[Mike.C]

Aldel, thanks very much for the tip, but I just went over to Comet and I cannot see the one you are talking about. They don't seem to have any Sandisk or any cards for £33. Did you see them in one of their shops or on the net. Maybe they have sold out of them. Let me know if you can because that sounds a good price.

Cheers

Mike