Fujifilm Finepix EXR S200

[Manfred M]

Hi Folks,

Just a couple of notes:

- I've read through all of the posts here. I wouldn't interpret Manfred's post as "snobbery"; What he wrote is accurate and delivered without any "emotion" (for want of a better word). I can also understand how someone may have interpreted this as being just a little too "straight up", but I would like to encourage folks to - if in doubt - "give others the benefit of the doubt". I've also heard the expression "don't judge the signpost - just look at the direction it's pointing", which may be applicable too. It's a fact of life that there are pros and cons to any technology. P&S cameras have the advantage of being low-cost and capable of taking a great photo UNDER IDEAL CONDITIONS. SLR cameras can cover a whole bunch of conditions - but you pay for the privilage (and they're bulky). Bridge cameras certainly can take a great photo - but you may well find that there are circumstances where you come across it's limitations in terms of image performance or potential accessories. Manfred appears to have your best interests at heart by suggesting that you MAY want to consider not investing too much in Bridge camera accessories because there may be a reasonably good possibility that you'll soon want to go beyond it's capabilities (or you may not -- we have no way of knowing).

- We did indeed used to have a seperate forum for compact cameras, but the more we thought about it, it just didn't make any sense to seperate cameras into different forums -- so we just combined them into one. Or put another way, this forum is for ALL camera types.

Quite correct on where I was coming from, Colin. My writing style tends to be quite emotionless; it's what I do for a living; I'm and engineering manager. Technical analysis and documentation is not literature and it has to be clear and concise and if it ever goes in front of a third party (legal issues), it has to be seen as being factual and presented without bias. I try to do the same when I write here; facts and carefully considered opinions and no "fanboy" emotions. Colin, you are quite correct; there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of camera, and you list the key ones here.

Over the years I (and other familiy members) have owned Point & Shoot (first one was a Canon Powershot S30), a superzoom Panasonic FX-20 and a Nikon D90 DSLR. I paid approximately the same amount of money for each of these, so prices have certainly come down and functionality has increased. I've taken compelling pictures with all of them and the Powershot is the only one that no longer works and was replaced by a Panasonic FX9 that still accompanies me daily). The other cameras still get used.



This shot was taken with the Canon Point & Shoot. Everest Base Camp, in Tibet Autonomous Region, China:





This shot is taken with the Panasonic crossover is of a Hill-Tribe woman in Northern Thailand gathering firewood:




This shot of an acrobat in period costume was taken at Upper Canada Village, near Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada with the Nikon D90 using an f/2.8 70-200mm lens:



No snobbism; here. I will use whatever is at hand to capture the moment...

[thelad]

Hello Jim,

A good place to start for info on using your camera is the manual. I'm guessing it will be similar to many manuals - useful, if a little heavy going at times.

Another source of information is the tutorial section on this site. Although bridge cameras are different from point and shoot or DSLRs the basics of photography are the same.

Hope these tutorials are useful -

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tu...a-exposure.htm

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tu...a-metering.htm -

but there are also lots more.

The fact that you have moved on from just setting the camera on Auto is a good step. Just take lots of photos, use the EXIF data to analyse what happened - what worked and what didn't, and post questions and photos on here.

Dave

Hi Dave

Peter posted the Link for the Manual and i have Downloaded ALL 129 pages on to A4 paper and its now in a Large folder for Guidance and Reference and everyday when not working my camera or taking images I am looking at the tutorial going through them one by one so i like to think i am getting somewhere but time will tell Anyway i will not give up as it beats filling and emptying the dishwasher or hoovering I have NOT got round to the EXIF data thing yet or looked to see where it is or where to find

So thanks again and thanks To Peter for the Manual link sure beats the one I got with the camera

take care

Jim thelad

[thelad]

Quite correct on where I was coming from, Colin. My writing style tends to be quite emotionless; it's what I do for a living; I'm and engineering manager. Technical analysis and documentation is not literature and it has to be clear and concise and if it ever goes in front of a third party (legal issues), it has to be seen as being factual and presented without bias. I try to do the same when I write here; facts and carefully considered opinions and no "fanboy" emotions. Colin, you are quite correct; there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of camera, and you list the key ones here.

Over the years I (and other familiy members) have owned Point & Shoot (first one was a Canon Powershot S30), a superzoom Panasonic FX-20 and a Nikon D90 DSLR. I paid approximately the same amount of money for each of these, so prices have certainly come down and functionality has increased. I've taken compelling pictures with all of them and the Powershot is the only one that no longer works and was replaced by a Panasonic FX9 that still accompanies me daily). The other cameras still get used.



This shot was taken with the Canon Point & Shoot. Everest Base Camp, in Tibet Autonomous Region, China:





This shot is taken with the Panasonic crossover is of a Hill-Tribe woman in Northern Thailand gathering firewood:




This shot of an acrobat in period costume was taken at Upper Canada Village, near Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada with the Nikon D90 using an f/2.8 70-200mm lens:



No snobbism; here. I will use whatever is at hand to capture the moment...

Hi Manfred

Many thanks for your input which I appreciate and its true what you say and Like I wrote to Colin I should "Walk before Running" and your points were valid and not go spending or getting too much for the camera just now

I like your images and thanks for showing them using different camera's and that's the sort images love to do (ACTION) ones after images Of Bonsai Trees and Bonsai Shows without getting the movement BLURRED as the Blur seems to happen to me a lot

I have been using the Sports Setting on the in the SP MODE whilst I am at the Last Sunday Of The Month workshops which is held at a local Garden Center where there is plenty of Light and plenty of movement so maybe its time for a re-think

thanks again

take care

Jim thelad

[Sponge]

Hi Jim,

I have a Fuji HS10 "Bridge" camera which is similar to yours and although I now have a micro four thirds camera as well, there are still situations where the HS10 comes in handy (namely Macro and situations that call for a long zoom). I would try to learn to use the Aperture and Shutter modes on your camera (if it's like mine, the A and S on the mode dial) since that way you only have to learn one or the other at a time. My Fuji doesn't deal with high ISO too well so I'd be wary of using anything over 800 (maybe up to 1600) unless absolutely necessary, using your monopod is probably essential to attaining this with indoor Bonsai shots. Also a higher Shutter speed should help to avoid blur indoors as would the 2 second timer function to minimize hand vibrations. You could also shoot in burst mode or 'continuos shooting' (take a series of shots in a row) which will give you a better chance at getting a sharp image. If you haven't already, I think your model has the Super Macro mode like mine which will let you get up to 1cm away from the subject, maybe try that out on the Bonsai trees and see if it works.
Mostly just experiment but pay attention to what works and have fun.
Best of luck,
Patrick

[thelad]

Hi Patrick

Many thanks for your input and i happy that you have the Fuji HS10 "Bridge" camera which is similar which you say is similar to the EXR 200

Learning about the P A S M on the Mode Dial is something I am trying to do I know it may sound stupid BUT I did not have a CLUE so I did a GOOGLE SEARCH to find out about the Meaning and what the Exposure Mode and what or how they should be used,even tho I always presumed that they meant P must be Program,A for Aperture, S probably Shuttle and M maybe Manual or Mode Dail so now I have printed that off so I feel a bit more confident now

I use the 2 Second timer a lot BUT must admit I have never used the burst mode or continuous shooting as i presumed it would take to many images of the subject [NOT THINKING I may have a better chance of getting a sharp image. Yes the S200 has the Micro and Super Macro mode but I never used it for Bonsai Tree but certainly will be trying it out. Lastly having Fun and just experiment but pay attention to what works could be MY PROBLEM as I am always in a hurry to get to the next shot NOW I realize Mostly just experimenting and the need pay attention to what works should also be a priority for me

Many thanks again and Take care

Jim thelad

[Ice]

I have a fuji 2930 ... i LOVE it ... it does so many things. Just get the feel of it ... take walks and shoot ... try different settings and textures.

I got mine mainly because i could not afford too much for a camera (and the prices can get quite expensive). So before I put a lot of money into something like cameras and lens, i wanted to make sure before that commitment. And I just gave it a shot and tried it out ... I cannot change out lens, but ---
it still has MANY options on it ... I have some photos I am going to post later and you will be able to see, there is not alot of difference (if any) ...
I do my kids sports (it has bursts on it) and so many cool features. I have done weddings with mine, and bridals that have made me many compliments.

It is all in how you learn how to work your camera ... with it be a camera phone (which i love my andriod - 8 mega pixels - bursts - ect) or a $1,000 camera ... Yep - you can have that awesome, high dollar camera, but if you do not know how to work it - well, it might as well be from a card board box.

Get online and do research on it ... test it out and play with the different settings ... see what you can do - you will do just fine

[thelad]

Hi Anna

A Thousand thanks for answering on this Fuji Finepix S200EXR topic

I have been trying out different settings and seeing some of the results I really like the camera my biggest problem is lack of knowledge as I seem to be the type of guy who needs to be showing exactly what to do either in person or in a video, where I can pause tryout then practice till it comes natural to me. I am not a fantastic reader but I do like to follow explanations and images as long as it is the camera i am using. I know it may sound stupid but over the years I found out I am more of a practical guy than a scholar

I was fortunate the family got me the camera as a surprise gift as I like doing Bonsai and taken images of Bonsai,Bonsai Shows,Workshops and Meetings plus the action shots of anything no matter what it is, family, wildlife, Nature and Snapshots this is where I seem to have problems as I get a lot of Blurr movement at times when i use various settings but some seem to be ok when I use the Sport Setting But find this not so good in Low- Light situations for Bonsai Meetings

I have been going through the mode Dial P=S=A=M but when i use these modes Should I do any adjustment to the camera in anyway or does the camera automatically adjust the settings !!!

I am trying to get away from Auto and trying manual so I am getting somewhere

You Wrote "I have some photos I am going to post later and you will be able to see, there is not alot of difference (if any) ...I do my kids sports (it has bursts on it) and so many cool features.
I have done weddings with mine, and bridals that have made me many compliments.

I look forward to seeing your images as I am sure I will learn from them

You Mentioned the Burst setting and guys on here have told me about using it but being over 21 I keep forgetting or really know when i should using it hopefully I will get the hang of it all

I have been searching on line but find not many sites deal with info about "BRIDGE CAMERA"

Once again thank-you for your input

take care

Jim

[eVaan]

I own a Fuji Finepix S3200. It's a super zoom camera and it's not the worst you can do. I bought it only because i was short on money. It turned up to be a really good camera after all. There are some bad and good points. Good are the best zoom you will ever see on a camera without carrying a telephoto lens and the worse is in my case autofocus and noise on the picture. Not one of my pictures is smooth. I would recommend a cheaper Canon or Nikon kit because a simple Nikon D3100 is an entry level and it's not really much more expansive than any Fuji camera. If you can. You can shoot with that Fuji but have in mind that the results are not even to be close. Except for the zoom of course.

[thelad]

Hi Ivan

Nice to hear from you and many thanks for writing and explaining about the Fuji Finepix S3200 Zoom At the moment I getting the hang of the S200exr and today I used the Continuous Burst for the FIRST time and had our dog as the subject to see what effect I would get and Avoid any BLURRING and I was surprised at the results to me the images was CLEAR but taking 6images at a time I would have to use a LARGE Memory Card but then that just a smal detail I hope

thanks again for writing

take care

Jim thelad

[thelad]

Hi Ivan

Nice to hear from you and many thanks for writing and explaining about the Fuji Finepix S3200 Zoom At the moment I getting the hang of the S200exr and today I used the Continuous Burst for the FIRST time and had our dog as the subject to see what effect I would get and Avoid any BLURRING and I was surprised at the results to me the images was CLEAR but taking 6images at a time I would have to use a LARGE Memory Card but then that just a smal detail I hope

thanks again for writing

take care

Jim thelad

[proseak]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Verbatim-439...6405605&sr=1-1

HTH

Peter

[thelad]

Hi Peter

Many thanks for the link I will check it out and it looks like I will have to use this or larger size of Memory Card if using the Burst Mode, I have tried Burst a few times and i am wondering if I should maybe use the RAW feature !!!! as well as JPEG

thanks again

Jim