MK5 Golf GTI
General => Photography Section => Topic started by: RedRobin on May 29, 2009, 06:36:13 pm
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To replace my Fuji F11 which is a great camera but the latest F200 has evolved the whole art of compact digital snap taking a whole lot further!
I especially like how fast it focusses and how quickly and easily it zooms from wide angle to telephoto. Everything is just much faster to use and register and the few results so far are extremely impressive in their natural lighting and balance even with flash. EXR promises to be stunning for a pocket digital camera of this type.
One of the first things I'll be testing is how well it captures Tornado Red with a blue sky - A recipe for pinkness on my F11 until I set it to default with +1 exposure compensation as a workaround.
My daughter inherits my F11 as a very good upgrade from what she has.
The last pic I took on my F11 of my daughter when buying her a MacBook Pro yesterday. She'll be well set up for her Art & Design foundation course in Cardiff in September. She's got the tools, the rest is up to her : -
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FRR%2FSky_AppleExeter.jpg&hash=8b583aaad25543d9060885c034611824c9ba766f)
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I think fairly shortly after I posted about Fuji cameras I had a look and saw it was out.
It's had fantastic reviews over at dpreview.com clicky (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf200exr/)
I've even considering chucking my current Fuji F50 camera and buying this one instead. The thing that held me back is that the manual functions aren't that great (shutter priority and aperture priority) which is something I was hoping would be closer to the F31 standard rather than more automated.
Look forward to more pics RR!
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Sky's best tool for doing well in her chosen subject is surely you Mr Red! :happy2:
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Sky's best tool for doing well in her chosen subject is surely you Mr Red! :happy2:
....Are you calling me a tool ?!!!!! :grin:
No, that's a beautiful thing to say, Nathan :love: :evilgrin:
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I think fairly shortly after I posted about Fuji cameras I had a look and saw it was out.
It's had fantastic reviews over at dpreview.com clicky (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf200exr/)
I've even considering chucking my current Fuji F50 camera and buying this one instead. The thing that held me back is that the manual functions aren't that great (shutter priority and aperture priority) which is something I was hoping would be closer to the F31 standard rather than more automated.
Look forward to more pics RR!
....I bought it on impulse! Having been to the Apple Store with Sky I left her and her friend to browse the girlie shops and I went off on my own browsing. I was looking for a magnetic-catch bag for my F11 (zips are never fast enough and velcro deteriorates) and went into a camera shop not a big chain store and so was curious if they had the Fuji you had been recommending. They didn't but had the F200EXR and I had a feel and a play. I read more about it overnight and decided that Sky could do with a much better camera than she had for her work (she was often wanting to borrow my F11) and that provided the perfect excuse for me to give in to my desires.
The Intelligent Face Detection feature is fantastic (I wonder if it also detects unintelligent faces) and so is continuous autofocussing. I'll be shooting on Fine 12 zillion px as what's the point of having such res if you don't use it.
The wide-angle - telephoto (optical) zoom is extremely practical too. I notice that in EXR-Auto that it usually (on my pics type so far) only sets f3.3 or thereabouts. In other words, an aperture which in old conventional SLR terms delivers only a shallow focus field - Is such a wide aperture setting different on a digital compact camera?
My preference would be to usually shoot with a fixed speed of about 1/125th and let the aperture find its best (highest value, smallest opening).
Doubtless it'll get plenty of use at the SC forum dyno day [Nathan better watch out!] :evilgrin:
Stealth - I'll let you have a go with it at SC :happy2:
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Robin - regarding your comments about depth of field and aperture openings.
On a digital compact camera the sensor is much smaller than that of a DSLR therefore the potential reduced DOF is negated. This is both a plus and a minus. Your choice of shutter priority would be useful if you are trying to freeze motion (higher value) or indicate motion (lower value). If I were you and had those kind of options on a compact I would go for aperture priority or even program mode (if available) and let the camera sort it out.
Can you control the ISO as well?
Hope I'm not preaching to the converted and some of what I said is of use. :wink:
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Thanks, Hedge :happy2:
It is helpful for me to learn that digi compacts have smaller sensors and consequently their influence on DOF.
This particular F200 has EXR sensors which are apparently slightly larger than most other digi compacts. Here's some info on the technology : -
Linky : - Super CCD EXR Technology Explained.... (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf200exr/page2.asp)
As the lens is zoomed to wider angles the DOF becomes less critical. Once upon a time I used to carry around 2 SLR Nikon bodies plus 4 lenses and loads of roll film. The ultimate camera is probably the digital Leica which cmdrfire has but it's megabucks and not as compact. It's Horses For Courses.
And yes, you can control the ISO and furthermore it will select the optimum ISO for you in the Auto modes.
Perhaps when I'm more familiar with it I should write and post a review.
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Fuji's SuperCCD technology has always been superior to other compact cameras. When the F10/11 came out, they were using similar technology and achieving far superior results despite only being 6MP (at a time when 6MP was the norm and 8MP cameras were coming out). Consequently, the camera had fantastic night-time images with very low noise compared to its peers.
Look forward to the review.
Unfortunately doubt I'd be able to make it to SC as got a mate's wedding on at the same time. If I do turn up, I'll probably be suited and booted :grin: :grin: :grin:
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Yes my Sky's F11 is about 6MP and this latest F200 is 12MP!! And as such, it actually makes using a compact at its max much more useful.
As that excellent review you posted a link to explains, low noise and dynamic range are extremely well resolved for a digi compact.
If you do turn up at SC fully suited 'n booted I will definitely be capturing it on my new F200!!
If I do write a review eventually it won't be very in-depth but more from my usual perspective (comparing it with my modded GTI :grin:).
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^^^I can just imagine you modding the camera with strips of CF! :grin:
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^^^I can just imagine you modding the camera with strips of CF! :grin:
....Now there's an idea!
How about using carbon vinyl? :evilgrin:
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So here are some results of my first tests. They have all been exported as High (not Max) quality and Large (not Full) size. My comments are below each pic. Your comments are invited.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FDesk_test.jpg&hash=430e6038d0c303f8cec6a649df5b918cbf71ef12)
^ First ever pic and on EXR point-and-shoot, auto-everything mode.
Excellent balance and natural lighting with good depth of field. Pass.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FGeneral_test.jpg&hash=4a70e4c35a0e48236ed8d7d8c688e7d26d2b100b)
^ General grab shot on EXR Auto [please ignore subject!]
Natural lighting and well averaged exposure for the subject variations. Pass.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FRED_test.jpg&hash=75bf482fc62f83a30a2ee5ae7bc5e6e75f32483f)
^ Excellent - Very pleased! Rich colour and great DOF and even good exposure of scene in distance out of far rear window. Pass+
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FRED_testpinkish.jpg&hash=f7e9b586133205f6a52df9095687b388ee7a2422)
^ Oh dear! Notice the pink although the red is okay on the bonnet.
Greens and foliage okay though. Fail.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FRED_testpink.jpg&hash=2f591ea9f72b60d32492ccd82d9a2fe72f27cc50)
^ Shooting the sunny side of the car results in pink! Not good! Fail!
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FGarden_test-1.jpg&hash=314c4bf3f930c1d629eb502dfdb2001f476832f8)
^ I used to under expose on the F11 to kill the pinkiness.
This is a whole -1 stop and so I'll try -2thirds next and on the car. Pass.
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(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FGeneral_test.jpg&hash=4a70e4c35a0e48236ed8d7d8c688e7d26d2b100b)
Robin whats with the orange and grey vinyl on your car, :chicken: i preferred yours when you had it red. :evilgrin:
And also why is there a chap doing a Mexican wave out of the sun roof on the car behind yours. :laugh:
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That is the definition of Carbage! :laugh:
P.S. Lovin the return of the Tornado Pink GTI! :P
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^^^^ :signLOL: :signLOL: :signLOL: :signLOL: :signLOL: :signLOL: Brilliant TC! A left and a right hook!
I knew I shouldn't have written "Your comments are invited"! Either that or I should have further qualified it by adding "except Top Cat and Greenouse" (and probably a few others!).
The guy in the 'Daddy' Tshirt is the owner and his missus turned up shortly afterwards with kid and fag in mouth. She was an extra large person too but I mustn't be a cruel fattist. He looked absolutely miserable, poor guy. I don't think he was even capable of imagining that his missus was Gwyneth Paltrow in the movie 'Shallow Hal' - You won't know what I'm talking about unless you've seen it.
The Mexican waving further back is a friend of mine - Ex Thames Valley Officer who used to drive the Jags back in the good old days before there was a 70 limit.
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Shame the camera still shoots pink. Is this a limitation with all cameras? Or just compacts?
The rest of the shots are fantastic and as usual, Fuji does well in the interior/indoors shot.
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I found that underexposing cured the pinkness on my F11 and so I'll find the best EV setting and leave it set, knowing that when I switch to EXR it will be overridden.
Fortunately I quite like a well saturated colour pic which under exposing tends to do. I used to regularly under expose when I used Nikon F-series pro SLR cameras many moons ago.
So far I'm finding that the F200 invites me into using more of its settings and hence capabilities than the F11 did. It's probably down to a much improved interface.
Have you suffered from the pinkness, stealth?
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Have you suffered from the pinkness, stealth?
My car's black :P :P :P
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^^^^
Yes, I know! But don't you ever photograph red things? Ferrari's even? Fire engines?
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Fire engines?
Do you have some kinda fire engine fetish we don't know about? :grin:
Honestly have never photographed red things like Ferraris or fire engines.
Might do a little photography over the next few days and report back.
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Fire engines?
Do you have some kinda fire engine fetish we don't know about? :grin:
....Only if it involves female fire fighters :evilgrin:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcrime.blogs.com%2F.a%2F6a00d83452e22f69e200e553d26e2c8833-320wi&hash=4a9923035d29ff5c282f3f86be77395a44a554a5)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic-p4.fotolia.com%2Fjpg%2F00%2F08%2F65%2F25%2F400_F_8652584_mLQTjhXRgrSDq90yn3RSzgyTjPaEQHX2.jpg&hash=8d72e1505a2aba6ef31d5d5cfa4cbca922cc6c0b)
^ Your mission, stealth, is to capture redness ^
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Further tests for pinkness, but selecting -0.67 EV under exposure : -
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FP_test_-067.jpg&hash=87885286189c0a6a6ba9c1301f96c90abb6a38bf)
^ Extremely rich colour on a very sunny day - This is what's to be expected from under exposure.
Colours are true though - Good greens, stonework, and white in flag. Pass.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FP_test_intoSun_-067.jpg&hash=f07efcd760695ed89dd87b98cf5308c02e03d68b)
^ Shot towards the sun and delivers excellent overall exposure (Pattern metering) and also the subtle building colours in shade are impressive. Pass.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2Fpink_test_-067.jpg&hash=35eb0708cde79bfb71b30188b9a382ee63a146a9)
^ Under exposure EV of -0.67 is an improvement but still too pink where lit by direct strong sunlight.
You can see the difference in the shady parts on the driver's door which aren't pink. Fail.
So my conclusion is that any tendency towards over exposure turns Tornado Red towards pink. I'll be testing -1.0 EV next.
One excellent feature of this camera is that you can see the effect on exposure on your composed photo as you revise the EV setting on the fly. It also displays your EV setting clearly. So it makes getting it right for the individual subject much easier.
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That church shot is fantastic RR. Shows off the camera beautifully.
If the weather's variable or sunny, I end up taking two or three shots at different exposures. More likely to hit the right one then.
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I haven't applied any sharpness or any other filter to any of these test pics. The church shot is in P-mode with -0.67 and Pattern metering (default). The F200 automatically set it at 1/250, f/9.0 and ISO 100.
I prefer to try and get it right in just one shot if I can. This new Fuji can shoot continuous too.
So, how is your mission for redness progressing?
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fdd296%2Fpetra45768%2Flady.jpg&hash=c447011dea9f12fa00cecdb1739e698803ab2507)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegembank.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2008%2F08%2Fred-edition-lady1.jpg&hash=cbdadcb9675476fe64d632a2e63115b0033adb77)
:evilgrin: :evilgrin:
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(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FP_test_-0.jpg&hash=9671fcdb8000b189b76af019a31bb17cd8e9df63)
^ I can't really fault this - A point 'n shoot grab shot from across the road between passing cars. One of those moments when you park, lock, walk off but glance back to perv.
EV -0.67, 1/220, f/12.0, 16mm zoom, ISO 200, Pattern metering, all on P-mode.
No filters/edits subsequently required.
Does it for me. £300 well spent and there's plenty more that I'll be able to shoot better than on my F11 with this very compact bit of kit.
:happy2: 8) :happy2:
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Your camera is on the Gadget Show on Channel 5 as I write.
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Your camera is on the Gadget Show on Channel 5 as I write.
You beat me to it Hedge!
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You beat me to it Hedge!
:P
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^^^^
Ooops! I'm in the middle of cooking! Missed it.
Is there a Ch5 equiv of BBC's iPlayer so I can see it online later?
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Yes.
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Just watched it online [Suzy Perry is looking hot].
The Panasonic rival is obviously a good camera too but I think Suzy's reasoning in her choice of mine the EXR was very sound.
Germany here we come! Of course I won't take any pics of Greenie for RED INK :evilgrin:
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:smiley:
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christopher robin!
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christopher robin!
indeed
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Much as I like this new F200EXR camera, it eats batteries!! I've already recharged it since last Friday.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FBear_test-flash.jpg&hash=28e037e1baf1552d46bc803ed94873eaeabbc64f)
^ Without any flash and in fully automatic EXR mode.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FFuji%2FBear_testflash.jpg&hash=7079ffcd12b6e32cc828c626614532ee3c12787e)
^ With Intelligent Flash in EXR mode. The Intelligent Flash is super intelligent - Just the right level.
Very natural colour and lighting - All superb in my opinion. Hedge? stealth? Dom? - Do you guys agree?
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You've finally found it then!
:rolleye:
The pics look very nice, but is it the camera or the photographer? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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^^^^
There was a reason why I and another couldn't access it. Something I'd have to shoot you afterwards if I told you - A parallel universe.
It's both the camera and the talent of the photographer in recognising a good shot.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMeets%2FSantaPod_Stealth.jpg&hash=b36c3113072e7cd82d6fa4bac6371f7910257b3d)
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Well then that will be me that recognised that ^^^^ shot! :laugh:
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Yes you were the Director that day and I was the photographer who composed the shot.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMeets%2FNathan_facepainting.jpg&hash=c54a2b165919960e95c55aae398ee7e330f432eb)
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Yes you were the Director that day and I was the photographer who composed the shot.
I prefer the term 'visionary' :grin:
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(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fparth.files.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fvisionary_art_of_gil_bruvel_3.jpg&hash=80a8ef9b5888616f9228d240862fc81e12d15fb6)
^ The Visionary ^
Keep taking the drugs! :evilgrin: