I'm thinking of buying this camera? please some opinions wanted!

[cleofus1]

i'm thinking of buying this...from berger brothers...Price: $589.99


http://www.berger-bros.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BBCVD&Product_Code=FUJ43870008

[cleofus1]

1. some specs

Fujifilm Finepix S9000 (9.0MP) Super CCD Digital Camera


FEATURES:

9.0 MegaPixels with Super CCD HR Technology
Real Photo Technology with new RP Processor
New 10.7x Wide Angle Optical Zoom (28mm -- 300mm equivalent for 35mm)
Tilting 1.8in LCD for easy viewing from any camera angle
Full manual controls for the serious photographer

SPECIFICATIONS:

CCD Sensor: 1/1.6-inch Super CCD HR Total pixels: 9.24 Million Pixels
Number of Effective Pixels 9.0 Million Pixels
Number of Recorded Pixels 9.12 Million Pixels
Image Processing Type: RP (Real Photo) Processor
Memory Type: xD Picture Card , CF Card and MicroDrive Dual Slot
File formats:
Still image: DCF-compliant
Compressed: Exif Ver. 2.2 JPEGDPOF-compatible,
Uncompressed: CCD-RAW (RAF) (Design rule for Camera File System compliant DPOF compatible)
Movie: AVI format, Motion JPEG
Audio: WAVE format, Monaural sound
Recording capacity with one 16MB xD-Picture Card (included)
Still images:Raw 0, 9MP(F)3, 9MP(N)6, 5MP12, 3MP19
Movie: 640x480 13 Sec., 320x240 26 Sec.
Lens: Fujinon (13 elements in 10 groups)
Lens Focal Length (Rated) / (35mm Equiv.): 6.2mm/66.7mm / 28mm - 300 mm on 35mm equivalent
Aperture Range F2.8 to F11; 13 steps in 1/3 EV increments Manual/Auto selectable
Optical Zoom 10.7X Wide (28- 300mm)
Digital Zoom 2X Fixed
LCD monitor Tilting 1.8" TFT (118,000 pixels) 100% coverage, aspect ratio 4:3
Dimensions 5.0" W x 3.7" H x 5.1" D
Weight approx. 22.8 oz (excluding accessories, batteries, xD-Picture Card or CF/Microdrive)

[cleofus1]

2. the camera...

[priller]

3. Some reviews

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms9000/

I think - with the possible exception of the Panasonic FZ30 - it's fair to say the S9000 is the about as close any manufacturer has ever come to producing a fixed-lens camera that offers real SLR-like handling and operation. It certainly looks like a DSLR, and at lower ISO settings it produces results you have to look at very closely before you can see they're not from one. On the other hand it is in many ways frustratingly far from offering a true alternative to an SLR; high ISO performance is good for a small-sensor camera, but simply doesn't compare to even the cheapest entry-level SLR. Raw performance is painfully slow, and the lack of any tools to actually process the resultant files means the S9000 doesn't offer a true 'out of the box' raw solution. There are also a couple of interface and control issues that make the experience of using it far from fluid.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S9000/S9KA.HTM

As time goes on, the falling prices of digital SLRs make it harder and harder for high-end all-in-one cameras to find a place in the market. That said though, the Fujifilm FinePix S9000 makes a pretty compelling case for itself, offering an excellent 10.7x zoom lens (that extends to a very useful wide angle equivalent focal length of 28mm) and loads of resolution at a price a hundred dollars or more less than the least expensive d-SLR equipped with only a modest 3x zoom. It doesn't quite approach the quickness or low light/high ISO prowess of most d-SLRs, but certainly does well enough in these areas to suit the needs of most amateur photographers.....This is a camera that a pure novice can start with and grow into as their skills mature. No camera is perfect, and the S9000 has its own set of foibles, but on balance, it's a great choice for enthusiast photographers on a budget.

Whenever I see a camera like this, I think "Why not just get a DSLR?" Looking at the conclusions of a few other reviews, they seem to agree somewhat. If you're new to digital photography, then getting a smaller, easier-to-use (but still with some manual controls) would probably be a better bet. Something like the Canon A620. If you've had a point-and-shoot for a while, and you're looking to move up to something more serious, I would just make the leap to DSLR.

[cleofus1]

4. i might consider this

Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens

pricey at 700 bucks...

[cleofus1]

6. detail on the nikon

Type: Single-lens reflex digital camera
Effective pixels: 6.1 million
Image sensor: RGB CCD, 23.7 x 15.6 millimeters; total pixels: 6.24 million
Image size: Large: 3,008 x 2,000; medium: 2,256 x 1,496; small: 1,504 x 1,000
Autofocus: TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator (approximately 0.5m to 3.0m); detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature 68 degrees F or 20 degrees C)
Focus lock: Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
LCD monitor: 2.0-inch, 130,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Media: SD memory card
File format: Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF
Shooting modes (still): 1) Single frame shooting mode; 2) continuous shooting mode, approximately 2.5 frames per second; 3) self-timer mode; 4) delayed remote mode, 2-second delay; 5) quick-response remote mode
Focus area: Can be selected from 5 focus areas
Picture angle: Equivalent in 35mm format is approximately 1.5 times lens focal length
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level penta-Dach-mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.6 to +0.5m-1)
Lens servo: 1) Autofocus (AF-A) Auto-Servo AF; camera automatically chooses singleservoAF (AF-S) or continuous-servo AF (AF-C); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status; 2) AF-S; 3) AF-C; 4) manual focus (M)
Remote control: Wireless remote control ML-L3 (optional, not included; must be purchased separately)
Storage: Compressed NEF (RAW); 12-bit compression, JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant
Viewfinder: Focus indications, AE/FV lock indicator, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure/exposure compensation indicator, flash output level compensation, exposure compensation, number of remaining exposures, flash-ready indicator
Exposure mode: Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait),Programmed Auto

with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto ; Aperture Priority Auto ; Manual
Exposure metering: TTL full-aperture exposure metering system: 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II with 420-pixel RGB sensor; 2) center-weighted: weight of 75% (8-millimeter diameter circle); 3) spot: meters 3.5-millimeter diameter circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
Exposure Range: 1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering); 2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f1.4 lens, 68 degrees F or 20 degrees C)
Sensitivity: 200 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1 EV
White balance: Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes, preset white balance,white balance bracketing possible
Built-in speedlight: Auto flash with auto pop-up

, , , ; manual pop-up with button release Guide number (ISO 200/ISO 100, m): approximately 15/11 (manual full 17/12)
Accessory shoe: Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock provided
Autoexposure bracketing: Three frames, +/1 2 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 steps
AF Area mode: 1) Single Area AF, 2) Dynamic Area AF,3) Closest Subject Priority Dynamic Area AF
Autoexposure lock: Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure compensation: +/- 5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Eyepoint: 18mm (-1.0m-1)
Flash sync modes: 1) Front-curtain sync (normal sync), 2) red-eye reduction, 3) red-eye reduction with slow sync, 4) slow sync, 5) rear-curtain sync
Self-timer: Electronically controlled timer with 2 to 20 seconds duration
Playback menu: 1 frame: thumbnail (4 or 9 segments); magnifying playback; slide show; histogram indication; highlight point display; auto image rotation
Delete function: Card format, all frames delete, selected frames delete
Power requirements: One rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL3, AC adapter EH-5 (optional, not included; must be purchased separately)
Dimension (W x H x D): Approximately 5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0 inches (133 x 102 x 76 millimeters)
Weight (without batteries): Approximately 1 pound 1 ounce (540 grams)
Supplied accessories: Rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL3, quick charger MH-18a, video cable, USB cable UC-E4, strap, body cap, eyepiece cap DK-5, rubber eyecup DK-20, accessory shoe cover, PictureProject CD-ROM
Storage (number of frames per 256MB SD memory card, image size L): RAW: approximately 33; FINE: approximately 70; NORMAL: approximately 137; BASIC: approximately 258; RAW and BASIC: approximately 29
Video output: Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
Interface: USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)
Text input: Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header
Focusing screen: Type-B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
Viewfinder frame coverage: Approximately 95%
Viewfinder magnification: Approximately 0.75x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1
Shutter: Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter,30 to 1/4000 second in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb
Sync contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/500 second
Flash control: 1) TTL: TTL flash control by 420-pixel RGB sensor; Built-in Speedlight, i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering) SB-800 or 600, i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering); 2) auto aperture: available with SB-800 with CPU lens; 3) non-TTL auto: available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s; 4) distance-priority manual available with SB-800
Flash compensation: -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Tripod socket: 1/4-inch (ISO1222)
Lens:
Focal length: 18-55mm (35mm equivalent 27-82.5mm)
Minimum aperture: f22-32
Maximum aperture: f3.5-5.6
Lens construction: 7 elements in 5 groups (with 1 ED glass element and 1 hybrid aspherical lens element)
DX type: DX Nikkor is designed exclusively for use with Nikon Digital SLR models
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 meters (11.4 inches)
Filter/attachment size: 52 millimeters
Weight: Approximately 210 grams (6.8 ounces)
Dimensions (W x L): Approximately 69 x 75 millimeters (2.7 x 2.9 inches)
What's in the box: Camera body, rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL3, quick charger MH-18a, video cable, USB cable UC-E4, strap, body cap, eyepiece cap DK-5, rubber eyecup DK-20, accessory shoe cover, PictureProject CD-ROM, 18-55mm lens, LC-52 snap-on front lens cap, rear lens cap

[F.Gordon]

5. Buy it. Use it. Have fun

:hi:

If it's in your budget go for it. Can't answer your Burger question so I don't know if you'll be getting Fries(d) with your order.

Looks like a good camera. What do you think you'd primarily use it for and how often would you use it?

[cleofus1]

7. i will use it for web page posting for my companies website

to take gallery quality pictures of my paintings and of course pictures of Alaska (outdoors) and my family...

it's at the verge of not being affordable...but if i push it just a little bit i can do it...today...

[F.Gordon]

9. I say go for it

I don't know about the "gallery quality pictures of my paintings" thing, but for everything else I think it'd work very well (I took a looksie at some galleries online that use this camera).

Getting good image reproductions of your art might be tricky but that'd be the case with any camera. You'll probably have to play around with light and stuff like that. My only attempt at something like that was my oil stained piece of cardboard "abstract art".
:crazy:

Alaska? Hmmm.... I seem to recall that there is someone who hangs here that is from Alaska.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. Yep, I've seen Cleofus at the local Fred Meyer...

I wasn't sure it was him, so I didn't say anything. I think we're neighbors actually, from the same part of town.

[F.Gordon]

13. I **thought** I met Touchdown a few weeks ago

Only person I know in Colorado that owns a D200 so I thought this guy HAD to be Touchdown. When I went up to him and said... "Hi Touchdown... what the fuck are you doing here?"... he looked at me a little strange.
:rofl:



I think he and I were the only ones snappin' during the National Anthem thing. I think he's from Canada. One of those Canuck Tarists'

You and Cleofus should get together.

Ok. That's it. I've had waaaaaay toooooo much coffee. Back to what ever the hell it was I was doing.
:crazy:

[Touchdown]

15. No, not me. I got lense envy though.

I'm about as fat, with less hair and blonder. Less gray on the goatee. There's no way I would be wearing a denim shirt in the heatwave last month though.:rofl:

This is what I look like



:evilgrin:

In no way do I resemble this guy, with his smug look and his ridiculously excessive car (I bet he pays $370 a month for that thing! Sucker!)

[F.Gordon]

17. All pictures that "in no way resemble me"......

Have been either destroyed, or like the pics that Ms. Toad has... I've agreed to pay $5,000 a year so they never get posted here.
:rofl:

Is that a Beeeeemer? Looks like a Beeeemer.

[cleofus1]

8. the nikon d50

[cleofus1]

10. i just purchased it from best buy

with an extra SanDisk - 1.0GB Ultra II Secure Digital Memory Cardc 756 dollar...

[F.Gordon]

11. Excellent!!!

9meg camera that shoots in RAW... you'll need a 1 gig card. Have fun and don't forget to stop back and post some friggin' pics.
:hi:

[cleofus1]

14. 6.1 megs...sigh...

but from what all the reviews say...it's a great camera....

[Touchdown]

16. Glad you bought from BB. My story about NY mail order places...

...would've prompted me to go on a long diatribe about being ripped off, then I would've looked up Rip Off Report on Berger Bros. then report back that you should steer clear because the ratings can't be trusted, etc, etc, etc. Thank you for saving my fingers.:hi:

Two good recommendations for your camera though. The SB-800 speedlight, and a Tamron leather "digital" strap. The digital one has pouches for 2 CF cards, and quick release clips for tripod use. Nikon's straps are scratch fever. The speedlight is the best starter for Nikon's wireless sync system, and it comes with a softbox for portraits. Get some other Nikon flashes and a few stands and you've got a studio in a small gym bag.

I've seen some beautiful pics with 6.1 megas. Don't sweat it.:hi:

Oh look. I'm still a chatterbox anyway.:dunce: