F31fd questions -- owners pls come in!

[David]

Hi guys,

Just got a 2nd hand F31fd. Nice cam.

Some questions/comments...

1. I tried taking a night shot of an HDB flat. Before pressing the shutter, the lights look properly exposed on the LCD screen. Upon pressing the shutter half way, the image on the LCD becomes much dimmer. But the final image is as what I saw before pressing the shutter 1/2 way.

Is this normal? If so, why would Fuji make it this way? Initially I was puzzled and thot I was underexposing the scene when actually it was the opposite.

2. Also, how many of you are using a high speed (Type H) 1GB xD card? On the box, it says the card may cause interruption of video recording at 640x480. Has it happened to any of you? I tried on the F31fd but so far no prob.

3. Just a comment: Noticed that the F31fd allows for exposure compensation in the pseudo-"Manual" M mode. However, if the exposure is, say fixed at 1/60s, f/2.8. You can decrease/increase the exp compensation. It looks darker/brighter on the LCD but after you have taken the pic, you will realize actually the exposure is not changed at all, ie it is fixed at 1/60s, f/2.8! Think Fuji made a blunder on this one.

4. Another comment: The writing speed of the image to the card is a little disappointing even though I am using a Type H (High speed) xD card. For some images, I noticed the LCD screen will blank out for a split second after the shutter button is pressed completely. Never experienced this with other digicams previously.

Please share!

[grantyale]

Quote: 1. I tried taking a night shot of an HDB flat. Before pressing the shutter, the lights look properly exposed on the LCD screen. Upon pressing the shutter half way, the image on the LCD becomes much dimmer. But the final image is as what I saw before pressing the shutter 1/2 way. Is this normal? If so, why would Fuji make it this way? Initially I was puzzled and thot I was underexposing the scene when actually it was the opposite.

It's normal. The preview exposure is boosted in dark to allow better composition at the expense of refresh rate. When you half-press, the camera reverts back to normal acquisition rate to achieve reasonable AF speed and hence the darkened preview.

Quote: 2. Also, how many of you are using a high speed (Type H) 1GB xD card? On the box, it says the card may cause interruption of video recording at 640x480. Has it happened to any of you? I tried on the F31fd but so far no prob.

I'm using Type H without any problem. Don't worry.

Quote: 3. Just a comment: Noticed that the F31fd allows for exposure compensation in the pseudo-"Manual" M mode. However, if the exposure is, say fixed at 1/60s, f/2.8. You can decrease/increase the exp compensation. It looks darker/brighter on the LCD but after you have taken the pic, you will realize actually the exposure is not changed at all, ie it is fixed at 1/60s, f/2.8! Think Fuji made a blunder on this one.

It may require an extra click after you've adjusted EC to confirm the setting. Mine works fine.

Quote: 4. Another comment: The writing speed of the image to the card is a little disappointing even though I am using a Type H (High speed) xD card. For some images, I noticed the LCD screen will blank out for a split second after the shutter button is pressed completely. Never experienced this with other digicams previously. Please share!

What other camera are you refering to? Are you using flash?

[David]

Thanks grantyale...

For point 3, opps... my bad... Realized I was on Auto flash mode. The exposure is capped at 1/60s f/2.8. The exp compensation works if non-Auto is used. Even then, I think the cam should not allow me to adjust the exposure since it is fixed at 1/60s, f/2.8? From the LCD screen, it's misleading.

For point 4, I'm referring mainly to the Canon digicams. Never experienced the black out. Even with a normal speed card, the writing is instantaneous, with or without flash. Just read on dpreview that the slow writing is a weakness of the F31fd. But really, it's not that serious to me.

Overall, this Canon user is now getting used to the Fuji cam and I think it's good, despite its other weaknesses. There's no perfect cam in the world I guess.

[grantyale]

I'm using a 30D and having F31 as a side-arm. Not too slow for me. Enjoy your camera.

[megaweb]

Quote: 1. I tried taking a night shot of an HDB flat. Before pressing the shutter, the lights look properly exposed on the LCD screen. Upon pressing the shutter half way, the image on the LCD becomes much dimmer. But the final image is as what I saw before pressing the shutter 1/2 way. Is this normal? If so, why would Fuji make it this way? Initially I was puzzled and thot I was underexposing the scene when actually it was the opposite.

I think you have turned to a mode which could not capture the night shots due to the mode limitation. To exposure night shots correctly, you need to know which mode can have longer or slow exposure for a few seconds or longer. Try to use Scene mode (N/SP) > Night ( up to 3 sec) > turn on long exposure setting can expose up to 15sec (see Page 51). Of course you need to use a tripod and self timer mode.

Click here to see my F30 long exposure shot

[armadillo]

Megaweb, your night shots fantastic, crystal clear
Thanks for sharing