I just bought a new Fujifilm F31fd from eBay... huh?

[sgphotographer]

Just bought a new Fujifilm F31fd from eBay... huh?

Yes! After futile attempts to locate a new set of Fujifilm F31fd in local stores / dealers, I went ahead and bought one off eBay international, seemingly the last piece available on the net!

Maybe some of you may find me weird, since there is a successor F50fd and an upcoming F100fd model in the market, why am I still going after a new piece of F31fd? Well, I am *lucky* to have a girlfriend (wife in June 2008) who is quite into photography not really as a hobby but kinda picky about image quality even when she is using a compact. I've done intensive research on the best compact out there and F31fd keeps popping up in my search results. The photo samples of this small wonder is darn impressive with near DSLR image quality and superb noise control. I can pass on the resolution since my girlfriend probably won't print more than 4R for her use and in turn achieve better noise control for her night shooting e.g. at lights or in dimly lit cafes.

Oh, how long-winded I can be. Anyway, for owners of F31fd, I'd appreciate if you have any tips or things for me to take note on this camera. I will really appreciate it.

Thanks a mil!

TL

[cyberkid]

Why u don't wan to choose F50fd over the F31fd??

[Rangefinder_fan]

Because he said that did the research and liked what he saw.
Just because its new doesnt mean its better.

[elisya]

The next best thing I guess is to try and get the wp-fxf30 waterproof casing. You'll be further amazed by what it can do underwater. You can do a search at www.digifish.nl/

In the meantime, just shoot using the auto mode while slowly learning to use other settings. I find it good enough in most situation than other leading brands of compact that I've ever owned, borrowed and tested. And the batt life is an added bonus!

Just my 2 cents

[socrates]

so how much did it costs from Ebay?

[fitzz]

any idea where to get the waterproof casing for f31fd n how much will it cost? thanks

Originally Posted by elisya The next best thing I guess is to try and get the wp-fxf30 waterproof casing. You'll be further amazed by what it can do underwater. You can do a search at www.digifish.nl/ In the meantime, just shoot using the auto mode while slowly learning to use other settings. I find it good enough in most situation than other leading brands of compact that I've ever owned, borrowed and tested. And the batt life is an added bonus! Just my 2 cents

[genegoh]

Tips? Hmmm... Let's see...

I almost always use the camera in M mode cos it's simpler. Only when I want to really control my aperture and shutter speed will I use the A/S mode. Shooting at F2.8 doesn't bother me cos the DOF is usually quite large for a compact. I try not to zoom in cos I prefer to shoot at F2.8. I just move the camera closer to my subject.

Also, I can use the Auto ISO modes in M mode, and usually set it to Auto(400) and Auto(800) depending on the light available.

I won't go to ISO 1600 unless absolutely necessary cos the quality at ISO 1600 is not so exceptable to me.

When I use flash, I usually set the ISO to 400. I find that it's a good balance between using the available light and not allowing the flash to look too harsh. Background is not too dark and the picture comes out pretty nicely.

Well, hope this helps, but then these are my personal preferences. Play around more with the cam to know it's strengths and limitations. Most importantly, shoot more and have fun!

[JeffryZ]

The F31FD is a six megapixel camera and the F50 has twice as many pixels jammed into a sensor that is only a tiny bit larger. That means that each pixel is smaller and gets less light meaning more noise in images. The F31fd has similar features to the F50 but better image quality. More pixels are not necessarily better.

As for settings, I shoot mostly in daylight and have my ISO set at 100 (it is easy to change it quickly) in Auto ISO the camera likes to default fairly quickly to higher ISOs which means lower qualty images. I usually use A/P mode with aperature priority. I set the f/ stop and it will choose the apropriate shutter speed. Then I can use the +/- EV controls if I need to make the exposure lighter or darker (read the manual about how to do that if you are interested).

I had my F31fd converted to shoot only in infrared so my images will definately look different, but if you would like to see the quality I have been able to get from my F31fd (with some help from Photoshop to sharpen the images more) I have a gallery here: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz/infrared_gallery My other galleries were taken with my Nikon DSLR.

[limlh]

Originally Posted by sgphotographer Just bought a new Fujifilm F31fd from eBay... huh? Yes! After futile attempts to locate a new set of Fujifilm F31fd in local stores / dealers, I went ahead and bought one off eBay international, seemingly the last piece available on the net! Maybe some of you may find me weird, since there is a successor F50fd and an upcoming F100fd model in the market, why am I still going after a new piece of F31fd? Well, I am *lucky* to have a girlfriend (wife in June 2008) who is quite into photography not really as a hobby but kinda picky about image quality even when she is using a compact. I've done intensive research on the best compact out there and F31fd keeps popping up in my search results. The photo samples of this small wonder is darn impressive with near DSLR image quality and superb noise control. I can pass on the resolution since my girlfriend probably won't print more than 4R for her use and in turn achieve better noise control for her night shooting e.g. at lights or in dimly lit cafes. Oh, how long-winded I can be. Anyway, for owners of F31fd, I'd appreciate if you have any tips or things for me to take note on this camera. I will really appreciate it. Thanks a mil! TL

Did you check Mustafa? I saw F31fd there, but that was a few months ago.

[elisya]

Originally Posted by fitzz any idea where to get the waterproof casing for f31fd n how much will it cost? thanks

Maybe you can check at Alan Photo SL. Its about $230 the last time I bought.

[etnt]

mustafa also don't have f31fd liao. I'm also looking for a new set.

[airconvent]

Originally Posted by elisya Maybe you can check at Alan Photo SL. Its about $230 the last time I bought.

$230??? so cheap?? get the F31 over the f50. all those extra pixels do nothing but make your images noiser and subject it to more aggressive noise reduction. 6MP is overkill for a compact but the camera companies are churning out 12MP PnS to keep up with their megapixel race (when in reality they should really be focussing on making images better).

[socrates]

I don't think Alan Photo still has F31. Even if they had cannot be going for $230 when 2nd hand ones are going for $400

[bent]

Originally Posted by airconvent $230??? so cheap?? get the F31 over the f50. all those extra pixels do nothing but make your images noiser and subject it to more aggressive noise reduction. 6MP is overkill for a compact but the camera companies are churning out 12MP PnS to keep up with their megapixel race (when in reality they should really be focussing on making images better).

he's referring to the waterproof casing...

[willdon]

Originally Posted by socrates I don't think Alan Photo still has F31. Even if they had cannot be going for $230 when 2nd hand ones are going for $400

dude,he was refering to the waterproof casing for f31fd.

[airconvent]

yeah...I read it again and realised its not the camera...sigh...if it had been the camera for $230, I think I am the first to go and buy it.
But $230 for a water proof casing? I might as well spend a few cents and buy ziploc bags instead...!

[sgphotographer]

Originally Posted by genegoh Tips? Hmmm... Let's see... I almost always use the camera in M mode cos it's simpler. Only when I want to really control my aperture and shutter speed will I use the A/S mode. Shooting at F2.8 doesn't bother me cos the DOF is usually quite large for a compact. I try not to zoom in cos I prefer to shoot at F2.8. I just move the camera closer to my subject. Also, I can use the Auto ISO modes in M mode, and usually set it to Auto(400) and Auto(800) depending on the light available. I won't go to ISO 1600 unless absolutely necessary cos the quality at ISO 1600 is not so exceptable to me. When I use flash, I usually set the ISO to 400. I find that it's a good balance between using the available light and not allowing the flash to look too harsh. Background is not too dark and the picture comes out pretty nicely. Well, hope this helps, but then these are my personal preferences. Play around more with the cam to know it's strengths and limitations. Most importantly, shoot more and have fun!

Thank you! That's really helpful. I kinda played around with it and though I like the sharpness and virtually noiseless IQ at ISO 100, the background surely looks a bit too dark. Maybe only for bright daylight outdoor?

I find ISO 400 noise pretty acceptable - and yes I do agree on the balance!

Originally Posted by JeffryZ The F31FD is a six megapixel camera and the F50 has twice as many pixels jammed into a sensor that is only a tiny bit larger. That means that each pixel is smaller and gets less light meaning more noise in images. The F31fd has similar features to the F50 but better image quality. More pixels are not necessarily better. As for settings, I shoot mostly in daylight and have my ISO set at 100 (it is easy to change it quickly) in Auto ISO the camera likes to default fairly quickly to higher ISOs which means lower qualty images. I usually use A/P mode with aperature priority. I set the f/ stop and it will choose the apropriate shutter speed. Then I can use the +/- EV controls if I need to make the exposure lighter or darker (read the manual about how to do that if you are interested). I had my F31fd converted to shoot only in infrared so my images will definately look different, but if you would like to see the quality I have been able to get from my F31fd (with some help from Photoshop to sharpen the images more) I have a gallery here: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz/infrared_gallery My other galleries were taken with my Nikon DSLR.

You mean those are shot with this camera? Amazing photos! I think your skills play a large part too!

Originally Posted by limlh Did you check Mustafa? I saw F31fd there, but that was a few months ago.

Checked - no luck.

[Burgerlim]

Originally Posted by JeffryZ The F31FD is a six megapixel camera and the F50 has twice as many pixels jammed into a sensor that is only a tiny bit larger. That means that each pixel is smaller and gets less light meaning more noise in images. The F31fd has similar features to the F50 but better image quality. More pixels are not necessarily better. As for settings, I shoot mostly in daylight and have my ISO set at 100 (it is easy to change it quickly) in Auto ISO the camera likes to default fairly quickly to higher ISOs which means lower qualty images. I usually use A/P mode with aperature priority. I set the f/ stop and it will choose the apropriate shutter speed. Then I can use the +/- EV controls if I need to make the exposure lighter or darker (read the manual about how to do that if you are interested). I had my F31fd converted to shoot only in infrared so my images will definately look different, but if you would like to see the quality I have been able to get from my F31fd (with some help from Photoshop to sharpen the images more) I have a gallery here: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz/infrared_gallery My other galleries were taken with my Nikon DSLR.

Wow! nice gallery...

[sin77]

i regretted not buying 5yrs warranty from Harvey Norman.
Only bought 3yrs warranty.

[banhock]

Good Choice TL.

I bought this unit 1yr ago and still loving it. My wife bought a LX2 but decide to exchange with my F31D.

Its got a long battery life. Fantastic night photography capability. Less noisy.

The only thing I dislike about it is is the XD card. Becareful not to edit or delete photos on your XD card from the computer else your XD will be corrupted and might have to be formated. This means you will loose all your photos inside the card.

Good Luck

Ban