Anyone recommend the S9000?

[v steffel]

As I understand the set up of the forums, there's one for the "point and Shoot" or Fixed lens and one for SLRs for most make of cameras.

If I were interested in getting dSLR information, that's where I'd be.

Or are we in the business of proslytizing and so it's open season in any forum for advancing the superiority of the dSLRs?

Sorry, but I have SLRs, they have their place and should be there.
--
vsteffel

 

[swu]

No, not at all you are offending me...I am not the author if you look at the words on top of that photo, not just under it.

My best hope is that I assume you take my reference photo as the one I took. No, it is referred by my earlier post for some bad shot out of Nikon D50 I found. My photo should not have all the problem you described (it does have blown highlight for the wiindow light from behind)

at the risk of offending you - I'm sorry that photograph is not one
I'd be showing.

It's under exposed (or over darkened in PP) the eyes look "dead"
with no detail or highlight, the skin lacks any texture - I could
go on as could other people.

Not a good display of what any camera is capable of i'm afraid

Andy

 

[Provia_fan]

you could use the entry level peentax as an example but funily
enough nobody does - simply because it wasn't very good

Actually no, I don't use it as an example because it's price actually went up and it became more expensice than the S9000, being it around 450GBP with lens. The Pentax in tests at AP socred just 1% less than the Nikon, for the fact that it's in camera processing doesn't take full advantage of the sensor's image quality abilities.. Shooting with the Pentax in RAW is a whole different matter.

The Pentax is still among the best entry level DSLRs, but it's slightly more expensive, that's why I used it's carbon copy the Samsung, which is a Pentax rebranded.There is not much you can fault the Pentax quality wise. And as I matter of fact, in previous postings in this forum I used to use it as an example, but for price reasons I stopped. Also, because the Nikon D50 had the slight edge of having straight out of the camera results (which Nikon is notorious for in all their DSLRs, above others). But comparing the results of the S9000 to the results of the Pentax Ist DL, the Pentax needs way much less PP.

I said the 9000/9500 greyed the line between DSLRs and compact
cameras - for some people one will be better than the other. I
chose a 9500 because I grew tired of constantly changing lenses and
occasionally missing a great photo and for me that is important.
I'm happy to accept a virtually imperceptible loss in quality at
normal print size to know that my camera is ready for action every
time I look through the viewfinder.

I want to take pictures not get backstrain carrying a case full of
accessories.

If you are happy with your DSLR then great but whilst you are busy
waiting for someone to build the perfect camera you may well end up
missing that perfect photograph

Every time a DSLR owner thinks "I wish I had a different lens on
the camera" the owner of a decent compact does have

Every time a DSLR owner has to fiddle around changing to that lens
the compact camera owner has taken a pile of shots and moved on to
the next "target"

Change your lens on a windswept beach - no need with a decent compact

the list goes on and on.

That is a myth, actually it is an exageration, even with a compact you can miss a perfect photo just due to slower AF and slower focussing. Changing lenses at least to me never made me lose a photo. It is all about your methodology of work.

I have also worked on beaches and changed lenses, it all pretty much depends on how you do it. I never got dust on the sensor of camera, but at the same time I am not saying that it's not gonna happen, but it depends on how you do it.

A for accessories, I can't think of an accessory that can be so heavy apart from the tripod.

I've seen great photos taken by great photographers using poor
cameras but I've never seen a great photograh taken with a great
camera by a poor photographer.

I am not sure exactly what you are trying to say, I think we all know that good photos depend on the photographer, but the tools also help you perform a better job, at least in the sense of getter that same shot with better image quality and more shots, faster.

Otherwise you would have press photographers shooting with compacts and getting rid of their D2xs.

I think that you may have written too much just to say that poor photographers take bad pictures with any camera.

The original question was would anyone recommend the 9000/9500 and
I stand by my original answer - yes I would

Andy

Again, the same here applies to you, if you are happy with your compact good, but don't paint the DSLR a behemoth, because as a matter of fact weight wise even the Pentax you mentioned is not much heavier with an 18-200 lens (which is a 28-300).

Regards,

Provia_fan

 

[Provia_fan]

As I understand the set up of the forums, there's one for the
"point and Shoot" or Fixed lens and one for SLRs for most make of
cameras.

If I were interested in getting dSLR information, that's where I'd be.

Or are we in the business of proslytizing and so it's open season
in any forum for advancing the superiority of the dSLRs?

Sorry, but I have SLRs, they have their place and should be there.
--
vsteffel

Well vsteffel do you have any complaints? Well take them to Fujifilm, they are the ones that marketed the S9000 as an alternative to a DSLR. They are the ones that as some here "proselitise" blurs the line between the two.

Got complaints take them to Fujifilm and others here. They are the ones who want to blur the lines.

Regards,

Provia_fan

 

[Kim Letkeman]

Try RAW (which the D50 shoots fast) and Rawshooter essentials
(Free) or Capture 1 LE (Better but costs) for far better pixel
detail again with the D50

Urban legend. The jpeg engine does not destroy detail on a Nikon dSLR.

--
http://letkeman.net/Photos

 

[Kim Letkeman]

You keep posting that same image comparison. I've seen 100% crops
between the same 2 cameras at low iso's that were essentially equal
to each other. Go to iso 200 and above and it's a different story.
Of course from a practicle point of view 100% crops aren't very
important to most people. When you take into consideration the MP
difference you really should compare the D50 100% with an s9000 70%
crop.

True, but the comparison is perfectly fair at any but the lowest ISOs. That's the whole point of deciding between an APS-C sensor and a sensor the size of your thumbnail.

--
http://letkeman.net/Photos

 

[Kim Letkeman]

As I understand the set up of the forums, there's one for the
"point and Shoot" or Fixed lens and one for SLRs for most make of
cameras.

If I were interested in getting dSLR information, that's where I'd be.

Or are we in the business of proslytizing and so it's open season
in any forum for advancing the superiority of the dSLRs?

Sorry, but I have SLRs, they have their place and should be there.

People often come in here to ask about the differences. Do you think it is appropriate to ask them to go elsewhwre for their info? There are many in here who get great shots with the S9000 and should be heard. And there are those of us to use dSLRs who should also be heard. That way the question gets thoroughly answered.

--
http://letkeman.net/Photos

 

[Kim Letkeman]

I've been goin round in circles trying to upgrade from an old, but
good, Canon G2. People steered me to the S3, but the image quality
is not good enough. So then I thought about a DSLR, but people say
it's too much of a tech process to get good shots and that you need
to really know photography, not to mention all the $$ and stuff you
have to haul around (lenses, tripod, etc.)
So...now I see the S9000 and it seems pretty nice, except for the
small'ish display screen and the fact that it only tilts up.
Anyway...looking for some comments by anyone who can tell me
whether it's a good performing camera. thanks

If you are ready for a dSLR then a fixed lense camera will not do it for you. You can get portability similar to the S9000 with a D50 and the Nikon 18-200VR lense. Even the Sigma 18-200 will do for that purpose.

And the D50 looks great right up to 1600 ISO, where the S9000 is pushing it at 400 ISO.

However, if you like macro, you'll need to spend more for extension tubes or a dedicated lense. But then you can get real macro shots at 1:1, so there is always something decide on.

The big thing with a dSLR is that you are unlikely to avoid lense lust after a while and it will cost more. And you will likely want a Nikon flash for TTL shooting, which is incredible. And so on ...

--
http://letkeman.net/Photos

 

[Adam-T]

Urban legend. The jpeg engine does not destroy detail on a Nikon dSLR.

Absolute truth that you get better pixel level sharpness from a D50 and D200 when shot RAW and used with Capture One - Fact! . I own both and use both for my Job

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

 

[Josh Adelson]

Toniola, I can identify with your situation because a few months ago I purchased an S9000 as a replacement for my Canon G1. I was mostly attracted by its 28mm WA, twist/flip LCD, and the overall feature set.

I was immediately disappointed by the image quality. I did careful testing against the G1 (all viewed on a monitor) and found that the S9000 visibly missed detail that the G1 captured. I ended up returning the S9000 and purchasing a Canon S3IS; I've found that to have comparable image quality to the G1 and I've been happy.

HOWEVER, I'm quick to add that I did not give myself a chance to master the S9000 learning curve to which many posters allude. Also, many people are very happy with the S9000's image quality. So it's quite possible I didn't give it a fair chance.

Were I to be in the same position today, I would take a serious look at the S6500. Compared to the S9000 you give up 3MP and twist-flip LCD, but you gain amazing (for non-DSLR) high ISO performance, as evidenced in the recent review of the F30. As a Canon user I know how hard it is to conceive of life without twist/flip LCD, but I must say that with the longer zoom I find myself using the EVF most of the time, to better steady the camera.

Bottom line - if you are considering the S9000 and can afford to wait, also consider the S6500, and see how it performs under review. The same can be said for the Panasonic FZ50. Finally, don't count out the S3IS on the basis of image quality. All three cameras have their pros and cons, but they all seem to offer a lot. Good luck.

 

[Luppapa]

For me the lack of a hotshoe is enough not to buy that new Fuji.

I am STILL waiting for a real S9000 upgrade with better continious shooting modes, sharper lens and brighter optics at tele position.

 

[Provia_fan]

Try RAW (which the D50 shoots fast) and Rawshooter essentials
(Free) or Capture 1 LE (Better but costs) for far better pixel
detail again with the D50

Urban legend. The jpeg engine does not destroy detail on a Nikon dSLR.

--
http://letkeman.net/Photos

Well it's not entirely urban legend. Even though JPEG quality is very good and very usable, RAW is superior on a Nikon DSLR.

Regards,

Provia_fan

 

[andy_k]

That is a myth, actually it is an exageration, even with a compact
you can miss a perfect photo just due to slower AF and slower
focussing. Changing lenses at least to me never made me lose a
photo. It is all about your methodology of work.
I have also worked on beaches and changed lenses, it all pretty
much depends on how you do it. I never got dust on the sensor of
camera, but at the same time I am not saying that it's not gonna
happen, but it depends on how you do it.
Provia_fan

most modern compacts will focus automatically as fast as you can focus manually - if you use them properly

you say changing lenses on a beach never cost you a photo well let me give you a scenario - beach photography, 2 kids and 2 greyhounds running around - the dogs can hit 45 mph so can cover the distance between full zoom and wide angle in seconds, the kids are the same - I don't want them standing still for posed pictures so even when you live as close as we do to the beach there's always a few bags, coolboxes etc what lens/camera set up do you take with you?

DSLR with two or three lenses, a nice dedicated flash for fill in shots, a complete waterproof system to protect from splashes and water, bag with any other detrius in there you've not bothered to clear out - I think we all have camera bags like that or do you take a compact with a big zoom in a waterproof case so you can have some real fun as well as taking pictures?

If you are happy with your DSLR then great but I haven't seen ONE that comes anywhere near what I need and expect for sensible money. Maybe I'm lucky and got a good quality 9500 (they do seem to vary) but from a test run of 10 shots taken with my camera and a friends Nikon D50 a professional photographer friend of ours who refused to accept a compact could come anywhere near a DSLR failed to identify which camera took which pictures on eight out of the ten

This thread is getting kind of pointless now. It's not a thread to say which is best it was a thread asking if anyone would recommend it.

It's deteriorating into a "my camera's better than yours" type of conversation which crops up on every single internet forum from time to time and that really helps nobody.

My final word is that if you live in the UK and have £350 or less to spend you will struggle to find a better digital camera for your money than an S9500.

Andy

PS

my car's better than your car

 

[nboyer]

...this is also very much the case with the D70 as well. I use CaptureOne and shoot only in RAW with the D70. -Norm

Urban legend. The jpeg engine does not destroy detail on a Nikon dSLR.

Absolute truth that you get better pixel level sharpness from a D50
and D200 when shot RAW and used with Capture One - Fact! . I own
both and use both for my Job

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

 

[Provia_fan]

most modern compacts will focus automatically as fast as you can
focus manually - if you use them properly

Actually no, a lot of people are very fast in manually focussing, but lets say what you said is a half truth.

you say changing lenses on a beach never cost you a photo well let
me give you a scenario - beach photography, 2 kids and 2 greyhounds
running around - the dogs can hit 45 mph so can cover the distance
between full zoom and wide angle in seconds, the kids are the same

• I don't want them standing still for posed pictures so even when

you live as close as we do to the beach there's always a few bags,
coolboxes etc what lens/camera set up do you take with you?

DSLR with two or three lenses, a nice dedicated flash for fill in
shots, a complete waterproof system to protect from splashes and
water, bag with any other detrius in there you've not bothered to
clear out - I think we all have camera bags like that or do you
take a compact with a big zoom in a waterproof case so you can have
some real fun as well as taking pictures?

DSLR and 18-200 lens should be enough. Furthermore my DSLR is fully splash proof and so are many others in the market, I don't need a rain cover. Again, your extrapolation is exagerated. I also don't need an extra flash for fill-photography as the output of the built-in flash on my DSLR is variable, I can regulate it to different outputs.

Once more, everything you said is nothing but myths. It may have been like that for a while but it isn't so anymore. As a matter of fact even the Nikon, Samsung or Pentax can take some splashing but it is not recommended for those cameras. A colleague of mine uses is Ist DL as a backup to movie premieres and he uses his Pentax with no rain cover in mild rain.

It seems you are out of touch with current photography tech.

If you are happy with your DSLR then great but I haven't seen ONE
that comes anywhere near what I need and expect for sensible > money.

Depends on your definition of sensible money. It seems to me that on your definition of it, you wish you could get DSLR performance and technology for what you define as sensible money, but that is pure fantasy. In this world you pay for whatever gives you more.

Maybe I'm lucky and got a good quality 9500 (they do seem to vary)
but from a test run of 10 shots taken with my camera and a friends
Nikon D50 a professional photographer friend of ours who refused to
accept a compact could come anywhere near a DSLR failed to identify
which camera took which pictures on eight out of the ten

Just because he is a pro doesn't mean he can't make mistakes, in fact what separates a pro from an amateur is that an amateur makes 10% of his salary from photography and the pro makes 100%.

Maybe you should write your own professional reviews about it and go against the grain. You would be very alone indeed.

This thread is getting kind of pointless now. It's not a thread to
say which is best it was a thread asking if anyone would recommend
it.

It's deteriorating into a "my camera's better than yours" type of
conversation which crops up on every single internet forum from
time to time and that really helps nobody.

It's not deteriorating to that at least not for my part, as the cameras I have cited in my examples I don't own them, but I have tested them.

You are the one who took it to a personal camera kind of discussion with this post.

My final word is that if you live in the UK and have £350 or less
to spend you will struggle to find a better digital camera for your
money than an S9500.

Andy

PS

my car's better than your car

I doubt that, as even a Konica Minolta Dimage A1 is a better choice, even used and at 5MP. Currently now at 200GBP the most for an mint condition one. The specs as they follow are:

-Tilting high-res viewfinder
-Tilting LCD
-Minolta 28-200 GT lens (yes the very best glass possibly to use on a compact)
-max shutter speed of 1/16000

-continous shooting at 2.8 fps in both RAW and JPEG (even though not at great depth)
-TIFF recording
-Ability to use battery grip and Minolta DSLR system accessories

This among other things. You could argue that it's JPEG needs PP but then again, so does the S9000. It's RAW images on the other hand need little PP and Photoshop CS2 converts these in a cinch.

As a matter of fact I am bidding on one on Ebay from an American Powerseller.

So, before asserting things, make sure you have your facts right.

Regards,

Provia_fan

PS: I don't drive a car, I fly a private jet .

 

[Provia_fan]

AAAAAAND....the Dimage A1 also offers Anti-Shake too. And this camera is a grandad already. Fujfilm should wake up to this.

Regards,

Provia_fan,

PS: Now at 10000 feet heading north

 

[andy_k]

of course a man with his finger so firmly on the pulse will surely be happy recommending that sooner than buy a brand new camera fully supported by the manufacturer people should be purchasing obsolete cameras from a maufacturer who has sold out

now there's common sense foir you

Your suggestions are getting more ludicrous by the hour

In my beach post I wasn't talking about splashproof or even rainproof - I was talking "waterproof" but you kinda side stepped that - my knowledge of camera technology hasn't passed me by and neither has my understanding of other peoples posts - I suppose if I wanted truly waterproof I could use my Reef 35mm camera but it's nice to be able to take the 9500 into the sea (in it's waterproof case) without worrying

As I said, you are entirely happy with your choice of camera so please enjoy it and enjoy the forums where it is discussed after all, that's what they are there for - I appreciate that for the Dimage they may get a little lonely at times and the tumbleweeds may be distracting but is there any real reason to go trolling other forums spreading your little gospel.

It's tiresome for genuine Fuji users who are seeking constructive advice.

Andy

 

[tbcass]

You didn't answer his question.
--
Tom

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/

 

[tbcass]

Again, the same here applies to you, if you are happy with your
compact good, but don't paint the DSLR a behemoth, because as a
matter of fact weight wise even the Pentax you mentioned is not
much heavier with an 18-200 lens (which is a 28-300).

The s9000 certainly isn't a compact. It's as large as many DSLR's.

--
Tom

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/

 

[tbcass]

Well it's not entirely urban legend. Even though JPEG quality is
very good and very usable, RAW is superior on a Nikon DSLR.

Or, I suppose for any camera.

--
Tom

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/