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A Bias in F31fd Review

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PC Wheeler

PC Wheeler

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The review of the F31fd here says (in the conclusion):

"Given that most 'average' casual snap shooters are likely to use their camera at (dimly lit) social occasions more than at any other time, this [good performance at high ISO] is a real, significant advantage; allowing flash-free photography without blur. More serious photographers will welcome a camera that brings the low light capabilities of a compact a step or two closer to those of most digital SLRs."

This is a "bias" I agree with: My F20 is my most used camera precisely because of the great low-light, no-flash results I can get. I expect my F31fd will do as well .. and add more shooting flexibility.

But it seems likely that for those who shoot mostly outdoors in daylight conditions, there may be better camera choices (like units with an optical viewfinder!)

--
Phil .. Canon SD700IS, S3 IS, EOS 300D & 20D; Fuji F20
http://www.pbase.com/phil_wheeler
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_ox/
 
I agree to some extent, but I don't think it is because the F30/31 can't take great daytime bright sunlight photos - its because it isn't as foolproof as a Canon or Panasonic on ISO 100 in bright sunlight. I think the F30/31 can take brilliant daylight photos in the right hands - it simply isn't a conventional, put it on auto and shoot, camera in scenes that demand a wide dynamic range.
PC Wheeler said:
The review of the F31fd here says (in the conclusion):
"Given that most 'average' casual snap shooters are likely to use
their camera at (dimly lit) social occasions more than at any other
time, this [good performance at high ISO] is a real, significant
advantage; allowing flash-free photography without blur. More
serious photographers will welcome a camera that brings the low
light capabilities of a compact a step or two closer to those of
most digital SLRs."

This is a "bias" I agree with: My F20 is my most used camera
precisely because of the great low-light, no-flash results I can
get. I expect my F31fd will do as well .. and add more shooting
flexibility.

But it seems likely that for those who shoot mostly outdoors in
daylight conditions, there may be better camera choices (like units
with an optical viewfinder!)

--
Phil .. Canon SD700IS, S3 IS, EOS 300D & 20D; Fuji F20
http://www.pbase.com/phil_wheeler
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_ox/
Click to expand...
--
Fuji A310, F10, & F30
 
I concur
R.L.
Cubensis said:
I agree to some extent, but I don't think it is because the F30/31
can't take great daytime bright sunlight photos - its because it
isn't as foolproof as a Canon or Panasonic on ISO 100 in bright
sunlight. I think the F30/31 can take brilliant daylight photos in
the right hands - it simply isn't a conventional, put it on auto
and shoot, camera in scenes that demand a wide dynamic range.
Click to expand...
 
PC Wheeler said:
... for those who shoot mostly outdoors in
daylight conditions, there may be better camera choices (like units
with an optical viewfinder!)
Click to expand...
Yes, and this is the reason I kept my Canon S80 with it 28mm wide angle lens and great outdoor image quality. Different tools for different situations.
 
yep, outdoors I much prefer my canon, but indoors the fuji walks all over it.
 
Hi Phil,

Much of what you say is correct, however, the F20/30/31 can also take excellent daylight photos (as has been demonstrated by many of the posts on this forum) if the right settings are used.

As for an optical viewfinder, the ones that are on small P&S cameras today, are inadequate IMO as they are dim and do not give 100% representation. I come from film slr's and have used OV's for much of my life. But with my F30, I don't miss it and find the ability to compose much easier than with an OV. But, that's my opinion and what works for me.

Good to see you here and wish you a pleasant day.

Best regards,
Mike
 
If the exposure is right, the F30 takes amazing daylight pictures.
Unfortunately, the right exposure is not always matrix -1/3 EV comp.

If the F40fd really improved on that, I am ready to accept a bit more noise, anyway, it really never show-up in prints.
 
Even at low ISO, the image quality of the Fuji is sharper and clearer than the canon lens. 28mm was a good idea- but that lens is an abomination with its corner softness.

Check out the batteries! and the bottle label and watch show that the Fuji is sharper and clearer as well.

Remember- this Canon is about the BEST other compact digicam as far as image quality goes.

--

 
Hee hee, I think you'll find many (even on the Canon forum) to disagree with that :) poor lens, poor noise reduction implementation, nothing special IQ etc.

Not that it matters because the Fuji would win against anything in this class, it's just that the 800 is just not the next best.
morey000 said:
Remember- this Canon is about the BEST other compact digicam as far
as image quality goes.
Click to expand...
 
And I'd say the Fuji is sharper than the SD700 too. The colors aren't as warm. So, in PP you either have to try to sharpen the SD700 or warm the colors in the F31.

When you get to higher ISO, well...game over.
 
Changing the WB to shade can warm up the scene. Try shooting two pics of the same scene using shade WB as one of them to see the difference.

Best regards,

Mike
 
Mike920 said:
Hi Phil,

Much of what you say is correct, however, the F20/30/31 can also
take excellent daylight photos (as has been demonstrated by many of
the posts on this forum) if the right settings are used.

As for an optical viewfinder, the ones that are on small P&S
cameras today, are inadequate IMO as they are dim and do not give
100% representation. I come from film slr's and have used OV's for
much of my life. But with my F30, I don't miss it and find the
ability to compose much easier than with an OV. But, that's my
opinion and what works for me.
Click to expand...
No disagreement here, Mike. I've gotten good results with my F20 and I expect to do as well, perhaps better, with my new F31fd.

Alas, my poor Canons languish, all of them ;-)

--
Phil .. Canon SD700IS, S3 IS, EOS 300D & 20D; Fuji F20; F31fd
http://www.pbase.com/phil_wheeler
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_ox/
 
Hi Phil,

I really forward to seeing some of your F31 photos. The settings you have on your F20 will work the same on the F31 as well as on my F30.

Benn trying to reach EricN2 via email without any luck. Have you ben able to reach him?

Best regards,
Mike
 
Even if I prefer the F31fd myself for allmost all types of shooting, it is unfair to say the S80 has a "crappy" 28mm lens..

Shown below is 2 pic staken with my own S60, pretty much the same cam... Crappy lens...?





Chris
morey000 said:
you're right. the SD700IS was a good camera
Then they apparently put the crappy lens from the S80 onto the SD800.
It's a shame they couldn't use the (leica) lens from the Panny FX
series.

I sure would like a 28mm though.
Click to expand...
 
Mike920 said:
Hi Phil,

I really forward to seeing some of your F31 photos. The settings
you have on your F20 will work the same on the F31 as well as on my
F30.
Click to expand...
Yup -- I'm using the same settings and M mode so far. I do like having Auto800 available (F20 does not) and will eventually play with the A/S modes (A in particular). I've found that noise in the F31 and F20 at ISO1600 are pretty similar, as Simon's review suggested (I'm assuming F20 and F30 have same optics and processing). The F31 is definitely a heftier camera -- I guess because of the larger battery with about 2x shots per charge.

I won't be posting much for a while. The next few days will be cloudy (unusual!) with rain on Friday.

Comparing the ISO 1600 shots I did with my F40 (since returned to COSTCO), I'm glad I went for the F31 as my F20 upgrade path; I tend to shoot quite a bit indoors without flash, since buying the F20.
Mike920 said:
Benn trying to reach EricN2 via email without any luck. Have you
ben able to reach him?
Click to expand...
I haven't tried. But being in the UK his hours are different than here in Calif.

--
Phil .. Canon SD700IS, S3 IS, EOS 300D & 20D; Fuji F20; F31fd
http://www.pbase.com/phil_wheeler
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_ox/
 
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