F900EXR continuous modes?

[CAcreeks]

My used (but in good condition) F900EXR just arrived.

I do not understand what the manual says about continuous mode and have 3 questions.

The TOP n feature can take 3 fps in L. That probably means Low speed, not Large size, based on Appendix page 126.

One weird thing is that it can take 11 continuous frames at 3 fps, but only 5 frames at 6 fps and 11 fps. However at SH (super high) it can take 12 (!) frames at 16 fps. That makes no sense. It can't just be that SH is limited to M and S size. Can anyone explain it?

Second, surprisingly there is no 1920x1080 video at 30 fps, only at 60 fps. Why?

Third, I am wondering, has anybody found a use for Best Frame Capture? It doesn't seem to do what its name indicates.

 

[photoreddi]

My used (but in good condition) F900EXR just arrived.

I do not understand what the manual says about continuous mode and have 3 questions.

The TOP n feature can take 3 fps in L. That probably means Low speed, not Large size, based on Appendix page 126.

One weird thing is that it can take 11 continuous frames at 3 fps, but only 5 frames at 6 fps and 11 fps. However at SH (super high) it can take 12 (!) frames at 16 fps. That makes no sense. It can't just be that SH is limited to M and S size. Can anyone explain it?

You already explained it. If you're using any of the continuous settings slower than SH, ISO 200 or higher and M size, you can change to any of the other continuous frame rates and you'll see nothing unusual. But if you change to L size or ISO 100, then when changing from any of the slower frame rates to SH, the bottom of the LCD will show that either the ISO or size (or both) will be displayed at the bottom of the LCD in yellow, indicating that selecting SH forced the change to either L size or ISO 100 (or both). This change survives powering the F900EXR off and on, and the ISO and Size setting will continue to show in yellow as part of the shooting info display until you choose a different continuous setting, which includes Still, BFC and any of the bracketing options.

.

Second, surprisingly there is no 1920x1080 video at 30 fps, only at 60 fps. Why?

It's Fuji, after all. Fuji's unwilling to commit enough resources to improve the video, especially now that their P&S cameras are no longer profitable.

.

Third, I am wondering, has anybody found a use for Best Frame Capture? It doesn't seem to do what its name indicates.

The name was poorly chosen but it does do what the manual says it does. Or I think it does, since it's been a long time since I tried it. The camera doesn't choose the best frame. It captures a burst that gives the photographer the opportunity to select the "best" frame, where "best" seems to be based on timing. Shoot horses or runners crossing a finish line and you can choose the one that shows the winner closest to the finish line. If you just shot stills the winner might not be too close to the finish line, and the winner might even end up being unintentionally cropped if you were zoomed in to get maximum IQ.

Speaking of Best Frame Capture, the latest Samsung cameras (NX1 and possibly the not yet released NX500) can be set to self-trigger when a subject reaches a certain position in the frame. One of the examples given is being able to get a shot of a baseball at the moment it's contacted by a swinging bat. But that's a horse of a different color.

Edit: Change "and possibly the not yet released" to "and the".

Auto Shot Mode

Samsung's Auto Shot mode tracks subjects at 240 fps and triggers the shutter at the ideal moment. The NX500 offers 3 different settings for this mode, Baseball, Group Jump, and Trap Shot, which will allow users to more easily capture action in their images.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...00zbmius_nx500_mirrorless_digital_camera.html

 

[CAcreeks]

You already explained it. If you're using any of the continuous settings slower than SH, ISO 200 or higher and M size, you can change to any of the other continuous frame rates and you'll see nothing unusual. But if you change to L size or ISO 100, then when changing from any of the slower frame rates to SH, the bottom of the LCD will show that either the ISO or size (or both) will be displayed at the bottom of the LCD in yellow, indicating that selecting SH forced the change to either L size or ISO 100 (or both). This change survives powering the F900EXR off and on...

Thanks, that makes sense, although SH seems faster with larger buffer than expected. My F750 was disappointing because it could take only 3 continuous images at a time. Given that kayaks move slowly, even when going over a waterfalls, 3 FPS for 11 frames will work much better. I tried it with a 16 MB (not GB!) card that came with my Canon SD800 and the F900 filled up the SD card quickly.

Second, surprisingly there is no 1920x1080 video at 30 fps, only at 60 fps. Why?

It's Fuji, after all. Fuji's unwilling to commit enough resources to improve the video, especially now that their P&S cameras are no longer profitable.

Most people think 60 fps is an improvement over 30 fps. It allows slow motion. It's just that more software conversion is needed when rendering movies at a different-than-original frame rate. Lack of choice seems bizarre, especially insofar as my XF1 has 1920x1080 at 30fps but not 60.

The [Best Frame Capture] name was poorly chosen but it does do what the manual says it does. Or I think it does, since it's been a long time since I tried it. The camera doesn't choose the best frame. It captures a burst that gives the photographer the opportunity to select the "best" frame, where "best" seems to be based on timing. Shoot horses or runners crossing a finish line and you can choose the one that shows the winner closest to the finish line.

Aha, thanks for explaining this. Now it makes sense! Given the name, I expected the camera to select the sharpest images, based on JPEG encoding size for instance, in a long shot sequence. In BFC you half-press the shutter button, and when the subject crosses the finish line, you full-press the shutter button. Later you can select from 3 before, 3 after, and one at full shutter press.

Speaking of Best Frame Capture, the latest Samsung cameras (NX1 and the NX500) can be set to self-trigger when a subject reaches a certain position in the frame. One of the examples given is being able to get a shot of a baseball at the moment it's contacted by a swinging bat.

I will probably buy an NX500 unless I decide to wait for the NX50. I like how the NX300 handles, and 4K video seems useful.

 

[wymjym]

and since I was torn between getting the xf1 and the 900exr, choosing the xf1, I await your findings while using the 900. The two handed operation of the xf1 is not appreciated when I am out and about trekking in the woods with but a moment to get a capture.

Please keep us (ME) informed as to the actual iq, dr when compared to xf1 up to 800 iso.

thanks

wj