Fuji 9600

[wainy]

Been thinking about getting a new camera and well stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to a decision.

Been weighing up the options and a DSLR seems to be too costly for my requirements / ability and it also may be a bit fragile for my annual trip to Le Mans (week in dusty conditions in a tent!), so was looking and thinking of the 9600. Has anyone got any experience of this camera, would be looking at how many fps it can take, for action shots or racing.

[Gemm]

I've never used the camera but Fuji S series has always been good with great image quality, so I guess this won't be an exception. The only issue I can think of in motorsport is the speed of AF. It may not be fast enough to track the cars. But you can always use pre-focus technique for that, so that shouldn't be a major issue. I know someone who uses S5500 (or 9500, I can't remember) for motorsport and he takes great images.

Edited by Gemm on Thursday 21st December 23:32

[CarMac]

I had the S9500 for a month and sent it back. Could not get on with it. Apparently the S9600 is the same as the 9500 but with a few known faults rectified.

Even on the Fuji website there are mixed views to it's not all positive reports so far. I would do LOTS of homework before you part with the cash.

[wainy]

Been doing my research over xmas and in a 'shoot out' in one of the mags the 9600 beat the Lumix and another super zoom to top spot.
However is it likely that the 9600 will be upgraded pretty soon with the fd technology (and 3200 iso feature) of the 6500fd?

Grr bl**dy digital cameras....

[SuperlightR]

Fuji F30 has good reviews

www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf30/page16.asp

[beyond rational]

I've got a 9500, its flawed. Sometimes it is great, other times it is crap, you have to be careful with the autofocus - but saying that, I've seen jessops selling them for £250 and I would say that at that price I could forgive its flaws, it would be quite a lot of camera for the money.

[jagdpanther]

If the S9500 is anything like the S5600 it should be a fairly decent camera

Although I havent gained an appropriate oppertunity to flex my artistic talents (very limited!!!) as yet, but will do sometime

[cossiemetro]

i've just bought a SONY DSC H5 a fantastic all rounder IMHO
does the slr bit you can even fit diffrent lens to it and it also video's
aswell even zooms while recording all for £300

[undetthumb]

I was also considering the s9600 - it does get some great reviews. I heard that there was going to be an FD version too - does anyone know when this will go on sale?

[VxDuncan]

Get a DSLR so you won't be in the same position in a years time, paying twice. Don't worry about dust - get a blower and use it - sometimes several times a day.

Mine spent 3 weeks in africa in the dust (which at times was just stupid!) and lived, even doing silly things like holding it out of the side of a truck to capture the sunlight through the dust cloud...



Just blew the dust off and it was fine again!

[Cuban]

undetthumb said:

I was also considering the s9600 - it does get some great reviews. I heard that there was going to be an FD version too - does anyone know when this will go on sale?

I've just been down this path, have a look at this thread and the conclusion. www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.

Hope it helps.

[undetthumb]

Thanks to you all - now just got to decide whether I want the Nikon d40 or stretch to the d40x! Will definately go dslr though!

[Cuban]

undetthumb said:

Thanks to you all - now just got to decide whether I want the Nikon d40 or stretch to the d40x! Will definately go dslr though!

Very wise after my experience.

Some good deals on the D40 (I bought from Jessops £349 and got some bonus deals -

let me if you want to know more,) also, from the reviews, the D40X isn't as great as expected for the money?

[CarMac]

If you are considering the D40, make sure you're aware of the lack of autofocus and limited lens choice as previously discussed.



I know where there is a 2nd hand D50 for sale with kit lens for £200 if you're interested.

Edited by CarMac on Tuesday 22 May 22:33

[undetthumb]

I'm jumping between the d40 and the d40x every few minutes. £130 is a lot extra for what sounds like not much more performance. Just to put things into context, I am stepping up from a sony dsc-p9 that I bought a few years ago, so I'm guessing pretty much anything will produce better photos than that, especially one of these 2 options. Cant forget also that I started this debate at £260 for the Fuji!



Thanks for the offer to find the d50 - gonna go new though, more than likely (at this moment in time) for the d40.