Fuji FinePix E900 Review

The User Reviews

Average User Rating: 6.8

1. e900 update to previous comments today

   

   By: John
   January 22, 2008 @ 10:31 AM

   I guess it is natural to write first about all problems with the E900, BUT I left out that I have taken 4400 pictures. Using film I admit it would be only 500 maybe. I’ve taken it skiing, snow cave camping, caving and it has spent a lot of time in the damp NW. There is a real problem about cold camera meets warm damp air in a cave. Warm it up slowly as water on the cells can lead to dirt film on the cells. (All cameras have this problem) My previous cameras were all film and I find that it would take months to fully understand all the modes etc. for the e900 digital camera.

   The most comments I read about are exposure. One lacking feature is that the prefocus and the meter reading is taken at the same time. So for distance scenes prefocus (press partway down) for exposure. When depth of field is the goal focus for the midpoint and use the +- scale. REMEMBER TO RESET.

   Well the camera does have a spot and various averages reading for focusing and metering all of which are very hard to figure out. Apparently you cannot adjust them in the Auto mode. You can in the S and A mode as well as others. I’ve never fully looked into these features. However I do check the levels (the +- button when reviewing the picture taken. It is very good and if you know your computer screen and/or printer you can factor in for non standard setups if wish. I recommend post editing on the computer and shooting raw. I save the raw file, delete the tif file after making an adjusted jpg to save disk space.

   All digital cameras do not have the exposure allowance like print film does. Think of them as low contrast slide film and make sure the highlights are not whited out.

   The best thing about digital is that I see people doing great multiple slave flash shots that use to take real skill and/or expensive equipment with these cheap cameras based on repeative trail and error.

   My first advice is to understand the S mode. Set the Sutter speed so there is no blur from camera shake. The manual explains the need of having various shutter speeds for this purpose. (I think) Then let the camera set the exposure. I however set the A mode for depth of field (close-ups) and find it is impossible to judge sharpness in flat lighting using the camera screen or even small pictures on the computer screen. The lowest auto speed of 1/4 second is too slow for hand holding even at the wide angle lens setting.

   Rating: 9 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No

2. Fine warrenty service

   

   By: John
   January 21, 2008 @ 2:51 PM

   1. The rear lens for the manual frame view finder fell off, repaired by Fuji no charge.

   2. Then there was this worm shadow on the pictures and just as I was going to ship it off the view screen lost half of it lines. Repair by Fuji 1 yr warranty no charge although the repair ticket noted only the hair problem. 6 months after the 1yr warranty the rear viewing lens fell off again in the house. Put tape over the hole because the LCD screen works fine except for flash in a completely dark room. Then I plan to remove the tape. My thoughts are to buy a backup camera rather than pay for repairs. I have the Wide angle attachment that will not fit any other camera so far. I’m still checking my floors. Hint doesn’t put it out an airplane window as it is not wind proof like a SLR. On the window I’m not sure if it is the glue or the fact that the wrist strap tends to keep the camera out of the case and maybe hitting that corner when putting it on tables etc.

   You can only save one manual white light adj. so when switching back to the same lighting later you don’t get matching skin tones. The price has dropped so much I wonder if they are still making the E900. The 24mm lens attachment is a drop down in quality (I need a 24mm (35mm C.) proofer) the tele position is sharp for a cheap camera although the contrast drops. I use asa200 f8 or 7.1 raw and never go over 50% magnification on the computer screen and under those conditions it is as good as my Nikon 8000 film scanner $1600 + (today’s values) except for depth in the colors.

   You cannot shut off the red eye flash. So you have to use the two flash slaves which are not too good to start with. (Slow and weak) I really miss not having a hot shoe and a strong flash with no battery worries.

   I’m waiting for a full frame Nikon SLR.

   I would not buy a camera that does not use AA batteries. Too bad that the Fuji case will only hold the extra AA batteries and not the charger too. A car charger works great for trips and does not get left behind at the motel etc.

   Rating: 9 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No

3. Missing my E900

   

   By: Sara
   December 1, 2007 @ 9:57 PM

   I love this camera! But I’m really missing it right now with Christmas coming up because it is IN THE SHOP! I sent it in with 1 day to spare on my warranty but they would not cover the “zoom error” So, I’m dishing out $120 of my Xmas money to have it repaired. All that said the camera is great and takes beautiful pictures that you can blow up. We had fun taking pictures of the can and you can see every wisker and even the tiny bumps on his nose!

   Rating: 9 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No

4. Buyer beware, do not buy this camera...

   

   By: Phyllis Scarce
   September 19, 2007 @ 12:13 PM

   I purchased this camera in Feb 2007 for $300. I loved the features that this camera offered until the 6th week that I owned the camera it broke. In between pictures while at a t-ball game, the zoom became stuck in the out position. The camera gave a message of “Zoom Error.” I assumed that Fuji films customer service could tell me how to correct over the phone, but they said with a zoom error it would need to be shipped into the repair shop for evaluation. They also said that they could not guarantee that it would be under the 1 year warranty.

   Well, after much disgust over a wasted 300 dollars, I still have not mailed in the camera. I plan to do so, but had to purchase another camera today to capture my children’s special moments while a grieve over the lost money.

   I have saw two Fuji camera’s on ebay for sale with a “zoom error,” and had a friend tell me after the fact that she had the same thing occur with a different Fuji camera. Apparantly Fuji has a problem with their Zoom lense. Be careful and don’t waste your money.

   Unhappy customer

   Rating: 3 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No

5. A great travel camera

   

   By: Dave
   October 21, 2006 @ 2:03 PM

   Very high resolution in both CCD and lens. Zoom range fine for pocket camera. AA batteries available everywhere. Viewfinder plus lcd a real plus in bad lighting conditions. Tiny tripod a good accessory. 30 fps video handy.

   Rating: 9 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No

6. Fuzzy Pictures

   

   By: Nicole
   April 27, 2006 @ 6:26 PM

   I bought this camera due to statements that the pictures in natural low night were excellent. Not true. Even in light that doesn’t prompt a flash, the pictures are blurry, mildly fuzzy at best. I am extremely disappointed and wished I had really considered returning this camera when I had the chance.

   Rating: 2 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No