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Canon EOS 400D
This is my fourth upgrade and first digital SLR camera after using compacts & SLR like compact bridge zooms for a
number of years. My reasons for upgrading to this style of camera were purely for more control that none of my
other previous cameras offered, not to mention satisfying my every growing interest in the world of photography.
One of the main concerns I had with my previous models was the electronic viewfinder and their poor display in low
light or dark conditions. I missed out on so many shots that I just couldn’t see properly, sometimes the screen
would be completely black, as it could not cope. The SLR completely solved this, as what I could see with my own
eyes was mirrored exactly in the viewfinder. Another function that I wanted was the ability and precision of a true
manual focus system. The electronic style manual focus on my Fuji S5500 & S5600 was just too fiddly, time consuming
and didn’t give me the precision I was looking for. As the screens were not brilliant I couldn’t check the focus
properly anyway. I even tried out the Fuji S9600 to see if the screen & manual focus were going to be any better.
After trying out two SLR cameras I soon realised that an upgrade to anything other than an SLR would most likely
result in me still being disappointed and be a waste of money.
There was a huge choice of SLR cameras at the time I bought my Canon EOS 400D. I opted for this model as it was
made by one of, if not the top manufacturer and had great reviews everywhere. It would resolve all my previous
concerns and needs plus give me more benefits. It has lots of benefits over my previous cameras.
The more I use this camera I’m impressed time & time again at the results I get from it. The photographs I take get
better and better the more I learn how the camera & lenses works. At the moment I have no intention of parting from
the 400D.
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Fuji Finepix S5600
I have just upgraded for a third time to the Finepix S5600, as I loved the above model so much. All my lenses,
XD cards, rechargeable batteries all fit the new model so it was a straight upgrade. I was tempted to look into
buying a true digital SLR but I didn’t want to carry the extra weight associated with the body & additional lenses.
As I was more than happy with the results I had been getting from the cameras I’d been using I decided to stick
with what I knew best. The Finepix S5500 & S5600 are both SLR style cameras but weigh a lot less and are not as
bulky.
Effective Pixels - 5.1 Million Pixels
Sensor - 1/2.5 inch Super CCD HR Sensor
Lens - Fujinon 10x optical Lens
Focal Length - F=6.3 - 63 mm (equivalent to 38-380mm on a 35mm camera)
Shutter Speed - 15 sec. to 1/2000 sec. depending on shooting mode
Aperture - F3.2 – F8 (9 steps)
Sensitivity - Auto / equivalent to ISO 64 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
Use the following link if you would like to see more information on this model
www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/s5600/?lpage=/digital/cameras/range.php
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Fuji Finepix S5500
As I got more involved into various kinds of photography I wanted to learn about some of the manual controls and
also my needs grew for a more powerful zoom for capturing wildlife. From doing some research I finely opted for
the Finepix S5500, which had plenty of scope for learning its manual controls, plus a powerful 10x optical
zoom (35mm equivalent of 370mm). I also purchased the Fuji wide-angle converter and the Fuji 1.5x telephoto
converter lenses, which then gave me more, zoom options (35mm equivalent of 555mm).
Effective Pixels - 4.0 Million Pixels
Sensor - 1/2.7 inch CCD
Lens - Fujinon 10x optical Lens
Focal Length - F=5.7 - 57 mm (equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera)
Shutter Speed - 1/4 sec to 1/2000 sec (Auto), 15 sec to 1/2000 sec (Manual)
Aperture - Wide–angle F2.8 - F8 (at 10 steps in 1/3 EV increments), Telephoto F3.1 - F9 (at 10 steps in 1/3 EV
increments)
Sensitivity - ISO 64–320 depending upon conditions (Auto), ISO 64/100/200/400 (manual)
If you would like to read a useful detailed review of the above camera or see more information use the following
links www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/s5500/ and
www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilms5100/
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Fuji Finepix A303
My first model was the little compact A303, which took and still does great pictures but without carrying the
bigger SLR style cameras. This camera is great for a simple, easy to use point & shoot camera.
Effective Pixels - 3.24 Million Pixels
Sensor - 1/2.7 inch
Lens - 3x Optical Zoom Lens
Focal Length - Equivalent to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera
Shutter Speed - N/A
Aperture - N/A
Sensitivity - N/A
Use the following link if you would like to see more information on this model
www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/a303/
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