Funny looking Fujifilm F610 DC (2003)
The recent trend in portable DC to end the mega pixel war for better image quality is my long awaiting wish I was shouting for in hermanland.com back in 2006 when I got my F31FD which was my only choice of budget DC with well image quality at that time. Despite I have the latest F200EXR and I appreciate its faster response and higher dynamic range, I am still using F31FD for its low noise, 35mm F2.8 lens, hence faster with less distortion for portrait. The Fujifilm F series started from F10 in 2005 showing which can be achievable with the combination of Super CCD sensor and well balanced camera design among different factors. In fact, Fujifilm made some DC with Super CCD before the F series glory story started and some of them had a funny upright format which look odd by today standards. One of them is Fujifilm F610 I recently got from a retail shop for HK$800. It is brand new out of old stock and the whole package was made in Japan including even the battery. I am happy to get an extra 1G XD card for free. Following is its attraction to me:
1) Funny upright format
2) Funny dual LCD
3) Super CCD DC pre date the F series glory story
4) Can turn off the LCD and use the built-in optical viewfinder only
5) Faster lens with more portrait friendly focal length – 35mm F2.8
6) Bigger CCD size – 1/1.7
7) Aperture priority, shutter priority and full manul exposure mode
Just discovered that the upright format body of F610 is really handy for snapshot in coffee shop. Just set the timer and put the camera on the table. The view is less likely blocked by the table. Here is the years my “antique” DC were made:
F610 (2003)
F31FD (2006)
F200EXR (2009)
