The FujiFilm FinePix S6500fd camera uses XD memory cards although I would have preferred the more popular SD format. The cards slot in on the lefthand side of the camera. The battery compartment is located at the base and uses 4 everyday AA size batteries which you can buy anywhere. Generally, most digital cameras use their own proprietary sized batteries. I managed about 300 pictures and a few movie clips on a single set of batteries - I also used the LCD screen to preview most of the shots. The battery compartment also doubles as a convenient handgrip although someone with large hands may find it awkward to hold. Whilst on the base, the tripod socket is located slightly off-centre to the lens.
The power switch is in the form of a collar which surrounds the shutter release button. I found it rather odd that the first setting was the playback and frequently when turning the camera on, I was in playback mode rather than in shooting mode. My personal preference would be to have the first point as shooting mode. The camera will power down if left inactive for a couple of minutes. To reactivate, you have to turn the camera off and then on again. I would have preferred to depress the shutter release to reactivate. When shooting in low light the camera illuminates the scene with a bright green light - great fun if you want to take some discreet shots.
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Shutter release and ill conceived collar ring |
Focus assist light could double as a spotlight |
The shutter release itself is a two-stage operation. Half depressing locks the focus and other settings, pushing it down fully releases the shutter almost instantly. Fuji claims a very fast shutter response. This is the case, however, it’s the focusing that gets in the way of capturing a photograph instantly. As with most other digital cameras, this becomes the source of great frustration. Of course, you could always use manual focus and then the camera doesn't hunt for the correct focus and the picture is captured instantly.
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Shutter pressed as scooter passed white line |
Same details, but now using manual focus |
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Focus selector switch |
Diopter corrector on left side of viewfinder |
The focus switch has three settings Continuous, Single and Manual Focus. In continuous mode the lens focuses on everything that moves, and can become tiresome after a short period of use. The single focus mode lets you focus on a subject and then it locks on it, of course you need to keep your shutter release half depressed. Manual focus is not as easy as it sounds, I had great difficulty in achieving a correct focus. In the middle of the selector switch is an instant autofocus, depress the button when your in manual mode and it will autofocus on your subject, I used this button a lot.
