Back on the web

Wow. I can't believe we are already in April and I haven't made a post this year!

I do apologise, and I hope to be back to making entries at least once a week.

May I start by saying a big thank you for all the cards and presents I received for Christmas and welcome to anyone who has found their way here after receiving the address in one of my Christmas cards.

As usual I bought myself a little present, a new digital camera. You may be asking yourselves why I would by a camera, when I already have several. Looking back, I calculate that over the last few years I have purchased 8 digital cameras, so this is my ninth. However technology in this field has moved on considerably,

In theory I only use two cameras, a "proper" D-SLR and a pocket camera.

My first D-SLR was a Canon 300D, so I could continue to use my EOS lenses. Before then I had a couple of (so called) "pro-sumer" Fujifilm cameras. In 2006 I sold this camera and upgraded to the Canon 350D. It was smaller and lighter, with a faster processor and higher number of megapixels. I had looked at switching to a 20D, but for the difference in price I bought myself a very nice lens.

The 400D and 30D have since been released, but I can't see enough difference to justify a further upgrade.

However, I only taken the Canon out with me if I am specifically intending to go somewhere and take photos. Its still too big and bulky to carry everywhere. The rest of the time I always carry a pocket camera, so I can take snaps when the opportunity arises.

For this purpose, I have been using a Fujifilm F700. It has been a very good camera. With 6 megapixels and a metal body it has been both dependable and reliable. My new camera is still a Fujifilm. It still has a metal body, the same lens and the same number of megapixels.

So why upgrade?

My new camera is the Fujifilm F31-fd. The "fd" is important. This processing chip has been significantly upgraded. The time from switching on to taking a photo is now just a fraction of the time in my older model. The light sensitivity is also increased, so the camera can take better quality photos in lower light conditions. But this isn't the end of the story. Fuji have included a second processor which utilises "face detection" software. This means the camera should be much better at focusing and exposing the faces in a picture.

In January two of my friends Robert & David came up for a visit (you can read much more about it in David's blog). This seemed like an ideal opportunity to try out the new camera, and I've included some of the test pictures below.