First shots from my Fuji Natura Black [Archive]

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DougK

05-10-2006, 18:45

I've posted some samples from the first roll through my Fuji Natura here (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=5974). All shots scanned on my K-M Dual Scan IV using the Photoshop plug-in. Editing was minimal and consisted of tweaking the levels, applying a touch of unsharp mask, resizing, and saving to JPEG.

The results? Vignetting was present in a large number of my shots; I didn't find it objectionable but in fairness some folks may not like that. My scans probably don't do the sharpness of the lens justice but looking at the slides was a real treat. Flare wasn't bad even when the sun was just out of frame but it's definitely visible. I'm not sure if it was me or the camera but I felt like it really wants to overexpose slightly; you'll see a number of places where the highlights got blown out. Slide film works OK but you'll probably want to dial in some exposure compensation or simply stay with negative film where overexposure isn't such a big deal.

I like this camera a lot. It's a fun shooter and the lens is first-rate. Even though I'm a fan of wide-angle lenses I was a bit concerned about having a 24mm as my only lens. I did one "close-up" shot and you can see that the background is fairly nicely out of focus given the DOF this lens has. The camera seemed to lock focus much more quickly than my Stylus Epic and shutter lag was much less obtrusive than on my other point-and-shoots. I can't wait to see what it does in low-light conditions on high-speed film. I wish the camera had more manual control but at least you have -2.0 to +2.0 exposure compensation in 0.5 step increments.

Two thumbs up.

raid

05-10-2006, 19:00

Doug,
I recently tried taking photos indoors at available light with the Natura Black (posted here) . The built-in flash somehow does not work well, but when turning the flash off, the results came out very nice and sharp. I am glad that you are trying out this camera. Sharing information on this camera will be useful to us. Few people will comment on results by the Natura since few people own this camera.

I also give this camera two thumbs up.

DougK

05-10-2006, 19:25

The first things I do with a camera are to figure out how to turn off date imprinting and how to turn off the flash. I might try a couple of outdoor fill-flash shots for fun but for the most part I'll never need it.

Definitely a camera worth owning.

jmilkins

05-10-2006, 20:22

Thanks for posting these (Raid I can't see a link?) . I'm particularly interested in people's impressions of this one - seems to be a neat little camera.

raid

05-10-2006, 21:07

Here is the link to my first thread on the Natura:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19993

Here is a link to my last thead on the Natura. I am very happy with the results. We were taking a tour inside some colonial houses in Pensacola, and I tested the camera again with available light.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22790

jmilkins

05-11-2006, 03:53

thanks Raid - interesting read.

raid

05-11-2006, 17:12

DougK

05-11-2006, 19:38

I made sure I knew how to do that before I left the house with the camera. :)

I suppose somebody out there uses those features but I'm not one of them. I like the infinity focus lock feature though, very handy given the amount of landscape shooting I do.

SHERPA

06-04-2006, 07:51

NATURA BLACK F1.9 NATURA 1600 Film & RVP
http://www.pbase.com/sherpa/natura_black

ampguy

06-04-2006, 21:30

ok, i need one!!

Austintatious

06-05-2006, 05:30

There is one on the Bay now for $333.00, seems a lot for a point & shoot!

ampguy

06-05-2006, 07:33

tempting, but I've got a 35mm ltm lens coming, so I should probably seek out an ltm body for it. I'll probably try to convince someone to grab one off of amazon.co.jp for me for $250 + shipping + dinner, etc.

raid

06-05-2006, 13:46

There is one on the Bay now for $333.00, seems a lot for a point & shoot!

This P&S camera sports a very fast 24mm lens. How much would you have to pay to get a Leitz 24mm/2 or 2.8?

raid

06-05-2006, 13:48

http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007TXTAC/qid=1149544038/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i4_xgl23/503-0196576-6411174

You are right about the price in Japan.

DougK

06-05-2006, 19:03

I'll go with Raid on this one. The lens alone is well worth the price. If you want really wide angle in your pocket, I think this camera is the best game in town.

You can buy a new black Natura from Dirk Rosler for about USD$326 right now (http://www.unicircuits.com/shop/), so I would probably skip eBay given the current bid. Dirk is a top-notch seller and I have no connection with him other than being a highly satisfied customer.

LKSC

06-05-2006, 19:43

raid

06-06-2006, 09:34

I was very lucky in buying my Natura for a low price here on the RFF. It arrived like new in the box. I just got some spare batteries since it went through the first battery rather quickly.

ampguy

06-07-2006, 20:25

live there, fwiw.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007TXTAC/qid=1149544038/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i4_xgl23/503-0196576-6411174

You are right about the price in Japan.

ampguy

06-07-2006, 20:31

is that you can't control the speed directly. You never know when you'll get 1.9, or whatever lens opening, especially with the matching 1600 film.

I really want one bad though :D

This P&S camera sports a very fast 24mm lens. How much would you have to pay to get a Leitz 24mm/2 or 2.8?

IGMeanwell

07-05-2006, 01:38

Well... I can't believe it but I will be waiting for it in the mail sometime next week

but thanks to a rff forum member I will be experiencing the Fuji Natura first hand...

Has anyone shot any 1600 film through it as of yet? I would like to see what will be anticipatiing :)

Terence T

07-05-2006, 01:59

Has anyone shot any 1600 film through it as of yet? I would like to see what will be anticipatiing :)

I'll include a roll of Natura 1600 since you're such a hassle free buyer.

IGMeanwell

07-05-2006, 02:15

I'll include a roll of Natura 1600 since you're such a hassle free buyer.

Now thats service!!!!! :dance:

You are getting some good rep for this!

I'll make sure I post those pics and spread the joy!!!!

fgianni

07-13-2006, 07:43

If they make one that allows you to choone the aperture I'll buy it immediately, but I am a bit umcomfortable with auto-everything stuff.

ampguy

07-13-2006, 08:17

that's one of the things that has been holding me back, although it's on my wish list if the price drops as the sample shots I've seen from them are so great, and my slr w/ 18mm is so huge to carry around.

However, I was also very concerned with my GSN and not knowing the shutter speed it was selecting, but having a little control with the arrows. But after perfect exposures on a couple of rolls, it doesn't bother me so much. I really like the GSN, except for the size which is SLR sized.

If they make one that allows you to choone the aperture I'll buy it immediately, but I am a bit umcomfortable with auto-everything stuff.

raid

07-13-2006, 09:02

I don't like high-speed film, and I will use the Natura with slow film in dim areas or for general daylight 24mm photography. Don't dwell on aperture choices with such a camera. After using this camera for a while, you will hopefully have an idea how it chooses aperture settings for certain types/levels of light. I turned off the flash and used ASA200 film in a dark setting with wonderful results handheld. This tells me that the camera chose a very wide aperture or I would have seen handshaking effects. The camera is so small that it actually "gets lost" in a camera bag. This is one of the advantages of such a camera. It is very small and light and has a super sharp lens.

Regards,

Raid

bun

09-06-2006, 11:53

Anyone knows where I can buy one? It seems to me that the black version is not available any more.