My New Camera (Page 4): We received a small camera recently and it came with a charging cable and no charger. I see the Fuji did too. Now I can see the next area of economy being taken...

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

We received a small camera recently and it came with a charging cable and no charger. I see the Fuji did too. Now I can see the next area of economy being taken by the camera manufacturers - no charger. This will save them dollars and I bet the camera is no cheaper. And it means the charger socket on the camera will slog out faster and the life of the camera will be less. A really non obvious way to build in obsolescence.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

chrissybabe wrote:

We received a small camera recently and it came with a charging cable and no charger. I see the Fuji did too. Now I can see the next area of economy being taken by the camera manufacturers - no charger. This will save them dollars and I bet the camera is no cheaper. And it means the charger socket on the camera will slog out faster and the life of the camera will be less. A really non obvious way to build in obsolescence.

You can always buy a charger, they don't cost that much. I always buy a charger and extra batteries for any new camera I get.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Soul Dr. wrote:

You can always buy a charger, they don't cost that much. I always buy a charger and extra batteries for any new camera I get.

And I did that. However the camera, when we bought it, was a recent new model. I priced out the new Panasonic charger and battery - came to over $200 (20% the price of the whole camera). Brand X's just weren't available as they would be in catchup mode. So we just waited about 6 months and now batteries and chargers cost $30 so I bought a set. Obviously 3rd party but both are working fine.
The price of OEM accessories reminded me of OEM printer inks.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

chrissybabe wrote:

And I did that. However the camera, when we bought it, was a recent new model. I priced out the new Panasonic charger and battery - came to over $200 (20% the price of the whole camera). Brand X's just weren't available as they would be in catchup mode. So we just waited about 6 months and now batteries and chargers cost $30 so I bought a set. Obviously 3rd party but both are working fine.
The price of OEM accessories reminded me of OEM printer inks.

I always buy 3rd party batteries and chargers and have never had a problem with any of them.

User ID

jerryc41 wrote:

........
If any of you have any tips or suggestions, I'd be
glad to get them. I'm sure comments related to
the X-T20 and X-T3/2 would apply.

You ask for tips.

Since you're keeping the Nikon, a Nikon to Fuji
adapter seems reasonable and my "tip" is to be
aware that some adapters can operate the iris
on "G" Nikkors [with no aperture control ring]
..... and some adapters cannot.

.

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

jerryc41 wrote:

I received a new camera yesterday. Should I have bought it? Oh, you want to know what I take pictures of and also what it will do that my current camera won't. The answers: everything; I don't know.

Seriously, I got a Fuji X-T30 with 18-55mm lens. It arrived with free overnight delivery from Amazon. The reviews have been very good, and the comments by members here have also been very good. I spent only about thirty minutes with it, and I'll be gone all day today (no photo ops), so it's still a stranger to me.

Some comments:
*The controls are definitely different, nothing like Nikon. I guess the controls and Menu will take some getting used to.
*I like having the shutter speed dial right on top - just like old film cameras.
*It didn't come with a battery charger, just a cable. The cable connects with what looks like a micro USB, but it isn't. I'll have to find out what it is and buy more. I'll also be buying extra batteries and a charger.
*I was thinking this would be a good travel/compact camera, like my a6000. Nope! The body is compact, but the lens is larger than the camera.

*The two manuals (English and Spanish) are over 300 pages long, nice to see.
*I'll be spending time on YouTube looking at setup suggestions, since the Menu and controls are so foreign to me.
*The lens cap is similar to the one I hate on the a6000. It's almost impossible to get it onto the lens, especially with the lens hood in place. If Xume makes a magnetic adapter that small, I might get one of them and a clear filter. I'll use that instead of a lens cap.
*Eventually, I'll have to get a zoom lens of 200mm or more.
*Depending how I like the small leather(?) strap, I might use an OP/TECH that I already have.
*From the small amount of time I've spent with it, I like it, and I look forward to doing a lot of shooting tomorrow. I think this and the D750 will be my two main cameras, and the a6000 will go to a new home.

If any of you have any tips or suggestions, I'd be glad to get them. I'm sure comments related to the X-T20 and X-T3/2 would apply.

I received a new camera yesterday. Should I have ... (show quote)

Jerry, I also have the D750 but also bought the Fuji X-T2 with the 18-55 back in September of 2017. I find myself using the smaller and lighter X-T2 more than the D750. As you mention the menu is totally different than the Nikon menu. The SOOC images from the X-T30 should really impress you. I think the SOOC images from the X-T2 are much better than SOOC images from my D750. Would be curious to see what you think about SOOC images from the X-T30.
But I am having trouble making the X-T2 communicate with the Fujifilm external flash (EF-42). But that is because I don't know what I am doing when it comes to working the flash.
I am giving some thot to getting the 80mm macro for the X-T2 instead of a macro for the D750. I really miss having a macro of some sort.
Take a peek at one of Tony Northrup's YouTube videos on how to use this camera. It won't be all that much different for the X-T30. He may even have a new video for the X-T30.
~FiddleMaker

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

jerryc41 wrote:

I received a new camera yesterday. Should I have bought it? Oh, you want to know what I take pictures of and also what it will do that my current camera won't. The answers: everything; I don't know.

Seriously, I got a Fuji X-T30 with 18-55mm lens. It arrived with free overnight delivery from Amazon. The reviews have been very good, and the comments by members here have also been very good. I spent only about thirty minutes with it, and I'll be gone all day today (no photo ops), so it's still a stranger to me.

Some comments:
*The controls are definitely different, nothing like Nikon. I guess the controls and Menu will take some getting used to.
*I like having the shutter speed dial right on top - just like old film cameras.
*It didn't come with a battery charger, just a cable. The cable connects with what looks like a micro USB, but it isn't. I'll have to find out what it is and buy more. I'll also be buying extra batteries and a charger.
*I was thinking this would be a good travel/compact camera, like my a6000. Nope! The body is compact, but the lens is larger than the camera.

*The two manuals (English and Spanish) are over 300 pages long, nice to see.
*I'll be spending time on YouTube looking at setup suggestions, since the Menu and controls are so foreign to me.
*The lens cap is similar to the one I hate on the a6000. It's almost impossible to get it onto the lens, especially with the lens hood in place. If Xume makes a magnetic adapter that small, I might get one of them and a clear filter. I'll use that instead of a lens cap.
*Eventually, I'll have to get a zoom lens of 200mm or more.
*Depending how I like the small leather(?) strap, I might use an OP/TECH that I already have.
*From the small amount of time I've spent with it, I like it, and I look forward to doing a lot of shooting tomorrow. I think this and the D750 will be my two main cameras, and the a6000 will go to a new home.

If any of you have any tips or suggestions, I'd be glad to get them. I'm sure comments related to the X-T20 and X-T3/2 would apply.

I received a new camera yesterday. Should I have ... (show quote)

My experience with the Fuji XT2 & now XT3 and X100S & X100F have been fun, rewarding and most of all, these power-packed midgets have renewed my interest in photography like nothing else! The IQ is outstanding, size of hardware a dream to carry, the visceral dials & controls so easy, and the colour reproduction & options make RAW a thing of the past for a lot of my work. Straight-out-of-camera is outstanding in the Fuji-world JPEG format.

I love the 56MM F1.2 for all things portraiture -creamy bokeh with outstanding sharpness, the 23MM F 1.4 for indoor low-light work, the sharpest lens in the line-up, the 80MM F 2.8 for macro and some street work, the 35MM F 2.0 for main-line street work, the 10-24MM F4 for wide and some "fun" photography, the 18-55MM F 2.8 - 4.0 for adaptable light travel and the 55-200MM F3.5-4.8 and for a bit more reach the 100-400MM F4.5-5.6. All these Fuji lenses provide excellent IQ and sharpness to one degree or another. The upcoming 33MM F1.0 will be incredible.

Do they do everything better than my FF Nikon gear... No. But, what they do is outstanding and they are always the cameras I grab when heading out to anything!

Hoping you enjoy your new acquisition as much as I have Jerry!

Cheers!

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

xt2 wrote:

My experience with the Fuji XT2 & now XT3 and ... (show quote)

xt2, I would like your opinion on the XT2 versus the XT3 now that you have both. I have been toying with the idea of upgrading from the XT2 to the XT3.
Thanks, ~FiddleMaker

duck72 Loc: Laurel Ridge, PA

:>)

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

jerryc41 wrote:

I received a new camera yesterday. Should I have bought it? Oh, you want to know what I take pictures of and also what it will do that my current camera won't. The answers: everything; I don't know.

Seriously, I got a Fuji X-T30 with 18-55mm lens. It arrived with free overnight delivery from Amazon. The reviews have been very good, and the comments by members here have also been very good. I spent only about thirty minutes with it, and I'll be gone all day today (no photo ops), so it's still a stranger to me.

Some comments:
*The controls are definitely different, nothing like Nikon. I guess the controls and Menu will take some getting used to.
*I like having the shutter speed dial right on top - just like old film cameras.
*It didn't come with a battery charger, just a cable. The cable connects with what looks like a micro USB, but it isn't. I'll have to find out what it is and buy more. I'll also be buying extra batteries and a charger.
*I was thinking this would be a good travel/compact camera, like my a6000. Nope! The body is compact, but the lens is larger than the camera.

*The two manuals (English and Spanish) are over 300 pages long, nice to see.
*I'll be spending time on YouTube looking at setup suggestions, since the Menu and controls are so foreign to me.
*The lens cap is similar to the one I hate on the a6000. It's almost impossible to get it onto the lens, especially with the lens hood in place. If Xume makes a magnetic adapter that small, I might get one of them and a clear filter. I'll use that instead of a lens cap.
*Eventually, I'll have to get a zoom lens of 200mm or more.
*Depending how I like the small leather(?) strap, I might use an OP/TECH that I already have.
*From the small amount of time I've spent with it, I like it, and I look forward to doing a lot of shooting tomorrow. I think this and the D750 will be my two main cameras, and the a6000 will go to a new home.

If any of you have any tips or suggestions, I'd be glad to get them. I'm sure comments related to the X-T20 and X-T3/2 would apply.

I received a new camera yesterday. Should I have ... (show quote)

Usually I am the one to ask what someone plans to do with the camera. But some people are recognized as having enough experience to not need that detail. In fact for some the reason "I just wanted to" is all that is needed. Have fun with your new equipment.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

chrissybabe wrote:

We received a small camera recently and it came with a charging cable and no charger. I see the Fuji did too. Now I can see the next area of economy being taken by the camera manufacturers - no charger. This will save them dollars and I bet the camera is no cheaper. And it means the charger socket on the camera will slog out faster and the life of the camera will be less. A really non obvious way to build in obsolescence.

Yes, that is amazing to me that a separate charger is not provided. My Sony a7iii didn’t come with one either. I was a little irked I had to buy a charger. Next they won’t come with a battery!

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

GrandmaG wrote:

Yes, that is amazing to me that a separate charger is not provided. My Sony a7iii didn’t come with one either. I was a little irked I had to buy a charger. Next they won’t come with a battery!

This is a move towards charging all batteries via USB - not just cameras but cell phones as well. There has been no good reason for so many different chargers and battery sizes in the past. The problem will be that whilst charging the battery (in the camera) the camera will not be useable. It will mean that we don't have to pack a charger when travelling.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Delderby wrote:

This is a move towards charging all batteries via USB - not just cameras but cell phones as well. There has been no good reason for so many different chargers and battery sizes in the past. The problem will be that whilst charging the battery (in the camera) the camera will not be useable. It will mean that we don't have to pack a charger when travelling.

So you are out taking photos and run the battery down. So can't use the camera for the next 10 hours (or whatever or overnight because you are nowhere near a high powered USB outlet) because you only have one battery. Oh wait yes you do have a spare - the one you woke up at 2.30am in the morning to exchange the battery in the new in-camera charger !

I sincerely hope you were making a joke because I will most certainly have my charger.
I have been on holiday and days away from any source of power. If you think I am going to carry a power pack weighing 2 kg when I could have carried a couple of spare batteries and a charger weighing only 1kg.

The only reason why chargers are not coming now is because manufacturers can get away with not supplying them and using the excuse that USB chargers are everywhere. Basically greed.
Now if they want to do this properly then they should advertise the camera like this -

Camera model 123zb45 $500 (charger exclusive)
Camera model 123zb45 $510 (charger included) OR

Camera model 123zb45 $510 (subtract $10 if you already have a changer)

What we are seeing is -

Camera model 123zb45 $510 (no charger)
Optional charger for model 123zb45 add $100

The trouble is that all manufacturer thinks all customers are stupid.

If we ALL said no charger no sale they would change their minds pretty quick.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

chrissybabe wrote:

So you are out taking photos and run the battery d... (show quote)

Electric plugs to convert power to usb weigh a few ozs. We will have to carry more (charged up) spares. I certainly don't think the manufacturers are doing a good thing, but we are going to have to get used to it.
Manufacturers do think we are stupid - we have witnessed the mpx race and the long zoom race to persuade us to buy new cameras. The manufacturers are in a survival game. The likes of Nikon and Canon are losing out in the innovation stakes - Fuji, Sony, Panasonic, etc have proved that. It will soon be takeover or collapse time. Which will be a pity.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Delderby wrote:

Electric plugs to convert power to usb weigh a few ozs. We will have to carry more (charged up) spares. I certainly don't think the manufacturers are doing a good thing, but we are going to have to get used to it.

My latest charger only weights a few ozs too. And since I don't want to spend the three days before a trip constantly charging a heap of spare batteries I would rather have a charger (actually 2 of them since we NEVER travel anywhere with only a single charger).
I take your point about manfs having to work at making a deal profitable but it should be an honest process. See my first suggestion 2 replies back about how they should be making chargers available. The second one is what I am seeing.
I think that of all those who spend $1000 on a good travel camera less than 10% will be content with only having a single battery and charging it in the camera. They are not photographers (and I bet after a couple of years of always finding their battery has insufficient charge they will come to regret it and probably stop using it - plus never buying that make again). The other 90% are photographers who want a charger so the manfs are most definitely NOT doing what their customers want.
End result is that a particular manf will make LESS money from me than he might have done otherwise as I buy 2 chargers and 2-4 batteries from somebody NOT them.
There may be a degree of inevitability about all this but not from me.