Fuji FinePix 6900 ZoomFuji updates their uniquely-styled "electronic SLR" with a 3.3 megapixel SuperCCD chip and improved color!<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 7/19/2001 |
Operation and User Interface
Despite a somewhat daunting first appearance, we found the 6900Z's user interface to be quite straightforward after working with it for awhile. The camera body is liberally sprinkled with control buttons, but they are well marked and much easier to access than scrolling through multiple menu screens. A fair number of the exposure variables are controlled through the LCD menu system, but the basic controls, such as shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, are operated via the external controls. The only control we found a little awkward was the mode dial, which was stiff enough that it required two fingers to turn, and because of the wide area over which all the controls are spread, you'll need both hands to operate the 6900Z. Overall, however, the lightweight and custom shape fit our hands nicely, and the finger grips are comfortable to hold.
Control Enumeration
Shutter Button: Located on the very top of the hand grip, this chrome button trips the shutter when fully depressed, and sets focus when halfway depressed in autofocus mode. When the Self-Timer mode is activated, fully depressing the Shutter button triggers the two- or 10-second countdown.
Macro Button: Also located on the top panel, one of two controls directly behind the Shutter button, this button enables the camera's Macro shooting mode. Once pressed, the traditional flower symbol appears in the LCD monitor and the focus range changes to 3.9 to 32 inches (10 to 80cm). A second press of the button cancels the mode.
Flash Mode: Directly to the right of the Macro button, this button controls the internal Flash mode and cycles through Auto Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Slow-Synchro, and Red-Eye Reduction with Slow-Synchro operating modes.
Continuous Shooting Button: Marked with the Continuous Shooting symbol, this button also resides on the camera's top panel, to the lower left of the Macro button. Once pressed, this button places the camera in Continuous Shooting mode, allowing you to capture up to five consecutive images with one press of the shutter button, at intervals as short as 0.2 seconds. Pressing the button a second time cancels the mode.
Self-Timer Button: To the left of the Continuous Shooting button, the Self-Timer button activates the two- or 10-second Self-Timer mode. Pressing the button repeatedly cycles through the two self-timer delay settings and normal shooting mode. Once either Self-Timer mode is enabled, a full press of the shutter button activates the timer countdown.
Power Button: Just below the Self-Timer and Continuous Shooting buttons, the Power button is located in the center of the camera mode switch. Pressing the Power button turns on the camera and triggers the lens to slide outward into its operating position (if the camera is set to Photography mode). Another press of the button shuts the camera down and retracts the lens into the camera body.
Mode Switch: Surrounding the camera's Power button, and positioned on the back left side of the top control panel, this switch places the camera in either Photography or Playback mode.
Exposure Mode Dial: Situated on the very right side of the camera's top panel, and set on top of the Command wheel, this dial puts the camera into one of seven exposure modes, or into the Setup mode. Available mode settings are:
- Setup: Displays a camera settings menu, used for changing basic camera settings such as date and time.
- Manual Mode: Lets you set all of the exposure variables, including shutter speed and aperture. You also have control over all other exposure features, except the exposure compensation.
- Aperture Priority Mode: Allows you to set the lens aperture while the camera selects the best corresponding shutter speed. You maintain control over all other exposure settings, including exposure compensation.
- Shutter Priority Mode: The opposite of Aperture Priority mode, this mode lets you choose the shutter speed while the camera selects the lens aperture setting.
- Program Mode: Offers a range of equivalent exposure settings to choose from, depending on the type of effect you want to achieve. You have direct control over all other exposure settings, other than shutter speed and aperture.
- Automatic Mode: Puts the camera in control of all exposure settings, other than the flash mode.
- Scene Program Mode: Useful for shooting under specific conditions, this mode lets you choose from four preset shooting setups, including Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Scene, and Black-and-White.
- Movie Mode: Lets you record up to 160 seconds of moving images without sound, depending on SmartMedia capacity and available space.
Command Wheel: Positioned directly beneath the Exposure Mode dial, this notched wheel adjusts shutter speed and aperture settings. In Shutter Priority mode, it controls the shutter speed. In Aperture Priority mode, it controls the aperture. In Manual mode, it (by default) controls the shutter speed, but pressing and holding down the Exposure Compensation Button (+/- button) switches its control to the lens aperture.
Indicator Lamp: A small rectangular LED lamp, set on top of the camera between the Exposure Mode dial and Mode Switch, indicates camera status in various shooting conditions. Messages are tied into different colors as follows:
- Green / Glowing: The camera is ready to shoot.
- Green / Flashing: The Auto Focus and Auto Exposure are in progress; or camera shake warning; or recording to SmartMedia, the next picture can be taken.
- Orange / Glowing: An image is being recorded to SmartMedia, the next picture cannot be taken.
- Orange / Flashing: The flash is charging.
- Red / Flashing: SmartMedia warning, battery charging error, or lens operation error. (More detailed warning messages will be displayed on the LCD monitor.)
EVF / LCD Button: Located directly to the right of the optical viewfinder eyepiece on the back panel, this button switches between the eye-level viewfinder display and the rear-panel LCD monitor, alternately enabling one and disabling the other.
Focus Check Button: To the right of the EVF / LCD button, this button allows you to check the focus when shooting in Manual Focus mode. Pressing the button enlarges the very center of the subject by 2x, so that you can check the fine details for focus.
AE Lock Button: Situated to the right of the Focus Check button, this button locks the exposure setting based on whatever is currently centered in the frame. This setting is preserved as long as you hold the button down, letting you recompose (even changing the lens zoom) and refocus before taking the picture. (A very nice feature!)
Display Button: Also on the back panel, at the top right corner of the LCD monitor, this button cycles between three LCD display modes. The first press shows a camera settings information display, with information about the memory card, exposure settings, and exposure mode. A second press displays a set of framing guidelines, which divide the frame into thirds, horizontally and vertically. The third press of the button cancels both displays, leaving only the picture.
Menu / OK Button: In the center of the back panel, on the right side of the LCD monitor, this button pulls up the settings menu in both Photography and Playback modes. It also serves as the "OK" to confirm menu selections and changes.
Arrow Rocker Pad: Just below the Menu / OK button, this control features four arrows, one in each cardinal direction. In both Photography and Playback menus, these arrow buttons navigate through menu options and selections. In any Photography mode, the Up and Down Arrows control the optical and digital zoom. In Playback mode, the Right and Left Arrows scroll through captured images. Also in Playback mode, when playback zoom is enabled (by pressing the Display button), the four arrow buttons allow you to move around within the enlarged image to check fine details.
Back Button: Positioned below the Arrow Rocker Pad, this button cancels menu options and backs out of menu screens, returning you to the main image display.
Shift Button: Located on the left side of the LCD monitor, holding the Shift button and pressing the Display button simultaneously allows you to adjust the monitor brightness in both Photography and Playback modes. In all Photography modes (except Movie), holding this button and pressing the Flash button simultaneously takes you to a screen for adjusting image size and quality settings.
Flash Pop-up Button: Located on the lens side of the pop-up flash compartment, this button releases the flash head into its operating position.
AF / MF Switch: Also on the lens side of the camera, this sliding switch selects Auto or Manual Focus modes. In Manual mode, focus is controlled by turning the knurled ring on the front of the lens barrel.
Zoom Button: Just beneath the AF / MF switch is the large round Zoom button, which controls the optical and digital zoom settings.
Exposure Compensation Button: To the right of the AF / MF switch, this button calls up the exposure compensation adjustment bar, allowing you to adjust the exposure compensation from -2 to +2 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third-step increments. This adjustment is available in Programmed, Shutter-Priority, and Aperture-Priority modes only. In Manual exposure mode, pressing this button while turning the Command wheel adjusts the lens aperture.
AF / Custom White Balance Button: Situated to the right of the Exposure Compensation button, this button doubles as a One-touch Autofocus button (when used in Manual Focus mode) and a manual white balance adjustment when working in Custom White Balance mode. Pressing this button in Manual Focus mode immediately sets focus using the camera's AF system. Pressing it in Custom WB mode, with a white card held up in front of the lens, manually adjusts the camera's white balance to match the current light source.
Info Button: Located at the bottom of the lens side of the camera, this button displays a quick reference screen of the currently set exposure variables in all exposure modes except for Auto, Scene Program, and Movie. Likewise, in Playback mode, the Info button displays the exposure information for the currently displayed image, including a histogram chart in the lower right corner of the monitor. The histogram shows distribution of brightness levels from highlight, midtone, and shadow areas.
Focus Ring: Encircling the tip of the lens barrel, this notched ring adjusts the manual focus when working in Manual Focus mode.
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