Where to buy

[ecroxford1]

I've decided to buy a s2... No more messing around with the cheap stuff:D Is ebay a viable place to purchase this equipment.
What about warranties if I buy from someone on ebay that is not local to me?? Any help would be appreaciated... Also what would be a good general purpose, good qulality first lense to buy.

thanks
ed croxford

[Tom V]

Ed,

I bought my S2 of eBay. It cost $2425 delivered (USA). I bought it from a guy in Canada who had several (at least 7) in stock, when nobody here had them. Estimates for the wait around here (USA) was about 6 weeks or so.

I got the camera on August 26, 2002. I have used professionally on 5 days for 4 jobs, making $2900 with it. I have saved 8 trips to the lab, didn't need to buy or process about 20 rolls of film, and did not have to scan about 80 slides. In a way, it has already paid for itself. Aparently, if I got on a waiting list last month for an S2 from a photo store in the USA, I would still be waiting, maybe weeks away from getting it.

I am learning there is a difference between the "North America" model I got from Canada and "USA models." However, I get conflicting reports of exactly the difference is.

The camera I got from Canada is a "North America" model, which I thought meant USA. It did not include an AC Adapter or the Hyper-Utility software. The local camera store (Calumet Photographic in Bensenville, Illinois) now tells me that the USA model includes both the AC Adapter and the Hyper-Utility software. (street price $2399 + tax (if any), but there is still quite a waiting list. Fuji USA tells me that the USA model does not include the AC Adapter but were ready to send me the Hyper-Utility software until they realized that I got my camera through a shop in Canada. The local camera store and Fuji USA told me an AC Adapter costs $300!!!!:eek: Fuji USA then told me that with a USA reciept, I would get a discount on the AC Adapter and it would only cost $70. But since I bought my camera from a shop in Canada, they told me to call Fuji in Canada (905-890-6611).

I called Fuji Canada and they told me to call the shop where I bought the camera, and told me the prices to expect. I call the shop and have ordered the AC Adapter from them for about $70 US (depending on the exchange rate). The Hyper-Utility Software costs $499 Canadian (about $311 US), which I did not order.

It's easy, and it's hard. All at the same time.

[Tom V]

Ed,

That depends on what you like to shoot, and what "general purpose" means to you.

Keep in mind that the S2's sensor is smaller than a 35mm film frame, so your lenses have a different effective angle of view than they would on a 35mm film camera. On the S2, then lens factor is x 1.5. So if you put a 50mm lens on your S2, you would have the equivalent of a 75mm lens. A 200mm on the S2 is like a 300mm on a film camera (great!), but a 24mm wide angle on the S2 is like a 36mm on a film camera (bummer).

I would suggest either a prime wide angle lens like a 20mm (= 30mm) or a 24mm (36mm) for a compact sharp first lens. OR, go with a zoom lens like 18-35mm (=27mm~52mm) or similar, as long as it has a really wide angle at one end.

You should go to a well-stocked store and try different lenses. Learn what the tradeoffs are regarding sharpness, speed, cost, weight, range, construction quality, warranty, noise, focusing speed, size, etc.

[teski]

would try to buy from a dealer rather than through Ebay.

Try calling Ken at Pictureline. This is where I bought mine from and I was referred to them by a Fuji rep. Their number is 800-748-8200 and their site is http://www.pictureline.com and they are in Salt Lake City. Very helpful.

You could also try giving Tallyns a call. You can get the number from http://www.tallyns.com.

Also, Imaging Spectrum is a very reputable dealer and they have them in-stock. http://www.imagingspectrum.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/?E+scstore

Good luck,

Teski

[memobug]

I just ordered mine Friday AM from www.UniquePhoto.com I had dropped an email to the webmaster to see if they had stock, if it was new, US goods and so forth.

They said all the right things, and the camera is supposed to be delivered tomorrow (yes Saturday delivery) via Airborne for about $35. We'll see! I talked to Victor Barber at x209

Regards,

Matt

[memobug]

It arrived about 11:30, so I am stoked for the weekend!

US Package, warranty, software, AC adapter, etc.

[teski]

Excellent! Hope you enjoy your camera memobug! I had a great time with the S2 right out of the box. Post some pics when you get a chance.

Teski

[memobug]

I was only mildly surprised to see the USB cable in the box, but there's an IEEE cable too. That, along with an AC adapter is amazing. You'd never get that out of Nikon.

Regards

Matt

[teski]

Don't forget the RAW convesion software that's included too. Nikon charges over $100 extra for theirs.

Teski

[PaulN]

Originally posted by teski
Don't forget the RAW convesion software that's included too. Nikon charges over $100 extra for theirs.

Teski

Well actually Nikon gives the Nikon View 5.xx with the D100 (or the 5700 or D1x/h) and it does about as much as the EX piece of junk Fuji saddles us Mac types with. The Nikon Capture 3 goes for US$140 though at B&H.

[Andy Leithner]

I bought my S2 out of St Thomas for $2200 plus s/h/insurance. good deals on lens also