North America version?

[JetEye]

Can you tell if the camera is a North America version by looking at the serial number? I tried to register my camera at fuji web site but it says invalid serial no. Mine starts as 24Axxxxx. If I change the serial as 23Axxxx, it seems to take the serial number.

I bought this camera from broad way photo and I was told that this was a US version. It does not contain the power adapter nor the camera shooting software. Did I get scamed?

please let me know..

[Tom V]

Yes. You got scammed if you thought you were getting the US version and paid for it. I would return it if you can.

The Fuji US version (package contents) is not the sames as the Fuji Canada version, which is sometimes referred to as the "North American" version.

The US version is about $2400. The Canadian version should go for a few hundred less. Buying the missing AC Adapter and software from US Fuji dealers is VERY EXPENSIVE. For just the missing AC Adapter, Fuji USA dealers rape you for US$350 vs. C$70 from a Canadian Fuji dealer.

There is no sense registering your camera with a phony serial number. There may be no reason to even register it anyway.

I too bought a "North American" version from Canada in August 2002. At the time, there weren't any S2 cameras available in the US that I could find. Only after I got it, did I learn that the so-called North American version is really a Canadian version, and that they are not the same as the US version.

[JetEye]

Crap!!! I paid $2100.00 for it! I am going to give them a call tomorrow and yell at them. It is my fault that I did not find out about this for a whole month after I bought it. I really doubt that they'll take it back.

How does the warranty work for Canada version? Do I have to send it to somewhere in Canada if I need any warranty work?

TIA

[snapshotmd]

I bought my body from Canada and sent it to Fuji USA in NJ... No problems with warranty... I doubt there is a delineation between the USA and N. American bodies. The repair department only cares if there is an "A", meaning American, after the first two numbers.

I would NOT return it since it there is no issue with the warranty. You got a fair value for it since Canada sells the body for the same price.

-Ken

[JetEye]

It is definitely a Canadian version. I went to fuji Canada web site and saw the serial number of camera as one of the possibly defected one.

I wonder if I can send this to NJ instead of Canada..

[snapshotmd]

Jet,

Why don't you call FUJI in NJ and find out...

Like I said, they took mine so they shouldn't have any problem with yours. FWIW, my serial is 24Axxxx as well.

Don't cry...

-Ken

[JetEye]

Thanks Ken...
I did call NJ support center. They told me that I do not have any support issues with my camera. They said that I can send it to them if I had any problems.
cool.... OK... I just need the hyper utility and the ac adapter..
any idea where I can get them cheap? :)

thanks

[Tom V]

Wow!

It's great to know that FUJI USA will fix a camera bought from a Fuji Canada dealer! Previous comments led me to believe that it was impossible (or maybe that was Nikon?).:p

About the AC Adapter: When I checked on prices it last September at US dealers, it was $350 or so! - and out of stock, with none expected (Calumet Photo). I called FUJI USA and they said that the price I was given was correct. They developed almost a snotty attitude once I told them my camera came from Canada. Their attitude led me to believe that what I assumed about warranty work was correct. They told me to call Canada if I didn't want to pay $350.

I bought my AC Adapter from a camera shop in Toronto via phone, for about US$70.

Don't feel so bad about the price, I paid US$2400 for my lacking, Canadian package last August. Like I said before (sorry), there were none available around here at any price. - And I didn't know I was even missing anything for at least a month. I had a photo shoot two days after I got the S2, and the $300 premium I paid was covered by NOT HAVING TO SHOOT FILM on that job alone. The camera paid for itself fast enough.

Sorry about making you feel so bad about your purchace with my first reply.

[lightwrangler]

I've said it before but ... the camera and full kit (with the hyper utility software) either were, or still are, offered seperately here in the great white north. The AC adapter was not included in either. I paid $45 cdn for mine which isn't too expensive considering my Oly e10 adapter was $80 cdn.

I don't know why Fuji Canada decided to split up the camera and the software, but they did. People, american or canadian, who didn't get the hyper utility software were NOT being ripped off and neither were those who did not get the AC adapter. It wasn't included in any package. While there may have been unscrupulous dealers, the ones that I dealt with when getting quotes here in Toronto were very clear about the difference.

FYI, when I bought in Sept/02 the difference between the software kit and the camera-only package was around $275 cdn. The kit then sold for around $3200 cdn. You could get one today with the software for about $2750 cdn.

The serial on my camera starts with 23A. I too am glad that Fuji USA is willing to do warrantee work on a "Canadian" model. I wonder if Fuji Canada would do the same if I owned a "USA" model?

[Tim]

My US version came with both warranty cards- US and Canadian, and I didn't see anything to distinguish which one to send in.

I guess it would just take a phone call to find out.


Tim

[Tom V]

The next time I buy a camera, I am going to get the Intergalactic Version, with the Unlimited Universal Warranty, Hyper-Space Utility, Nuclear Battery Pack....

[lightwrangler]

Ah well then.... you'll have to realign your hyzenberg compensators, adjust the forward array and run a level one diagnostic before you can photograph nebulas. Are you ready for that?

[DNeilson]

HI EVeryone!!
I'm a new S2 Pro owner....received it 45 minutes ago!! I also made my purchase at Broadway Photo and paid $1750 (+shipping) in addition to a 3 yr warranty contract purchase. I did ask if it had a US warranty and was told "yes". But now....I see that the Hyper Utilities HS S2 software is not included so I must have the Canadian version. Did I get scammed too?? I feeling a bit panicky right now!

[DNeilson]

Hi again!
I see some of you made the effort to buy the AC adapter. My question is...why would one need the AC adapter if you can use rechargeable batteries with a charger?? I have the 1600 NiMH batteries that I plan on recharging...why wouldn't anyone do that? I'm so confused! THanks in advance for the assistance.

Dolores

[snapshotmd]

Depends on what you mean by scammed... you got a Canadian price for it with a north american warranty... meaning Fuji USA and Canada will honor the warranty... no different than a higher priced package bought in the US and I don't think there is any difference in warranty... just the way they are packaged.

I don't understand what the big hoopla is all about US and Canadian body nonsense... you all get the same body and warranty... IMHO, they are one in the same! They look the same, function the same, and warranty serviced at the same places. They're indistinguishable!

Delores, you got a great price for your S2. Don't panic over nothing.

-Ken

[DNeilson]

THanks, Ken! Appreciate your assistance and response. I havent' received a call back from the warranty service company. All I care about is that the warranty will be honored. Frankly, where the camera comes from is insignificant to me.

[Tom V]

There is no question that the camera is the same no matter where you buy it. An S2 is an S2. Cameras imported through FUJI USA are packaged with the the AC Adapter and all the HyperUtility Software. Cameras imported through FUJI Canada are packaged without the AC Adapter and with a minimum of software. The warranties are equivalent.

The AC Adapter is very handy for when you need to clean the sensor.

[Ron Green]

Maybe the software is not included in Canada because they would need to provide it in English and French.

[DNeilson]

Thank you Tom! I'll go read my manual now!! I've been in photography 22 months using a Canon G1. This is my first SLR ever so I have much to learn!

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallByMember.asp?mem=18483

Dolores

[lightwrangler]

The adapter is worth it for cleaning the sensor and when you need to download a load of files and your batteries are flat. It's also good for when you want to reserve battery power. Speaking of power, you can never have too many Nimhs. I currently have 10 sets and use them in the S2, an Oly e10 and my flash. I buy them in sets of four and colour key them (or number) them in order to keep them together. In this way when they start to go, I can identify the whole family and discard them all at once.

Actually Ron makes a good point about the software languages. My software (purchased with the camera in Canada) is in English, French and German. You just load the version you want. Is the US version multilingual? Or at least bilingual? Spanish and English?

At any rate, Delores, shoot lots and enjoy your camera. May you create many wonderful images!

[DNeilson]

THank you so much for reaching out to me and extending your knowledge and encouragement, Lightwrangler! I appreciate it immensely!

Another reason why I was confused with the necessity for an AC adapter is that I never, never tether my camera to the PC for uploading files...for fear that if ever I encounter a power surge, I may fry my expensive, sensitive camera....so I use a Dazzle 6 in 1 card reader to upload all my files. It liberates my camera and I can still use it while images are uploadingj on another card...which I like alot. I assumed everyone used a card reader also. Though now I will make the plunge into a FIREWIRE card reader. Sooooooo, now I must decide if I can justify the price of an adapter for sensor cleaning..which I am having difficulty figuring out why an adapter is helpful here. Camera needs to be on to do this?? (Pardon my ignorance...I've had this camera less 6 hrs)

I'm confused with NiMH rechargeable batteries...the salesman added 1600 batteries to my purchase...yet at another site, an S2 owner said he was using 2000....help? Yes, I will take your advice on keeping well stocked on these batteries!! Thanks! Color keying them is a very good tip!

[lightwrangler]

1600 ma nimhs will do you fine, they won't last as long as 2000ma, but they will work. I have two sets of 1600 ma batteries and they function without a problem in the Fuji. You might consider another battery tray for your S2, they aren't too expensive ($15cdn) and make changing batteries a lot quicker. They can be a real life saver in dark situations.

Card readers are fine too. I use one. However when I have a full 512mb CF card, firewire is much quicker. And I am considering buying a 1gig card as well. So if speed is an issue, using the camera to download isn't a bad idea. Your camera is a firewire reader, so why buy one? Although a spike could conceivably damage the camera, I suspect that the AC adapter would burn out before the camera was affected and that your PC should have a spike protector either built-in or at it's power source. In most situations this is a low probabilty accident so I wouldn't let that worry you too much.

As for sensor cleaning. The AC adapter will do two things: 1. - it will keep power to the camera in order to keep the mirror up and shutter open. There is a risk that in the case of battery failure that the shutter could close on what ever cleaning object you are using and get damaged. 2. Being connected to a power source provides a ground and protects the camera from static electricity, which could damage the camera's electronics as well as the CCD chip. If you don't have an AC adapter, you can still clean the CCD, but you should discharge any static (touch sometime metal) and consider the use of a static guard wrist strap while cleaning.

Hope that answers your questions, now go take some pictures!

[DNeilson]

Yep! Sure does, Lightwrangler! Thank you!

[JetEye]

First, I don't want to scare you.

Did you buy the camera thru their web site, or did you buy over the phone? The warranty you mentioned indicates that you bought it over the phone.

Did they say what kind of warranty it is for 3 years(parts, labor, etc)?
Is this their 'in-store' warranty or regular FUJI warranty?

It is possible that you may have received the European version instead of the North American version. Check your serial number. Does it look like 24Axxxxx or 23Axxxxx?

TIA

[DNeilson]

Thank you, Jet Eye....

I did purchase on the phone. I asked about a USA warranty and was told yes. I purchased a 3 year warranty offered by Mack Camera and Video Service in Springfield NJ, IN ADDITION to the S2. I called Mack Camera yesterday and expressed my concerns. Laura told me that it didn't matter where the camera came from, they would honor the warranty... and the warranty card WAS included in the pkg. There is no other warranty card included, just the 3 year warranty card I purchased from Mack Camera. My understanding is that Mack Camera warranties 3 years AFTER Fuji's one year warranty. Should I be concerned that there is no other warranty card?

[DNeilson]

Hi again, Jet Eye...

this is the serial number: 31A01291 so I have no clue where the camera comes from!!

Dolores

[JetEye]

One way of telling if this camera is for European vs North American is by looking at the Video Out. If it says PAL, then it is a European version.

HTH

[DNeilson]

Nope...says NTSC. Thank YOU!! I forgot about that designation!! I feel a bit better now. I made a few calls and the camera is completely covered for 4 years so I'm delighted!!

I have NO lenses for this camera..it is my very first SLR. Anyone have any lens suggestions??

I'm interested in these:

• 85 mm f/2.8 PC-Micro-Nikkor

• AFS 17-35 mm f/2.8 ED-IF Nikkor

• AFS 70-200 mm f/2.8 G VR ED-IF Nikkor

• AF 85 mm f/1.4 Nikkor (for portraits) Or can I use the 70-200 zoom with same results?

Will these cover most everything?? Anyone have a gripe with these lenses other than the cost?


THank you in advance,
Dolores
PS:http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallByMember.asp?mem=18483

[justinb]

One question nobody has answered from one of the original posts, which I would be interested in knowing (as the owner of a North American, i.e. Canadian, model S2). Mine came with the LE file converter - which is virtually worthless. Any idea where to buy the EX version, and what you would expect to pay?

Thanks,
Justin

[Tom V]

http://fujifilmsupport.com/accesory/html/fxs2pro/s2pro.html

This link shows all the Fuji parts and accessories, including the various software.

I think Fuji and all other digital camera manufactures really intend to make their corporate profits on battery sales. (Just like Inkjet Printer manufacturers make their money from ink cartridge sales).:p

[lightwrangler]

I would have any of those lenses in my camera bag. Yes this would cover everything I could think of other than very extreme wide angle (14mm or 15mm) or a back-busting telephoto (400 - 600mm).

The 85mm 1.4 is an excellent portrait lens on film, it's abilities to throw the background out of focus and shoot in low light levels are very appealling. However on the S2 with a 1.5x FOV it is around 135mm which is on the longish side for portraits.That doesn't mean it won't work (I use a 90mm and I like it) but it does mean that you that you might encounter some limitations. The 70-200mm will work well for portraits. In place of the 85mm you might also consider a 60mm micro, great for macro work and an excellent size for portraiture on the S2. Also a one of the sharpest lenses that Nikon makes.

What you have to ask yourself is what am I shooting? What is appropriate for that kind of work? How much do I want to carry around with me? (the last question assumes that you aren't employing a sherpa) Since cost doesn't seem to be an issue, buy them all! I would advise a Nikon L37 filter for all of your glass - for protection. Make sure you get a good quality bag for all your goodies and a tripod worthy of supporting this gear.

Happy shootin'

[DNeilson]

HI Adrian...

Thank you! (for your assistance and complimenting shopping list) You bring up a really good point...regarding that 85mm portrait lens. I forgot that all test results were based on 35mm film cameras and not the digicams with smaller CCDs. Sheesh...I'm glad you pointed that out! I'll consider the 50 mm f/1.4 AF-Nikkor D then...that ought to give me the equivalent, right? Can you tell I'm ignorant? BTW...price is always an issue...but I am not willing to compromise on quality. What's the point in searching long and hard for a camera that produces the sharpest images...only to use low quality lenses to defeat it's purpose. I'll do what I have to to afford those lenses!! Thanks so much for your feedback...you've been most helpful!!

Dolores