Need to replace Fuji S6500FD

[Waddi]

Hello all, I have just joined to ask those who know a thing or 2 about cameras for their advise.

Was out last night shooting a music gig with my old but faithful Fuji S6500FD, get pretty decent pics from it, considering the low lighting of the venue and the fast moving action on stage.

But I just switched it on to take a photograph of something I was planning to sell on E-bay and it gives me "focus Error" and I hear a whirling noise when I shut it off, as if the motor is stuck. So I think its time for a new camera, so if you dont mind I will explain a little about what I currently use my camera for and if you have any suggestions then please, well, suggest them.

I mainly use my camera for shooting local bands in small venues with low lighting and fast moving action (like I was last night), typically I set the S6500 to 1/125 shutter speed, F2.8 with 800ISO, with this setting *** I am restricted to the widest angle of the fixed lens, 28mm. Is it worth mentioning that I prefer to shoot in black and white aswell.

I also use the camera for family holidays, these are usually to places like Disney or Butlins were there are alot of character meeting, When my children are having their photos taken with any of the Characters, typically the crowd dont give you much room, you take a step back to get the shot and some will stand in front of you, so a wide starting angle would be essential, but at the same time, there is a lot of shows where the crowds are so big that you cant get near, so a big zoom is also essential.

At both of the above situations, crowds and heads especially can get in the way, so a live view is essential and a pivotable screen would be nice, so I can hold the camera up in the air clear of the crowd.

I would also like the camera to have a video mode.

I have been looking to replace the camera anyway and have been considering the Fuji S100FS. Does anybody have any experience with this camera and will it give me what I want.

I believe that most camera's will give me good quality family holiday pics so the gig photography will probably be the deal maker.

Thanks in advance, I look foward to reading any responses.

Lee

ps was originally looking to spend around £200 so appreciate I aint going to get a top of the range DSLR.

 

[evo456]

Personally I would skip the s100fs and go for the newer S200EXR as it has the 3 sensor modes which helps in your low light photography. high mpixel at full rez at high iso will usually produce pretty noisey pics, this is why the 'lowly' 6 mpix s6500fd performs so well in low light. It loses the small articulated screen, but you do get a bigger 2.7 in screen like on the s6500fd.

 

[lawrie29]

I have the s9600 and like it, it was the one after yours, the s100fs was/is popular and the HS10 is the latest version, nearly double your budget but suposed to be fantastic. Ed Bray on here has got one.

GOes to 700mm zoom as well, awesome!

 

[Waddi]

Thanks.

Thats interesting to know about the S200EXR, because I can actually pick one of those up for less than the S100FS, but wanted to keep the tilting screen, but if the S200EXR is going to perform better in low light, then thats what matters.

As for the S9600, that was my initial thoughts when this one broke, I thought I might be able to pick one up for around the £100 mark, giving its age and the number of fuji superzooms that have suceeded it now, but no, they still go for around £175 buy it now on ebay, might see if I can win an auction for cheaper.

How does the S9600 perform in low light?

Is it basically a S6500FD with higher MP, a hot shoe and a tilting screen?