right good people of aditnow,
could do with your help
(in other words can a borrow your brain for a couple of mins? :lol: )
i'm writing up a guide to underground photography for beginners on my website http://tomlyntk.googlepages.com/abeginnersguidetocavephotography  and want to put a review of different digital camera's in use underground, things the manufacturers don't tell you like how much or a battering do's it take before it go's wrong ,low light sensitivity levels and performance when connected to slave guns.
if you've used several cameras pleas could you review them too? even if they where useless UG, i know so many people who have got cameras on the basis of surface performance and there useless UG as they wont focus in poor light and show grain too much or wont sync with slave guns. :confused:



hotshoe?: yes
interchangeable lens?: yes
ASA range: 100-1600
min/max aperture?: 5.6-36. but depends on lens
min/max shutter speed?:base- 4000/sec
memory card type: CF
megapixels?: 8
skylight filter fitable for lens protection?: yes. 58mm screwmount
longest exposure possible?: 30 seconds or unlimited with a timer switch fitted and set to base.
picture quality out of 10: 9.
macro?: yes. very good but depends of lens fitted
wide angle?: yes. 18mm on standard lens and wider possible with other lenses.
low light sensitivity: good, max exposure I've dun is 10 mins and still not too much grain visible.
focusing in low light: not as good as some but fine if you use a caplamp to focus on, that works even at a distance.
resistance to water/condensation?: poor.
overall ruggedity: good.
still available to buy new?: no. but 400D is virtually the same and now a similar price.
anything else people think is useful please add....
cheers for your help. :thumbsup:
ferret.

OLYMPUS 500UZ

Format SLR-like
Price (street) £300-£350

Release Status Updated model available
Max resolution 2816 x 2112
Low resolution 2592 x 1944, 2288 x 1712, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480
Image ratio w:h 4:3, 3:2
Effective pixels 6.0 million
Sensor photo detectors 6.4 million
Sensor size 1/2.5 "
Sensor type CCD
Colour filter array RGB
Sensor manufacturer Unknown
ISO rating Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400
Zoom wide (W) 38 mm
Zoom tele (T) 380 mm (10 x)
Digital zoom Yes 5x
Image stabilization No
Auto Focus Yes
Manual Focus Yes
Auto focus type TTL
Normal focus range 60 cm
Macro focus range 3 cm
White balance override 5 positions, plus manual
Aperture range F2.8 - F3.7
Min shutter 15 sec Plus Bulb
Max shutter 1/1000 sec
Built-in Flash Yes, pop-up
Flash guide no. 4.5 m (14.7 ft) 5 m
External flash No
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Forced, Off, Slow 1&2, External
Exposure compensation -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Metering ESP multi-pattern, Center-Weighted, Spot
Aperture priority Yes
Shutter priority Yes
Continuous Drive Yes, 2.5 fps, 3 images
Movie Clips Yes, 320 x 240, 15/30 fps
Remote control Unknown
Self-timer Yes 10 secs max
Timelapse recording Yes
Storage types xD Picture Card + Internal
Storage included 10 MB Internal Memory
Uncompressed format RAW
Compressed format JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Quality Levels Standard, High, Super High
Viewfinder Electronic LCD 2.5 "
LCD Pixels 115,000
Video out Yes
USB Yes
Firewire (IEEE 1394) No
Battery / Charger No
Battery AA (4) batteries (NiMH recommended)
Weight (inc. batteries) 385 g (13.6 oz)
Dimensions 106 x 75 x 71 mm (4.2 x 3 x 2.8 in)
Notes My 500UZ has taken many knocks and bangs, and has been splashed with water. The LCD screen steams up after splashing, but the camera still works perfectly.

The factory settings are not good, producing colourless pictures. This is overcome by knocking the sharpness and contrast up a notch and set as default.

I have not used slave flashes.

Auto focus ok, but manual far better.

Type: Canon powershot A640
Price: £199 - now higher
Max exposure: 15 secs
Min exposure: 1/2500 s
Megapixels: 10
[/b]ISO max: 800
ISO min: 80
Other usefull stuff🅱:
A good camera, that produces large pics. Get the lighting right and it also produces great pics underground, with no focusing problems.

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Fujifilm S9500 about £240 now from dabs.com
Dropped on rocks and has the scars to prove it, water has been dripping on it, and its still going.
High impact plastic body, same material as Styr AUG Assault Rifle, 28mm to 300mm fixed tele lens, external flash socket, up to 30 seconds open shutter for a fast paint job, and open shutter. If you get fed up with taking pictures with it you can play football with it.
If you want the full spec, visit their web.

If something works I dont try to fix it, so if it eventually packs up, and I think that I would have to work hard on making it do this, guess what I will replace it with.

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I use the 350D too.
The finish on mine is slightly matt and seems to attract dirt, its very hard to clean again- but having said that I've had it really quite dirty and wet without any ill effects yet and its also been banged off rocks and fence posts without suffering too much in the process.
The sensor seems to manage to get dirt on it even though I never remove the lens underground, but its fairly straightforward to clean.
I chose it because it was relatively cheap for an slr, Canon's CMOS sensors are much better than CCD alternatives in low light and are relatively 'noise' free, and the build quality seemed a bit more robust than some.
I've had it 18 months and its been used almost daily above and underground. So far its not let me down. Battery life seems pretty good too.

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yeah i agree, the 350D is pretty damn good camera, bit susceptible to water damage I've found but a peli cases sorts that . ;)
anyhow thanks guys this is just what i was after, when there area fair few i will put it all in a spreadsheet and put it in the doc on my website and upload it here too :thumbsup:
keep posting... 😉

Type: Canon powershot A640
Price: £199 - now higher
Max exposure: 15 secs
Min exposure: 1/2500 s
Megapixels: 10
[/b]ISO max: 800
ISO min: 80
Other usefull stuff🅱:
A good camera, that produces large pics. Get the lighting right and it also produces great pics underground, with no focusing problems.

good news you can have 65 second exposures and BUNCH of extra bits
oh and a min of 1/10,000
http://chdk.wikia.com 

urg above post isnt that clear.
Just found this though:
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CameraFeatures 
its not complete but it is a start

anymore, people?
really trying to get this sorted.
more reviews please 😮

Olympus E-410

Digital SLR
Standard Lens 14-42mm and 42-150mm
Resolution from 640x480 to 3648 x 2736 pixels
Effective Pixels 10 million
ISO 100-1600
Auto focus and manual
Max shutter speed 60 seconds or longer with bulb
Min shutter 1/4000 of a second
Pop up built in flash
Add on flash with a hotshoe
LCD 2.5"
LCD Pixels 215000
Weight 435g
Auto focus in low light is good
has more featurs to fiddle with so can be totaly changed to suite what you are doing small and light weight comes with a good lens as standard i am very happy with mine it has taken some very good photos

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fujifilm finepix 8000fd....

Number of effective pixels

8.3 million pixels

CCD sensor

1/ 2.35-inch CCD

Storage media

Internal memory (approx. 58MB) /xD-Picture Card ™ (16MB - 2 GB ). / SD memory card /SDHC memory card

File format

Still image : JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2 )

Lens

Fujinon 18 X Optical zoom lens , F2.8 - F4.5

Lens focal length

f=4.7mm - 84.2 mm, Equivalent to 27- 486 mm on a 35mm camera

Focus

Auto Focus (Single, Continuous, Area, Centre, Multi) Manual Focus AF assist illuminator available

Focus distance

Normal : Wide angle :Approx. 70cm/2.3 ft to infinity, Telephoto: Approx. 3.0 m/9.8 ft to infinity Macro: Wide angle :Approx. 10cm/0.3 ft to 80cm/2.6ft , Telephoto :Approx. 1.2m/3.9 ft to 3.2m/10.5ft Super Macro : Approx 1cm/0.4in. to 10 cm/4in

Shutter speed

30 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (depend on Shooting mode)

Aperture

F2.8- F8.0, 10 steps in 1/3 EV increment

Sensitivity

Auto / Auto (1600)/ Auto(800)/ Auto(400)/ Equivalent to 64/100/200/400/ 800/1600/3200/6400 (Standard Output Sensitivity)

Exposure modes

Programmed AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual

White balance

Automatic scene recognition. Preset (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White). Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light), Custom

Viewfinder

0.24-inch, approx.230,000 pixels low-temperature polysilicon TFT colour LCD monitor(WV type), approx. 97% coverage, 60fps

LCD Monitor

2.5-inch , approx.230,000 pixels, Amorphous silicon TFT colour LCD monitor, approx. 100% coverage

Self-timer

Approx. 10 sec./2 sec. delay

Video Output

NTSC / PAL selectable

Digital Interface

USB2.0 High-Speed

Power source

4xAA type alkaline batteries(included)/ 4xAA type Ni-MH rechargeable batteries(optional) or AC power adapter AC-5VX(optional)

Dimensions

111.3(W)x78.2(H)x78.9(D) mm/4.4(W)x 3.1(H)x 3.1(D) in.(excluding accessories and attachments)

Weight

Approx.410g/14.5oz.(excluding accessories, batteries and memory card)

Digital Zoom

Approx 5.1 x (Max)

Shooting modes

Mode dial: Auto, PS (Anti-Blur), Natural Light, Natural Light & with Flash, SP1, SP2, P, A, S, M, Movie. SP1/SP: Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Text, Auction

Colour modes

STANDARD/ CHROME / B&W

Movie recording

640 x 480 / 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames/sec., with monaural sound. AVI format (Motion JPEG )

Playback

Face detection, Slide show, Scrap book view slide show, Trimming, Single frame, Multi-frame playback(with Micro Thumbnail) , Sorting by date, Image rotate, Voice Memo, Histograms(Highlight warning)

Voice memo

Audio: WAVE format, Monaural sound

im very pleased with it so far..daylight pics are great..face detection/red eye removal works a treat,underground it works great as seen by my earlier posting of pics,it got muddy and wet with no probs and batteries last around 150 shots including messing around with camera on,i have a flash unit on a stand with one of those magic eye thingies and the two work together brilliantly,and the iso of 65 up to 6400 means pics in dark places are not a problem for this camera...its easy to use and quite light.
i like it a lot.

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Nikon 8400 Sub-DLSR / Bridge Camera

Product Features

Enlarge up-to A3 sized prints with the 8.0 Effective Megapixels
Get the best out of indoor, landscape, etc. photography with the 24-85mm (35mm [135] equiv.) 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor ED Lens
Get sharp images quickly with the Fast AF feature
TTL flash capability when used with SB-600 and SB-800 Speedlights
Nikon exclusive D-Lighting feature in Playback mode compensates only the underexposed areas of a picture without altering the properly exposed areas
With the exclusive Advanced Red Eye Reduction, the camera automatically removes most instances of the red-eye phenomenon
Voice Memo function allows the user to attach 20 seconds of sound to each still image

Technical Details

Main Specifications

Product Description: Nikon Coolpix 8400 - digital camera
Product Type: Digital camera
Dimensions (WxDxH): 11.3 cm x 7.5 cm x 8.2 cm
Weight: 0.4 kg
Supported Flash Memory: CompactFlash, Microdrive
Sensor Resolution: 8.0 Megapixel
Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
Lens Aperture: F/2.6-4.9
Focus Adjustment: Automatic, manual
Min Focus Range: 50 cm
Focal Length: 6.1 mm - 21.6 mm
Optical Zoom: 3.5 x
Digital Zoom: 4 x
Image Stabiliser: Electronic
Camera Flash: Pop-up flash
Red Eye Reduction: Built-in
Microphone: Microphone - built-in
Viewfinder: Electronic - 0.44" - colour
Display: LCD display - TFT active matrix - 1.8" - colour
Supported Battery: 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( included )

Extended Specifications

General

Body Material: Magnesium alloy
Depth: 7.5 cm
Height: 8.2 cm
Product Type: Digital camera
Weight: 0.4 kg
Width: 11.3 cm

Additional Features

Additional Features: Audio recording, direct print, USB 2.0 compatibility, auto power save, digital noise reduction, DPOF support, PictBridge support, histogram display, AE lock, AF lock, in-camera red-eye removal
Flash Terminal: Hot shoe
Self Timer: Yes
Self Timer Delay: 10 sec, 3sec

Battery

Included Qty: 1
Type: 1 x camera battery - rechargeable - Lithium Ion

Camera Flash

Camera Flash: Pop-up flash
Effective Flash Range: 0.5 m - 6 m
Features: AF illuminator
Flash Modes: Fill-in mode, slow synchro, auto mode, flash OFF mode, red-eye reduction
Red Eye Reduction: Built-in

Connections

Connector Type: 1 x USB ¦ 1 x composite video/audio output ¦ 1 x DC power input
Expansion Slot(s): 1 x CompactFlash Card - type I/II

Display

Display Format: 134,000 pixels
Display Form Factor: Rotating
Type: LCD display - TFT active matrix - 1.8" - colour

Lens System

Auto Focus: Hybrid
Auto Focus Points (Zones): 9
Features: ED glass
Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera: 24 - 85mm
Focal Length: 6.1 mm - 21.6 mm
Focus Adjustment: Automatic, manual
Lens Aperture: F/2.6-4.9
Lens Construction: 7 group(s) / 10 element(s)
Macro Focus Range: 3-50cm
Min Focus Range: 50 cm
Optical Zoom: 3.5 x
Type: Zoom lens - 6.1 mm - 21.6 mm - f/2.6-4.9
Zoom Adjustment: Motorised drive

Main Features

Auto Exposure Bracketing: 5 steps in 1/3 EV step
Colour Support: Colour
Continuous Shooting Speed: 1.6 frames per second, 2.3 frames per second
Digital Video Format: QuickTime
Digital Zoom: 4 x
Effective Sensor Resolution: 8,000,000 pixels
Exposure Compensation: ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
Exposure Metering: Spot AF area, centre-weighted, spot, matrix
Exposure Metering Zones: 256
Exposure Modes: Programme, bulb, automatic, manual, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, i-TTL program flash
Exposure Range: EV 0-18.5 - wide lens ( ISO 100 ) ¦ EV 1.5-18.5 - tele lens ( ISO 100 )
Image Stabiliser: Electronic
LCD Display Information: Shutter speed, aperture, red-eye reduction, self-timer mode, photo quality, photos remaining, Metering Mode, battery condition, programme, flash mode
Light Sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 50, ISO auto
Max Shutter Speed: 1/8000 sec
Min Shutter Speed: 8 sec
Optical Sensor Size: 2/3"
Optical Sensor Type: CCD
Remote Control: Camera remote control - infrared
Resolution: 8.0 Megapixel
Shooting Modes: Landscape, portrait mode, close-up, museum, party/indoor, backlight, beach/snow, night portrait, fireworks, night landscape, dawn/dusk, panorama assist, copy, sports mode, sunset
Special Effects: Black & White, Sepia, Saturation
Status LCD Display Illumination: Yes
Still Image Format: JPEG, TIFF, RAW
Total Pixels: 8,310,000 pixels
Video Capture: QuickTime - 640 x 480 - 30 fps - 60 sec - max clip duration ¦ QuickTime - 320 x 240 - 15 fps - 895 sec - max clip duration
White Balance: Custom, automatic, presets
White Balance Presets: Incandescent, fluorescent, cloudy, speedlight, daylight, shade

Memory / Storage

Image Storage: RAW 3264 x 2448 : 20 - with 256MB card ¦ High 3264 x 2448 : 20 - with 256MB card ¦ Fine JPEG 3264 x 2448 : 60 - with 256MB card ¦ Normal JPEG 3264 x 2448 : 125 - with 256MB card ¦ Basic JPEG 3264 x 2448 : 240 - with 256MB card ¦ High 3264 x 2176 : 10 - with 256MB card ¦ Fine JPEG 3264 x 2176 : 70 - with 256MB card ¦ Normal JPEG 3264 x 2176 : 140 - with 256MB card ¦ Basic JPEG 3264 x 2176 : 275 - with 256MB card ¦ Fine JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 100 - with 256MB card ¦ Normal JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 195 - with 256MB card ¦ Basic JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 370 - with 256MB card ¦ Fine JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 155 - with 256MB card ¦ Normal JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 310 - with 256MB card ¦ Basic JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 600 - with 256MB card ¦ Fine JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 250 - with 256MB card ¦ Normal JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 485 - with 256MB card ¦ Basic JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 870 - with 256MB card ¦ Fine JPEG 1280 x 960 : 390 - with 256MB card ¦ Normal JPEG 1280 x 960 : 710 - with 256MB card ¦ Basic JPEG 1280 x 960 : 1305 - with 256MB card ¦ Fine JPEG 1024 x 768 : 600 - with 256MB card ¦ Normal JPEG 1024 x 768 : 975 - with 256MB card ¦ Basic JPEG 1024 x 768 : 1565 - with 256MB card ¦ Fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 1305 - with 256MB card ¦ Normal JPEG 640 x 480 : 1955 - with 256MB card ¦ Basic JPEG 640 x 480 : 2610 - with 256MB card
Supported Flash Memory: CompactFlash, Microdrive

Microphone

Type: Microphone - built-in

Power

Power Device: Battery charger - external

Software

Software: Drivers & Utilities, Nikon PictureProject

System Requirements for PC Connection

Operating System Support: MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, MS Windows ME, MS Windows 98 SE, Apple MacOS X 10.1.5 or later
Peripheral Devices: USB port, SVGA monitor, CD-ROM Drive

Viewfinder

Dioptric Correction Range: -3 to +1
Viewfinder Colour Support: Colour
Viewfinder Diagonal Size: 0.44"
Viewfinder Resolution: 235,000 pixels
Viewfinder Type: Electronic

Miscellaneous

Cables Included: 1 x A/V cable ¦ 1 x USB cable
Included Accessories: Carrying strap, lens cap

That's an eBay description BTW :)

In summary, this is the best camera I've used underground (out of 3 or 4 different cameras). It has a very wide angle lens (24mm equiv) bulb mode for long light painting exposures and a manual focus mode which together with razor sharp optics and a good sensor (albeit not to DSLR standards admittedly) make a very fine underground camera.

Only downside is it's been out of production for 2 years now, and eBay prices are high due to it being popular amongst landscape photographers and people taking aerial shots due to the wide angle lens.

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Can EOS 20d DSLR

Key Features

Image Sensor Type : CMOS
Resolution : 8.5 Megapixel
Camera Type : SLR/Professional

Lens

Interchangeable Lens : Interchangeable Lenses
Digital Zoom : Without Digital Zoom

Image Quality

Camera Resolution : 8.5 Megapixel
Image Resolutions : 1728 x 1152, 2544 x 1696, 3504 x 2336

Exposure Control

Shutter Speed : 30 - 1/8000 sec
White Balance : Auto, Cloudy (Preset), Daylight / Sunny (Preset), Flash (Preset), Fluorescent (Preset), Manual, Shade (Preset), Tungsten (Preset)
Frames Per Second : 5 Frames

Storage

Memory Typ : CompactFlash Card Type I, CompactFlash Card Type II, IBM Microdrive
Compression Modes : Fine, Normal, Uncompressed
Compression Type : JPEG, Raw Image
File Size (High Res.) : 8.7 MB (15 images on 128MB card)
File Size (Low Res.) : 0.6 MB (about 213 images on 128MB card)

Flash

ISO Speeds : 100, 1600, 200, 3200, 400, 800, Auto
Flash Type : Built-In & External
Flash Functions : Auto Flash, Red-eye Reduction Flash

Viewfinder / Display

Viewfinder : Optical (Through-the-lens)
LCD Panel : With LCD Panel
LCD Panel Size : 1.8 in.
LCD Screen Resolution : 118,000 pixels
LCD Protected Position : Without LCD Protected Position

Interfaces

Interface Type : USB 2.0
Video Interface : Video Out

Power Supply

Battery Type : 6 x AA Batteries, Proprietary Lithium
Battery Life : 750 Images

Included Features

Self Timer : 10 Sec.
Tripod Mount : With Tripod Mount

Dimensions

Height : 10.7 cm
Width : 14.5 cm
Depth : 7.1 cm
Weight : 0.68 kg

Miscellaneous

Included Accessories : Battery Charger, Lithium Battery, Software, Strap, USB Cable, Video Cable

Another stock / eBay camera specification :)

I used my EOS 20d underground for about 6 to 9 months before moving over to the Nikon. The 20d (and it's successors) are fine cameras, but I felt had a couple of drawbacks underground. Specifically size/bulk and value. I was forever paranoid about getting it knocked/wet/dirty. On top of that, the standard 18-55mm lens was not to the same quality as the camera and very difficult to focus in the.

Fantastic camera above ground, but a better lens would have cost as much as the Nikon 8400, and I decided I wasn't rich enough to risk breaking a proper DSLR underground :)

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good work guys, this is what i'm after!
one point though, just the main specs that are impotent UG please and note a copy of the entire rundown from the manufacturer, this is about what they don't tell you!! not what they do....
not having a go just pointing it out so people know and so i can make a good job out of this :thumbup:

Canon EOS 5D

I've used my 5D underground many times now and I have to say that I love it!

* 12.8 MP full frame CMOS sensor
* 3 fps 60 JPEG image burst
* 9-point AF with 6 Assist AF points
* 2.5" LCD
* Records RAW/JPEG images
* Compact magnesium alloy body

The full frame sensor means you can get more out of your Canon EF lenses than you'll get on a cropped sensor body. I use a 17-40mm L lens most of the time and I've been consistently impressed with the results. The noise performance is very good even at higher ISOs, it also goes down to ISO 50 so you can have seriously low noise shots as long as you're prepared to put a lot of light into the scene yourself underground.

When combined with the Speedlite 580 Mk II on the camera I've found I can even do without the tripod in all but large underground spaces. You need to use it in RAW mode and be prepared to use a bit of 'fill light' in the Photoshop RAW importer, but the noise level is low enough to get away with it.

I've had several compliments on the clarity of the pictures I can get with the combination of the 5D and the 17-40mm lens, my only grumble is that the lens is so wide that the photos sometimes don't give the sense of scale that you get with the naked eye. It can also focus pretty closely for detailed shots of artefacts, you just need to crop them a bit because even at 40mm the pics are quite wide.

The cons? Well, shooting RAW at 12MP means you go through memory cards like there's no tomorrow. The internals of the camera also have a reputation as a dust magnet, I get around this by never taking the lens off underground. It's also an expensive camera to carry underground. I have a specialist camera insurance policy and it covers me for caving and personal use anywhere in the world. I also intend to purchase a Peli case to keep it in for wet/dirty mines.

Ooh, I'm envious now 😉 A 5D user, would love to get my hands on one of those, but I think I'd need strong encouragement to take it underground :lol:

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Ooh, I'm envious now 😉 A 5D user

me too!! i'm a canon fan as it is and the 5D looks awesome just wish could afford one 😞

Ooh, I'm envious now 😉 A 5D user, would love to get my hands on one of those, but I think I'd need strong encouragement to take it underground :lol:

I just keep reminding myself that it's insured 🙂

I still have my old EOS 10D and if I'm going somewhere that I know is going to be really bad I will take it instead. I've not done much mine photography, it's mainly been bunkers so far, but I've loved using the 5D in the mines I have been in.

One for the people with a low budget.

Kodak Z712is

Cost £175~£200

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-locale=en_US&pq-path=10691 

7 megapixies
max 16 second shutter (Firmware update from kodak will increase this to 60 seconds but I don't have the balls to try it.)

ISO 80-3200

The rest of what you need to know is on the link, so I will just summerise.

I bought this camera on a whim. I needed a camera for the big bash, and it was one of 8 I could choose from in my catalogue. It was also the best one. It is a small unit but it has an lcd panel that fills the back of it. It is also nice and clear and unlike some camera's, I can tell if a picture is blurred by looking at the lcd. It took a little while to get used to but once you know what everything does, it is a piece of cake. It is small enough to put in a pocket all be it a large pocket. Generally, I am happy with it. It did the job, and will continue to do so. It takes CRV3 batteries and they are £9 each for duracells. 2 rechargeable's and a charger sorted that out. It will run on 2AA size batteries but don't expect them to last long. I got 5 pictures from 2 duracell AA batteries. :glare:

Good points
Cheap
Easy to look at view finder
12xzoom
fully manual option
fully auto option
Takes SD cards (It is a good point for me as I have loads of them)
5 point focus
Camera also has a mode for a half second exposure with 2 flashes which is enough to light a largeish, squash court size area.

Bad points
You cannot have a single flash unless you do the firmware upgrade.
People laugh at the silly noises it makes.
A torch or laser pen is sometimes required to gain focus.

I use Fuji film S9500 it’s got more specs than I care to list here, the point is it takes great pictures underground I don’t use a flash just a LED ten second exposure, it’s fairly bomb proof I got my camera real wet in Harnisha Burn mine it was soaked 3 days later it packed in got in touch with Fuji as it was out of warranty. They fixed it for £100 quid and renewed the warranty for 12 months I got it back in 4 days. You can buy these cameras for less than two hundred pound; it’s the upgraded model that’s S9600 :thumbsup:

http://www.buyacamera.co.uk/xsearch.asp?RecId=FUJCA492&pt=g&gclid=CNqJn9bviZICFR1PMAodvmZd-g 

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