Alternatives to Fuji F30 but with viewfinder

[rozinante]

I have ordered a Fuji F30 for £129 primarily on its reputation as a good choice for digiscoping. On discovering that it does not have a viewfinder, I am now doubting it suitability for more general use.

As I can return it for a refund if unopened, can anyone suggest an apropriate alternative, at about the same price, that has a viewfinder?

[PGinns]

Perhaps the Fuji E900-- rated by US Consumer Reports last year as a Best Buy, and just noticed it holds that rating in this year's Spring issue. Also tends to get high marks at assorted web sites as well. Nice plus: takes AA batteries or rechargeables. Have fun!

<edit>
sample review from Dave's Picks
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E900/E900A.HTM
</edit>

[rozinante]

I wish I had seen this earlier PG. I couldn't resist opening the F30 when it arrived.

That Fuji E900 looks like it would have done me fine and only £10 more than the F30. Someone might get the F30 for a present.

Thanks for the PG tip anyway. :)

[RAH]

Rozinante, the E900 is the same camera I recommended several days ago on your earlier posting ( http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=81905 ).

I got it because I wanted a very high-res camera that could produce prints up to 12x16 from pictures of paintings we have at a local museum. It takes VERY good, sharp pictures. You can see some samples (downsized for the Internet, of course) here:

http://www.hamptonhistoricalsociety.org/printctlg/index.htm

It has a fairly wide 32mm zoomed-out lens (most point-and-shoots start at around 36). You can even add auxiliary lenses like the Olympus TCON-17 teleconverter and more usefully the WCON 0.7 wide-angle converter, or Fuji-made lenses like them.

Seems to me for digiscoping 9MP is very desirable, because even after cropping you'll still have a large image. In fact, I've never really understood why the F30 is so much more popular for it.

[rozinante]

I've never really understood why the F30 is so much more popular for it.

Having bought one, neither can I!

I hope after actualy using it on the scope I will be more pleased with it though. I can't see it being much use for anything else!

I did look at the the E900 when you suggested it but must confess that as I assumed that it would be considerably more expensive I didn't look for too long as I couldn't afford to be tempted up market.

I live and learn. :(

Anyone want 1 day old F30, never taken out of the house for £100?

[jeff]

Having bought one, neither can I!

I hope after actualy using it on the scope I will be more pleased with it though. I can't see it being much use for anything else!

I did look at the the E900 when you suggested it but must confess that as I assumed that it would be considerably more expensive I didn't look for too long as I couldn't afford to be tempted up market.

I live and learn. :(

Anyone want 1 day old F30, never taken out of the house for £100?

Not much more than you paid for the F30, only £139.99 on Amazon.

[john-henry]

I wish I had seen this earlier PG. I couldn't resist opening the F30 when it arrived.

That Fuji E900 looks like it would have done me fine and only £10 more than the F30. Someone might get the F30 for a present.

Thanks for the PG tip anyway. :)


If you bought it on the internet you have 7 days to return it, or notify the company of your intention to return it, whether you've opened it or not.
The only criteria is it must be in the same condition as you bought it.

Send it back and get the one you want.

Regards

John

[seanofford]

If you bought it on the internet you have 7 days to return it, or notify the company of your intention to return it, whether you've opened it or not.
The only criteria is it must be in the same condition as you bought it.

Send it back and get the one you want.

Regards

John
Really? Is this the case? Amazon (.co.uk) recently told me they didn't accept returns on cameras and camcorders unless the item was uopened and in its original packaging. They referred me to their returns policy, published on the website. Is this not legal then? I would be surprised if were explicitly breaking the law...

Sean

[john-henry]

Really? Is this the case? Amazon (.co.uk) recently told me they didn't accept returns on cameras and camcorders unless the item was uopened and in its original packaging. They referred me to their returns policy, published on the website. Is this not legal then? I would be surprised if were explicitly breaking the law...

Sean

Sean, have a look at the link below

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1161020

This is part of your statutory rights - distant buying.

Regards

John

[seanofford]

Sean, have a look at the link below

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1161020

This is part of your statutory rights - distant buying.

Regards

John
Thanks John,

Here is an extract from an email Amazon sent me:

"Dear Customer

Thank you for contacting Amazon.co.uk.

I am sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with "203-****" and I do understand your concern in this regard.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept an item for return after it has been
opened unless it is faulty - unopened items must remain with any
seals and shrink wrap intact.

The returns policy on our website states that if for any reason you
are unhappy with your purchase, you can return it to us in its
original unopened condition within 30 days and we will issue a full
refund for the price you paid for the item.

The above information can be found in our Help Desk at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1161002

However, you may want to consider selling the item on Amazon.co.uk
Marketplace. You may be able to sell it for close to what you
originally paid for it. If you are interested in trying to sell this
item and wish to learn more about how the sales work, please visit
the Help Desk at this page..."

This seems at best disingenuous if they are obliged to accept it under the 7 day cooling off period rules, especially since I emailed them the day I received the item. Perhaps I should take this further, or is it my responsiblilty to know my statuory rights?
Sean

[medinabrit]

I wonder how you would know if you are satisfied or not if you havn.t even opened the box & seen it.
Brian.

[john-henry]

Thanks John,

Here is an extract from an email Amazon sent me:

"Dear Customer

Thank you for contacting Amazon.co.uk.

I am sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with "203-****" and I do understand your concern in this regard.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept an item for return after it has been
opened unless it is faulty - unopened items must remain with any
seals and shrink wrap intact.

The returns policy on our website states that if for any reason you
are unhappy with your purchase, you can return it to us in its
original unopened condition within 30 days and we will issue a full
refund for the price you paid for the item.

The above information can be found in our Help Desk at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1161002

However, you may want to consider selling the item on Amazon.co.uk
Marketplace. You may be able to sell it for close to what you
originally paid for it. If you are interested in trying to sell this
item and wish to learn more about how the sales work, please visit
the Help Desk at this page..."

This seems at best disingenuous if they are obliged to accept it under the 7 day cooling off period rules, especially since I emailed them the day I received the item. Perhaps I should take this further, or is it my responsiblilty to know my statuory rights?
Sean

Sean,
Seems like they did pull a fast one on you, more by ommission than anything, whether it's worth taking it any further I don't know.
They did bring their returns policy to your attention but not your statutory rights, there again the link to your Stat rights is on the same page so I suppose it's our responsibility to read everything.

If it was fairly recent it might be worth contacting them again and reminding them they are bound by the 7 day cooling-off period and ask why they didn't accept this when you first notified them.

Wish you luck

John

PS. I've returned several cameras to various companies, not Amazon, with no problem, some of them take a little time to give you a refund but none have ever questioned my right to a refund, providing it's returned as new of course. I do always mention I'm returning the item under the 7 day policy.

[seanofford]

Sean,
Seems like they did pull a fast one on you, more by ommission than anything, whether it's worth taking it any further I don't know.
They did bring their returns policy to your attention but not your statutory rights, there again the link to your Stat rights is on the same page so I suppose it's our responsibility to read everything.

If it was fairly recent it might be worth contacting them again and reminding them they are bound by the 7 day cooling-off period and ask why they didn't accept this when you first notified them.

Wish you luck

John

PS. I've returned several cameras to various companies, not Amazon, with no problem, some of them take a little time to give you a refund but none have ever questioned my right to a refund, providing it's returned as new of course. I do always mention I'm returning the item under the 7 day policy.
Thanks again John - I've emailed Amazon and I'll let you know what they say.
Sean

[rozinante]

Thanks for the advice on returns John. Your name will be mud with Amazom. :)

Now all I need to do is decide if I want the E900 or not. I see there is another thread on comparing the two, I will join in that one.

Sean... Even though you are past the 7 days I would think that the deliberatly missleading info they gave you would leave them on very shaky ground.

[seanofford]

Sean,
Seems like they did pull a fast one on you, more by ommission than anything, whether it's worth taking it any further I don't know.
They did bring their returns policy to your attention but not your statutory rights, there again the link to your Stat rights is on the same page so I suppose it's our responsibility to read everything.


.
Hi again John - I emailed Amazon and they accepted that they were at fault, and refunded me the loss I made when I sold the item on - so thank you very much again for bringing the law to my attention. Here is part of their email:

" Firstly let me apologise for any inconvenience this issue may have
caused.

I can see from the past emails that the information given to you was
indeed incorrect for this I apologise. You were perfectly within
your rights to return the item under the Distance Selling
Regulations."

All the best,

Sean

[john-henry]

Hi again John - I emailed Amazon and they accepted that they were at fault, and refunded me the loss I made when I sold the item on - so thank you very much again for bringing the law to my attention. Here is part of their email:

" Firstly let me apologise for any inconvenience this issue may have
caused.

I can see from the past emails that the information given to you was
indeed incorrect for this I apologise. You were perfectly within
your rights to return the item under the Distance Selling
Regulations."

All the best,

Sean

Great news Sean, I'm glad it turned out so well and so quickly.

Just shows it pays to read the small print, sometimes it does work in our favour :t:

Regards

John