ND filter [ Fuji Finepix SL300 spec ]

[topol]

Prompted by the "Trying to Capture the Moon" thread.

Having now read to the end of the [above] thread, I did a search and found the specifications on the Fuji FinePix SL300, so I now know exactly what the camera can do.

[LIST][*]Aperture - F3.1 / F8 (Wide) - F5.9 / F8 / F20 (Telephoto) with ND filter
There is no detail explaining why they list the aperture like this, but I'm concerned about the "ND Filter", Neutral Density filter, being associated with the Telephoto settings.[...]

My bold - I have been trying to understand this reference to ND filter, and have come across Link 1 and Link 2 which go some way to providing an explanation.

I have also emailed Fuji Support for an explanation. Will post when received.

[DanK]

I don't know the camera, but here is a guess:

--the lens is not a constant-aperture zoom, so the widest aperture is 3.1 at the wide end and 5.9 at the long end.
--the minimum aperture is f/8 regardless of focal length.
--it has a built-in 3-stop ND filter that reduces the light at minimum aperture from f/8 to the equivalent of f/22 (although the actual focal length, and associated factors like angle of view, would remain f/8).

Just a guess.

[Manfred M]

Dan - my suspicion is similar to yours. They are using a ND filter instead of a true diaphragm to change "aperture: values.

This is certainly the way the catadioptric (mirror) lenses work. They have no aperture control and the amount of light hitting the sensor is controlled by using a ND filter.

My video camera uses a hybrid system with a combination of mechanical diaphragm (built into the lenses; it uses interchangeable lenses) plus an internal turret of 0, 4x, 16x and 64x ND filters.

[topol]

The OP quoted the spec thus:
Aperture F3.1 / F8 (Wide)
F5.9 / F8 / F20 (Telephoto) with ND filter.

My on-line User Manual quotes thus:
Aperture F3.1/F8* (wide angle), F5.9/F8/F20* (telephoto), *uses Neutral Density (ND) filter

[topol]

[...]I have also emailed Fuji Support for an explanation. Will post when received.

And so they replied:

Thank you for contacting FUJIFILM North America Corporation. Please allow us to assist you.
At this time, we suggest that you please contact our Digital Imaging Technical Help Desk for complete assistance by dialing 1-800-800-3854, option #1.
Thank you for your interest in FUJIFILM products and services.
Respectfully,
Imaging Support Team
Contact Center
FUJIFILM North America Corporation

Don't think I'll bother - the advice here is far superior anyway

[Steaphany]

I find it a bit disconcerting that you are in Oxfordshire and instead of being helped by a local team, they send you off to North American support.

[topol]

Don't worry about it..............I'm not
It was a "Contact Us" link I found on their website.
I'm quite happy, not knowing anything better, to accept Dan's explanation.
It's not a matter of life & death anyway.