1) Yes, you can. I am new to the S620 (just got it Friday) but after reading the WHOLE manual (there is a lot to read and I think I'll have to read it once again to remember it all), it is simple. Look through the viewfinder you wish to adjust. Then press the 'SHIFT' button on the left side of the camera and while holding it down press the 'DISP' button. On the viewfinder you now have the adjustment for brightness (as well as volume). You now use the 4 arrow keys to highlight and make your adjustment and then 'OK' to save it.

Hope this helps. 2) The hot shoe is the correct size. I have already tried my Canon flash from my Canon A1 35mm camera and it fits and works great! The flash slides in from the back towards the front. You would then lock it in place (push the locking lever or turn the locking dial, whichever your flash has). If I can be of any more help just let me know...

1) I'm also glad to hear that you can adjust the viewfinder's brightness. I use mine for astrophotography and I found that if I use the camera for too long, I ruin my night visionI've read the manual a couple of times, but it's hard to remember it all. 2) For indoor shots, I use my tripod. The little hand only means "don't shake". For shooting inanimate objects, I prefer never to use the flash. Just adjust the exposure to compensate.

The tripod is a must. A star filter also works magic with the lights. 3) I can't remember how many cameras I tried before buying this one. After my SLR Canon AE-1 Program, I wanted something good. The hardest thing to find is the "manual" settings.

That is no good for anyone but for the beginner. Anyway, the resolution is fantastic; the USB drive-letter access is a charm. Not that any of the salespersons I spoke to could tell me about these details before I bought the camera, though. I didn't plan in investing this much, but I got my money's worth. 4) I'm a computer programmer, and if all goes well, I'll be able to control the entire camera from my computer soon, via USB.

Sure, it's all there when I use the software that came with the package, but you can't copy and paste. I'm not going to re-type all those details. Too bad this camera does not generate an "info" text file like some other cameras. It's also a drawback not to have some kind of distance meter for the manual focus. For star shots, I end up running back and forth to my computer to find out if I have the right focus (after a 15-second shot); the viewfinder or the LCD just don't have the proper resolution to see if I'm in-focus.

If I shut down the camera, I have to start all over again. I'd appreciate help anyone might have on that...

If you can do Camera Control from your computer, I would love a copy of that program. Great to be able to use the computer as the storage and control as in a studio environment. As far as the shooting information (Exif), there is a program that can backup the data from the picture because some programs will lose the Exif info when editing a pic so this progie lets you back it up and then restore it later. It is a little program called EXIFRead and it is freeware to boot. "EXIFRead is a small freeware utility that extracts image information from EXIF/JPG files. Many new digital cameras (including the Nikon Coolpix 900, Fuji MX700, Kodak DC 260, and Minolta 1500) create image files that store information about the image and the camera that took it.

EXIFRead will extract and display all the information that it finds in the file. The information that EXIFRead displays can be copied to the clipboard and saved as a text file." There is also another similar Freeware program called EXIF Reader which is similar. If you can not find either program, send me an email and I will send them to you. There are some different tricks that can be used to aid in focusing. One being to turn the ISO up to 1600, you can see brighter, focus using focus assist then leaving the focus on manual, return the ISO to your previous setting and don't forget to move the file quality back to 6 or 3MP as when you go in 800-1600 ISO mode it automatically changes your quality to 1MP.

Also if you can take a longer exposure, you can just bring your F stop up and you will have a greater DOF. BTW... I can appreciate your searchiong for a good manual able camera. I did the same after my Canon A-1, which I still have and love yet have not used it in many years as I had gone digital (video) years ago and then recently Fuji s602z Digital still wise. Great cameras..

Thanks, Michael. I was able to do some research based on what you told me and wrote my own EXIF reader. I am quite impressed with the wealth of information that's actually written to the JPEG header. The one thing still puzzling me is the focal distance (not the focal length). I've seen it decoded elsewhere and I still can't get it. It'd be useful for me.

Thanks again...

Hi Mike.. what are the chances of getting a copy of the program that talked about for programing your S602?.

I know it help me out a lot..

Thanks.

Bob..

I don't have the program myself. This is something I read about in some forum. I looked for it again, but I don't remember enough of the details. So, I'll tell you what I do remember, and you can try to find it. The program was for an older Olympus camera, and the guy had written the program to work in DOS and work off of the serial port. I also remember him (or someone else) stating that he would not start over again and do it for USB.

I did not get it because I don't program in Assembly anymore. Besides, for me the tricky part is not the actual control of the camera, but obtaining the control codes to converse with the camera, and his would not have the same codes. In the USB protocol, there is more of a tendency to keep a certain standard. I am still confident I can succeed. The real question is, is the camera programmed for outside control! From what I remember, the Olympus was not advertised as having that feature either.

It doesn't have power windows, but all the connectors are there. All I need to buy are the motor and the switch. I now have the motor and I can make the switch... Mike..

I found ExifRead freeware, is.

Http://www.geocities.com/alonn_01/ I have not tried working on it yet. Any feedback? Alvin..

Hi Alvin,.

Yes, Exifread is one of a few freeware programs to read Exif Information. Another is the Fuji Finepix Viewer that came with your Fuji Camera. Others are: Exifer, Exif Reader, Exif Viewer, ExifTip as well as programs like Irfanview and Easy Thumbnails and there are more. They generally all work well, I guess it is just which is preferable to you. I personally use Exifer when I am not using Finepix Viewer which is the main program I use to transfer the pictures from my camera to my hard drive...

Hi. I have recently decided to buy a S602 and someone is buying it for me. I shall have it shortly enough! I am quite excited about it, but am just wondering - what should I be expecting? I have used a Nikon FM10 (a rare 35mm film model) and a Nikon F80 (35mm film) and theyre both great. Then I recently bought a Canon A40 digital, which is good, but I want more manual control. I've read all the reviews etc, but since there are so many 602 users here, I thought I'd ask you guys what to expect. And one question - whats the biggest size print you can get from the 602? I'd appreciate it a lot if you could email your reply to me at or just post it here.

Ansari (UK)..