I have been a film photographer for over 20 years. I've exhibited on and off through the years and have always developed and printed my own black and white film and enlargements. My old Minolta 35MM was getting really old and I was seriously thinking of buying a Nikon FM3 because I love manual control. As the time to buy a new camera got closer, I began to notice the Fuji S3100 at a local store.

While I have never liked the feel of plastic bodied cameras, at least this Fuji was substantial in size. I hate tiny camera. They might be great for sticking in a shirt pocket, but they seem too small to hold and use.

So, one day I'm in the camera store and wow...the Fuji S3100 is on sale at an incredible price. I buy it on impulse.

I think because my expectations of digital photographer were so low, I was able to fall in love with this camera. Like the other reviewer said, this may not be a camera for beginners. While I expected to not understand digital photography in the same way I do understand manual film cameras, I have to admit this Fuji is easy for me to use. I guess I should also say that I opened the box in my car and instantly lost the manual. I was able to figure out everything I needed to know by scrolling through the numerous menus. Though I have to admit it was a relief to find the manual when I cleaned my car.

I just recently went to Toronto and the Fuji was the only camera I brought along. I selected 7 pictures from the trip and had 8 x 10's printed. I could not tell they were digital pictures. They were as sharp and clear and colorful as I have come to expect from film.

I have shot pictures in full auto and in manual. Both produce equally great photos.

All my friends have had digital cameras for a few years and I have seen prints and 8 x 10 enlargements taken with other cameras and I had never been impressed.

The highest praise I can give this camera is that it is the camera that finally lured me away from using my film camera.