Connecting digital camera to win2k PC

[BonedAgain]

I recently obtained a Fuji FinePix 3800 digital camera. I want to be able to dl the images from its xD picture card onto my win2k machine. Trouble is, the software that comes with the camera wants to install all kinds of crap I neither need nor want (a watered down imaging program called "FinePix Viewer", a program to produce "cd photo albums for all my friends" (when anyone who's paid the slightest attention to my posts here REALIZES I'm an irrepressible crank who HAS NO friends :D ) even Quicktime, NetMeeting (of COURSE I need this, since it's required for "PICTURE HELLO"!) and windows media player. Yeeeesh. I already have Photoshop 7 and am familiar with its use. Other than this, all I need/want is to be able to view the camera and the files it contains as a letter drive in windows explorer so I can perform file operations. I dl'd the USB driver included on the accompanying software cd, thinking the pc would recognize the new hardware & connect it as a drive on reboot, plug & play fashion. Also tried going to "add new hardware" to accomplish this, nogo. I KNOW this can be done, since a number of years ago I connected a friend's Panasonic digital camera to her win2k machine, which recognizes it as a simple letter drive on which you can manipulate files in the usual manner. How can I accomplish this with my new Fuji without being buried in cutesy features, annoying desktop icons & other unnecessary software bilge?

TIA,

BA

[mjc]

Can't Photshop directly access some cameras?

[BonedAgain]

MJC-Thanks for the reply. PS7 has something called WIA Support, which can be used to import from a camera or scanner, but according to the help it works only with ME & XP (but not win2k, which seems odd... ) The trouble seems to be that the pc is not recognizing the presence of the camera, even though it's connected to a USB port & I've loaded the Fuji usb driver from the cd. Since the camera model is new, it does not appear under control panel's cameras/scanners or add hardware. I guess I could load the all the crap on the cd & try to remove all but the essentials (you can't pick which will load initially) ASSUMING a decent uninstall is even available "feature by feature". Just don't like loading all this unnecessary trash.

BA

[dilsburger]

I recently got a Finepix camera myself (btw- I'm real happy with it) , the 2650, I'm running XP but it sounds like the same software bundle. I happened upon a user review post in Cnet that somewhat warned to just install the "crap" then delete what you don't want. I did just that and had no problems. I'm using the Finepix Viewer to transfer the pics. I deleted the excess baggage, icons, and "bilge" :D manually got rid of the un-needed folders, and ran regcleaner to hopefully and seemingly get rid of the residue.

Perhaps you might try going that route. Also have you checked out their
web site (http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/HomePage.jsp?flash=true) for support?

I get your point (Netmeeting, Quicktime???) but in today's world - how'r ya gonna beat the advertisng/bloat, etc? I'm not happy about it either....:rolleyes:

[Budfred]

I am not familiar with camera's being able to claim a drive letter, but it certainly seems feasible that you could use a partition dedicated to it if you would like. As for loading all the extra software, I suspect that it will not help and will probably just be irritating. My cameras and scanner will generally work with any software that uses imaging, although I haven't tried my Kodak from anything except its own software. Even then, I use the Kodak software to download images and then work with them in a program I already had before I got the camera.

[BonedAgain]

Thanks Budfred. My friend's Panasonic (about 4 years old, expensive at the time) definitely appears as a letter drive in WE when it's connected to the usb port. This seems so straightforward, logical and sensible, I was just ASSUMING they could all be used this way, but I haven't really used enough digicams to know, this being only my 2nd experience with one. I broke down & loaded the software, it's so irritating I uninstalled it after a few minutes (to the degree one can ever COMPLETELY uninstall this junk). Among the "features", a constant ad window in the program to sign up for the "Picture the Future image net service... a range of services including ordering prints over the internet AND links to retailer's sites!" MY! How terribly thoughtful of them!!! There's gotta be a better way to access these images :mad:

BA

[Jhorner1]

My Olympus cannot be seen as a drive letter, but by buying a $20 card reader I can use my Smart Media Card just like any other drive. Maybe something like this would work for you also. It's unfortunate that you spend all that money for a camera and then have to buy extra parts to get them to work like they should.

[BonedAgain]

Originally posted by dilsburger
I get your point (Netmeeting, Quicktime???) but in today's world - how'r ya gonna beat the advertisng/bloat, etc? I'm not happy about it either....:rolleyes:

Oh come on Dils, there's GOTTA be SOMEONE we can SHOOT! :D

Thanks for the site, I'll check it out. So far I like the camera a lot. Too bad about the software. BTW, did yours come with nimh batts & a charger? I'd like to add these, but as CHEAPLY as possible, of course ;) Let me know if you have any suggestions along these lines.

BA

BTW I TRIED loading the software, but saying NO at the software agreements for netmeeting etc. Not only did it have the constant ad for that image net "service", it wouldn't even import my images!!! :mad: Guess I'll try the load all/delete approach. But I STILL think there's a way around their software entirely!

[BonedAgain]

Originally posted by Jhorner1
My Olympus cannot be seen as a drive letter, but by buying a $20 card reader I can use my Smart Media Card just like any other drive. Maybe something like this would work for you also. It's unfortunate that you spend all that money for a camera and then have to buy extra parts to get them to work like they should.

Thanks John, my sentiments exactly! BTW, my understanding is that Fuji & Olympus are the only ones using these new teeny xD cards (replacing the SM cards). I'll have to check on the price of a card reader for these, might be more since it's a bit more "proprietary" (pretty incredible though, up to 256 meg on a card less than 1" square. 3 times the size of the hdd on my 1st pc!!!). Sure seems like there should be a way to do this with the camera, though! This one will connect to the pc in 2 modes, "USB mass storage driver" which seems like it should work as a card reader would, and "USB PC Camera driver", which allows the camera to be used as a pc camera.

BA

[mjc]

There is absolutely no call for them loading the ad crap on something that you have already paid for...

I would be very inclined to send an not so nice letter off to Fuji complaining about their software bundle and request a "clean" driver disk. No ad crap, no "value-added" software, just the drivers (or a link to download them from).

[dilsburger]

Mine came with alkaline batteries which lasted about 20 pics... I priced nimh batteries/chargers and since I have no need for a 2-3 hr charge. Settled for a $22 combo 13 hr charger/4 nimh's at Radio Shack of all places. The batteries are 1500mah... I think the quick charger comes with 4 1800 mah's for $30.... I couldn't find anything online for a better value once shipping/handling was included...

[drdan]

Looks like Fuji just put out a USB card reader for the xd card. Looks like everybody has it for about $50. I included one link to Amazon. I don't think anyone has them yet but are already offering them for sale. One thing to keep in mind is that with card reader you can use it for much more than pictures. It is very handy for storing and transfering files and since it is recognized as another drive on your computer you won't need ANY Fuji (camera) software to run it. I liked my ZiO! smartmedia card readers so much that I bought enough to do daily data backups for all the computers in my chiropractic office. A year and a half later the system is going strong. I think it's a better solution to your problem even if you do get the camera to work. The Zio cards need software installed to run them but after they they are Plug n Play and hot swappable.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006DY6G/ref%3Dnosim/lksmsubsite-sub-ce-asin-20/102-1019537-9317747

I got NiMH batteries online and a Ray-O-Vac charger from Walmart for 9.99. I think it works great. I recommend three sets. I keep one in the camera, one in the camera case and one in the charger. As they get used up I rotate them. Be aware that NiMH will lose charge even not being used so put "fresh" ones from the charger in the camera if going on a trip. I have had my batteries for a couple of years with no discernible loss of power. I would get 1600-1800mah batteries.