The size of this camera really appeals to me as I travel a lot and cannot lug something big around, BUT!: I have heard that down loading pictures from this camera is a) slow, b) a real pain with clumsy software. And that for the novice it can be a very bad experience. As a novice (and I would like to stay that way) I want a small camera which is EASY to use and EASY to handle the software on when it comes to managing the pictures taken. A comment from PC world on the MX 2700 "Fujifilm's image-transfer software makes downloading images a somewhat daunting task." seems like it might also apply to the 1700? True? Also. is picture quality good for a non-professional who wishes to have decent pictures without weird halos or artifacts around the edges, etc.

-- Peter Knop (knop@erols.com), January 21, 2000

Answers

Not having an MX-1700 (but wishing I did) I can say if you remove the SmartMedai from the camera and insert it into an external reader (which I believe is available free with purchase via mail-in card to Fuji) you will be able to read the images quickly and with very little trouble, using ordinary drag-and-drop technique using Windows Explorer or any thumbnail browsing program such as ACDSee.

If you try to download them via serial cable directly from the camera, it will be slow and you must use the software supplied by Fuji, which, as they say, is "daunting."

-bruce

-- bruce komusin (bkomusin@bigfoot.com), January 23, 2000.

I would not hesitate to buy a MX1700 as i have had excellent experience with mine. The file loading is slow and you have three options 1) With the serial cable: select all of the photos with the program they give you by holding down the control button. Then click open. Go have a cup of coffee or whatever and come back later. 2) Get a smartmedia card reader for about 70 bucks. 3) Buy the HP 1100 photosmart printer which has the smartmedia reader and prints out amazing quality photos. This is what i did, and I love the printer.

-- (john@dial.oleane.com), January 29, 2000.