Black and White?

[PrairieLarry]

You'll be able to tell how novice I am when it comes to digital cameras by this question.



Do all digital cameras allow you to take black and white shots or do you require photoediting software to make this happen?

We are thinking of purchasing the Fuji 5100.



PL.

[Puck M]

Every digital camera I've had or used (Epsons, Canons, Minoltas) has a black & white mode. The Fuji S5100 is no exception.

Of course, you can also easily covert a color picture to black & white via computer software if need arises.

[eric s]

Some do, many don't.

So yes, you will probably have to do it a picture editor. There are various ways (editor dependent) and I'm sure you can find methods of doing it with some web searching.

Eric

[Mikefellh]

Most may do, however the in-camera B&W feature leaves a lot to be desired vs. converting a colour photo to B&W in a good photo editing program (and I'm not talking about selecting "Greyscale" or "Desaturate" from the dropdown menu):

http://shootsmarter.com/infocenter/sa002.html

Some companies produce special software filters to try and get close to the B&W quality you'd get with specific B&W films like PanX, PlusX, FP4, HP5, etc. One example:

http://www.silveroxide.com/BWTech.htm

[RyanH]

As stated, some cams to B&W, and some don't.

IMO, you are better off taking pics in full color, and using an editor to make them B&W.

If you don't have an editor, there are some free ones such as http://www.irfanview.com/.

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Ryan

[Jurgen Eidt]

Its better to throw away the color later!

Do not judge a camera by its B/W capabilities.

[José A.]

Also in www.photofiltre.com there's a very good free software. And I would also think that you have more control on the image if you shoot it in color and change it later to B&W.