Fujifilm DS-260HD (1999)
The Fuji 'BigJob' DS-260HD case was announced on 1999-01-27, shown at the PhotoExpo '99 and was intended for construction sites thus making it a direct competitor for the Konica DG-1 digital camera. To my knowledge these were the only two digital cameras marketed for such rough environments. It was a direct follow-up of the DS-250HD. The 'heart' of the DS-260HD was the Fujifilm MX-600 (Finepix 600Z in Japan) digital camera. Since this camera has an entry of it's own on my website I won't go into detail here. Together with the BigJob one would also get a free tube of silicon lubricant for the seals.
Like the Konica DG-1 the DS-260HD also featured a JIS protection grade 7 class and could be rinsed with water when dirty. The case had a hot shoe on top where an external flash could be mounted. It could zoom in and shoot reliably even in dangerous situations where it is difficult to approach photographed objects such as work sites. Apart from all the positive things it was rather difficult to change the SmartMedia card, even with tiny fingers!
The DS-260HD was succeeded by the DS-230HD in 2000. Most people mistake the Fuji 'BigJob' DS-260HD for a digital camera but it is not. It was merely a ruggedized, sand-, dust-, and waterproof case for the Fuji MX-600 digital camera. So when someone offers you a DS-260HD, always ask if it includes the digital camera it was intended for because in 1999 the case was sold with the camera but nowadays most people only sell the case without the digital camera inside!
Specifications
- Brand: Fujifilm
- Model: DS-260HD 'BigJob'
- First mentioned: 1999
- Marketed: yes
- MSRP: $1,199 (including Fuji MX-600 digital camera)
- Imager Type: -
- Resolution: -
- Internal Storage: -
- External Storage: -
- Lens: -
- Shutter: -
- Aperture Range: -
- LCD screen size: -
- Size: 145 x 106.5 x 100mm
- Weight: 648 gr.
- Remarks: Only a protective case for the Fuji MX-600 Zoom