Pros: Excellent photo quality, great color and features, Nikon lens compatibility
Cons: Plastic (polycarbonate) body and no electronic shutter release
The Bottom Line: The Fuji S2Pro is a top choice digital SLR for enthusiasts who demand the best quality, and professional applications like portrait, events and weddings.
memobug's Full Review: FUJIFILM FinePix S2 Pro Digital Camera
The Fuji S2pro finally delivers on the promise of digital photography. At $2300 street price, it is not the most affordable digital camera you can buy, but if you have a business need for a versatile camera that can deliver image quality that can compete with 35mm, this may be the system for you.
Based on Nikon's N-80 film camera body, the Fuji S2pro is comparable in size and specification to Nikon's D100 and Canon's D60 digital cameras. The S2Pro is slightly taller than the N-80 because it contains a removable battery tray that holds four AA batteries.
FEATURES
The revolutionary 6-million pixel Fuji Super CCD is at the heart of the S2Pro. The CCD (Charge Coupled Device) has larger photosites for less noise and greater detail, which allows the S2 to produce quite usable photos all the way to its top end ISO 1600 rating, which is an amazing feat. This makes it great for low light or nighttime photography.
The color rendition is excellent and this camera is a top choice for wedding and portrait photographers.
The S2Pro uses a Nikon lens mount, and can support the majority of Nikon's lenses including the professional line of AF-S (Ultrasonic, Silent Wave) lenses. Third party lenses available from Sigma and Tokina are other competitive options.
The camera can shoot up to two frames per second and has the capability to write to both CompactFlash and SmartMedia.
Firewire and USB interfaces are included, and in the United States, software is included for "raw" capture for the greatest image detail.
Composite video output is available to review your photos on a TV monitor.
An integral popup flash provides illumination for snapshots or fill flash for daytime shots, but the serious photographer will want to use a shoe-mounted flash. The good news is that most any flash can be used with the S2Pro, and a PC-connector is provided for studio flash work.
POWER
The Fuji S2 has a battery tray that takes four AA-size alkaline, photo lithium or rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries. The NiMH route is the most economical, and two pair of batteries will last a surprisingly long time. The S2Pro also uses two CR123 Photo Lithium batteries for its focusing and popup flash. These CR123 batteries last for approximately 1000 photos. In the studio all the batteries can be removed and the supplied AC adapter can be used.
HANDLING
The polycarbonate housing makes the S2Pro is surprisingly light and eliminates the boat-anchor feeling by day's end. The camera is very comfortable to use and hold and the controls are easily accessible.
Basic exposure controls are identical to Nikon's N-80, D1, F-100 and F4 cameras. Thumb and finger wheels let you adjust flash compensation, shutter and aperture. Exposure bracketing. Dedicated buttons on the back of the camera let you select image contrast, color balance, sharpening, and allow you to review and delete photos.
SHOOTING
One of the nicest features about the S2 for a working professional is the fact that it is always ready for shooting. Whether you are reviewing a photo or checking a menu, all you have to do is tap the shutter and the camera shifts back to shooting mode. Lots of shots get lost with other cameras because they require that the user change controls to get the camera ready to shoot.
The camera provides Manual, Aperture priority, Shutter Priority and Program modes. Image review is quick, and images can be reviewed with pan and zoom functions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you buy a camera of this quality, don't try and cheat and go low-budget on the lenses, or your picture quality will really suffer. Stick to short-range zooms (2x or 3x) and keep in mind that every manufacturer now offers a range of quality. If you are on a budget after your S2 purchase, I would look at the Nikon 24-85mm AF-S Zoom lens and the 50 or 60mm fixed focal length.
Before making a purchase, get your hands on the competition - a Nikon D100, Canon D60 and the soon-to-be-available Sigma SD-9. Be sure to shoot a portrait or two. Take a CompactFlash memory card with you and try framing and shooting a few shots to get a feel of how they handle, then return home and compare them on your computer to compare color and sharpness.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2300 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Solid Enough for a Professional
FUJIFILM FINEPIX S2 PRO SHUTTER PART # F1B060-712 FREE SHIPPING (WITHIN THE USA ONLY, INTERNATIONAL IS $10.00 FLAT RATE) FINAL SELL, NO REFUND, NO RET...More at eBay
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