Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro 12.3 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body Only)

I went into a camera store with a Nikon lens, a CompactFlash memory card, and a laptop computer. I took a used Fuji S5 off the shelf and a new Nikon D300 out of the box and took a few test shots (the store did not have a D200 or a D90 in stock). Both cameras performed well and felt good in my hands. However, I preferred the warmer images of the S5 to the cooler images of the D300. I walked out the store (after paying for it) with the S5.

Fuji S5 features that I like:
1. High quality, warm images better for people shots
2. Optional viewfinder grid lines
3. Programmable configuration
4. Built-in eyepiece diopter adjustment
5. Hot Shoe and PC external flash connections
6. Multiple exposure feature (2 to 10 images on one frame)
7. Uses CompactFlash memory cards (allowed me to use the same cards I was using in my previous digitals)
8. Crop Factor of 1.5x is good for telephoto lenses
9. Noise reduction setting suited for capturing the detail needed for astrophotography
10. Bracketing feature easy to use
11. Image histogram useful for analyzing exposure
12. Works well with older PB-4 bellows unit
13. Mirror-up feature useful for reducing mirror vibration
14. Exposure Delay Mode useful for reducing mirror vibration
15. Self-timer useful for reducing camera shake
16. Ability to lock certain features.


Fuji S5 features that I dislike:
1. Crop Factor of 1.5x is not good for normal and wide-angle lenses
2. 95% viewfinder coverage instead of 100%
3. Fixed viewfinder (I need waist-level finder & sports finder)
4. Fixed view screen (I need better screen for manual focusing)
5. Battery dependence
6. No true mirror lockup, however, mirror-up feature very useful
7. No provision to attach standard cable release
8. Not possible to use Exposure Delay Mode and Self-timer at the same time
9. Difficult to manually focus in dim light
10. Unable to turn off viewfinder display (need it off for astrophotography)
11. Unable to save setup configuration in a user-defined custom setting.

***

Update:

Since I love the images I am able to produce with my first S5 and since it seems unlikely that Fuji will come out with an S6 or full-frame version of the S5, I recently purchased two additional S5 bodies. So right now, I am using two S5 bodies, two battery grips, and 6 batteries. The third S5 is a brand new one in an unopened box.

This camera is built for the creative portrait photographer! The dynamic range straight from JPG files will blow you away, and I love the tones I get with every single picture I take. The tones resemble how film tones used to look. Superb job, Fuji! I seriously wish that Fuji and Nikon would merge so that Fujifilm would start making all Nikon sensors, because Nikon bodies are the most durable out there, and their menu system rocks, but Fuji gets a whole lot more out of their sensors!

For me, this camera opens up more creative possibilities than I ever imagined. I didn't buy this camera to shoot continuously anyways. I can do that with my Nikon D700.

PROS AND CONS OF THE FUJI S5 PRO

Pros
- Extensive Dynamic Range (e.g. Highlights are not blown out.)
- Simple menu/software
- Accurate reproduction of color
- Skin tones look perfect!
- Not much post-production needed
- Body built like a tank (same as Nikon D200)
- Film Simulation modes
- JPG files look great, don't even have to shoot RAW
- Nikon F-mount, so it takes great Nikon lenses!

Cons
- Slow continuous shooting
- Slow buffer speed and small buffer
- No automatic sensor cleaning
- 94% viewfinder coverage (not enough if you ask me)
- Interpolation to 12.3 megapixel (equivalent to a 9 megapixel camera)

I finally bought the S5 Pro after a long wait for the price to drop, i am the owner of Fuji S2, S3 pro for a long time and still..I have no doubt that S5 will exceed the previous models. Indeed it is a much better camera.
The build is nicely solid, fast respond, heavy and feel great in my hands. I have read many reviews on this S5, people complained about its back focus issue!? I found no problem at all. I can only suggest people to read the manual throughout 1st before using the camera, one must know all the functions of this camera..The AF is more advance than the S2&S3, it got many settings on it.
As far as picture quality , OMG! it is totally awesome. the color is so smooth and so pleasing, the details is so attractive, not to mention very nice noise control at high iso, the sharpness come from your lens, but i love all about Fuji image quality, it is the best i've seen, and i have owned about 20 digital cameras already. To bad Fuji stop making DSLR, otherwise i would buy their next model. But i have faith that Fuji will return 1 day..
Strongly suggest anyone who cares for IQ rather than speed. S5 is a fast enough camera. But you will be happy with the end result.
I sell prints , i dont sell speed. Infact, i dont wear shirt that say Canon or Fuji, i wear shirt that say Jesus save!!!!..
Thnxs

This is really a wonderful camera, regardless of the cost! The price point makes this an amazing camera! I have experience with nearly all pro level SLR's on the market as well as Medium Format as well. The Fujifilm S5 Pro just shames other cameras with it's dynamic range, it's color rendition, and the fact that it is Nikon F-mount lens compatible.

Now, take into consideration that this is a weather and dust sealed camera for under $2,000 and you are on to something! Built on the Nikon D200 frame, the S5 Pro has all of the D200's good features, rock solid strength, etc. However, this is one camera that can REALLY hold the detail in the highlights! Do you shoot portraiture or weddings? Look no further!

This camera WILL expose bad or cheap glass, so stick with Nikon, Sigma EX or Tokina. The ONLY thing I do not like about this camera is that it is really a 6mp camera. It is not a true 12mp camera (it gives you 12mp through interpolation). It produces HUGE image files which can be a blessing or a curse. No doubt, this camera produces the very best .jpegs on the market right out of the camera.

This camera is NOT for shooting sports. It's read/write speed is a bit slow. What this camera will do is give you superlative images if you do your part. This is not for beginners. If you have pro level skill, this camera will assist you in producing very fine images.

I am a long time Fujifilm FinePix Pro series user and the S5 has so many features that I only dreamed of. A small example is a digital grid in the view finder. This makes it so much easier to hold the camera parallel to the surroundings in a dark room. That is a small thing that effects a lot of photos at weddings. The engineering team have really created a terrific tool. I am still exploring the many, many features. They are overwhelming!
The biggest plus is that the highlight burnout has been greatly reduced. This camera records dramatic contrasty scenes beautifully. Earlier models would have totally lost the highlights. This is a huge step forward. Also, due to much improved exposure range, I find myself making a lot fewer adjustments in PhotoShop. I am recovering hours of free time and posting images much faster than ever before. The images need very little adjustment.

The one negative, for me anyway, is that your older Nikon flashes, SB 25, 26, 27, 28, etc, will not work with TTL accuracy ... you really will have to lay out another $200 - $300 to update to a Nikon SB 600 / 800.

I have now had the camera for more than a year and it still has the "wow" factor. Imagine choosing the aperture and the shutter speed and letting the camera choose the iso that will give you the best exposure ... its part of the package and really works well. I appreciate the camera every way that it can be measured. If you are considering a Fuji S5, I highly recommend it.