Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro review

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro review

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro review

Below is the evolution of all of the Fujifilm FinePix series of CZK:

  1. Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro - january 2000, based on the film Nikon F60 (aka Nikon N60), the first generation SuperCCD.
  2. Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro - january 2002, based on the film Nikon F80 (aka Nikon N80), SuperCCD III (the matrix third generation).
  3. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro - february 2004, on the base Fujifilm FinePix S2 ProSuperCCD SR II matrix (second generation SR matrix)
  4. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR - August 2006, upgraded Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro for shooting in IR (Infra Red) and UV (Ultra Violet) spectra.
  5. Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro - september 2006, on the base Nikon D200, slightly upgraded SuperCCD SR II matrix (similar to the one installed on Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro).
  6. Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro - June 2007modernized Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro for shooting in IR (Infra Red) and UV (Ultra Violet) spectra.

The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is an amazing camera. You take it in your hands, and you understand what it is Nikon D200, only labeled 'Fujifilm Super CCD' and 'Nikon F mount'. Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro body completely copied from the camera Nikon D200... Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro uses Nikkor lenses compatible with Nikon F-mount (cameras have the same bayonet mount), as well as all other peripherals - flashes, butblocks, remote controls, and more.

The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro has another modification called Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro, designed to work in the infrared and ultraviolet spectra. In the spring and summer of 2007, when the camera became available for orders and pre-orders, the price of the S5 Pro was $ 2.000, which somehow hints at its capabilities.

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

Important: Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is not a clone Nikon D200. Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and Nikon D200 - completely different sensors (matrices) that create an image and a radically different menu. There are other minor differences as well.

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

Main differences from Nikon D200

  1. Different batteries (not interchangeable).
  2. A completely different menu. Important: S5 Pro does not have Russian language.
  3. Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro Live View
  4. The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro has the ability to view the number of frames taken by the camera for its entire life through the menu. Have Nikon D200 there is no such function, in order to see the number of frames captured by a camera in a lifetime, you need to use a special program and watch the frame counter in EXIF module of any photograph taken with Nikon D200. To see the mileage S5 Pro, just go to the menu 'SETUP->Maintenance->Maintenance Counter' where the camera mileage and even the number of shutter replacements will be indicated.
  5. The cameras are different frame buffer. About this is separately written below.
  6. Different maximum shooting speed (5 fps Nikon D200, versus 1.5-3 fps for the S5 Pro).
  7. Different ISO limit (3200 S5 Pro vs 1600 D200), although Nikon D200 reaches ISO 3200 in Hi1 mode.
  8. Different image quality.
  9. The S5 Pro has an image processing menu. The D200 is sorely lacking a post-processing menu.
  10. There is no Basic compression mode for JPEG.

Important about batteries:

  • Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro battery can be used with cameras without problems Nikon D100, D70, D70s, D50. Camera data use battery Nikon EN-EL3which does not have a programmable chip.
  • Accumulators Nikon EN-EL3e и Nikon EN-EL3 Cannot be used in Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro. That is, batteries from Nikon D200, D300, D300s, D700, D80, D90 (Nikon EN-EL3e) and Nikon D100, D70, D70s, D50 (Nikon EN-EL3) are not suitable for use with Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro.
  • The Fujifilm NP-150 battery cannot be used with D200 cameras, D300, D300s, D700, D80, D90. Although outwardly these batteries are identical.
Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro with Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) lens

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro with lens Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)

The most important

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro can use film simulation modes. In fact, it always shoots with certain settings for film simulation.

There are 6 simulation modes (Film Sumulation) available in the camera menu:

  1. STD is a standard mode suitable for a very wide variety of scenes, including portrait and landscape photography. Unlike all other simulation modes, it allows you to adjust not only the color (Color), contrast (Tone) and sharpness (Sharpness), but also the dynamic range (D-Range).
  2. F1 is a film simulation mode specially designed for studio portraits. Simulates working with professional negatives. Primarily suppresses flares and flares from studio flashes in the maximum brightness zone. Does not tint the image (that is, the essence of the simulation is in a good study of the highlights).
  3. F1a is the same mode as F1, but with slightly raised chroma.
  4. F1b - conveys skin tone (facial skin tone) with smooth transitions. Also, this mode captures vivid natural colors and is great for outdoor portraits.
  5. F1c is the same mode as F1, but sharpened.
  6. F2 is a high saturation mode similar to FUJI-CHROME slides. Great for landscapes or architecture.

Additionally, in almost every mode F1, F1a, F1b, F1c, F2, you can adjust the color, contrast and sharpness, but only in a certain range of values.

Below is a diagram with the evolution of Super CCD matrices:

The evolution of the first SuperCCD / SuperCCD SR matrices

The evolution of the first SuperCCD / SuperCCD SR matrices

Critical: only native utility works best with RAW files Fujifilm Hyper-Utility HS-V3. Third party converters have a number of limitations and do not fully understand the complex structure of the SuperCCD SR / SR II sensor. Of the third-party converters, in my experience, Adobe LightRoom works best.

S-pixels have the usual photosensitivity of classic CCD pixels; R-pixels are smaller and less sensitive to light than S-pixels and are designed to capture details in bright areas of the frame.

S-pixels have the usual sensitivity of the classic pixels / subpixels CCD matrices. R-pixels are smaller and less sensitive to light than S-pixels and are designed to capture details in bright areas of the frame. During shooting, the camera's processor combines data from these two types of photodiodes to obtain a wide dynamic range. Also pay attention to the complex polygonal structure of the sensor (somewhat similar to the structure of a honeycomb). Actually - this picture is the 'essence' of the S5 Pro camera.

I am very pleased that the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro pays a lot of attention to portraiture and skin tone. Perhaps, every camera should have such functions.

live view

Live View (live view / screen) is present in the camera, but has a number of features:

  1. In Live View mode, the images themselves slow down when sighted, like video recording on older phones. It seems that the frequency of image display in Live View is about 10-15 frames per second.
  2. In Live View, two methods are available: black and white and color.
  3. Live View does not support auto focus. In general, in order to focus through Live View on a number of non-motorized lenses, you need to switch the camera to manual focusing “M”, and on lenses with a motor, switch to M or (M / A) mode.
  4. Live View only turns on for 30 seconds. When Live View is on, you see a timer that counts down from 30 seconds to one second, after which Live View automatically turns off. For thoughtful focusing personally, 30 seconds may not be enough for me.
  5. When Live View is on, the PC link indicator blinks. Typically this indicator on the Nikon D200 shows the actual computer-to-camera relationship.
  6. And the most annoying thing in Live View mode is that when you press the shutter button, the camera does not take a picture. You must first manually turn off Live View, or wait for it to turn off automatically after 30 seconds, and only after that - take a picture. When you focus with your left hand using the focus ring on the lens, and then move your hand to the Live View off button in order to take a picture, the focus is lost, it is very annoying.

Important: mode live view It turns on very quickly with just one button. To turn it on, just hold the bottom button for a couple of seconds in the vertical row of buttons to the left of the display (button with a magnifying glass and a man).

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro with Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro with lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical

My personal opinion is that the Live View limitation of 30 seconds is an imprint of the mechanics and electronics of the shutter from the D200, which 30 seconds is simply the longest manually set excerpt... The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro most likely had to adjust to the mechanics and part of the electronics of the Nikon D200 itself. As a result, the Live View function is very poorly implemented and rather difficult to use. But for manual optics it is undoubtedly a godsend.

The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro camera is very easy to operate. Ergonomics are great, after you shoot with the D200 and then take the S5 Pro in your hands - you don't feel any difference, except in the image quality and at a slightly slower speed during continuous shooting.

The camera accepted from its parent all the basic properties:

What is special about the S5 Pro?

The main feature of the S5 Pro camera is high dynamic range and a colorful picture (this is my only review where I mention the phrase "colorful picture"). The dynamic range of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is 200 stops higher than that of the Nikon D2 (4 times, 11.5EV vs 13.5EV).

The dynamic range of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is even higher than Nikon's top cameras: D5, D4/D4s, D3/D3s, D2X/D2Xs, D2H/D2Hs and Canon: 1DX, 1Ds/1Ds Mark II/1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark II /1D Mark II N/1D Mark III/1D Mark IV etc. (by the way, interesting stuff about dynamic range data with photonstophotos and dxo is here).

Actually, after the comfortable ergonomics, the high dynamic range is one of the strongest points of the S5 Pro.

Compartment for batteries and memory cards S5 Pro

Compartment for batteries and memory cards S5 Pro

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro uses Fujifilm SuperCCD SR II sensor (second generation Fujifilm SuperCCD SR sensor, also sometimes called Fujifilm Super CCD SR PRO), which includes two types of pixels (diodes): S-pixels in the amount of 6.17 MP, and R-pixels in the amount of 6.17 MP. In addition, these pixels have a specific orientation and position on the sensor. Different pixels have different sensitivity to light and allow you to work well in shadows and highlights, thus achieving a large dynamic range. The principle of operation of SuperCCD SR II is described in another my review of S5 Pro here.

In fact, 12.1 (12.3) megapixels in JPEG mode are 'bloated' interpolation. But still, I am of the opinion that the S5 Pro still has 12 MP, albeit with some reservations.

S5 PRO with Industar-50-2 3,5 / 50 lens

S5 PRO with lens Industar-50-2 3,5 / 50

Speed ​​and frame buffer

S5 PRO, unlike Nikon D200, can shoot at a maximum speed of 3 frames per second.

Attention: to get camera speed 3 fps, be sure to use STD Film Simulation and be sure to turn D-Range to 100% (STD). In this mode, only S-pixels of the matrix will work, and RAW files will weigh only 12 MB. And only in this mode the Seutp-> Shooting-> Shooting Speed: 2 fps function works correctly, which sets the shooting speed in CL mode.

Important: in all other film simulation modes, or in STD mode, but with a D-range of 130% or higher, the maximum burst speed will be 1.5 frames per second.

Frame buffer:

  • 19 frames RAW at D-RANGE 100% STD (very, very good, more than Nikon D750!)
  • 16 frames in RAW + JPEG or JPEG format with any quality setting at D-RANGE 100% STD
  • 9 frames RAW at w2 (8 at IMAGE DISPLAY-> ON)
  • 8 frames in RAW + JPEG or JPEG format with any quality setting at w2 (7 with IMAGE DISPLAY-> ON)
  • about 1 RAW files can be obtained in 30 minute of shooting (at w2, ISO <= 640, IMAGE DISPLAY-> OFF)
  • for 1 minute of shooting, you can get about 70 JPEG L FINE files (at w2, ISO <= 640, IMAGE DISPLAY-> OFF)
  • about 1 RAW files can be obtained in 25 minute of shooting (at w2, ISO <= 640, IMAGE DISPLAY-> 2 sec)
  • for 1 minute of shooting, you can get about 30 JPEG files (at w2, ISO <= 640, IMAGE DISPLAY-> 2 sec)
  • in 1 minute of shooting, you can get about 18 RAW + JPEG L FINE files (at w2, ISO 1000, IMAGE DISPLAY-> 2 sec)

UPDATE: critical... Function 'SETUP-> DISPLAY-> IMAGE DISPLAY-> OFF' adds 1 frame RAW or JPEG with extended D-Range to the buffer.

Critical... If the 'SETUP -> DISPLAY -> IMAGE DISPLAY' function is set to 'CONTINUOS', or '4 SEC, or' 2 SEC ', then the camera very slowly writes the footage to the memory card. The recording speed does not depend on the memory card bandwidth. Even if you use the fastest CF memory card, the data recording speed will not change. Most likely the problem is that after recording each frame, the camera spends time reading it again and displaying it on the display, which significantly increases the time it takes to record the remaining frames from the frame buffer queue. Once the frame buffer is full, one picture is recorded for 2.5 secondseven if it is a small size 'S' JPEG with medium quality 'NORM'. This function can be disabled and the duration of the frame sequence can be significantly increased. If you use this recommendation, then in 1 minute of shooting, the S5 Pro can take about 70 JPEG L FINE pictures (at w2 and ISO <= 640)... Details here.

Please note that changing the size of the recorded JPEG file (L, M, S) or its quality (Fine, Norm), as well as changing the settings of the noise reduction function does not affect the number of frames in the buffer. After the buffer is full, the camera stops shooting and waits for data to be written to the memory card.... During this time, you cannot view the footage or adjust the menu. The next frame can be taken immediately after recording at least one file from the frame buffer to the memory card. You can view the filmed material or enter the menu only after the buffer has been completely cleared.

Camera RAW files with D-range 130% and higher at ISO 100-1000 use 14-bit color depth, are recorded without compression and weigh 25 MB (!). The same Nikon D200 could only afford 12 bit color depth. Perhaps this is the reason for the low speed of the camera. Nikon only switched to 14-bit color depth in 2007 with the release of the Nikon D3 / D300.

UPDATE: Critical (updated 04.02.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX). When using ISO 1250 and above, at a D-range value of 130-400%, only S-pixels (only half of the sensor) will still work, and the maximum burst speed will increase to 3 fps. Due to the fact that R-pixels will not work, there will be no significant increase in dynamic range at D-range 130-400% and ISO 1250-3200. In this case, the RAW file size at ISO 1250-3200 will be half the size of the RAW file at ISO 100-1250 when using D-range 130-400% . This situation is discussed, for example, here. The instructions for this say like this. To summarize, large D-ragne values ​​of 130-400% have a physical justification only at ISO 100-1250 values.

UPDATE: critical... When using ISO 800 and higher, additional forced noise reduction is enabled, which results in slower recording of pictures to the memory card (pictures undergo additional noise reduction processing before recording). This results in shorter burst times at ISO <= 640 and at ISO> = 800.

Rumor has it that due to the fact that the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro shutter is taken from the Nikon D200, which is designed to work at a speed of 5 fps, shooting at a speed of 1.5 fps, the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro shutter lasts much longer than on Nikon D200.

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro with Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKII) lens

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro with a lens Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKII)

Sample photos on Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro (different lenses)

Below are sample photos on the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, shot with different lenses.

Fujifilm S5 Pro + Sigma 135 / 1.8 Art = Dream Team!

Shown below are images with Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and lens Sigma 135mm 1: 1.8 DG A [for Nikon F mount]. JPEG from camera, no processing. Everything was filmed at F / 1.8 - only hardcore and positive emotions.

Original photos in JPEG format ('.jpg') can be at this link (164 photos, 800 MB). These photos were prepared for notes on NikonRumors.

Sample photos on Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro + Tokina 12-24 / 4 and Nikon 50 / 1.8G

In 2021, I was on vacation, shot a little with Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro paired with good lenses Tokina AT-X 124 Pro SD 12-24 F4 (IF) DX II Aspherical и Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical, some photos were taken using a polarizing filter CITIWIDE CPL 77 mm (for Tokina) and Hoya 58mm PL-CIR... (for Nikon). JPEG everywhere straight from the camera, but some photos were cleaned of 'spots' due to a dirty sensor.

Original photos in JPEG format ('.jpg') can be view / download from this link (gallery on GOOGLE DRIVE, 50+ photos).

Original photos in format RAW ('.RAF') can view / download from this link (gallery on GOOGLE DRIVE, 40+ photos). The same photos can be found here, here и here.

Many examples of photos with RAW source files can be found in the following reviews.

  1. Sigma 135mm 1: 1.8 DG A (ART) [there is a working link to the original JPEGs in the review]
  2. SIGMA ZOOM 18-50mm 1: 2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Optical Stabilizer [there is a working link to the original JPEGs in the review]
  3. YONGNUO 35mm 1: 2 (YN35mm F2N) [there is a working link to the original JPEGs in the review]
  4. Tamron SP AF LD 70-210mm 1: 2.8 67DN [there is a working link to the original JPEGs in the review]
  5. Nippon Kogaku Japan Nikkor-S Auto 1: 1.2 f = 55mm [there is a working link to the original JPEGs in the review]
  6. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical [in this and all reviews below, original RAW / JPEGs are lost, but RAW files can be found here]
  7. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 50-135 F2.8 DX N / AIS
  8. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 16-85mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED VR SWM IF Aspherical
  9. Sigma EX 85mm 1: 1.4 DG HSM
  10. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM VR IF Aspherical
  11. Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)
  12. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G ED SWM VR IF Nano Crystal Coat
  13. Samyang 8mm 1: 3.5 UMC FISH-EYE CS II Aspherical NI
  14. Nikon ED AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4-5.6D
  15. Voigtlander APO-Lanthar 90mm F3.5 SL N / AI-S
  16. Nikon ED AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6D Vibration Reduction
  17. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 10-24mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED SWM IF Aspherical
  18. Tokina AT-X PRO 80-200mm 1: 2.8
  19. Sigma 50-500mm 1: 4-6.3D HSM EX APO
  20. Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm 1: 2.8 (MKII)
  21. Quantaray AF LD 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6 Macro
  22. Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D
  23. A small interesting video on the topic here
  24. And an interview with me about Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro here

You can also find my photos with Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro at the links:

Personal experience:

The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is my soul camera and has the nicest color I've ever shot. And I shot with almost all Nikon and Canon cameras and many others. The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro can only compete in color reproduction pleasantness Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro.

No matter how much I shoot, I still come to the conclusion that the number of particularly successful shots in color with the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is the highest. But do not think that the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro immediately makes masterpieces. The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is a rather capricious and difficult camera to understand. Its potential is only available to advanced users.

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro - this is exactly the conversation about the sensor Fujifilm SuperCCD SR PRO / Fujifilm SuperCCD SR II, with all the pros and cons.

A worthy Fujifilm SuperCCD SR II sensor

  1. Sufficiently high dynamic range (due to the combination of R and S pixels).
  2. Good / excellent / peculiar color rendition inherent in many cameras based on CCD sensors
  3. Fairly flexible RAW (.'RAF '), especially for' pulling highlights'. 14-bit color depth (rare for APS-C CCD sensors) + data storage without compression and loss

Disadvantages of Fujifilm SuperCCD SR II sensor

  1. Small detail due to interpolation. At best, we can talk about 'honest' 6-8-10 MP, but not about 12 MP
  2. Detailing is lame due to thick anti-moor filter (need 'sharp lenses' to maximize sensor capabilities)
  3. High noise level at high ISO
  4. Wide dynamic range is only available at ISO values ​​of 100 to 1000 (at ISO 1250, R-subpixels are automatically disabled)
  5. Diagonal 'ladder' pixelization due to different rendering of details in the vertical/horizontal and diagonal directions, associated with a special arrangement of subpixels and interpolation (treated by shooting in 6 MP mode)
  6. Due to the unusual structure and arrangement of photosensitive diodes in the form of a polygonal structure, vaguely similar to silver halides in photographic film, the resulting image has its own 'character'
  7. Difficulty developing RAW files with third-party converters (due to the complex structure of the sensor)
  8. Image posterization when shooting in JPEG (treated by shooting in RAW with further conversion to TIFF)
  9. Pixel/subpixel burn-in over time (a common affliction in CCD sensors). Over time, the number of 'dead, broken, burnt' pixels increases significantly
  10. The sensor is afraid of gamma radiation, frequent flights are not recommended for the Fujifilm Super CCD SR II sensor
  11. Loose 'bumpy' picture with strong 'shadow pulling' from RAW or JPEG
  12. Noise reduction can not be turned off (even at ISO 100, even in the native converter and even when shooting in RAW)
  13. Yet totally a problem  CCD Blooming (CCD blooming) not solved
  14. High power consumption of the sensor
  15. Rapid sensor heating when working in Live View mode. Live View works for a maximum of 30 seconds
  16. There is no way to easily and simply implement video shooting on this type of sensor
  17. High complexity and high cost of manufacturing such sensors

RAW / RAF Conversion, HYPER UTILITY HS-V3

Render original RAW files (with '.RAF' resolution) is best done with the old original utility Fuji Hyper-Utility HS-V3... For the best quality, you should configure the converter like this... This converter may not work on modern operating systems, or it will require a lot of cleaning tools to install it. The repackaged version (all unnecessary is cut out), optimized for working with Windows 7/8/10, can be download from this link... Your use of the Fujifilm Hyper Utility HS-V3 remains entirely at your own risk.

Also Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw (a built-in plug-in in Adobe Photoshop) allow you to work well with Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro RAW files. In my opinion, if you want to use third-party RAW converters, then the best way to use Fuji Hyper-Utility HS-V3 is to convert the original RAW files (with '.RAF' resolution) to TIFF format with 16-bit color depth ( the output should be files of 70 megabytes each), and later TIFF files should be processed by third-party converters, such as, for example, Capture One, Lightroom and any others. The TIFF format allows you to preserve the correct color rendition (which third-party converters cannot provide), 12 MP resolution and a margin of data for easy manipulation of sources.

UPDATED: A new version of the original (count 'native') FUJIFILM RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 (powered by SILKYPIX) now digests RAW files from Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro. You can download on the official website... But it makes it noticeably worse than the original old FujiFilm Hyper-Utility HS-V3, the situation disassembled by me here.

More information about Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

  1. Review by Sergei Merkulov (2024)
  2. Review by Sasha Akimov (late 2022)
  3. Review of Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, 2021, Vadim Om + comments
  4. Stream about Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, 2021, Vadim Om + comments
  5. Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro 2021 Full Frame Review
  6. Interview about Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, 2021, Olegasphoto + Radozhiva
  7. Text review Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, 2021, Olegasphoto
  8. A detailed review of the capabilities of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro sensor, 2022, Dmitry Evtifeev
  9. An interesting feature UPGRADE Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro
  10. Another review of Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro on andrew-lazarev.com
  11. Anthem of the Camera

All Fujifilm X APS-C Interchangeable Lens Digital Mirrorless Cameras

Results

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro - camera with excellent professional ergonomics (controls like Nikon D200). The strength of the S5 Pro is sufficiently high dynamic range and pleasant color rendering... A serious drawback of the camera is the low burst speed when using a wide dynamic range - the shooting speed is only 1.5 fps. In many things the camera very much outdated.

Personally, I find the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro one of the best 'for the soul' cameras (another one is Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro). Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro - it's a legend.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.

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Comments: 958, on the topic: Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro review

  • Alexey

    JPG

  • Igor

    Good day! Recently I came across a review of this unique camera and found that now we don’t have it on the secondary market in Ukraine .. Perhaps someone has it on the shelf idle, then I’m ready to buy it for a good amount. My contact address: mammatocumulus@gmail.com

  • Novel

    Arkady good evening, please tell me if it’s not difficult for an everyday lens, I bought this device) I re-read a bunch of everything))) but you are a fan of this camera) and you know it inside and out))) I hope to help))

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Any light station wagon, usually Sigma 17-50 / 2.8 OS, Tamron 17-50 / 2.8 VC, Nikon 17-55 / 2.8 is just right.
      I often use Tokina 12-24/4 + 50/1,8

    • Dmitry Kostin

      Roman, on my own I can also advise Tokin 16-50 / 2.8, if it comes across.
      I liked this lens, I was lucky to buy it inexpensively.
      Sigma 17-50 / 2.8 is also there, but I haven’t had time to compare them yet and Sigma was bought for another camera (under D40).

  • Basil

    Good day! How to export photos in 12mp in Lightroom? Whatever I do, it exports 6mp, although it sees all 12.
    Thanks in advance!

    • Human

      I think it's worth reading the review there is specifically about this

      • Basil

        There is nothing about it there, except that it can be exported to tiff. I am not interested. I'm interested in exporting to jpeg.

      • Basil

        Yes, and I just tried it, LR typhus also exports to 6mp.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Lightroom does this automatically. For the first time I come across that LR from RAF S5 PRO only exports 6 MP.

      • Basil

        I don't know why. Previously, I had to set the resize percentage to 100% when exporting, so that 12mp was exported. Without this, the output was 6mp. Now 12mp is not exported at all (((

  • Basil

    Does anyone know how to correct autofocus in the S5 PRo? I have one lens that has a little backfocus and on all Nikons with this there is no breakdown. I couldn’t find such a menu item here ((

    • Arkady Shapoval

      no way. Only the lens itself in the service center, or a camera for this lens in the service center

    • Edward

      I suffered in the same way; shooting at aperture 1.4 was a lottery. Then, years later, he freaked out. And according to the manual from the d200, I twisted the plane of the sensors with 3 screws... rough, hard, but now with almost no mistakes... they used to send these cameras to Moscow to a craftsman, who did this through the service menu, or something like the firmware.

  • Hamlet

    Hello. I recently bought this device with a range of 1700 frames, + Nikon booster, + 2 original batteries for $280. I bought it simply because I came across it by chance and it was in new condition, in a box. I didn’t even hope that I would ever see an advertisement for the sale of this dinosaur, especially here, especially new. Before the purchase, one way or another I came across Arkady’s review several times, re-reading the already familiar text... and now I have it. I completely agree with the review, one of the few reviewers who knows this camera inside and out. Now a few words about my feelings. 1) This matrix is ​​truly unique, and in terms of overexposure it is #1 out of all/any cameras that have passed through my hands (and there were a lot of them). And I'm only talking about top-end cameras with wide DD. None of these cameras can get 3 stops out of overexposure, but Fujik can calmly, even if desired, 3.5 stops, and pull it out with details and not a gray plate. In this camera it’s the other way around; you need to properly expose the frame so as not to pull it out of the shadows and add noise, and you don’t have to worry about overexposure. It can pull 1-1.5 stops out of the shadows without noise, which is more than enough. 2) Of course, the color is correct, real, beautiful, and I don’t mean JPG from the camera, but the original after conversion to ACR. 3) The best ACR converter for it. The native converter copes much worse. Firstly, it is very crooked and slow, and secondly, strangely enough, it cannot pull out 3-3.5 stops of overexposure (the main feature of this matrix). The only thing he can do is draw fake 12 megapixels in JPG. This matrix doesn’t have them, it has 6 of them and that’s it. The second 6MP work only with lights, they have a different task. S1 sees these drawings very crookedly, both in color and tone. DXO doesn't understand them at all. This camera has two disadvantages. 1) Detailing, namely detailing and not sharpness. It has sharpness, but small details are a little blurred. They can be restored in ACR by playing with the radius in the Detail section. 2) It’s not clear why, the batteries run out quickly. And in my opinion, it’s about them, and not about the camera. To put it mildly, they are simply bad. Even after lying separately from the camera for a month, a fully charged battery turns out to be completely empty. But it charges as usual (normally) 1.5-2 hours. Well, that seems to be all. Now I’m sitting and scratching my turnips, thinking, why should I keep it or sell it?.. I know that if I sell it, I’m unlikely to buy it again in this condition, and if I leave it, what should I do with it? Maybe I’ll leave it, as Arkady said, “for the soul” ?.. I’m interested in the opinion of the owners and in particular Arkady, do you have this camera today or have you already gotten rid of it?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      You need a good lens for it. No optics - sell.

    • high society pan

      I bought it the day before yesterday.
      This is the third time in my life

    • Dmitry Kostin

      1) “I recently bought this device with a range of 1700 frames, + Nikon booster, + 2 original batteries for $280. I bought it simply because I came across it by chance and it was in new condition, in a box. ”
      You are very lucky to buy in this set and condition.
      2) “3) The best ACR converter for it. The native converter copes much worse. Firstly, he is very crooked and slow”
      I don’t agree that it’s slow and crooked. If a modern PC with an SSD and a processor, then everything is fine. It is not crooked, but rather less convenient when compared with Canon DPP or Nikon NX Studio. Hyper-Utility Software HS-V3 Version 1.1b is simply a product of its time. Just like Protroika/Propyatka. Regarding Fujay’s interpretation of the color profile, I liked SILKYPIX better, after the native converter.
      3) “1) Detailing, namely detailing and not sharpness. ”
      This is partly solved by shooting with good sharp prime lenses (not D series). Both Protroika and Propyatka “love” sharp, light lenses.
      4) “2) It’s not clear why, the batteries run out quickly. And in my opinion, it’s about them, and not about the camera.”
      They're just old. You can buy originals on Aliexpress without any problems. And then the power consumption of older cameras (especially CCD) is peculiar. Therefore, it is better to buy a couple of batteries from Aliexpress - it’s inexpensive.
      5) “Do you have this camera today or have you already gotten rid of it?”
      There are two Propyatkas (one with a camcorder (and a large viewfinder installed in the camera), the other without a camcorder) and two Protroikas (a regular and a rare BLue edition with double the amount of internal RAM).

      • Hamlet

        Thank you guys for your opinions and answers. I’ll probably keep it for myself, let it be, after all, it’s a unique thing. And as for the native converter, this is most likely true; it is simply a product of its time. But! He still cannot extract all the information from the lights, as ACR can. And SILKYPIX is a fairly good converter (for ordinary matrices), but it greatly blurs the image from the fuja, trying to squeeze 12MP out of it using some of its own algorithms, which it does very poorly.

        • Dima

          You are not the first to say that ACR is the best for him. It’s just that this converter is the most flexible in terms of adjusting lights and brightness, unlike its primitive counterparts.

          • Dmitry Kostin

            Natives are not primitive, they are a product of their time. But in terms of color interpretation, they are native reference ones. The owners of these cameras on the photo_ru forum mostly use the original program. Me too. It is peculiar and not entirely convenient, but you can work with it and it works on Windows 10 and on modern computers.

  • Albert

    Good afternoon, can anyone share HU-V3 for mac OS? Thanks in advance.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      On the root tracker Yes

      • Albert

        Thank you!

  • Arkady Shapoval

    It was 2024, the price of alcohol was rising, the reviews were getting longer https://youtu.be/mBJ3pQAQf_w?si=TBPImjXaeXgq42nu

  • Michael

    Good evening!
    Please tell me! I shoot in raw with the latest F2 preset, which should be fujichrome, but in the HyperUtility editor the fujichrome preset gives a different color and does not allow me to process the photo with the F2 camera preset. Is this how it should be? Can't process a photo with F2 color?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Try a different version of the hyper utility.
      And let me remind you that F2 does not give the entire width dd.

  • Alex

    Good day! I want to change my S5 to a more modern one. Maybe someone can tell me what will be close to it in the picture. I choose from Nikons, d750, d800e or d500.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      There are no similar ones in the picture

      • Jury

        A 850

        • Arkady Shapoval

          The camera is, of course, good. But the picture is heaven and earth. If you still haven't decided, take 850 and don't bother

    • Dmitry Kostin

      I really haven’t seen any of Nikonov. The matrix is ​​unique. Advice - better look at modern UPCs; now there are a lot of good cameras on the secondary market.
      If you need something unusual and are attracted to Fuji, then try to borrow or rent an X-T3, X-Pro3, X-T4, you might like it.

    • Alex

      Thank you for your answers. Renting is really an option to try.

    • SashOK

      I would venture to suggest that, judging by the picture and colors, the closest thing to this Fuji will be old Nikons with CCD matrices, such as D40, D70, D80.

      • Dmitry Kostin

        The D40 and D3000 aren't particularly similar. There was an opportunity to compare - I recently sold the D3000, left the D40.

    • Alex

      I bought a Lumix S5, the colors are very close.

  • Alex

    Another question about the camera. Who used multiple exposure? Why, when choosing at least 4 photos in a series, do you need to set the exposure compensation to -2? Otherwise, everything goes into overexposure. I couldn't find any multiple exposure settings.

  • Ivan

    Question for camera owners. Is it possible to charge batteries from S5 Pro (NP150) with charger for Nikon EN-EL3e?
    Has anyone done this in practice?
    There are 2 NP150 batteries. I'm looking at chargers that allow you to charge 2 batteries at the same time. If the Chinese NP150 battery can still be found, then the Chinese most likely never released a double charger for the NP150. The closest analogue (in terms of charging contacts for NP150) is Nikon EN-EL3e. And the Chinese have such chargers for two Nikon EN-EL3e.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It is forbidden. It won't work.

      • Frol

        I charge the Fuja battery with a Nikon 700 charger, where the light bulb behaves slightly differently at the end of the charge.
        Both batteries charge normally. I've been using it for a year exactly the same way, the flight is normal

    • Human

      While I didn’t have a special charger from the NP-400, I charged it with a Chinese charger from Canon lp-e17 (using paper clips and tape to make the contacts fit).

      The voltage of almost all camera batteries is the same (double 3.7-4.2V banks), so if there are no special contacts to determine the originality of charging, then you can charge with anything

  • Nox

    Hello.
    So, I’ll ask what they tried very hard to answer, but could not answer in 920 comments:
    Will a Nikon d200 battery pack with Nikon D200 batteries run the Fujifilm s5 pro?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Will not be able

      • Nox

        Thank you.
        I don’t even know if it’s worth keeping the S5 then, I’m tired of this epic with batteries. I’ll leave S3, it also has its own charm, although the controls are a little unusual for me as a die-hard Nikonist :)

      • Nox

        There is one good news. I bought a batblock with another d200 carcass. I connected the fifth to the Fuji, if you use 6 AA batteries, then the Fuji works without problems. Of course, AA batteries also don’t last very long, even with good capacity, but you can take 100 frames with 1 charge. but AA batteries are much cheaper. In general, there is a way out of the situation, I’ll leave the five in the collection

    • Dmitry Kostin

      Buy Chinese batteries (analogs of Fujikov's) on Alika and you will be happy.
      I had to do this because the original batteries were already tired. Chinese batteries with a D200 batblock work on my batteries (I have two).

      • Nox

        I bought a Chinese one some time ago. Didn't last long at all. To order from China to Germany costs 30 euros. There are 20 locally, the same Chinese ones. For a year or two, to use it once a month is somehow not a very good price (mostly I use my 15 Nikons, my Fujis are for the soul). Now I'm wondering what to do with my S5, there was some hope for a batblock and Nikon batteries

  • John Doe

    Put Off in Exposure Delay Mode,its gonna be muuuch faster

  • Hamlet

    In fact, people still don't understand the trick of this matrix. Eftifeev generally measures noise on it. The main trick of this matrix is ​​the fight against overexposure. And it really works... not in software, but physically. No modern camera can do this yet. I'll attach an example of a deliberately overexposed photo. In ACR, as if nothing else, I pulled out 3.5 stops from overexposure (I pulled out with details, not just a gray bar). I think I can pull out another stop, I haven't tried. Well, what modern camera can do that?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      None. Evtifieev and many other “gurus” have screwed up big time.

    • Rodion

      Wow! Really impressive!

  • Hamlet

    Arkady, thanks to your RAW files (downloaded, twirled, was stunned) decided to find this camera, and I was lucky, I found it. Rodion, by the way, only ACR can pull out images like this, and no other software, even the native one. The native utility is generally some kind of nonsense, exposure compensation (via the pop) for shadows +3, for highlights only -1 (and it should be at least the other way around), and also this non-disconnectable noise reduction, which kills an already not very detailed picture. In short, S5 Pro + fixed 35, 50, 85 mm and conversion is mandatory only in ACR. On a bright sunny day, you need to shoot with an exposure of -1, to get even more headroom in highlights (4 stops from overexposures and 1 stop from shadows will easily be pulled out). I'll add another example, note that the details were pulled out even from shiny curtains. To view in a larger format, open in a new tab (this is for those who do not know).

    • Arkady Shapoval

      ACR is not optimal, color and details are lost (especially if you use 12 MP, by default there are only 6). The best way is to use Fuji Hyper-Utility HS-V3 to convert the original RAW files (have the resolution '.RAF') to TIFF format with 16-bit color depth (the output files should be 70 megabytes), and then process the TIFF files with third-party converters, such as Capture One, Lightroom and any others.

      • Hamlet

        Arkady, I have already tried all this and decided for myself - the native software is in the fire. Be that as it may, details are lost in the native software because of the noise reduction, plus the native software cannot pull 4 stops from overexposure. I did not notice a special difference in color, ACR also produces excellent beautiful color, the only exception is the Fuji profiles, yes, they do not work, but I do not need it. I do not chase 12 MP, they are not in the RAW initially, so why inflate the file artificially adding information from neighboring pixels. Honest, sufficiently detailed, with beautiful SSD color and huge DD in the highlights of 6 MP pictures are enough for me. Thank you.

        • Rodion

          In my opinion, this review covers the RAV12 and XNUMX MP.

          • Arkady Shapoval

            Read? No! It's too complicated. Another would-be heeler who hasn't learned Zen and decided to ascend by having a heel.

            • Hamlet

              Arkady, with all due respect to you, there is no need to get personal. Read? Yes! It is very easy and I have read everything long ago and not only here. Although I consider your site the best, but I have only downloaded raw files from here for this camera to play with myself. Half of your article here is written about continuous shooting, which is useless on this camera. And no examples about the main feature of this camera - the widest DD, only a couple of sentences (even Rodion was surprised to see my examples). But about 12mp only... "In fact, 12.1 (12.3) megapixels in JPEG mode are 'inflated' interpolation." Note that you write about this yourself.
              ps “But still, I am of the opinion that the S5 Pro does have 12 MP, albeit with some reservations”, and I am of the opinion that the S5 Pro does have 6 MP. Millions of “flies” CAN be wrong, and I only believe my eyes. Below I have given a live example of converting the same file to ACR and HU3 (the difference is obvious). And in my opinion, the native software is “prohibited” from using for two reasons: it has a wild, non-disconnectable noise reduction, which is enabled even at ISO100, and it cannot use the entire DD of this matrix.

              • Arkady Shapoval

                And here is a tough sect of heelers, any deviation from the canon is heresy and is severely punished. There is only one reliable interpretation of this camera, to come to it, you need to meditate for 15 years over its photographs in the temples of Tibet. And alas and ah, this knowledge is not yet available to you. And as for the attitude towards me - I don't care, I have already seen thousands and thousands of similar statements and they were all false

          • Hamlet

            What exactly do you mean by this? That's what I'm talking about.
            “In fact, 12.1 (12.3) megapixels in JPEG mode are an 'inflated' interpolation. But I still hold the opinion that the S5 Pro does have 12 MP, albeit with some reservations.”

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Ahaha, that was funny

    • Dmitry Kostin

      “and also this non-disconnectable noise reduction, which kills the already not very detailed picture”
      You can set it in the camera settings: NOISE REDUCTION: ORG, not STD.
      This way the detailing is a little better.

      • Dmitry Kostin

        Here's what I mean:

      • Hamlet

        A little better – maybe, but still the picture becomes plasticine. Here is an example of converting this file with overexposure. I marked with check marks what I pay attention to. The picture from HU-3 is a little more detailed/sharper because the “sharpness” value is set to “hard”, and in ACR it is default. Yes, and the image is compressed to 2 MB, but still the difference is obvious. p.s. To stretch the picture in HU-3 I had to use curves, because there is simply no other tool there.

  • Hamlet

    ,,,

  • Hamlet

    Here he is, the new handsome guy...

  • Hamlet

    ...

  • Hamlet

    And this is a clear example, it's cool that the brightness on the doll is 100% and per channel R255 G254 B254 tone levels out of 255 possible (this is just clipping in the highlights, there is essentially no information there), but not for Fuji :)

    • Dmitry

      My God, buy yourself a modern Fuji with a couple of modern lenses, it’s not all the money in the world, and finally bury this stewardess: this camera is already 20 years old.

      • Arkady Shapoval

        modern fudge, the one that is usually on bayer and x-trans is boring. True connoisseurs use only a selected list of photographic equipment.

        • Viktre

          You can really feel the irony)
          No one argues that you can take a great shot with a cheap old DSLR even today. If it works, of course))
          But the same person will shoot the same thing with a modern camera, only it will be more convenient, in some cases incomparably more convenient.
          Well, if the goal itself is to buy an old camera, then it will be like “collect moments, not things”, a local comrade with the first 1ds))

          • Arkady Shapoval

            There is only one irony, the best camera is Nikon D40

            • Oleg

              S-95, you can put it in your pocket

              • Arkady Shapoval

                200+mp phone too

              • Oleg

                There is no ccd sensor in the phone

  • Hamlet

    ...and off we go. Guys, understand, I don't care about other people's opinions, I do it the way I need to, and in the comment I just wanted to show (since this is not in the review, and this is the main feature of this camera) what this matrix can do in a pair with ACR, which no other camera in the world can do today. You can shoot with this camera on a bright sunny day, without worrying about overexposure at all.

    • Dmitry

      Well, it's clear that on an ancient heel, by dancing with a tambourine, you can pull something out of overexposures (if you close your eyes to the fact that there is magenta crawling out of strong overexposures). I myself once played with overexposed heel RAWs for fun. But why shoot with overexposures at all? You take a modern camera, shoot with the correct exposure, and RAWs on cameras now are rubbery, 14+ EV DD, if you want, in the same ACR you can assemble a whole eye-popping HDR from one RAW.

      • Arkady Shapoval

        Magenta only comes up when picking at the ACR (the same LR works on it) and other developers. With the approach described in the review (RAW->TIFF->JPEG) the problem goes away. We come to the same thing - third-party converters and little experience (no offense). Propyatka and Protroika are very unique and specific. Yes, of course, now any phone will give a decent DD. The point is not that the modern photo industry can, but that there was something else, unique and forgotten, still not understood by many

    • Arkady Shapoval

      it's in the review, no need to polemicize about it here + there are links to my other reviews of the spit, it's the same there, just verbatim "The main features of the image quality are: good color (thanks to the CCD S-pixels), good dynamic range (thanks to the R-pixels) and very low noise at low ISO values." But what, I'm repeating myself, right?
      ACR does not give that very magic color, significantly worse takes a picture to 12 MP, the user is completely deprived of specially sharpened sets of f1a, f1b, f1c. And you just throw away the development embedded in this camera, namely the subpixels of the heel have a special octagonal shape and are rotated by 45 degrees. This structure allows you to effectively use interpolation and get pictures at 12 MP. Due to the unusual structure and arrangement of subpixels in the form of a polygonal structure, vaguely similar to silver grains in photographic film, the resulting image has its own "character". The technology of octagonal pixels originates in the early 2000s, with the release of Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro. Of course, 12 MP is an inflated interpolation, but at the output, in the best case, we can talk about "honest" 8-10 MP, but not about 12 MP (if compared with cameras built on the basis of classic CMOS or CCD sensors). An additional 2-4 MP, especially in 2004-2006, was very important. Considering that detailing, including, is lame and because of the thick anti-moire filter, every MP counts. This structure is shown here in the review, but many users, including you, focus their attention only on the presence of S-pixels for shooting in highlights, forgetting about other unique features of the camera. I am not here for the sake of a catchy phrase, I just like to destroy the paradigm of the classic bayer, beyond which many do not see anything

  • Arkady Shapoval

    Another video, a hymn to the camera https://youtu.be/cWW4CYUEzcI

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English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2012/05/obzor-fujifilm-finepix-s5-pro/

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