Fuji S2, S3 or S5 PRO?? Assistance Needed!

mistermejia wrote:

chooflaki wrote:

mistermejia wrote:

Hi everyone,

i went to the used camera show this morning, and i found ZERO, 0, ZIPPO, NADA, no Fuji S5 cameras whatsoever, not even an S3. I was very disappointed.

The are nome S5 on craigslist around my area either, the only ones are in ebay. Have any of you or would you buy a camera on ebay? I am very scared to do that!

The second option is to just buy my friend's S3 with around 20-30K actuations for $200 dollars. My main concern about the S3 is the VIEW FINDER, is the view finder really that smaller from the S5??? Will i notice a BIG difference between let's say, a D7000 which i just sold recently.

I know about three years ago i bought a Nikon D60 and i returned it the next day because that view finder was a JOKE! Way too small! Is the Fuji S3 viewfinder as small as a D60 let's say??

Will appreciate your suggestions and thoughts on this

Hi, I have bought lots and lots of camera gear on Ebay for many years including my S3 body with very few problems. Is not as scary as you think. There seems to be quite a few good S5 examples there at the moment. Some with low actuations. Many amateur photographers sell on Ebay because they get better prices than selling local, trading in or selling to dealers. Ebay is a huge marketplace. Nothing sinister.

Usual golden rules apply.

Check out seller feedback carefully, return policy, scrutinise listing and photos thoroughly and ask all the appropriate questions. And only pay with Paypal.

I don't think the S3 viewfinder will be suitable for your requirements.

Good luck

So by that do you mean that the view finder on the S3 IS too small or much smaller than the S5?

If in fact the view finder is too small, than i will skip it for sure. Please confirm. Thanks chooflaki.

Regarding my MF Rokinon lens i could just sell that and get a AF lens for the S3, that's not a problem, adjustments can always be made so that shouldn't be a problem, but if indeed the viewfinder is too small, then i will have to get the S5.

The finder is smaller on the S3. I would not say it is terrible but far more suited for AF lenses. The S3 was not designed to use with manual lenses. I don't use any manual lenses on the S3.  I have the Samyang 85mm f1.4 which should be identical to your Rokinon and it is very difficult to focus wide open. The the bigger the screen the better. This is an extreme lens and some sort of focus assist above what standard DSLR's provide are helpful to get more reliable shots. I have changed the matte glass screen on one of my S5's to a split prism type to get critical focus when used wide open. The green focus confirmation light on the S5 as I suspect with all Nikon cameras is not reliable enough with critical fine manual focussing at F1.4. You will also be ale to meter and use aperture priority with the Rokinon on the S5. I would suggest you should go for that.