Fuji S5 Vs D700 ( people have both cameras welcome to share comments)

Adoubeur wrote:

Hi,

I'm a professional photographer (wedding and portraits) and I've been working with a D700 and a S5 Pro for a while, before totally switching to the Fuji X system in 2014 (I'm currently working with 2 X-T2.

The D700 is a beast : very quick (AF, etc.), very good high ISO, etc. Great viewfinder too.

The S5 Pro has a similar body, but :

- the viewfinder is really smaller

- it's really slower (AF, viewing the pictures on the screen...)

- you can't fine tune the optics if you have front or back focus (you can with the D700)

- back screen is really bad and doesn't give you a good idea of the picture you've taken

Though, if I had to take one of these bodies today, I would take a Fuji S5 Pro.

Why ? Mainly for two reasons :

- The colours, especially the skin tones. There is something magical with the colours produced by the Fuji S5, and the D700 is not even close (in my opinion). This is also one of the reasons why I've switched to the Fuji X system.

- The dynamic range. It's amazing how you can recover burnt highlights with the S5, even on JPGs !

I also prefer the softer rendering of the S5, which suits portraits perfectly. This camera is special, it gives a "soul" to the pictures it produces.

Of course, the D700 is a way better camera overall. But it doesn't have this "magic".

It's a very subjective matter, of course !

Thank you for the answer. The " problem" now for me i will have 3 systems. but with different lenses. I agree with you that with my first photoshoot with the fuji S5 already pass my expectations . It feels like a beast on hands but i like this. compare to my em10 viewfinder is bigger and is pleasant for me to shoot with optical viewfinder. About the screen your absolutely correct. is very difficult to see the pictures especially in bright light.but i have to admit that i like this. It makes me to work and think more like a photographer and try to do the best trough the manual controls. This i like on this camera is that you dont have to enter the main screen to work. physical buttons is everywhere . generally i am very happy with the camera. About the Nikon D700 my feelings is mix now. fuji cost me around 250 euro with a lens (28-200 af-d) with low shutter count.  Nikon cost me  600 with 24-120 f3.5-5.6 lens  that i plan to sell those lenses if they are not sharp  with nikon d700. so if the fuji will stay in my bag i have 2 options . Or to sell or to keep the D700:)