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S2 Battery Issue, Etc

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larrytusaz

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I already have a Nikon d-SLR (D40) and a couple of Nikon lenses, one of them AF-S. I am considering a Finepix S2 Pro as a secondary, supplement. Yes I realize it's an old design, but one has appeared for sale locally for $200, with a sensor cleaning thrown it they say.

Besides the obvious questions of "should I do that or go for a brand-new D40/D50 body" etc I have these questions:

(1) The S2 Pro does support AF-S and VR lenses, correct?

(2) Any "issues" with the S2? I thought I had heard of CCD failure or something like that.

(3) The main question I have concerns the "dual halves" batteries, the need for AAs for the digital side and the CR123A for the photographic side (autofocus etc). Did they ever come up with a way around this, rechargeable CR123A's or the like, or has that always been an issue and still is?

Any other tips, etc?

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/
 
The S2 will work with AF-S and VR, no problem. It doesn't meter with older non-CPU lenses.

There were a couple of recalls during the S2's carreer. I sent mine in for replacement of a power switch circuit component. Fuji released a serial number series for the recall. Fuji sent me a brand new DSLR upon receipt of my recalled body.

There have been sensor failures and if memory serves Fuji had a list of suspect bodies for sensor failures. I've seen reports here of Fuji replacing failed sensors out of warranty, but I'd advise you to try and search the archives here and at other forums to see if you can find lists of suspect serial numbers. But perhaps the camera you're considering has already been serviced.

--
BJN
 
The S2 is a very fine camera. Its very easy to use and if you shoot RAW its IQ is still up there with the best. For $200 its a no brainer. They are selling used for more than twice that amount in the UK. You can clean the sensor yourself, but will need a mains adaptor to do this safely. The image quality and colours are very different to those you will obtain from a Nikon body. Its like having a choice of film stock and you will find this a big advantage.

Yes the S2 does support AF-S and VR lenses.

CCD failure has been a problem with a specific batch of bodies. If you do a search here, you should find a reference to a list of vulnerable serial numbers. Fuji are aware of the problem and will (still) generally replace failed sensors free of charge. But don't quote me, as some have had to pay. I have had two S2s and both have been rock solid reliable.

The dual halve battery system can sometimes be a pain. Once you are used to it, you will forget about the issue and enjoy the camera. But once in a while you will find the camera has stopped working while in its case. You will then need to recharge the batteries and replace the CR123s. Some S2's will work with only the AAs; others need the CR123s to work. The manual won't tell you that. Users have found out through experience. I've had two bodies, and one would work without the CR123s and one would not. If the dual system worries you, then you can always buy a cheap Chinese battery grip, which will eliminate the CR123s and allow you to use only AAs. Some people prefer using AAs to rechargeable batteries as in Nikon cameras, as they can always buy fresh batteries anywhere in the world. Personally, I prefer the Nikon system.

The S2 is a great JPG camera (much better than any of the Nikons I've used, including the D200). Even so, you will get the best results using RAW files. Like many others, I do not like the Fuji RAW file conversion software (called Hyperutility). Instead I use Adobe Photoshop CS2, which I have found to be the most capable software for this camera.

If you shoot RAW, you can extract extra DR from the camera by manipulating the curves on the 4th tab of Adobe RAW converter. Not many people seem to know about this, and I have found no other way to extract this extra DR. By this means, you can generally recover blown highlights &c. It gives the S2 as much DR as the best of the Nikons short of the D2x &c.

One point about flash. The S2 flash system is unique. Its very good, but not quite as good as Nikon's iTTL system. Its a variant of the DTTL found on the D100, but its very much better, especially when using wireless flash. With the S2 you can trigger a wireless flash using the flash on top of the camera, and the camera will shorten the shutter when it has received enough light from the two flashes combined. It can give excellent results. Its not reliable enough for pro wedding photography (which is why some knock it), but it will allow you to get great photos using older, cheaper Nikon speedlights than the SB-600 or SB-800.

I hope this will encourage you to buy an S2 and with your eyes wide open to its quirks. I am sure you will not regret your decision.

S.
 
Thanks for the tips. For $200 I thought it was a no-brainer too. It would give me (a) a second body and also (b) ability to autofocus with non-AF-S lenses (if you know about the D40 controversy there).

One quick thing--I assume the S2 Pro is not compatible with DX-lenses, correct?

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/
 
Absolutely, the S2 certainly is compatible with DX lenses, and with older AF lenses. I will not meter with the older manual lenses however.

I forgot to mention that S2 colours have a slight green tint. Its easily corrected in Photoshop, and won't bother you most of the time, but its definitely there.

By the way, looking at your lenses, I strongly suggest you sell on both your Nikon 28-80mmD and Sigma 70-300 APO and replace them with a Nikon 55-200mmG or preferably the new VR version. You will find this a very significant upgrade and it won't cost you very much.

S.
--
Wait, watch, listen, then pounce !
 
Stoker98 said:
One point about flash. The S2 flash system is unique. Its very
good, but not quite as good as Nikon's iTTL system. Its a variant of
the DTTL found on the D100, but its very much better, especially when
using wireless flash. With the S2 you can trigger a wireless flash
using the flash on top of the camera, and the camera will shorten the
shutter when it has received enough light from the two flashes
combined. It can give excellent results. Its not reliable enough
for pro wedding photography (which is why some knock it), but it will
allow you to get great photos using older, cheaper Nikon speedlights
than the SB-600 or SB-800.
Click to expand...
iirc , S2 uses normal TTL flash directly adopted from the F80 body.
So its not actually a variant of DTTL and actually much better .
 
Thanks for putting me right. Its nice we agree how good the S2 system is. I have a D100 also, whose flash system is a pain by comparison.

S.
--
Wait, watch, listen, then pounce !
 
Update: I had not heard back from the person as per the S2's availability, if someone had beat me to it. Well no one had, and we made the deal, so an S2 is on its way.

In fact, as this person is a photographer by trade who updated to the Nikon D80 (hence the sale), they are taking the camera to a camera shop to have the sensor cleaned, as a courtesy. Also throwing in a 512 Meg Compact Flash and card reader--not worth much, I know, but handy.

Anyway.

A few questions I have. First, I realize that the S2 flash system is different, not only obviously is it not the new i-TTL, but in fact it isn't even the same d-TTL that the D100 (its chief counterpart at the time) did. How does it work exactly--that is, I hear that it will wirelessly fire flashes with its built-in. I imagine it does this with flashes like (say) the SB-50DX. How about flashes like (say) the Sunpak PZ5000AF, which I used to use with my Nikon N80 35mm SLR; it worked in "classic" TTL, not "3D Matrix TTL" mode. Would that be somewhat how it would work with the S2?

Also, obviously, I can't expect the speed of this camera to match a newer model. That said, I am in the habit of magnifying images in playback mode with my D40, in order to check fine detail like (say) hair or foledge for focusing accuracy. How feasible would it still be to do this with the S2? I imagine the controls utilized will be different, but I'm referring to speed of operation more than anything else.

Also, I assume this model does NOT have a sensor for auto-rotating vertical shots, am I right?

I realize this is a much older model and I can't expect it to be like (say) the Nikon D70 or D50 etc, just wanted to make sure I understood everything. One thing I have heard clarified is that the camera will operate 100% with only the AAs (with the CR123A missing) just without the built-in popup flash.

Other tips etc?

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/
 
Well done on your purchase.

I think you are right about the flash. You will need to read the S2 manual to find out exactly how to use it, and can get this from the Fuji website. I imagine that the S2 would work in classic TTL mode with any TTL flash, although for 3D matrix or wireless operation it will work best with the SB-50dx, SB-28dx, SB-80dx, and the SB-600 or SB-800. Its a very good flash system indeed - the best out there in fact before Nikon introduced the iTTL system, which is more reliable. Maybe someone else can comment on this point?

Yes, you can magnify images in playback mode to check fine detail.

"I realize this is a much older model and I can't expect it to be like (say) the Nikon D70 or D50 etc, just wanted to make sure I understood everything."

You will find the S2 sluggish compared to the D70; otherwise it shares many of its features, as both cameras are based loosely on the F80/N80. But the S2 menu system is better, and so too are the images it produces. If you extrapolate to 12mpix, you will also obtain a bit more resolution (8 mpix equivalent). Feel free to come back here with questions on post processing. Its very different to the D70 for instance, and for the best results, you will benefit from learning three-stage sharpening techniques.

"One thing I have heard clarified is that the camera will operate 100% with only the AAs (with the CR123A missing) just without the built-in popup flash."

This is what the manual says, but its plain wrong. The truth of the matter is that some S2s will work with just the AAs (without flash), but some will NOT. You will find this confirmed in past threads on this board. I have had two S2s. The first would work without CR123s. My present camera will not. If the CR123s are flat, the camera is completely dead.

Other tips etc?
Carry spare batteries with you: both kinds.

If you are shooting something important like a wedding, use a battery grip. Shoot raw and use ORG, ORG, OFF.
Learn how to set the white balance.
Use good lenses if shooting in low light.

Some Nikon lenses do not focus so well with the S2 as they do with a Nikon body. You will be unlucky if this proves to be an immediate problem, so I did not mention it before. However, its as well to be aware of this just in case it crops up. I have no idea why this should be the case - but its something I have observed with my camera, and others on this board have found the same.

Downloading to computer using a cable is very timeconsuming. Its best to take out the card and use a USB2 card reader. USB1 readers are also too slow.

You will need an appropriate ever ready case. I use a Lowpro TLZ1 with the internal partitions removed, and the camera fits this very neatly.

That's all I can think of. Good luck with your purchase.

S.
--
Wait, watch, listen, then pounce !
 
My S2 experiences:

The flash works good, but requires some practice. Switch to spot metering mode, which will activate true TTL. Be aware of your subjects. Another option that works well is Auto aperture. Both are fairly consistent with flash in my experience. The best flash is the SB-800 for the S2 Pro, even if the S2 Pro won't use the i-TTL featues of the flash; the SB-800 is nicely backwards compatible.

The S2 Pro will work wirelessly with flashes that are SU-4 compatible.

I used to zoom in all the time on the LCD to check focus. Shouldn't be a big deal.

There's no auto-rotation sensor. That came on the S3 Pro.

You're a lucky guy. Oh a couple of other tips:

1) make sure the LCD brightness is turned down. The default brightness was always too high.
2) turn off closest focusing priorities.

3) for me, best color came from Org-color; Org-tone; Std-sharpness (hard sharpness to print right from the file; sharpness off for lots of post processing room).

Anthony
larrytusaz said:
Update: I had not heard back from the person as per the S2's
availability, if someone had beat me to it. Well no one had, and we
made the deal, so an S2 is on its way.

In fact, as this person is a photographer by trade who updated to the
Nikon D80 (hence the sale), they are taking the camera to a camera
shop to have the sensor cleaned, as a courtesy. Also throwing in a
512 Meg Compact Flash and card reader--not worth much, I know, but
handy.

Anyway.

A few questions I have. First, I realize that the S2 flash system is
different, not only obviously is it not the new i-TTL, but in fact it
isn't even the same d-TTL that the D100 (its chief counterpart at the
time) did. How does it work exactly--that is, I hear that it will
wirelessly fire flashes with its built-in. I imagine it does this
with flashes like (say) the SB-50DX. How about flashes like (say) the
Sunpak PZ5000AF, which I used to use with my Nikon N80 35mm SLR; it
worked in "classic" TTL, not "3D Matrix TTL" mode. Would that be
somewhat how it would work with the S2?

Also, obviously, I can't expect the speed of this camera to match a
newer model. That said, I am in the habit of magnifying images in
playback mode with my D40, in order to check fine detail like (say)
hair or foledge for focusing accuracy. How feasible would it still be
to do this with the S2? I imagine the controls utilized will be
different, but I'm referring to speed of operation more than anything
else.

Also, I assume this model does NOT have a sensor for auto-rotating
vertical shots, am I right?

I realize this is a much older model and I can't expect it to be like
(say) the Nikon D70 or D50 etc, just wanted to make sure I understood
everything. One thing I have heard clarified is that the camera will
operate 100% with only the AAs (with the CR123A missing) just without
the built-in popup flash.

Other tips etc?

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/
Click to expand...
--
check out my blog at http://anthonyonphotography.blogspot.com
 
I will keep the tips in mind. One other thing--I plan to shoot almost 100% RAW with it, but I don't have any form of Photoshop other than PS7 (ancient), no CS2 no Adobe Camera RAW. That said, I also have Pixmantec RAW Shooter Essentials 2006, the last version of that software before it became Adobe Lightroom. It worked with my Nikon D50 with RAW shots (it was updated up to the Nikon D200 or Canon 5D if I recall) so it should be able to handle the Fuji RAF files.

It is nice to know that the S2 Pro will fire wirelessly with any SU-4 compatible flash. I don't know if I will find such a flash low-priced (like, say, the Nikon SB-28), but it's nice to know that the ability is there out-of-box, or that I could use a cheap but capable flash like (say) the Sunpak PZ4000AF and get TTL and linkage to the camera's ISO settings with it (I'd have to get the more expensive SB-600/SB-800 to get that with my D40). And yes I know about the ISO 400 limitation.

It is true, I am very lucky to be able to get this for only $200. It's from a professional photographer who upgraded to the Nikon D80 (I thought it might've been the S3 or S5 Pro, but no.) She is even having the sensor cleaned by a camera shop, and throwing in a Compact Flash card reader, and the boxes and cords.

Someone else was offering me the Sony H2 (12x megazoom p/s) for $200, which was reasonable, but to get this d-SLR for the same money--heck with that.

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/
 
Stoker98 said:
Yes, you can magnify images in playback mode to check fine detail.
Click to expand...
Really? Dang. I've owned my S2 for years...didn't know I could do that! How? Do tell, do tell.

Shame on me...thought I had all the bells and whistles figured out....
 
Well, congrats on your new S2! When it is operating properly, it's images are right up there with the best of them. My sensor died... had a mack camera warranty so it was replaced for free. Right now it's in the shop for a malfunctioning shutter (sticky) and it is costing me $225 to fix.

I had to think about if I wanted to spend that on the old beast... and I do want a D300 for other reasons.... but have remembered all of the brilliant images I have taken with it over the years and decided...yes, it is worth fixing!

It's in the shop right now and I feel like someone cut off my right arm...
 
Can combination of S2pro with SB600 create wireless flash?
Mind you, just got my S2pro a week ago..:)
 
Hi Hussin,

Yes you can use the SB-600 as a wireless flash with the S2. Just set the flash to SU-4 mode, then trigger the camera flash, and the SB-600 should be triggered also. You should however read the manual to make sure you understand all the different modes.

S.
--
Wait, watch, listen, then pounce !
 
The S2 does not have a wireless flash commander, as this only applies to the DTTL and iTTL flash systems. When the camera flashes, the wireless flash responds by flashing, and the camera closes the shutter when it has received sufficient light for the exposure.

S.
--
Wait, watch, listen, then pounce !
 
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