Fuji S5 Pro in 2018... Madness?

Bernie Ess wrote:

I will - when I have time - make some side to side shootings with my S3/S5 and my X-H1or X-T3 to find out how close the new ones can get to the output of the old sensors.

Please do, it would be very interesting.

Do you know anything more specific about what makes the CCD files different from cmos?

There is lots of information about ccd vs. cmos - a short example https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cameras-photography/digital/question362.htm

Bernie Ess wrote:

Giovanni_1968 wrote:

besides the intrinsic qualities of a CCD vs a C-MOS

I just recently bought myself a used S5pro and - more out of nostalgy - an S2pro. I still have an S3pro. All three delivered me excellent (!) pictures with almost magic colors.

I believe it is almost excluded that Fuji - or any other manufacturer - will restart to develop CCDs. Their development virtually stopped around 2005 or 06. I guess the manufacturing lines have dissappeared, as has research, and the expertise, as universally it is considered that cmos are the better alternative. Or is it only cheaper to make?

I will - when I have time - make some side to side shootings with my S3/S5 and my X-H1or X-T3 to find out how close the new ones can get to the output of the old sensors.

Do you know anything more specific about what makes the CCD files different from cmos?

Yes it will be interesting to see comparisons of fuji s5 with the newer fuji cameras. you can take several shots including some portraits ( because s5 is famous for the skin color too. About the sensor some information i found  " Fuji's Super CCD SR Pro imaging sensor dedicates two photodetectors to each captured pixel. In the S5 Pro, there are 6.17 million of what Fuji calls "S-pixels," which are larger than their corresponding R-pixels and have a higher sensitivity to light. There are also 6.17 million R-pixels, which have a lower sensitivity to light and are better suited to record highlights. Data from both types of pixel is combined during image processing to extend the dynamic range--the range of brightness values in your scene, from the brightest highlight to the darkest shadow, that you can capture with discernable detail in your image. Most of the benefit of Fuji's sensor can be seen in increased highlight detail. To the untrained eye, the difference will be subtle, but if you've been annoyed by blown highlights in the past, this may help you. As with the live preview, studio shooters will likely appreciate this more than most sports shooters would. There are five levels of dynamic range expansion available in the S5 Pro. If you turn expansion off, the camera turns off the R-pixels and uses only the S-pixels to capture images"

It has always been a hard debate at how many MP the S5Pro sensor was, as said above it is a 6+6MP as by Fuji statement, 6M photoreceptors of which dedicated to HighLights and, to my memory, active till ISO1.200 which, on the S5Pro, was already way out of the acceptable noise range.

The colors of the S-CCD and X-Trans can't be compared at all, the S-CCD did best with very wide DR scenes and that's why wedding photographers loved it, you could get both the shadows in the groom dress as well as the highlights in the bride's and with some adjustment in post processing you get amazing results.

Again, to my memory, but it can easily be verified, at the time the only camera which could match the S5Pro dynamic range was the just released Full Frame Nikon D3.

I still own the S5Pro and I am taking it out once in a while recently since my D800 passed away and the X-PRo1 doesn't really excite me that much and I can tell its colors and skin tones still have a space in my hearth but the camera has a lot of drawbacks even if you think at when it was released, a super slow buffer, a ridiculous burst, even the review times on the rear screen were ridiculously slow but... those colors.

I never used it for landscape, well, back then I wasn't that good at photography at all nor I had wide angle lensed to capture wide scenes so I can't tell how does it do on such territory but faces were its bread and butter, not natural, be it clear, skin tones were maybe little too saturated (aldo depending on which Film Simulation being used) and kind smooth which, nowadays is sure not the aim with the tack-sharp trend being on top of every photographer's list but to me it still does good in its field especially coupled with old D lenses, I recently got a beautiful 85/1.4D but I have yet no subjects to test it but off the few shots it does really well and I have fond memories off of that camera

Bernie Ess wrote:

Giovanni_1968 wrote:

besides the intrinsic qualities of a CCD vs a C-MOS

I just recently bought myself a used S5pro and - more out of nostalgy - an S2pro. I still have an S3pro. All three delivered me excellent (!) pictures with almost magic colors.

I believe it is almost excluded that Fuji - or any other manufacturer - will restart to develop CCDs. Their development virtually stopped around 2005 or 06. I guess the manufacturing lines have dissappeared, as has research, and the expertise, as universally it is considered that cmos are the better alternative. Or is it only cheaper to make?

I will - when I have time - make some side to side shootings with my S3/S5 and my X-H1or X-T3 to find out how close the new ones can get to the output of the old sensors.

Do you know anything more specific about what makes the CCD files different from cmos?

Nice, I'm surprised someone owning X-H1or X-T3 ( X-Trans™* CMOS 4 ) complimenting S5 Pro output in 2020! I think it's not just the CCD technology but the color array from S5 - Super CCD SR Pro. Comparing both old and new technology today, I think it's fair to say Fuji has done well improvising Bayer's CFA during the CCD era.

I'm too, hoping for a CCD v.2 breakthrough from the manufacturers (a faint hope on ON Semiconductors) but seems the fashion now is more about Organic BS CMOS. You can also find alot written about CCD and CMOS online. Different technology and CCD is more superior indeed. Read somewhere CCD iso100 is equivalent to today's CMOS iso400. and that's why I do advocate that a Fuji Super CCD HR/SR camera capable of solid ISO 3200 + a modern f0.95 lens should generally work well for daily stuff.

CCD works great outdoor with good daylight. Generally I'll bring a CCD cam for the day if be at the park or under the sun with my kids. iso100 is good enough until sunset. For my eyes closest to CCD and skin tone today will be Panasonic Live-MOS, Sigma Foveon and Fuji's X100 first version EXR sensor.

I still don't feel Bayer CFA is compatible with CMOS technology, but rather X-Trans? or Foveon a better fit. Foveon act and resembles CCD in many ways (well, high power and below iso 400 ). And I'm very close getting my S5 Pro... after reading your post and this !

https://www.dcviews.com/reviews/Sigma-SD14-Fuji-S5/Sigma-SD14-Fuji-S5-review.htm
--
Just another average Joe camera collector from Asia

The Davinator wrote:

No. The tested specs are fact. The S5 was long ago surpassed in DR. Your eyes are simply covered with rose coloured glasses.

Nothing contributes to nostalgia like a dimming memory..
That said, I'm seeing some pretty nice images in this thread out of the S5.

some photos with the fuji s5

The X-T1 performs better with the option for optically superior and more flexible lenses. From someone who's owned both. Plus no problems getting batteries and other accessories. While I did enjoy the S/2/3/5 bodies, I've moved on and recommend that same to others.

TwoMetreBill wrote:

The X-T1 performs better with the option for optically superior and more flexible lenses. From someone who's owned both. Plus no problems getting batteries and other accessories. While I did enjoy the S/2/3/5 bodies, I've moved on and recommend that same to others.

These pictures are not taken by me I found them on a Fuji thread. One is taken with S3 pro the other with X-T1. Please feel free to comment and express your opinions.

bobogdan78 wrote:

TwoMetreBill wrote:

The X-T1 performs better with the option for optically superior and more flexible lenses. From someone who's owned both. Plus no problems getting batteries and other accessories. While I did enjoy the S/2/3/5 bodies, I've moved on and recommend that same to others.

These pictures are not taken by me I found them on a Fuji thread. One is taken with S3 pro the other with X-T1. Please feel free to comment and express your opinions.

I like more the image taken by fuji s3.  it looks more realistic to me and is like you are there and watching. with the xt1 image is just a photo, not realistic not alive.