Thinking of getting a Fuji S5 Pro, and have some questions

Hello everyone,

Hope you are well.

I'm thinking of getting a Fuji S5 Pro, and I wanted to ask the owners here something. Can I use any Nikon DX / FX lenses with it, incl. Tamron / Sigma lenses? Will the Sigma Art / Contemporary lenses work with S5 Pro?

Also, do I need to find a  small 8GB CF card or will a 32 / 64 / 128GB CF card will work?

My understanding is that the sensor is 6MP but will produce a 12MP file, is that by default? Are there options to choose if I want 12mp or 6mp files?

Many thanks in advance. Stay well.

I just sold an S5 pro and its a very enjoyable camera to use.  This time around i used a nikon 35mm F1.8G lens, but the last time i bought an S5 pro it came with a 28-70 tamron f2.8 (older tamron)   You should expect about an 8MP equivalent in IQ.  it has a strong AA filter.

I have doubts it will be able to read a 32gb+ CF card, i found an old 1gb card from a cisco router that i used -- then i transferred the images via USB cable so i didnt need to buy a CF reader.

Manzur Fahim wrote:

Hello everyone,

Hope you are well.

I'm thinking of getting a Fuji S5 Pro, and I wanted to ask the owners here something. Can I use any Nikon DX / FX lenses with it, incl. Tamron / Sigma lenses? Will the Sigma Art / Contemporary lenses work with S5 Pro?

Also, do I need to find a small 8GB CF card or will a 32 / 64 / 128GB CF card will work?

My understanding is that the sensor is 6MP but will produce a 12MP file, is that by default? Are there options to choose if I want 12mp or 6mp files?

Many thanks in advance. Stay well.

Hi:

The S5 will auto focus with any AFS and AFD Nikkor (has a built in focus motor) plus third party F mount lenses. The body also meters with old school AI/AIs manual focus lenses.

I use the SanDisk Ultra 16GB CF card which works perfectly, available at B&H/Amazon. Folks at Flickr have not reported problems with 32/64 GB cards but have not used them.

I set the camera to "fine" plus "large" which will produce a 12MP file but the resolution is a bit lower. It is best to set the noise reduction off, "ORG" in the menu.

One thing that helped me quite a bit was to invest time reading the old posts in the Flickr discussion group as there is a wealth of information on the S5.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/fujis5/

The body should be loaded with at least firmware version 1.09 which seems to be the favorite. The last, 1.12 is available from Fuji.

Have fun with the new toy.

Serge

Manzur Fahim wrote:

I'm thinking of getting a Fuji S5 Pro, and I wanted to ask the owners here something. Can I use any Nikon DX / FX lenses with it, incl. Tamron / Sigma lenses? Will the Sigma Art / Contemporary lenses work with S5 Pro?

The Fujifilm S5 Pro is based on the Nikon D200 body, so there are compatibility issues with some of the latest lens technologies. As I understand it electronic diaphragm (Nikkor E and equivalent independent) lenses will only work at full aperture. Nikkor AF-P (or independent) lenses with pulse/stepping motors can't be focussed automatically or manually.  There may be other restrictions?

Serge 07 wrote:

Hi:

The S5 will auto focus with any AFS and AFD Nikkor (has a built in focus motor) plus third party F mount lenses. The body also meters with old school AI/AIs manual focus lenses.

I use the SanDisk Ultra 16GB CF card which works perfectly, available at B&H/Amazon. Folks at Flickr have not reported problems with 32/64 GB cards but have not used them.

I set the camera to "fine" plus "large" which will produce a 12MP file but the resolution is a bit lower. It is best to set the noise reduction off, "ORG" in the menu.

One thing that helped me quite a bit was to invest time reading the old posts in the Flickr discussion group as there is a wealth of information on the S5.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/fujis5/

The body should be loaded with at least firmware version 1.09 which seems to be the favorite. The last, 1.12 is available from Fuji.

Have fun with the new toy.

Serge

Thank you very much Serge, much appreciated. That is a lot of good information and I will definitely check out the flickr link.

I was lookimg for a decent condition S5 Pro for some time, and I found one, and also a S2 Pro for only $20 so I got the S2 Pro as well. Have you used S2 Pro?

When you say the resolution is a bit lower, you mean there is a visible IQ loss or just the file dimension?

I am thinking of getting the Nikon 85 or 50mm F1.4D or G, they should be more than enough to resolve that sensor.

Now I need to find out what sort of battery they need and buy some 3rd party ones.

Mamy thanks again and stay well.

Buttons252 wrote:

I just sold an S5 pro and its a very enjoyable camera to use. This time around i used a nikon 35mm F1.8G lens, but the last time i bought an S5 pro it came with a 28-70 tamron f2.8 (older tamron) You should expect about an 8MP equivalent in IQ. it has a strong AA filter.

I have doubts it will be able to read a 32gb+ CF card, i found an old 1gb card from a cisco router that i used -- then i transferred the images via USB cable so i didnt need to buy a CF reader.

Thank you very much. I ended up buying S5 Pro and S2 Pro hahaha, gonna have some fun with them once they arrive. I am thinking of getting the 85 or 50mm F1.4 D or G.

I only have some 32GB cards, maybe I should get a small one just to be safe.

Stay well.

DMillier wrote:

The s5Pro is a 6MP sensor with a strong AA filter. This makes it good at suppressing colour moire.

It has an unusual arrangement of the photosites. Not only does it have a set of highlight photosites to extend dynamic range, it also has a rotated pattern. This rotation causes the jiggery-pokery that results in the 12MP file sizes. This rotation doesn't improve resolution at all, it just results in larger files. You can safely choose the Medium 6MP files, there is no loss in doing this.

What the rotation actually does is orientate the pixels to maximise resolution in the vertical and horizontal directions at the cost of reducing the diagonal resolution. In effect, it increases resolution slightly for your average photo (people say to about 8MP equivalent) but if you have important subject matter aligned on diagonals it will suffer a drop in resolution. It's not a bad compromise for many photos.

This is very interesting, I need to read more about this. I love unusual technologies.

Manzur Fahim wrote:

Serge 07 wrote:

Hi:

The S5 will auto focus with any AFS and AFD Nikkor (has a built in focus motor) plus third party F mount lenses. The body also meters with old school AI/AIs manual focus lenses.

I use the SanDisk Ultra 16GB CF card which works perfectly, available at B&H/Amazon. Folks at Flickr have not reported problems with 32/64 GB cards but have not used them.

I set the camera to "fine" plus "large" which will produce a 12MP file but the resolution is a bit lower. It is best to set the noise reduction off, "ORG" in the menu.

One thing that helped me quite a bit was to invest time reading the old posts in the Flickr discussion group as there is a wealth of information on the S5.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/fujis5/

The body should be loaded with at least firmware version 1.09 which seems to be the favorite. The last, 1.12 is available from Fuji.

Have fun with the new toy.

Serge

Thank you very much Serge, much appreciated. That is a lot of good information and I will definitely check out the flickr link.

I was lookimg for a decent condition S5 Pro for some time, and I found one, and also a S2 Pro for only $20 so I got the S2 Pro as well. Have you used S2 Pro?

When you say the resolution is a bit lower, you mean there is a visible IQ loss or just the file dimension?

I am thinking of getting the Nikon 85 or 50mm F1.4D or G, they should be more than enough to resolve that sensor.

Now I need to find out what sort of battery they need and buy some 3rd party ones.

Mamy thanks again and stay well.

Hi, Manzur:

I am not familiar with the S2. The S5 body is excellent so never considered the previous models but for 20 bucks, tough to pass up.

From all I have read, the effective resolution is 8MP. The S5 is not about megapixels, it is about its richness of colors, details/layering of captured light, excellent AWB plus killer skin tones.

I was going to suggest the Wasabi NP-150 but they seem to be sold out at the moment. They have excellent customer service.

One more thing, with the S5 it is best to expose for the shadows. Overexposure is not a problem for the sensor and it is amazing what it can do recovering highlights. A setting of +.3 to +.7 is usually advisable. DR should be set to "auto" as the camera does a great job in choosing the appropriate level. The sensor is a different beast compared to the norm.

You are welcome and glad that I could be of some help.

Take care,

Serge

Serge 07 wrote:

Manzur Fahim wrote:

Serge 07 wrote:

Hi:

The S5 will auto focus with any AFS and AFD Nikkor (has a built in focus motor) plus third party F mount lenses. The body also meters with old school AI/AIs manual focus lenses.

I use the SanDisk Ultra 16GB CF card which works perfectly, available at B&H/Amazon. Folks at Flickr have not reported problems with 32/64 GB cards but have not used them.

I set the camera to "fine" plus "large" which will produce a 12MP file but the resolution is a bit lower. It is best to set the noise reduction off, "ORG" in the menu.

One thing that helped me quite a bit was to invest time reading the old posts in the Flickr discussion group as there is a wealth of information on the S5.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/fujis5/

The body should be loaded with at least firmware version 1.09 which seems to be the favorite. The last, 1.12 is available from Fuji.

Have fun with the new toy.

Serge

Thank you very much Serge, much appreciated. That is a lot of good information and I will definitely check out the flickr link.

I was lookimg for a decent condition S5 Pro for some time, and I found one, and also a S2 Pro for only $20 so I got the S2 Pro as well. Have you used S2 Pro?

When you say the resolution is a bit lower, you mean there is a visible IQ loss or just the file dimension?

I am thinking of getting the Nikon 85 or 50mm F1.4D or G, they should be more than enough to resolve that sensor.

Now I need to find out what sort of battery they need and buy some 3rd party ones.

Mamy thanks again and stay well.

Hi, Manzur:

I am not familiar with the S2. The S5 body is excellent so never considered the previous models but for 20 bucks, tough to pass up.

From all I have read, the effective resolution is 8MP. The S5 is not about megapixels, it is about its richness of colors, details/layering of captured light, excellent AWB plus killer skin tones.

I was going to suggest the Wasabi NP-150 but they seem to be sold out at the moment. They have excellent customer service.

One more thing, with the S5 it is best to expose for the shadows. Overexposure is not a problem for the sensor and it is amazing what it can do recovering highlights. A setting of +.3 to +.7 is usually advisable. DR should be set to "auto" as the camera does a great job in choosing the appropriate level. The sensor is a different beast compared to the norm.

You are welcome and glad that I could be of some help.

Take care,

Serge

Many thanks again Serge. I am yet to find a good lens to test them out, trying out the 50mm F1.4 D now. I found another battery set with USB charger, that should be good enough. These batteries are hard to come by these days so I might stock up.

That is good to know, I usually do take photos at +0.3 so that will feel normal to me.

Have a great day.

SkiMan5 wrote:

I would recommend getting 85/1.4 form Nikon, and Sigma 50mm HSM (old one) out of production - a great piece of glass - do magic with my S5 Pro... It is still in action and I can't trade it off...

R, Slava

S2 Pro and S5 Pro is not going to be my main camera, so I am not sure if I want to spend that much to be honest, unless I can get a cheap 85mm F.14. Sigma one I really liked and am already looking for the 85mm and the 50mm EX HSM model (before Art series).

I was also told that S5 has very strong AA filter, so sharp lenses would work well, So I was also thinking if I get Tamron 45mm or 85mm as they also have VC. Do you know if the lens stabilization works well with S5 or not?

Thank you very much, much appreciated.

Yes FX lenses would work fine.

I believe DPReview said the resolving power was closer to 9 MP.  The camera used a second set of smaller photo-sites to increase the dynamic range.

I had one years ago and generally liked the camera, but the color reproduction just wasn’t up to the S2 Pro or even the S3 Pro (The S3 was dog slow though).  Even more, modern Fuji bodies are better all around.