Why WOULDN'T I get a Fuji S2 Pro?

[David SL]

Dave,

My take is that I am glad I am waiting for things to settle down! By Christmas time we will all be looking at a vastly different semi pro pro digicam landscape. I predict that Nikon will announce their much replacements for the D1x and H and Canon might bring some new high end monster out to compete with those as well. All that will mean lower prices for the current pro lines and lower prices for everything under that..including all these new semi pro models. (D100, D60,SD9,S2) I am patiently waiting to see the results before I purchase anything but the most important features for me are:

Features! More variability means better ability to get the shot period. The D100 is the king on all these cameras for features that will allow me to catch the shot. 12 ISO settings, custom tone setting, great exposure control excellent color space selection all of these make getting the shot all the more likely when the cameras in the right hands.

High ISO, After seeing the jaw dropping images of the D60 I was very much impressed but the beta images from the D100 exceed the D60 at highier ISO's this gives it the edge, in addition it has more ISO levels. Since I will be shooting in natural low light, this makes the D100 my top pic outside of the S2. The S2 seems to be even better than then the D100 if the high ISO beta samples seen thus far are any indication.

ImageQuality and low noise, S2 ,D100beta, D60...with the S2 outclassing both the D60 and the D100beta but no one has seen the D100's production images yet, I predict visibly sharper and noise free (at lowest ISO) images for the production release to make it the match of the D60 at lowest ISO. Looking at 8 x 10 prints from both cameras I can say the difference stay on screen unless sized to much larger prints than this. The D100 has the advantage of smoother images into high ISO.

The SD9 might shake things up even more than the S2 already has, my current order of preference is S2,D100,D60,SD9 still haven't decided on any one camera though....decisions , decisions.

Regards,

This isn't meant to incite a ruckus, but I'm actually genuinely
confused.

I had my heart and budget set on a nice, new Nikon D100 since I
even heard the beast existed. Now a new player enters the fray
with clearly superior clarity, higher resolution and additional
features (ie. FireWire, flash sync, etc.), not to mention the
ability to use all the Nikkor lenses I've been pining after.

So the question becomes, why WOULDN'T I forego the Nikon D100 and
simply pick up a Fuji S2 Pro, which is due to arrive around about
the same time as the D100? Am I missing something obvious?

Being a relatively high-end consumer (as opposed to a pro), I want
to buy "the" camera that I can use and be impressed with for at
least a while.

Thanks in advance for your POVs!

• Dave (Confused in NH)

--

 

[VJ]

Fuji did acknowledge this as being the source of the problem ? Has
the problem been given a commonly accepted name (could be
interesting for searches) ?

Yes, Fuji specifically states this as "the problem", and it is not
a warranty fix.

Ok, thanks (I wasn't aware of this kind of ... "feature").

You are correct, the old body was N60 based, this is N80 based. I
spoke with Fuji Tech myself for a friend who had this problem, as I
had success in the past with getting Fuji to make a firmware
change. They wouldn't budge, simply said that this is "user
abuse". Search the Fuji forum for Tripod mount or socket and you
will find several of these. With the Nikon D series cameras, the
tripod mount is solid metal and is beneath the battery. In the S1
case, the battery compartment does not extend as far as the tripod
mount, Fuji puts the digital "guts" right above the mount. As this
has been an issue, I would hope they have this fixed. Note as well
that the body is extended below the standard Nikon body to accept
the digital bits, so Fuji has to put in a tripod socket themselves.

I do believe the S2 is also higher than the D100, so perhaps they extended the body here as well... Really something to look out for...

It would be interesting to ask
Nikon tech if this is a problem on the N60 as well.

I'd say that - if the problem occurs there - it is unlikely to cause problems. It would only put more stress on the body N60, but I doubt it will "deform" the film-chamber to an extent that would make it visible in pictures... Also, if it is only metal/plastic that is bent slightly, it still would be unlikely to crack.

Strange... I'd think the camera would do the same, only slower...
But perhaps this is no longer an issue, due to more processing
power in the camera ?

Has to take longer, writing twice the data to the card, plus the
cost of the interpolation itself. Just take a 3mp image and
interpolate to 6mp in Photoshop, it isn't instant and your PC is a
much more powerful processor, with a lot more memory available.
Shoot in raw at 6mp, you will have all the info the camera can
deliver. Remember that the 12mp is interpolated in the camera from
the actual 6mp sensor.

I thought there was no raw format in the S1, and that every outputted image was automatically interpolated (the S2 is said to have a RAW format)?

My point was that, if you interpolate from the honeycomb-image up to a "normal" rectangular image, and you apply the same algorithm, the image should be the same, only slower in camera than on PC. (of course, if do do additional postprocessing, it'd make a difference)

(Although, you shouldn't compare the speed of the PC with the internal processing speed of the camera (e.g. S1) : the PC has an allround CPU, whereas the camera has a very specific unit, optimised for this kind of operations. Just take the comparison CPU-videoboard: all current videocards are clocked significantly slower than the current CPUs, yet if you render a scene (e.g. in a game), the videocard will outperform the CPU by a large margin. Main reason here is that the videocards have specific instructions for rendering such graphic data; internal camera processors are very likely to have similar tailored instructions.)

Jörg

 

[James Kei]

Geir Atle Ward,

For sure I know 12MP is a SuperCCD result in Software interpolation, but can D1x or D100 or D60 do the same software interpolation up to 12MP ?

Even they can, I don't think the result will be nice detail as Fuji S2 pro.

(And if you claim the S2 ccd is 12Mpix - then you can also say the
X3 a 10.5Mpix).

Yes, but where are they, I can not see sample, just 3 image from Foven web site, don't know what kind of camera shoting from, could be just a pure 3x CMOS inside a black box. How long they need to develop to become a pro-DSLR camera?

price is lower than D100.

'moire' every current CCD has it, it just matter of software fixing
it. You can fix them easily with a lot photoshop plugin.

'moire' is a pattern that generate by current CCD bug.

Unless you wait for Foven x3 CMOS chip, who knows how long going to
wait... and also 1st generation with Sigma body, no one test it, no
sample image. only has 3.34MP compare with 12MP.

James, James, James....You have swollowed the Fuji marketing pill.
S2 is NOT a 12Mpix camera. It is a 6Mpix. Twist it in any direction

• it is still a 6Mpix camera. SuperCCD is better than the ordinary

CCD, but is it not a 12Mpix.
There are samples from the Foveon sensor available, it is just not
from the Sigma camera.
(And if you claim the S2 ccd is 12Mpix - then you can also say the
X3 a 10.5Mpix).
BTW the official price for the S2 is higher than D100 in Japan,
JPY310000 against JPY300000.
Geir Atle

 

[Bill Dewey]

James, I did extensive testing with the Fuji S1 in both the 3mp and 6mp (interpolated) modes. What I was interested in was if the 6mp mode really gained anything. Yes, it did resolve more detail than the 3mp mode. No, it did not resolve any more detail than doing the same interpolation post-process in Photoshop with Genuine Fractals or other methods. When compared with a D1X image, the S1 at 6mp mode broke up before the 5.47mp image of the D1X. Subjectively, it appeared that the S1 6mp image was very similar to about a 4.5mp image. Better out of the cameras than the 3mp mode? You bet. As good as a "true" 6mp, nope. I would expect that the results from the new Super CCD will be about the same. And what, I ask, is the big deal about doing the interpolation in the camera? The processor is slower than your PC/MAC and the software to interpolate is much more limited. You are better served to shoot in RAW mode and interpolate/adjust later.

Geir Atle Ward,

For sure I know 12MP is a SuperCCD result in Software
interpolation, but can D1x or D100 or D60 do the same software
interpolation up to 12MP ?

Even they can, I don't think the result will be nice detail as Fuji
S2 pro.

--
Bill Dewey
http://www.deweydrive.com

 

[Dennis D]

... And what, I
ask, is the big deal about doing the interpolation in the camera?
The processor is slower than your PC/MAC and the software to
interpolate is much more limited. You are better served to shoot
in RAW mode and interpolate/adjust later.

Absolutely! I also did a test with my S1 where I compared a 6mp out of the camera image against a 3.34mp image interpolated up to 6mp in Photoshop, and there was no difference at all between the two. So there is no reason to use the camera's 12mp image when you can do it yourself and save space on the flash card plus quicker write times for each image, plus what if you don't want the size that comes out of the camera (12mp)...you have to resample it again, and if you don't want a lot of artifacts in your image then you shouldn't resample more than once.
Dennis D

 

[Tokyo Crow]

the english word is "cameraness" I think ... not to mention the increased testosterone levels due to the "Nikon" tag --

This isn't meant to incite a ruckus, but I'm actually genuinely
confused.

I had my heart and budget set on a nice, new Nikon D100 since I
even heard the beast existed. Now a new player enters the fray
with clearly superior clarity, higher resolution and additional
features (ie. FireWire, flash sync, etc.), not to mention the
ability to use all the Nikkor lenses I've been pining after.

So the question becomes, why WOULDN'T I forego the Nikon D100 and
simply pick up a Fuji S2 Pro, which is due to arrive around about
the same time as the D100? Am I missing something obvious?

Being a relatively high-end consumer (as opposed to a pro), I want
to buy "the" camera that I can use and be impressed with for at
least a while.

Thanks in advance for your POVs!

• Dave (Confused in NH)

 

[Raul]

Bill,

I still have and use and use the S1. No problem with the tripod seat. The S1 was/is a cheap camera with an idem body and if you treat it like so, it will respond to what I want: color.

Wasn't there a time in which the screws were falling off the D1? If you force the tripod screw on you D1h, how much do you think it will last?

I want color and if by the time the camera appears things are the same, I will get the S2 and take care of it, as an instrument should.

I recall in the S1 threads at the begining of a guy complaining because Fuji had not responded to his complaint regarding the broken body because, while carrying it in a bag, he hit a rock with the bag. O boy!

And yes, why shouldn't you buy an S2 Dave.
Regards
Raul

 

[Frantz Dantzler]

I've had my name on a list to get the D100 as a backup to the D1x, but after looking at the S2 samples I may go for it instead of the D100. I had an S1 before the D1x and really liked it but I couldn't use my AFS lenses on it and the frail body caused some concerns. But it appears the S2, in addition to having better image quality than the D100, may have addressed the S1's shortcomings. Unlike the concerns of many about the battery issues with the S2, I like the fact that it uses AA batteries as it's primary source. I can always get AA's in a pinch, and if it's like the S1, you can use it without the built-in flash without the other batteries installed. I never used the built-in flash in the S1 anyway.

So, unless I discover something significant that I've missed, it's S2 for me.

This isn't meant to incite a ruckus, but I'm actually genuinely
confused.

I had my heart and budget set on a nice, new Nikon D100 since I
even heard the beast existed. Now a new player enters the fray
with clearly superior clarity, higher resolution and additional
features (ie. FireWire, flash sync, etc.), not to mention the
ability to use all the Nikkor lenses I've been pining after.

So the question becomes, why WOULDN'T I forego the Nikon D100 and
simply pick up a Fuji S2 Pro, which is due to arrive around about
the same time as the D100? Am I missing something obvious?

Being a relatively high-end consumer (as opposed to a pro), I want
to buy "the" camera that I can use and be impressed with for at
least a while.

Thanks in advance for your POVs!

• Dave (Confused in NH)

--
F. Dantzler

 

[James Kei]

Thank for all for testing on S1 pro, but did you guys really see S2 pro 12MP sample, I think it is better than S1 pro a lot .....

Of cause you always can shot as RAW in S2 pro, so that give you 12bit color and interpolation again to 12MP in photoshop or others software. Check out the resulotion chart of S2 pro test.

... And what, I
ask, is the big deal about doing the interpolation in the camera?
The processor is slower than your PC/MAC and the software to
interpolate is much more limited. You are better served to shoot
in RAW mode and interpolate/adjust later.

Absolutely! I also did a test with my S1 where I compared a 6mp out
of the camera image against a 3.34mp image interpolated up to 6mp
in Photoshop, and there was no difference at all between the two.
So there is no reason to use the camera's 12mp image when you can
do it yourself and save space on the flash card plus quicker write
times for each image, plus what if you don't want the size that
comes out of the camera (12mp)...you have to resample it again, and
if you don't want a lot of artifacts in your image then you
shouldn't resample more than once.
Dennis D

--
James Kei
http://www.pbase.com/jkei
http://community.webshots.com/user/cwkei

 

[James Kei]

12MP resolution chart test by Fuji S2 pro.
The best resolution so far in the market.



Compare with D1x



Who is winner?

Of cause you always can shot as RAW in S2 pro, so that give you
12bit color and interpolation again to 12MP in photoshop or others
software. Check out the resulotion chart of S2 pro test.

... And what, I
ask, is the big deal about doing the interpolation in the camera?
The processor is slower than your PC/MAC and the software to
interpolate is much more limited. You are better served to shoot
in RAW mode and interpolate/adjust later.

Absolutely! I also did a test with my S1 where I compared a 6mp out
of the camera image against a 3.34mp image interpolated up to 6mp
in Photoshop, and there was no difference at all between the two.
So there is no reason to use the camera's 12mp image when you can
do it yourself and save space on the flash card plus quicker write
times for each image, plus what if you don't want the size that
comes out of the camera (12mp)...you have to resample it again, and
if you don't want a lot of artifacts in your image then you
shouldn't resample more than once.
Dennis D

--
James Kei
http://www.pbase.com/jkei
http://community.webshots.com/user/cwkei

--
James Kei
http://www.pbase.com/jkei
http://community.webshots.com/user/cwkei

 

[Ed Nazarko]

Fuji picture on top, Nikon picture on the bottom, right?

I'd say the Nikon was the winner. What's with the "white highlighting" around all the black numbers and lines in the Fuji picture? (I've looked at this on both an LCD and on a monitor - the Fuji picture looks like someone took a white highlighter pen and traced all the black edges.) I worry about capturing detail that actually exists, and about not adding detail that DOESN'T really exist.

The chart did it for me - I take pictures of light falling on 3D objects, and spend huge amounts of time trying to get the angle and illumination that conveys the most real information with the least distraction, and with the light that I saw. The Nikon doesn't add anything to the picture. I like that.

And I was on track to buy an S2...not any more.

12MP resolution chart test by Fuji S2 pro.
The best resolution so far in the market.



Compare with D1x



Who is winner?

 

[George Richardson]

I've had my name on a list to get the D100 as a backup to the D1x,
but after looking at the S2 samples I may go for it instead of the
D100. I had an S1 before the D1x and really liked it but I
couldn't use my AFS lenses on it and the frail body caused some
concerns. But it appears the S2, in addition to having better image
quality than the D100, may have addressed the S1's shortcomings.
Unlike the concerns of many about the battery issues with the S2, I
like the fact that it uses AA batteries as it's primary source. I
can always get AA's in a pinch, and if it's like the S1, you can
use it without the built-in flash without the other batteries
installed. I never used the built-in flash in the S1 anyway.

So, unless I discover something significant that I've missed, it's
S2 for me.

Dave Dugal wrote:

----------

I presume both cameras (D100 and S2) are TOTALY made by Nikon
One has a FUJI chip in it,the other one has a SONY ? chip in it.

Am I correct?

So I suppose we could call the D100 a SonyD100 all thing being equal.

Am waiting for Phil's tests between the two Nikon cameras.

Regards to all

George R

This isn't meant to incite a ruckus, but I'm actually genuinely
confused.

I had my heart and budget set on a nice, new Nikon D100 since I
even heard the beast existed. Now a new player enters the fray
with clearly superior clarity, higher resolution and additional
features (ie. FireWire, flash sync, etc.), not to mention the
ability to use all the Nikkor lenses I've been pining after.

So the question becomes, why WOULDN'T I forego the Nikon D100 and
simply pick up a Fuji S2 Pro, which is due to arrive around about
the same time as the D100? Am I missing something obvious?

Being a relatively high-end consumer (as opposed to a pro), I want
to buy "the" camera that I can use and be impressed with for at
least a while.

Thanks in advance for your POVs!

• Dave (Confused in NH)

--
F. Dantzler

 

[Bill Dewey]

James, of course the 12mp interpolated will "look" better than the 6mp, that is not the point. The point is that it is still "interpolated", the sensor is only 6mp, no matter what you do.

My point, as well as others such as Dennis, is that you are better served by doing the interpolation out of the camera, your results will be even better. I see no reason why the interpolation would be that much better from 6mp to 12mp in the S2 than it is from 3mp to 6mp in the S1. Now, if I had an S2 and wanted more resolution out of the camera I would shoot it in 12mp mode, but I would also expect that the image would not look as good as a side-by-side shot from a true 12mp sensor.

What would be more interesting to me would be to do the same test that I did, with up-sampling a 6mp raw image to 12mp from the S2 as well as a 6mp image from, for example, a D100 to 12mp, and then compare the lot. My guess is that would ALL look really darned good.

I'd say the Nikon was the winner. What's with the "white
highlighting" around all the black numbers and lines in the Fuji
picture? (I've looked at this on both an LCD and on a monitor -
the Fuji picture looks like someone took a white highlighter pen
and traced all the black edges.) I worry about capturing detail
that actually exists, and about not adding detail that DOESN'T
really exist.

The chart did it for me - I take pictures of light falling on 3D
objects, and spend huge amounts of time trying to get the angle and
illumination that conveys the most real information with the least
distraction, and with the light that I saw. The Nikon doesn't add
anything to the picture. I like that.

And I was on track to buy an S2...not any more.

12MP resolution chart test by Fuji S2 pro.
The best resolution so far in the market.

--
Bill Dewey
http://www.deweydrive.com

 

[Bill Dewey]

George, I believe that you are incorrect that both cameras are "built" by Nikon. At least with the Fuji S1, they bought bodies from Nikon, like Kodak did, and then engineered in their own digital guts. If you look at the bottom of the two cameras you can clearly see the physical differences. You will also notice other spec differences, such as flash sync, between the two cameras. Nikon says the D100 is a combination of N80/F100, where I believe that the S2 is pure N80.

Frantz, as a previous S1 owner also, and now a D1H'r, I am going the other direction, to the D100. The biggest S1 shortcoming that I am not sure has been addressed is the tripod mount issue. If they haven't either beefed it up so a standard tripod screw doesn't break electronics, or changed the design such that the electronics aren't in the way, this would kill the S2 for me in a heartbeat. I know of several folks who paid to have this fixed after no abuse whatsoever. The other reason I'll go the D100 route is that I think, but sure don't know, that the workflow will be more similar to the D1 series than the Fuji. However, I completely agree with you on the battery issue. This is as big a red-herring as "dust" concerns, meaning no concern at all.

I've had my name on a list to get the D100 as a backup to the D1x,
but after looking at the S2 samples I may go for it instead of the
D100. I had an S1 before the D1x and really liked it but I
couldn't use my AFS lenses on it and the frail body caused some
concerns. But it appears the S2, in addition to having better image
quality than the D100, may have addressed the S1's shortcomings.
Unlike the concerns of many about the battery issues with the S2, I
like the fact that it uses AA batteries as it's primary source. I
can always get AA's in a pinch, and if it's like the S1, you can
use it without the built-in flash without the other batteries
installed. I never used the built-in flash in the S1 anyway.

So, unless I discover something significant that I've missed, it's
S2 for me.

Dave Dugal wrote:

----------

I presume both cameras (D100 and S2) are TOTALY made by Nikon
One has a FUJI chip in it,the other one has a SONY ? chip in it.

Am I correct?

So I suppose we could call the D100 a SonyD100 all thing being equal.

Am waiting for Phil's tests between the two Nikon cameras.

Regards to all

George R

This isn't meant to incite a ruckus, but I'm actually genuinely
confused.

I had my heart and budget set on a nice, new Nikon D100 since I
even heard the beast existed. Now a new player enters the fray
with clearly superior clarity, higher resolution and additional
features (ie. FireWire, flash sync, etc.), not to mention the
ability to use all the Nikkor lenses I've been pining after.

So the question becomes, why WOULDN'T I forego the Nikon D100 and
simply pick up a Fuji S2 Pro, which is due to arrive around about
the same time as the D100? Am I missing something obvious?

Being a relatively high-end consumer (as opposed to a pro), I want
to buy "the" camera that I can use and be impressed with for at
least a while.

Thanks in advance for your POVs!

• Dave (Confused in NH)

--
F. Dantzler

--
Bill Dewey
http://www.deweydrive.com

 

[Dave Dugal]

I just want to start out by saying THANKS for all the excellent replies and opinions. You have definitely enlightened me to the pros and cons, although the decision is still a tough one.

From what I can recall from all the helpful comments:

Image Quality: Advantage Fuji
External Features: Advantage Fuji
Image/Color Options: Advantage Nikon
Resale Value: Advantage Nikon
Build Quality: Advantage Nikon
Service/Support: Advantage Nikon
RAW Format Third Party Support: Advantage Nikon
Price: Tie
Availability: Advantage Nikon (based on recent Web site announcements)

There were so many good replies, I hope I haven't forgotten any major points. If so, please feel free to call me a dingus and add to my summary list.

I'm thinking, IF Nikon comes through with their end-of-June release date AND delivers enough quantities to their authorized dealers, I'll probably forsake the clear image quality advantage of the Fuji S2 and go with the Nikon D100. Of course, I'm a typical fickle consumer, so that could change immediately after I hit "Post".

Thanks again! Keep up the excellent help for us D-SLR virgins!

• Dave (possibly less, but maybe more confused, but still in NH)

 

[James Kei]

Ok, I agree D1x win, but isn't that D1x software interpolation work too.

Here is D100 sample, look closely again in the centre part of chart, and compare them with s2 PRO ?

From 18-20, D100 lost detail, but added "moire"; where S2 pro does not.

I'd say the Nikon was the winner. What's with the "white
highlighting" around all the black numbers and lines in the Fuji
picture? (I've looked at this on both an LCD and on a monitor -
the Fuji picture looks like someone took a white highlighter pen
and traced all the black edges.) I worry about capturing detail
that actually exists, and about not adding detail that DOESN'T
really exist.

The chart did it for me - I take pictures of light falling on 3D
objects, and spend huge amounts of time trying to get the angle and
illumination that conveys the most real information with the least
distraction, and with the light that I saw. The Nikon doesn't add
anything to the picture. I like that.

And I was on track to buy an S2...not any more.

12MP resolution chart test by Fuji S2 pro.
The best resolution so far in the market.



Compare with D1x



Who is winner?

--
James Kei
http://www.pbase.com/jkei
http://community.webshots.com/user/cwkei

 

[George Richardson]

Frantz, as a previous S1 owner also, and now a D1H'r, I am going
the other direction, to the D100. The biggest S1 shortcoming that
I am not sure has been addressed is the tripod mount issue. If
they haven't either beefed it up so a standard tripod screw doesn't
break electronics, or changed the design such that the electronics
aren't in the way, this would kill the S2 for me in a heartbeat. I
know of several folks who paid to have this fixed after no abuse
whatsoever. The other reason I'll go the D100 route is that I
think, but sure don't know, that the workflow will be more similar
to the D1 series than the Fuji. However, I completely agree with
you on the battery issue. This is as big a red-herring as "dust"
concerns, meaning no concern at all.

I've had my name on a list to get the D100 as a backup to the D1x,
but after looking at the S2 samples I may go for it instead of the
D100. I had an S1 before the D1x and really liked it but I
couldn't use my AFS lenses on it and the frail body caused some
concerns. But it appears the S2, in addition to having better image
quality than the D100, may have addressed the S1's shortcomings.
Unlike the concerns of many about the battery issues with the S2, I
like the fact that it uses AA batteries as it's primary source. I
can always get AA's in a pinch, and if it's like the S1, you can
use it without the built-in flash without the other batteries
installed. I never used the built-in flash in the S1 anyway.

So, unless I discover something significant that I've missed, it's
S2 for me.

Dave Dugal wrote:

----------

I presume both cameras (D100 and S2) are TOTALY made by Nikon
One has a FUJI chip in it,the other one has a SONY ? chip in it.

Am I correct?

So I suppose we could call the D100 a SonyD100 all thing being equal.

Am waiting for Phil's tests between the two Nikon cameras.

Regards to all

George R

This isn't meant to incite a ruckus, but I'm actually genuinely
confused.

I had my heart and budget set on a nice, new Nikon D100 since I
even heard the beast existed. Now a new player enters the fray
with clearly superior clarity, higher resolution and additional
features (ie. FireWire, flash sync, etc.), not to mention the
ability to use all the Nikkor lenses I've been pining after.

So the question becomes, why WOULDN'T I forego the Nikon D100 and
simply pick up a Fuji S2 Pro, which is due to arrive around about
the same time as the D100? Am I missing something obvious?

Being a relatively high-end consumer (as opposed to a pro), I want
to buy "the" camera that I can use and be impressed with for at
least a while.

Thanks in advance for your POVs!

• Dave (Confused in NH)

--
F. Dantzler

--
Bill Dewey
http://www.deweydrive.com

======================

Dear Bill

You may be right about how the S2 is made.

I thought that 'maybe' Fuji gave the specs to Nikon-and they made it for them.

As thing stand at the moment,I suspect that the S2 is very slighty slightly ahead of the game-but we must wait and see Phil's tests.

BUT there are new things on the horizon.
USB 2 (same speed as todays Firewire) is out now.
FIREWIRE (new firewire coming out SOON at DOUBLE the speed of todays firewire).

The ubove will most probably be installed in a new generation of digital cameras in about 6 months time.

Wish list: Just one

I like the idea of being able to do a RAW and JPEG at the same time in the camera.
I think Canon do that.

Regards

George R

 

[VJ]

I just want to start out by saying THANKS for all the excellent
replies and opinions. You have definitely enlightened me to the
pros and cons, although the decision is still a tough one.

Couldn't agree more (I am in the same situation)

From what I can recall from all the helpful comments:

Image Quality: Advantage Fuji
External Features: Advantage Fuji

I acutually think the advantage here is with Nikon, but it will cost more. The optional portrait grip allows for AA-batteries and voice annotation (both standard in the Fuji), a remote terminal, 2nd shutterbutton and main/control dials. So considering the D100 with the grip, leaves only the PC-sync terminal as difference...

But the grip probabely won't come cheap... :-(

Image/Color Options: Advantage Nikon
Resale Value: Advantage Nikon
Build Quality: Advantage Nikon
Service/Support: Advantage Nikon
RAW Format Third Party Support: Advantage Nikon

I'm guessing this is too soon to tell; there currently is no RAW-Fuji format. But if the camera catches on (and even moreso if Fuji uses the RAW in other cameras as well), I think this third party support will become a tie.

Price: Tie
Availability: Advantage Nikon (based on recent Web site
announcements)

I'm thinking, IF Nikon comes through with their end-of-June
release date AND delivers enough quantities to their authorized
dealers, I'll probably forsake the clear image quality advantage of
the Fuji S2 and go with the Nikon D100.

When I first saw the S2 samples, I started reconsidering the S2 (it was of my list because of the price). But now, I'm also leaning back towards Nikon...
(man, this is hard ! )

Of course, I'm a typical
fickle consumer, so that could change immediately after I hit
"Post".

You're not the only one...


Jörg

 

[James Kei]

I wish Fuji read this bad comment about coming S2 pro, so that they will drop their price more to grand market share from D100. So that I can enjoy low price S2 pro. From Phil D100 resolution chart, just this point, I will not buy D100 for sure & definitely.

D1x is a good quality product from Nikon, but price! also end or this year, D2 is coming.

I just want to start out by saying THANKS for all the excellent
replies and opinions. You have definitely enlightened me to the
pros and cons, although the decision is still a tough one.

Couldn't agree more (I am in the same situation)

From what I can recall from all the helpful comments:

Image Quality: Advantage Fuji
External Features: Advantage Fuji

I acutually think the advantage here is with Nikon, but it will
cost more. The optional portrait grip allows for AA-batteries and
voice annotation (both standard in the Fuji), a remote terminal,
2nd shutterbutton and main/control dials. So considering the D100
with the grip, leaves only the PC-sync terminal as difference...

But the grip probabely won't come cheap... :-(

Image/Color Options: Advantage Nikon
Resale Value: Advantage Nikon
Build Quality: Advantage Nikon
Service/Support: Advantage Nikon
RAW Format Third Party Support: Advantage Nikon

I'm guessing this is too soon to tell; there currently is no
RAW-Fuji format. But if the camera catches on (and even moreso if
Fuji uses the RAW in other cameras as well), I think this third
party support will become a tie.

Price: Tie
Availability: Advantage Nikon (based on recent Web site
announcements)

I'm thinking, IF Nikon comes through with their end-of-June
release date AND delivers enough quantities to their authorized
dealers, I'll probably forsake the clear image quality advantage of
the Fuji S2 and go with the Nikon D100.

When I first saw the S2 samples, I started reconsidering the S2 (it
was of my list because of the price). But now, I'm also leaning
back towards Nikon...
(man, this is hard ! )

Of course, I'm a typical
fickle consumer, so that could change immediately after I hit
"Post".

You're not the only one...


Jörg

--
James Kei
http://www.pbase.com/jkei
http://community.webshots.com/user/cwkei

 

[.Ray]

Yeah, just imagine a stuck electric window on a BMW 535i, but waranty is void because you close the doors to hard. That is adding insult to injuries.

.Ray

Hi,
for mine, I'd stick with the Nikon- where Nikon will warrantee the
entire package. Fuji backed away from warrantee issues with the S1,
as the tripod mount issue being described as "user abuse" mentioned
above illustrates. This is absolutely not good enough at this price
range and the sort of stuff you can expect when you buy a hybrid.

Just my thoughts.
--
Regards

Andrew McGregor

http://www.geocities.com/andrewmcgregorphotography