fuji s3 pro vs Nikon D200 / D80

Post by RocketMan on 27 July 2012 16:32

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:32:12 GMT

My Fuji ~S5 is for sale .
contact me for details if interested
cheers

Paul

Post by Allinthemind on 27 July 2012 15:50

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:50:02 GMT

I've kept my S5, as long as you don't want to print too big, the resolution is fine. It is painfully slow though compared to just about any Nikon. I've buffered out on it numerous times.

Si

Post by Paul_Jones on 27 July 2012 15:40

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:40:15 GMT

Follyhouse

S5.

Yes it's frustratingly slow to write to the card, especially shooting RAW, but it has numerous consolations

I'll agree that the S2 is slow.

I've never had a situation where I've had to wait for the S5 though.

Post by Matt_Dobson on 26 July 2012 20:22

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:22:09 GMT

Another vote for the Fuji here. The older Nikons are probably more versatile but the Fuji will still give you something different even when eventually buy an expensive modern body. I'll still have my S5 long after I've swapped my D700s for something new and shiny.

Post by Follyhouse on 26 July 2012 17:51

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:51:03 GMT

Used to have 2 s5's but foolishly sold one earlier this year as I was feeling the pressure to 'upgrade' to a newer model.

Won't part with my current model though........

Yes it's frustratingly slow to write to the card, especially shooting RAW, but it has numerous consolations :

Excellent jpegs SOOC

Wonderful Fuji skin tones

Fabulous dynamic range (I believe the ability to rescue highlight detail is still unmatched)

Ability to alter ISO/white balance and file size settings from the top plate (worth it's weight in gold)

Great build quality/reliability

If budget allows I'd recommend the s5.

Post by Rawandthecooked on 26 July 2012 12:55

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:55:11 GMT

Had an s3, still have an s5 as second camera. Pulled it out for a wedding last week, and man I love this camera, and will be using it more!

Post by Siras on 08 July 2012 13:24

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 13:24:30 GMT

Have a D3s with my trusty S3 Pro as a back up - used it as my main camera for 2 years and can honestly say it's a camera you won't regret owning - the various comments people make as regards the wide dynamic range and beautiful jpgs (I thought about shooting RAW, but have never really needed to) have certainly been true for me. You should be able to pick up a good example for less than £200.

This recommendation comes with a couple of provisos though;

A slow processor and smallish buffer means that it's suited to "deliberate" photography. ISO/noise performance is average for the age of the technology.

All in all I still love mine, it's a terrific little camera.

Si

Post by alexkidd on 08 July 2012 10:22

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 10:22:49 GMT

regarding the above body wise that's accurate but sensor wise the fuji is a different beast :)

the s5 is a lovely portrait camera, but slow as hell, s3 i'd imagine is pretty similar in that respect :)

Post by paulbatterbury on 08 July 2012 09:52

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 09:52:05 GMT

I used a Nikon D200 up until the start of this year, I had thing go to print with it, it was a great camera, I loved it, I even miss it, very easy to use, sadly it got stolen so I move to an full frame camera. I have notice that some cameras that have replace the D200 place in the Nikon range do not do 100 ISO.

The Fuji S3, is basically the Same camera, Nikon manufacture it and give it a Fuji badge.

So anything I shot before this year, was shot on a D200, I have never shot in RAW / NEF always high end jpeg and always got good results...

I am thinking of get a D200 again, just for the odd bit of work, they are just so good.

Post by Paul_Jones on 07 July 2012 23:57

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 23:57:58 GMT

If I had the choice between the S3 and the S5, I'd go for the S5.

I've owned both the S2 and the S5 and the S5 is, in my opinion, a better camera, especially with the extra battery grip.

Post by TMG on 07 July 2012 23:23

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 23:23:14 GMT

I have fuji S3, Plus is image quality and I quite like the way it handles. It also has a black and white mode ofr jpegs.

The cons, and the reason I rarely use it, are the small viewfinder and very slow writing to card. You also need to custom white balance. Auto white balance in particular isn;t up to much.

Older lenses - ai and ais - won't meter with it.

one other plus, for me, is that it takes standard AA batteries - alkaline or rechargeable, so you are not locked in properietry batteries.

If you have great eyesight and don't mind the slowness of it, it's alot of camera for the money it cost nowadays.

Post by nikondave on 07 July 2012 22:46

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:46:09 GMT

I have used all 3 cameras, if your in a studio or shooting landscapes/nature the colour of the S3 is excellent,

its in situations when speed is needed, what also lets it down is the inability to shoot RAW and jpeg at same time,

But on the plus side the images require no sharpening or work straight out of camera,

Its just my opinion,

Post by keith_west_photography on 07 July 2012 22:14

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:14:15 GMT

Owned the d200, d300 and d80... Interested on how they compare to the s3.

Post by Crippen on 07 July 2012 21:48

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 21:48:52 GMT

Never used an S3, but the two Nikon cameras are both very out of date, so obviously you'll be looking at second hand cameras. You need to check the actuation count. Make sure they're not on their last legs, before handing over any cash.

If you decide to go for one of the Nikon's, I'd personally opt for the 200, over the 80. Although if you can stretch to a 300 or a 300s, it's probably worth the extra investment in the long run.

Good luck

Dave

Post by FrameworksMedia on 07 July 2012 20:02

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:02:19 GMT

I used to shoot with an S3 and a D80 before I upgraded. Only thing I can say is the S3 was frustratingly slow (card access) for event work.

Post by keith_west_photography on 07 July 2012 19:34

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 19:34:32 GMT

Any one use the Fuji s3 pro here? tempted to go for one over the Nikon D200 / D80.

Thoughts?