Photo of the Day

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

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Photo of the Day

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

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Photo of the Day

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

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FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

CCD Resurgence: A quick look at image making with a vintage pair, the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro and AF-Zoom Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5.

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Another quick session with the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, mounted with the AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5, a digital SLR camera and lens combo that should appeal to both vintage and/or CCD enthusiasts. Vintages as both the camera and lens are way past their production timeline, which was from 2002 to 2004 for the FinePix S2 Pro, and 1986 to 1989 for the Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI). Both the camera and lens were made in Japan.

Interest and enthusiasm for the camera is centered on its F-mount lens system and the 3rd-generation 6.1MP 'Super CCD' sensor, which is capable of producing 12.1 million (4,256 x 2,848) pixels of interpolated image.

The FinePix S2 Pro, introduced two years after the original FinePix S1 Pro in 2002, is built on a Nikon N80 film camera body based on a 'Frankencamera' concept, common during the period, where components from two or more manufacturers are fused together to make the whole. In the case of the S2 Pro, the upper body part and exposure controls, together with the lens mount based on the Nikon D80 (F80) SLR film camera body, while the image sensor and its management routines are by Fujifilm.

Unlike the later S3 Pro, which requires a set of 4xAA batteries to operate, the S2 Pro, which can be considered still in the infancy stage of its development, requires two sets - a pair of C123As for the Nikon body side and a pack of 4xAA batteries for the Fujifilm integration.

The AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5, despite being nominated as one of Nikon's 10 Worst Lenses by Ken Rockwell, is still a fine and capable (as can be seen with these images) performer. The lightweight, with 8 elements in 7 groups and 6 aperture blades in an all-plastic, with a metal-mount body, has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5 meters normally (0.35 in macro mode) and takes 52mm filters.

Iterations of the AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5 include the MK I, which was manufactured in Japan from 1986 to 1989, and the MK II, from 1989 to 1994. The MK II was initially manufactured in Japan (serial number starting with #4) before production was shifted to Thailand, with serial numbers starting with #5.

The S2 Pro, despite its age, is still a smooth operator and a delight to work with, with the simple and direct controls on the front of the camera a testament to its heritage, and the management of the digital imagery at the back of the camera the potential of things to come. The 35-70mm AF Nikkors are downright low-priced, easy to come by on the auction listings, and should give the enthusiast ample opportunity to be both creative and experimental.

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF-Zoom Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

Personally, I have been through 3 (three) of the S2 Pros, bought, tested, used, and sold. All three units displayed the 'ERR' message when only the C123A batteries were installed, and were fully functional with the additional 4xAA battery pack deployed, something to read between the lines when looking up low-end listings of the camera.

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Photo of the Day

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

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and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Photo of the Day

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

<< Click on image for enlarged Lightbox display >>

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Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, A Stuttering Start

CCD Resurgence: A look at the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, the Nikon-Fuji 'Frankenstein', mounted with an AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5.

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I recently acquired a +20-year-old Nikon F-mount FujiFilm FinePix S2 Pro to add to my collection of CCD cameras. I was elated when the camera came in through the mail and worked perfectly once the batteries were installed. The camera, introduced in 2002, is a 'Frankenstein' effort between FujiFilm and Nikon, built around the top and front of a Nikon N80 (F80) body, and a fixed back that houses FujiFilm's proprietary image sensor and electronics. Each part, however, has its own battery compartment, a pair of CR123A for the Nikon body section, and a set of 4x AA batteries for the Fuji compartment.

The camera worked well with both battery compartments filled. Later, I found out that while the camera can work with only one battery set installed, mine does not. The camera displays the dreaded 'Err..' message with only the CR123A installed, but it works with both or only the 4x AA battery set. That was quite a letdown, and I was totally unhappy with that. My only solace was the low price I paid for the camera, which justifies that I should stick to it until I have a better opportunity for a better set somewhere down the line.

FujiFilm FinePix S2 Pro, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

Strutters aside, the S2 Pro is an advanced enthusiast model with curves that fit completely into your hand, with controls and functionalities that are easy and intuitive to use. The camera has a 6.2 SuperCCD sensor capable of producing 12MP (4256 x 2848) images after processing, a shutter speed range of 30 sec. to 1/4000 second, built-in exposure metering, pop-up flash, ISO film speed equivalents range from 100 - 1600, and sound recording capability. For a start, I had the S2 Pro mounted with an AF-Nikkor 35-70mm 1:3.3~4.5 for these test images.

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Nikon D200, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

CCD Resurgence: Image making with an AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5, mounted on the 10MP CCD Nikon D200, a quick look and a zoom walk.

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The AF-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5 is a lens of sorts, with accolades and brickbats from both sides of the fence. This lens is small and light, weighs only 260 grams, has eight elements in seven groups, and comes with a plastic mount, as does most of the body. The lens was among the early batches of Nikon autofocus lenses designed for the AF Nikon F501/N2020 SLR camera in 1986 and has virtually the same optical formula as the manual focus Nikon Ai-S 35-70mm F/3.3-4.5.

A Quick Look

A Short Zoom Walk

The lens was also bundled as a standard lens for the F301 and the F501, as well as with other models after the two. Its compact size, measuring 70.5mm x 61mm, makes it one of the most compact AF Nikkor zoom lenses during that early period of AF photography. The lens was offered as a low-cost option for enthusiasts looking for a casual-use lens.

Nikon D200, AF-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

On the 10MP DX-format CCD sensor Nikon D200, with which the lens was tested, the lens is equivalent to a 52.5-105mm lens on a full-frame camera, making it almost a standard 50mm prime on the short end and a short telephoto on the long end. The lens, readily available on sales and auction sites, at much lower prices than anticipated, is a good bet and fun to work with.

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Nikon D200, AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

CCD Resurgence: Early images with an AF Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 on an equally vintage 10.2MP CCD Nikon D200.

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The AF-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 D 8 elements in 8 groups lens, launched by Nikon in 1999, is a replacement for the earlier 7-element 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-D version, which was made from 1995 through 1999. Compared to the previous version, the lens came with a broader manual focus ring and was sold mainly as a kit lens with their lower-end 35mm SLR film cameras (F55, F65, and F75). On the D200, the lens has an equivalent focal length range of 42-120mm.

The plastic mount lens is lightweight at 250 grams, comes with an aperture ring but no focusing scale, 7 rounded blades diaphragm which stops down to f/22 @ 28mm to f/36 @ 80mm, a minimum focusing distance of 0.4 meters, a screw-drive AF system, and was introduced as a native AF-D spec optic with a built-in microchip that feeds focusing distance information to the camera body. The AF-D will work with all Nikon AF cameras, as well as on 35mm MF Nikon SLR film cameras (FM, FE2, etc.).

Nikon D200, AF-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 D

While the lens did not enjoy much of a review exposure across the Net, even with brickbats on its all-plastic construction, and its tendency to zoom-creep, it does come with a mention or two as an excellent midrange zoom, reasonably sharp, and very low-end prices. Enjoy the images!

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AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, At the Stop

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, image making with an AF Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, at the train stop.

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At the train stop, in the quiet after the morning rush, time almost stood still. I was on my way to an outing in the suburbs and had with me the AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D mounted on the Nikon F601.

The AF Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, introduced in 1995, was the third and final iteration of the AF Zoom Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5 series produced by Nikon. The AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, incidentally, is the only version that is fully compatible with all 35mm SLR Nikon film cameras as well as Nikon FX digital cameras manufactured from 1977 onward.

Nikon F-601, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D

The Nikon F601, or the N6006 in the US, was introduced in 1991 and featured an improved autofocus system, auto film advance, pop-up electronic flash, a new multi-zone metering program, and a top shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second.

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AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, In the Park

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, image making with an AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D.

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I was using the lens for a short stint recently, with the lens mounted on a Nikon N75, and here I am back again, this time with the lens mounted on a Nikon F-601, out on an early morning walk in the park. Images were captured on a roll of Kodak ColorPlus 200, lab-processed, and scanned on the CanoScan 9000F MkII.

The AF Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, or in its full designation, 'Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5D IF', is a 16-element in 12-groups NIC (Nikon Integrated Coating) multicoated push-pull zoom lens, introduced in 1995. The lens was the last of three versions after the original Nikon's AF Zoom Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5, produced from 1986 to 1991, and the replacement Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5N MK II, which was in production from 1991 to 1995.

Nikon F-601, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D

The AF Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D version, incidentally, is the only version fully compatible with all 35mm SLR Nikon film cameras and Nikon FX digital cameras manufactured from 1977 onward. As for the camera, the Nikon F601 is a 1990 vintage, the first Nikon to use a 6V Lithium battery pack, and the second to be fitted with the improved autofocus and spot metering system, which is the mainstay of the high-end F-801s.

Nikon F-601, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D

The F-601 is fitted with a built-in pop-up electronic flash, a top shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second, and a new "Matrix" evaluative multi-zone metering program. It is compatible with a wide range of Nikon F-mount lenses, including both autofocus and manual focus types. During its production, the F-601 sat between the Nikon F-401 and Nikon F-801s in the company's consumer SLR range.

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