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Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5

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Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5

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Nikon D80, Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, Two of A Kind

CCD Resurgences: Nikon D80 and Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, a pair of highly regarded vintage digital SLR cameras with CCD sensors.

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CCD enthusiasts looking for vintage digital SLR cameras need only go as far as a couple of highly reputable and robustly built cameras, the Nikon D80 and Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, as their preferred choice of excellence. These cameras share a similar degree of physical form, similar Nikon-F lens mounts, and have straightforward handling and functional characteristics reminiscent of their film camera predecessors.

The cameras differ, however, with the CCD sensors and the image mechatronics they are fitted with.

Nikon D80, Front

FinePix S2 Pro, Front

The Nikon D80, the last Nikon digital SLR camera model with a CCD sensor, was introduced in 2006 with a 10.2MP Nikon DX format RGB CCD sensor. The camera, designated as a prosumer model, is notable for being a hybrid model that incorporates design elements from entry-level and high-end cameras, specifically the D50 and D200, favored by many photography enthusiasts for their image quality.

The Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, introduced in 2002, is based on the Nikon F80 film camera body, which is modified to include its proprietary 6.17 MP APS-C 'Super CCD' sensor and electronics, which allows for effective resolutions up to 12.12 megapixels through signal processing. The camera is designed to be used with Nikon AF lenses and is compatible with a wide range of Nikon 35mm camera lenses.

Nikon D80, Top

FinePix S2 Pro, Top

The Nikon F-mount, introduced with the Nikon F in 1959, is one of only two SLR lens mounts (the other being the Pentax K-mount) that have retained their compatibility with the introduction of autofocus. The mount has a high degree of forward and backward compatibility, with many current autofocus F-mount lenses usable even on the original Nikon F. Users are still advised to discern the use and compatibility of lenses on their cameras.

The Nikon D80 does not have the 'Non-CPU Lens Data' menu item for registering information about non-CPU lenses or an aperture-indexing arm (on the camera body) for full-aperture metering with 'Ai' or 'Ai-S' lenses. When used with these lenses, metering does not function, and the lenses can only be used in fully manual mode. The same applies to the FinePix S2 Pro.

Nikon D80, Back

FinePix S2 Pro, Back

The D80, however, does come with Program AE, Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Vari-program scene modes, including Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Landscape, and Night Portrait. Another feature from the Nikon D50, which the D80 replaces, is the AF-A mode, which automatically switches from AF-S (single autofocus) to AF-C (continuous autofocus) if subject movement is detected.

Similarly, the FinePix S2 Pro also has the Program AE, Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority exposure modes, but without the Vari-program scene modes. The mode dial is populated by the PASM mode selection indicators, ISO, and CSM (Custom Setting - options for setting how information is displayed in the viewfinder and which functions are assigned to which button) as additional selections.

Nikon D80, Bpttom

FinePix S2 Pro, Bottom

Between the two, the D80, the petite one, measures 132 mm x 103 mm x 77 mm and has a body weight of 585 grams body only. The D80 is powered by an EN-EL3e rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, which can power the camera for around 600 shots under optimal conditions. Images are saved on SD and SDHC cards with a maximum capacity of 32GB.

The S2 Pro measures 141.5 mm x 131 mm x 79.5 mm and weighs 760 grams without batteries. It is a dual-battery system camera that operates on a pair of CR123A lithium and 4 x AA (Alkaline, Ni-MH, Lithium) batteries and is rated for approximately 420 shots. Images are saved on Compact Flash (CF) and SmartMedia cards.

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Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, Nikon Series E35mm f/2.5

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Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, Nikon Series E 35mm 35mm f/2.5

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Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5

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Sunny 16 Rule, Keeping It Within The Exposure Triangle

Sunny 16 Rule: A fully manual exposure session with the Fujifilm Finepix S2 Pro and a legacy Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5.

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While fully manual shooting is possible with most modern digital cameras fitted with PASM (Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, Manual) modes, there are situations with earlier digital SLR cameras, for example, the Nikon D80 and Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, where the camera does not meter when mounted with legacy lenses.

A way to avoid this situation is to use the 'Sunny 16 Rule' as a guide for estimating the correct exposure for a photograph taken on a sunny day without using a light meter.

The Sunny 16 rule states, 'On a sunny day, set the aperture to f/16 and shutter speed to the [reciprocal of the] ISO film speed [or ISO setting] for a subject in direct sunlight.' So, if you're shooting at ISO 100, set the aperture to f/16 and shutter speed to 1/90 or 1/125 sec. The rule is based on incident light rather than reflected light and is less susceptible to errors caused by high-contrast scenes.

The rule is also flexible, can be interpolated, and should work as long as the camera settings are maintained within the recommendations of the exposure triangle. To adjust to variations of the bright daylight conditions, the aperture should be adjusted to f/11 for a slight overcast, f/8 for overcast conditions, f/5.6 for heavy overcast, and f/4 for sunset or twilight sessions.

For a grainy black-and-white night shot, set the camera ISO speed to 1600, the lens aperture to its widest, and 'chimp' your way through a bracket of shutter speeds (say 1/90, 1/125, and 1/180 sec. or nearest) to get the best exposure possible. Further tweaks and converting the image to black-and-white, if you are shooting in JPEG colors, are recommended on the desktop image editor at a later stage.

The Series E 35mm f/2.5, a legacy lens produced for the Nikon EM (1979), FG (1982), and FG20 (1984) 35mm SLR camera series, is noted as capable of producing sharp images, especially when stopped down, though not for any explicit bokeh quality. A good copy of the lens, which is pretty old by now, may still have its smooth focusing action and the long focus throw that is frequently commented on. The lens focuses down to 0.3 meters with decent macro capabilities.

Legacy lenses, older lenses originally designed for film cameras, such as 35mm or medium format systems, are characterized by their manual focusing capabilities and are frequently sought after for their unique optical qualities. The manual focus lenses group, on the other hand, also includes modern lenses designed without autofocus, which may feature advanced optical formulas and are built with exotic materials, targeted to enthusiasts who prefer the tactile experience of manual focusing or specific artistic effects.

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5

As with the Nikon D80, the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro's menu system does not list a lens registry item to index the focal length of the lens, and the camera is not fitted with an aperture coupling arm either, a feature, when available on other cameras, enables the aperture of the lens to be controlled by the camera automatically. Shooting with the Series E 35mm f/2.5 lens mounted is fully manual.

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

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

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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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Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd

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Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd

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Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd

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Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd

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Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd, A Night Take

CCD Resurgence: A night shoot with the 10MP CCD Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd, the world's smallest 12x zoom digital bridge camera from 2008.

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CCD photo enthusiasts are having the time of their lives, with the range of CCD digitals, be it point-and-shoot, digital bridges, or the ubiquitous DSLR, that are easily available on the market with prices low enough for the asking. On the same token, vintage manual mechanical (except for a few beastly tanks) and electronic film cameras are almost at the end of their usability lifespan, tossed aside with no means of repair when they start to develop their ailments.

The cost of film for film photography and its associated services is also on the rise and bites hard into the economics of enthusiasts. CCDs, the new film, is the answer to these woes.

A low-end choice for enthusiasts is the 10MP CCD Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd, the world's smallest 12x zoom digital bridge when it was launched in 2008 by Fujifilm. The fits-in-the-hand camera was an update of the FinePix S700, which was also popular then and came with a lens equivalent to a 33-396mm zoom on a 35mm camera.

While the camera does not come with image stabilization, with sensitivity-boosting relying on shutter speed increases, the camera has a wide range of complementary image capture functions including Panorama, and Face Detection (that can find up to six faces at a time) with Automatic Red Eye Removal, and a macro mode capable of taking shots from as close as 20cm. Images are saved on either xD or SD/SDHC cards.

Camera controls are straightforward; on the camera back is a four-way joystick selector, a playback button, a toggle for the EVF and LCD view selection, and a button for exposure compensation. A function menu gives access to some shooting options, including Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, and Text, with an additional F button accessing ISO, quality, and film effect selection.

Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd

The S1000fd also has a 2.7-inch LCD and a 230,000-dot electronic viewfinder and operates on 4xAA batteries. The S1000fd's collar rocker switch, which is fast and springy, could be better suited to the camera's 12x zoom capability. Over and above the use of the Night Scene mode for night shots, my preference is the Program (Auto) mode.

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Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd

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Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd

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Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd

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Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd

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