FinePix S3 Pro wishlist.

[MikePL]

I would like to know the things you would like to see in the next S Fuji.

A little from me for the start.

I shoot people so basically 75 percent are vertical shots. I would like to see a sensor which embeds position data into the file. I have an old Nikon E2s digital camera (a combination of Fuji electronics and Nikon F4 mechanics... sounds familiar). Imagine that this camera has such a function. Whether it is vertical or upside-down, the camera records the position and later when I open the image in e.g. Photoshop, the image is oriented the proper way. This function can be overriden, of course. Today I realized that I spend way too much time rotating those pictures.

I would also like to see a clear plastic LCD cover.

A changed eye-point. When you look through the viewfinder, the image is way too far (cheap flimsy masking of an N80 viewfinder).

Don't get me wrong... I love the camera, and for me there's nothing better on the planet (at least on this planet). I simply like to know what are the functions that you like/dislike.

[jeffinkansas]

The viewfinder is an absolute problem. It is almost not good enough to manual focus with!!!!!!!! I shoot a lot of low light situations and I DON"T USE AUTO FOCUS!!! Please Fuji, fix this unacceptable issue.

[S_Leeper]

I agree about the viewfinder... why not a 110% of frame...
Would also like to see:
a more reasonable flash sync speed,
mirror lock-up,
iso 25 or 50, &
power by just AA's...

[bjnicholls]

Assuming we won't see a full frame S3, I suppose having a sensor based on the new Fuji dynamic range increasing technology (with 2 sensors at each photosite) would be good.

Other improvements I'd like without resorting to an F100 body with a much higher cost:

1/3 stop exposure system. 1/2 stop is too coarse for digital image adjustments.

A matrix metering area that uses the cropped 1.5x image area, not full frame as the S2 does.

Make the viewfinder more accurate and at least get the LCD close to the image area if the magnification isn't increased.

One battery system. An optional Lithium Ion pack that could swap with the AA holders would be the best of all worlds.

A grippable body covering.

Vertical shutter release with orientation sensor

A better range of contrast and brightness settings for the LCD preview display. A bigger better histogram and a flashing indicator mode to show blown-out highlights.

Improve some of the clunky menu operations.

Cooperate with Adobe and make their Camera Raw (with fixes) the official Fuji raw converter.

Better composite video output (lose the shimmering interlace artifacts).

[ronf]

I debated over the S2 & D100 for quite some time. While I finally decided on the S2, I always wished there could've been a hybrid between the two. A few folks here don't like the viewfinder, but does anyone know if it's different than the D100's or even the new Kodak since all cameras are based on the N80 body?

The S2 is my first digital, but I can tell you whenever I do upgrade my next camera will have a full 35mm size sensor. I find the optical magnification factor a double edge sword and not being able to shoot wide angle on a 28-200mm lens really bites.

[Tom V]

See http://www.s2pro.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=3269 for what I imagine the next generation to look like.

[lightwrangler]

I agree with most of the above. Certainly the viewfinder could use inprovement and the battery situation is quite possibly the worst thing about the camera. A LCD that was closer to reality would be nice as would 1/3 or even 1/4 exposure adjustments. A smooth raw file (not the current plugin) interface with Photoshop would be appreciated too, at this point the Fuji software is just not enough.

I'm not so sure about a full frame sensor. Until Nikon (or someone else) makes optics that a full frame sensor can use, this might be a tricky issue. Using the edges of a film based lens on a full frame sensor has it problems with exposure and sharpness. This has become evident with the Kodak 14n, which requires the highest quality lenses that Nikon can offer. Even then there are problems. Actually, I think it's time for Fuji to make lenses. Their 680 and view camera lenses are very good and their broadcast video lenses are highly regarded, so why not build them for the S2 or S3? (probably a there's a trade agreement with Nikon) Additionally, I rarely like the crop that a 35mm frame gives me, preferring instead the 6 x 4.5 aspect, so make it possible to select different ratios. (35mm, pano, 6x4.5 etc)

What else? A camera that senses vertical and and better feeling and stronger body would be nice too. Frankly I won't mind payng a bit more if Fuji could build on the F100 instead of the N80. Just keep the S2 around for those who don't want to pay the extra. As far as chip size goes, I'd like to see an uninterpolated file of 35MB or around a 12 megapixel. That would be minimum, because I could always use more. To go with that; triple the buffer size, make the two storage slots for CF and Microdrive (forget SM) and make the preview quicker. Make the slots work together, one as a jpeg backup (ghost mode), or copy from one to the other.

Oh and do all of that for less money :-) (Yeah, like that's gonna happen!)

And as far as Tom's vision.... only if someone else carries it! :-)

[jeriann3]

I would like to be able to change ISOs without having to twirl the left hand dial... like my S1, I could change by quickly pressing one of the function buttons on the back of the camera.

It's a wonderful camera though, so just a minor comment. I'd also like to be able to use my F100's right view attachment for macro work -- jeri

[bjnicholls]

You can use your DR-4 right angle finder with the N80 style rectangular eyepiece with the Nikon 2370 adapter, $4 from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/37445.jpg

[dehavenphoto]

ON my wishlist for the S3..

Move the darn wheels or allow me to lock them. Everytime I try to press the shutter, I move either the f/stop or the shutter speed wheel!

Speaking of pressing the shutter - it's nuts to have the cable realease socket in the shutter. If you are using a long cable release to photograph kids for instance, you can't use autofocus, etc. The camera fires when you try to use the release.

Why should I pay Brightscreen another $200 to put two marks on my screen. Can't Fuji inscribe two lousy marks for 8x10 format on the screen at the factory?

Jack DeHaven

[jeriann3]

BJ, thanks for that info on the viewfinder adapters...and the picture as well! - jeri

[rewind]

I recently purchased an S2 Pro (first new camera purchase in thirty years) after researching which camera to buy...an S2 Pro or a D100.
Overall I'm pleased with the camera even though some improvements could or should be made considering we are paying several hundred dollars more for the S2 instead of the D100.
At work, I use a D1, D1x and most recently a D100 so I can see a comparison vs the S2.
One thing noticed immediately using the D100 was how bright the LCD screen was. The S2 was also very bright. Images on both LCD's seem almost overexposed, but when viewed on the monitor the D100 images looked about 1-1.5 f/stops underexposed while the S2 seemed about .5 f/stop underexposed. We are not sure why yet, but it's still a new camera we have to get used to. Anyone else notice this?
The D100 has a better "feel" to it, probably due to the rubber / vinyl grip on the body. Almost makes you feel like are holding a D1X at 1/2 the weight
Why can't Fuji or Nikon make a split image focusing screen for the S2 Pro and the D100?
I've been using split image focusing on my old FTN's and find it so much easier to focus in almost any lighting condition.
Why can't Fuji design / make a re-chargeable battery like Nikon does for their D100? They already have a flimsy, forty dollar, slide-in AA battery holder/tray that could easily convert to a Nikon-style re-chargeable battery that gets approximately 1200-1500 shots per charge.
The list could go on, but I'll stop here.
Rewind

[Mobius Entwine]

I would lik to larn mor on Tom's "vision" of the futur 4-lnsd camra!

I'd lik a cam basd on th F100, with a biggr bttr focusing scrn. I would lik a full siz snsor, but not nccssarily mor pixls - I don't nd biggr picturs, just bttr ons. I don't want a propritory battry, I lik bing abl to run into any Wal-Mart and pick up battris in an mrgncy.

Gosh, sorry about the kyboard!

[jknights]

I'd like to be able to electronically fire the shutter without using the firewire connection.
An interface that accepted the Nikon ML3 IR controller would be great.