Tuesday, March 6th, 2007
Fuji S3 Pro and HDR
I started experimenting with HDR, taking advantage of the Fuji S3 Pro’s wider dynamic range with one RAW file.
Here’s a shot I previously posted of the Taj Mahal:
and here’s the newly generated HDR version of it:
Those of you not interested in cameras can stop reading here!
The problem with this technique is that the Fuji S3 (I sold all my Minolta gear just before I left, and bought the Fuji S3 along with all Nikon lenses) is unbelievably slow at taking RAW files, and they take up stupid amounts of room as they aren’t compressed.
It takes about 10-15 seconds to save a RAW file… you can’t change settings or review any photos in that time. The buffer is also very small. And I can only fit around 20 images on a 1Gb card!!
There are so many other annoying quirks about the Fuji S3, it’s almost unusable and takes quite a while to get used to. However, my wife has a Nikon D80 which I use as a backup body, and although I prefer her camera in almost every single way, the sad fact is that the photos from the Fuji S3 completely outclass those from the Nikon. The colours are amazing, and need hardly any editing in photoshop, which is a great timesaver when travelling. The two photodiodes per pixel really make a difference to the tonal range.
I would like some opinions from the photographers out there who have been following my blog for a while… has the quality of my photos improved or not since I started travelling, as I completely changed equipment and my laptop which I use to edit the photos?
on Wednesday, March 7th, 2007 at 7:11 am:
To be honest Bob, I haven’t noticed much difference. Your work before you went away was great and it still is.
As far as the difference the camera makes goes, I think it’s a bit hard to judge from web pics. It would be nice to see a few original files when I see you at Glasto perhaps (assuming we both go).
The HDR Taj Mahal one looks little unreal, really nice but it looks as if it’s been photoshopped to me - but I know it hasn’t.
on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 2:45 pm:
Hi Guys
Been using my S3PRO since i won it in 2005, (fuji distinction win) and ive shot many weddings , portaits , and model images on the camera.
The feel, and build quality is great, incidentally i have not held any other camera that feels like it grip wise. For anything other than fast paced photography it holds its own against most pro DSLR cameras (in my opinion). I have two Cannon cameras but if i want great looking JPEGS that i dont have to muck around with and quite AF plus a smooth shutter release then its a brilliant bit of kit, i only shoot now on raw and yes is slow and the software is tripe and windows vista hates finepix but the pics still are as good as anything especially up to 800 iso. Dont get me wrong its not a Mk11 ds, but its a great camera.
Wayne
on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 5:42 pm:
Good afternoon Sam, Bob, Wayne - - I too am a S3 - Pro user.. and am quite pleased with it overhaul handling..
The question is - - Have any of you had the buffer upgraded.. And if so what differences are there?
Gerald Peart