Original Article By Dan Havlik Though there had been some speculation that Fujfilm might be jumping back into the professional digital SLR market this year, a Fuji spokesperson confirmed to PDNPulse that nothing was forthcoming.
"Fuji is not manufacturing a pro camera for this year," Diane Rainey, Group Manager for Fujifilm's Corporate Communications said at a press event last night. "However, we are continuing to support whatever's out there right now."
What's out there from Fuji in the pro market is now nearly three years old -- the 12.1 megapixel S5 Pro which was first unveiled back at Photokina 2006. Since that launch, Fuji has been quiet in the pro SLR market as other manufacturers, including Nikon and Canon, have asserted their dominance.
Rumors started circulating that a new pro model from Fuji would be introduced in 2009 after the company unveiled its new Super CCD EXR sensor at photokina last year. The sensor, which is designed to let photographers switch between three imaging options -- high resolution; high ISO & low noise; or expanded dymamic range -- has appeared in the 12.1MP Fujifilm FinePix F200EX, a compact camera designed for photo enthusiasts. At PMA in March, some had speculated that a digital SLR with an iteration of the Super CCD EXR could be next.
At least for 2009, that will not be the case.
1 comments:
In the photo community there will always be a war of Canon vs. Nikon, it’s just the nature of the world we live in. But for someone to say something bad about a Fuji Digital SLR is can easily bring warring sides together. The Fuji Finepix Digital SLR was always a dark horse until the announcement of the discontinuation of the Fuji S5 this past year, and now that it is all but gone it is surely missed.
For years it was the war of the megapixels. Who had the better resolution, CMOS vs CCD image sensors, even down to the selection of lenses and other available accessories. Based on the design of a Nikon N80, Fuji’s S series digital SLR’s always were compatible with Nikon’s F-mount and it’s flashes, so there was never a true lacking of options available like many Canon shooters would declare against Nikon shooters. But each side acknowledged the colors and skin tones out of the Fuji Digital SLR’s were phenomenal.
Part of this greatness came from the fact Fuji’s SLR’s had a very high dynamic range making it popular for wedding and portrait photographers. The dress of the bride would not only be the perfect shade of white, but the details and contrasts of the dress were still clear and clean. This was made by possible by Fuji designing the cameras to have 2 sensors inside for both the high and low ranges.
Many saw this at first as a negative. “It’s not a 12 megapixel camera, it’s just a camera with two 6 megapixel sensors,” would be a phrase you would hear many say. Even if that were the truth (which many do believe still to this day) it was still a perfect balance of color and detail that higher megapixel sensors could not pick up.
Now that the S5, the last designed digital SLR from Fuji is no longer available on store shelves many aspiring and current photographers are looking to get one while they still can. For prices nearly 60% off the original asking price photographers find themselves fortunate enough to have grabbed possibly one of the last great wedding cameras.
Technology will eventually pick up where Fuji left off; maybe even Fujifilm will be the company to do it. But for those like myself waiting for the return of value to digital SLR’s with exceptional dynamic range that make us long for the days of results of film, we might just have to wait a little longer.
Post a Comment