Pro and semi-pro digital cameras either the workhorses of the industry, an arm of a visual artist, or the recorder to a visual historian. The collection listed below, unless under repair, get used regularly by us for professional work. Note: the review links I provide as generally DP Review and Ken Rockwell. DP Review has been a standard for years and Ken Rockwell is one of the best references from a real photographer you can find.
Sorted by Release Year.
Fujifilm Finepix S2 Pro
The Fujifilm Finepix S2 Pro is a DX (APS-C) based SuperCCD sensor that comes in a Nikon N80 body. If you like the Nikon film camera operations, the Fuji S2 offers a natural transition. This is the first semi/pro digital Nikon F mount body I purchased and used professionally for approx 10 years. Actually it’s still in use due the the SuperCCD III’s capability to capture unbelievable color levels that easily mimic the Sensia slide films I used to shoot casually in my Nikon cameras. The camera has been repaired a few times (battery pack issues, dead sensor, etc … but the mechanics from the Nikon N80 body have never failed). Currently we have three working cameras and about two donor camera for parts. Specs are from Fujifilm:
- New 3rd Generation Super CCD sensor and advanced LSI algorithm
(6.17 million effective pixels) - APS-C (DX) Sensor Size
- Nikon N80 Body base
- Producing an astounding 12 million recorded pixels (4256 x 2848)
- High ISO values (100-1600)
- 36 MB uncompressed file, 72 MB CCD-Raw file (16 bit TIFF-RGB)
- High speed shooting at up to 2 frames per second
- Dynamic AF, Dynamic AF with closest-subject-priority, Single Area
AF and Focus Tracking - Cross-ranged, five area Autofocus System
- 3D Matrix*, Centre-Weighted and Spot Metering
- 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill Flash
- Flexible Program mode
- 18 Custom settings
- Flash Synch socket (X-type)
- Audio recording with voice caption mode
- Release Year: 2002
- Added to collection: 2002
- Status: Three on hand working no issues, parts bodies on hand also
- Click for more info – dpreview – ken rockwell – manual pdf
Fujifilm Finepix S3 Pro
The Fujifilm Finepix S3 Pro is a DX (APS-C) based Extended Range SuperCCD SR II sensor that comes in a Nikon D100 body. I started picking up the Fuji S3 Pro cameras quite later on in life as the Fuji S2 Pro never stopped working and at the time it was still more economical to purchase a Nikon D5100. The SuperCCD SR’s improvements of the S3, especially in dynamic range made for great upgrades, but kept that Fujifilm “look”. We have three of these cameras in working condition and one as a parts donor.
- Fujifilm SuperCCD SR II
- APS-C (DX) Sensor Size
- Nikon D100 Body base
- 12.34 million (S-pixel: 6.17 million, R-pixel: 6.17 million) pixels
- RAW or JPEG file types
- 30 sec – 1/4000 sec shutter
- Up to 1600 ISO for low light
- CompactFlash or XD Picture Card for storage
- Velvia film simulation (that classic Fujifilm “look”)
- AA battery packs … no more CR123 and AA dual packs
- Release Year: 2005
- Added to collection: 2019
- Status: Three on hand working no issues
- Click for more info – dpreview – ken rockwell – manual pdf
Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro
I agree with Ken Rockwell’s 2007 opinion in his review that this is the best camera that he had used at the time for photography. Adding the advancements of the Nikon D200 body and in the CCD for dynamic range, skin tones, etc made this a favorite of many. In fact, the bulk of celebrity wedding photos taken from 2007 to approx 2013 were take with a Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro. It was and still is an amazing camera that strikes a balance from that classic “Velvia” look up to the professional portrait “softness” and natural skin tones of some of the major film stocks. We have two of these bodies in working order at this time.
- Fujifilm SuperCCD SR Pro
- APS-C (DX) Sensor Size
- Nikon D200 Body base
- 12.34 million (S-pixel: 6.17 million, R-pixel: 6.17 million) pixels
- RAW or JPEG file types
- 30 sec – 1/8000 sec shutter
- Up to 3200 ISO for low light
- Variable dynamic range up to 400%
- CompactFlash only for storage
- Nikon D200 Lithium Ion battery packs
- Release Year: 2007
- Added to collection: 2019
- Status: Two on hand working no issues
- Click for more info – dpreview – ken rockwell – manual pdf
Nikon D5100
The Nikon D5100 is a DX (APS-C) based CMOS sensor that comes in a lightly smaller DSLR body. The operational placement of the buttons is decent, but until you get a bit of the leaning curve, fast operation can be a little interesting. It is a well build camera and tends to be our semi-pro daily workhorse.
- 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
- APS-C (DX) Sensor Size
- Side-articulated 3.0″ LCD monitor (920,000 dots)
- 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
- IS0 100-6400 range (Up to 25,600 equivalent when expanded)
- HD movies (1080p, 720p or WVGA)
- 4 fps continuous shooting
- In-camera effects filters in both stills and video modes
- Release Year: 2011
- Added to collection: 2011
- Status: One on hand working with no issues
- Click for more info – dpreview – ken rockwell – manual pdf
Nikon D800
The Nikon D800 is a replacement for the D700 model. It comes with the ability to shoot a very high 36.3 mpix on the sensor getting close to medium sized sensor specs. The unit has an Espeed3 processor allowing for multiple shots without processing bottlenecks.
- 36.3 mpix CMOS sensor with Espeed 3 processor
- Image ratios of 5:4, 3:2
- Full (FX) Sensor Size
- 4 fps in DX and 6 fps in FX for continuous shooting
- 1/8000 max shutter speed
- 51 Point Auto Focus tracking
- IS0 100-6400 range (Up to 25,600 equivalent when expanded)
- USB3 for file transfers
- Built in flash
- Release Year: 2012
- Added to collection: 2021
- Status: One on hand working with no issues
- Click here for more info – dpreview – ken rockwell – manual pdf
Nikon D610
The Nikon D610 is an upgrade to the D600 (with a minor fix to the shutter mechanism). The camera is built well, feels balanced in the hand, focuses quickly, and shoots quickly. It could easily become your mid-pro sports shooter. Being one of Nikon’s lower priced full frame sensor cameras, it made FX sensors affordable to many wanting to upgrade to them.
- 24 mpix CMOS sensor
- Full (FX) Sensor Size
- 6 fps frame rate for continuous shooting
- 39 Point Auto Focus tracking
- IS0 100-6400 range (Up to 25,600 equivalent when expanded)
- HD movies (1080p, 720p, etc)
- Built in flash
- Release Year: 2013
- Added to collection: 2021
- Status: One on hand working with no issues
- Click for more info – dpreview – ken rockwell – manual pdf
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