second body for Nikon D 90 outfit - Fuji S5?

[Dave Pickett]

Can any Fuji S5 pro users share their experiences please?

I have a Nikon D90 and now have a selection of lens such that I am thinking a second body would be useful. In many ways a second hand D200 would be suitable, but currently on Ebay they are going for daft money, in excess of £400 for the body only!

For just a bit more the S5 is available new, and has a reputation for excellent pictures, especially for portraits, but also has a good dynamic range. Also being D200 based the body is tough and sealed against dust/moisture.

Specifically I am interested in:

- Is the S5 fully compatible with Nikon Lenses (all AFS at the moment) and flash guns (SB600)?
- Is the picture quality (ie dynamic range) still there in RAW, or is the benefit only when converted in camera to jpg?
- What second body have others gone for? Choices are of course, D70 (resolution too low? – but selling at £200) D40 (resolution again?) D60, D200 (price of s/h, is an issue), D80 is possible but the review I have seen don’t rate this much higher than the D70

My photography is best described as “general” including travel but possible moving towards some portrait work. Oh just one more factor, my 14 year old daughter is starting to get into more serious photography, and I would like her to have access to a decent camera (but not my D90!)

[combat squirrel]

Do you want another camera body because it would be useful ? or do you have a genuine reason to need another one ? Or do you just fancy another camera for no particular reason? These are the questions to answer 1st, then ask yourself is it worth keeping that £400+ in your pocket.

If you need the camera, the S5 is a great camera, although getting on abit now, however its still great.

[TG.]

then ask yourself is it worth keeping that £400+ in your pocket.

Or using it for another lens :)

[puddleduck]

- Is the S5 fully compatible with Nikon Lenses (all AFS at the moment) and flash guns (SB600)?

Its 100% compatibility.


- Is the picture quality (ie dynamic range) still there in RAW, or is the benefit only when converted in camera to jpg?

To get the full benefit of DR, you need to shoot RAW, not JPG.

[Dave Pickett]

In honesty I fancy another body so I can have 2 lenses permanently mounted. Its a set up I used to have many years ago in 35mm days when I had a canon A1 and then a T90.

I dont have a real need for it but I have a bonus coming up and I do like to spend just a bit of it on myself!

You are right of course, keeping the £400 in my pocket is an option........or another lens or even a basic studio flash outfit!