Lowest S5 Pro price in USA....

[Raist3d]

anyone knows a $1k price in the USA from a reputable store? Thanks.

- Raist

[badpickev]

no i do not.

[after]

Raist, I answered your question here: Fuji S5 Pro for $1k in the USA?

I gave you information on a reputable store -Robert's Imaging (Robert's Camera) - they are authorized dealers, and I have had nothing but the best of service.... Did you ever call them?

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by after

Raist, I answered your question here: Fuji S5 Pro for $1k in the USA?

I gave you information on a reputable store -Robert's Imaging (Robert's Camera) - they are authorized dealers, and I have had nothing but the best of service.... Did you ever call them?

No, I completely missed your earlier reply. I went to their website right now and it shows out of stock... I don't think I would buy a used S5 pro.... not for $1k anyway. Thanks for the info.

- Raist

[after]

Raist, you have to call them... they have a 1-800 number listed... so it won't cost you anything... Their website ALWAYS shows them out of stock.... Anyway... it wasn't for a used S5, but a new one. I just bought mine last year for $1099, brand new... in sealed box... I have had no problems with it, I registered it successfully... and actually at the time got the free grip deal (Fuji's deal) and a free printer (Robert's deal).

As I said they are a reputable store...

[Raist3d]

- Raist

[after]

hopefully they'll have one in stock for you...

[Raist3d]

To be honest, I was giving this some more thought and I am having a bit of cold feet. The issue is that I have at this point a rich lens system, and I hesitate to spend $1k + a lens (and it would have to be a decent lens) on a 2nd camera system. Also because I know Olympus is working on a new higher DR technology- the question is when will it show up.

And of course, this is a variant of the "will X company release Y model that is better than the current Z model?" I think if I saw an S5 pro truly cheap, I would go for it. I am not sure I would spend $1,500 on a 2nd system that way.

Hmmm... well, we'll see what the price is anyway.

Thanks for the heads up on the place. I looked up their reseller ratings and it was at 7.5 or so out of 10. That's not great, but it's not that bad.

- Raist

[after]

Yeah, I know what you mean, there are lots of companies out there working on DR systems... One I saw... I can't remember brand, I wasn't impressed with... it was just using software to make changes... You weren't actually gaining anything.

The thing that I liked about Fuji is that it the DR is actually in the make-up of the camera, they are using different photosites in the CCD to accomplish extended dynamic range... which to me is where the technology should be... I think if companies would combine that with the Foveon X3 (like Sigma), we might get somewhere... and combine that stuff with a nice big sensor with a nice large resolution... we can dream, right?

A buddy of mine was die hard olympus, and just switched to canon systems. In fact he sold his E-10 for little of nothing. If all you are looking for is a second camera, the E-10/E-20 might be the right move.

I can understand sticking with the same lens system you have now... That is probably the smartest thing to do. I started out Fuji, so that's why I've stuck with it... If I ever changed systems, I'd have to go to Nikon because all my stuff is basically Nikon (flashes/lenses/etc).

Like I said though... I wouldn't send you to a place that I knew was bad. I have done business with them for years and they have always been good to me (even did some free sensor cleanings - every time I buy a new camera for them, they will clean all my sensors {even the new one} for free. Which of course brings up a great point. Every time I have purchased a Fuji, the sensors have been filthy, so if you are like me and don't want to clean your own, you'd want to figure that into the cost as well.

Well good luck to you, let me know if I can help you with anything.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by after

Yeah, I know what you mean, there are lots of companies out there working on DR systems... One I saw... I can't remember brand, I wasn't impressed with... it was just using software to make changes... Changes after the image is taken??

The Olympus system I am describing doesn't work that way, but it's actually a clever way of taking two images and joining them. They filed in 2007 a very extensive and interesting patent on this. Of course, like all patents, maybe that never sees the light of the day. I am betting it will because Panasonic demonstrated a sensor using that very type of technique early this year, though it's B&W only and very low res, but it's something they plan to expand to digital cameras. As we know, Panasonic is currently making the 4/3rd sensors for Olympus and they make their own 4/3rd cameras as well.

The thing that I liked about Fuji is that it the DR is actually in the make-up of the camera, they are using different photosites in the CCD to accomplish extended dynamic range... which to me is where the technology should be... I think if companies would combine that with the Foveon X3 (like Sigma), we might get somewhere... and combine that stuff with a nice big sensor with a nice large resolution... we can dream, right?

Well large sensor cameras have more DR as is. Like the Nikon D3/D700, has noticeably more DR than the usual, though not as much as Fuji does in my book. The drawback of the SR sensor is resolution. For well exposed landscapes were you don't need that DR, the current SR sensor can't cut it vs other cameras due to resolution, even with the Fuji Super CCD capturing a bit more detail than the usual nominal megapixel count (though that varies a lot by subject). There's also the chance that Fuji may just bow out as there are signs in that direction, not just the usual traditional rumors, but I will wait for the next PMA/Photokina before I take that thought more seriously.

A buddy of mine was die hard olympus, and just switched to cannon systems. In fact he sold his E-10 for little of nothing. If all you are looking for is a second camera, the E-10/E-20 might be the right move.

Nah, not for me. I already have two cameras. I rather have one that uses the lens system I have. I do still have my Fuji F810 ultracompact. I wish Fuji did another SR like that, maybe even with the S5 Pro sensor and go with a "Sigma DP1" model.

I can understand sticking with the same lens system you have now... That is probably the smartest thing to do. I started out Fuji, so that's why I've stuck with it... If I ever changed systems, I'd have to go to Nikon because all my stuff is basically Nikon (flashes/lenses/etc).

Yeah, understand. The thing with Olympus is that the 4/3rd lenses are really really really good. I could only wish if Fuji did a 4/3rds body with an SR. Even with less resolution that would be almost a no brainer for me.

Like I said though... I wouldn't send you to a place that I knew was bad. I have done business with them for years and they have always been good to me (even did some free sensor cleanings - every time I buy a new camera for them, they will clean all my sensors {even the new one} for free. Which of course brings up a great point. Every time I have purchased a Fuji, the sensors have been filthy, so if you are like me and don't want to clean your own, you'd want to figure that into the cost as well.

Well good luck to you, let me know if I can help you with anything.

I appreciate the reference, much thanks!

- Raist