Recommendations for new digital camera

This may be somewhat alleviated in the S5500

Yes the S5500 and soon to be released (but too late for the UK airshow season) S5600 certainly offer improvements for aircraft photography. I got the S5000 mainly for work but it is so handy to use that I have ended up using it most of the time – mainly because the size means I carry it with me a lot.It is even useful to id distant aircraft using the digital zoom feature when viewing pictures. Most of the disadvantages can be got over by using ND filters (but I keep forgetting to take mine!) and technique – as Paul F says – keeping both eyes open is worth getting used to. At the prices the S5500 is being offered at you can’t really go wrong – there is no doubt that a DSLR and good lens will give better quality but that is a big investment for most people and we all want different things from our cameras – I have even met people who prefer their pictures with frozen props! RobAnt’s photo competition a few months ago showed what could be achieved with S5000 type cameras and it would seem that lots of people are enjoying using them. I have certainly seen an increase in people with cameras at airshows – which means that future enthusiasts will have a wealth of photos of the aircraft we see flying today.

Yes sport mode does make things worse – the problem with the S5000 is that the minimum aperture is only F9 and the lowest iso is 160 (and then only on Auto mode) – I believe the S5500 as a lower iso setting available which will help you get a slower shutter speed. The S5000 has a few autofocus options including one that will search for an object to focus on but not all features are available on all settings so it is a matter of compromise again and a thorough read of the manual – which is very good . It has all the exposure program settings commonly found on slrs and you will probably tend to use shutter priority to get a low enough speed to blur props – the program mode also has a useful shift feature like my Nikon slr that allows you to quickly select a different shutter speed/aperture value. Think about buying a neutral density filter for those extra sunny days (it takes the standard filters for slr lenses). You are never going to get as good results as you would with a digital slr and decent lens but it compares well with other cameras in the 10x zoom range – I would be interested to hear if the minoltas with image stabilising do actually give an advantage.

This miay be somewhat alleviated in the S5500 as the aperture setting now goes to f5.6 and ISO goes down to 100. Regarding the handbook, if the one for the S5000 is as good as the one for the S5500 I know what you mean

Have also got the older S5000 model, mine is now a year old. Shutter lag is a bit of a bind for moving subjects, but use of “multi shot” facility and/or a little practice can soon overcome this. In practice I tend to follow the target in the viewfinder with my right eye, and use my left eye to track the “real” target. By keeping both images roughly together in my brain then the resulting shot usually captures the subject. Anyway, if you miss the target you can always delete the result and free up the XD card space for another attempt 🙂 .

Lack of lower ISO on S5000 does mean props are often frozen, investment in neutral density filter would overcome this. Maybe the lower ISO available on S5500 would help.

10x Optical Zoom is useful, and if you shoot at max resolution, max zoom and selective trimming/cropping can usually give a good image of most air display subjects. Wide angle could be better, but I’ve rarely found it a real problem.

In terms of colour rendition, and exposure options I don’t think I’ve seen any mid-priced digicams do it better.

At times I wish I’d saved a few more beans and then splashed out on a Canon Digi SLR, (to utilise my old Caonon EOS lenses) but that sort of set up was £600 or more, vs £150 for the S5000 – I’m happy with the Fuji, though still hankering after a Canon SLR 😉 .

I certainly find the compact nature and light weight of the Fuji a real bonus after many years lugging two 35mm SLR bodies and a set of lenses around.

Paul F

Editted for spelling

I’ve got a T80 that will soon be for sale (I hope) 🙂 It may 20 odd years old but it still functions as it should. I feel it is more camera than I need, I only bought it because I needed a new camera and it was a good deal at the time because it was one of the last of the production run and the T90 and EOS bodies were coming in. There are still facilities on it that I have either a) not needed, b) not been brave enough to try, or both. If you (or anyone else) is interested please feel free to pm me and I’ll give you more info on what you’ll be getting. If you want an idea of picture quality all the pics I’ve posted on the forum have been taken with it.

Hi guys

I’m thinking of replacing my current ancient Olympus digital SLR and have considered the Fuji FinePix S5500:

http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/photoandvideo/digitalcameras/productView.htm?quicklinx=39J2

I’ll be needing to use it for interior museum shots and ground to air, the 375mm equivalent looks good. Anyone got any experience with this model or recommendations for alternatives?

Any help much appreciated.

I’ve just invested in an S5500, based on the specs I’ve read it looks good. You’ll notice a hell of a weight saving too. I only got mine yesterday so it hasn’t had an outing yet, first aviation oriented outing will be Aug 14 at Blenheim Palace, if they are any good be sure you’ll see them on the forum

Yes that is correct, the F10 has a very good performance in low lighting and the same sensor will be used on the new S5600. For the average user, this camera will represent an affordable long zoom with plenty of features that will allow acceptable aviation images. When I get a test sample I will pop down to Duxford (awaiting Mike’s comment at this point 😀 ) and test it on a couple of moving targets.

There are “Test Samples”? Would very much be interested in taking party in that project (with an option to buy, and a discount for thanks, of course)!!!

Can’t remember where but I did read somewhere (possibly in the Leica forum on www.photo.net) that the sensor built into the F10 (one of Fuji’s latest digi compacts) was very good all the way up to ‘ISO’ 1600 – and better than most DSLRs!

One can only assume it’s a similar performing sensor in the new S5600 …

Yes that is correct, the F10 has a very good performance in low lighting and the same sensor will be used on the new S5600. For the average user, this camera will represent an affordable long zoom with plenty of features that will allow acceptable aviation images. When I get a test sample I will pop down to Duxford (awaiting Mike’s comment at this point 😀 ) and test it on a couple of moving targets.

Image stabilisation certainly seems to be worth having. I’ve no idea how it works but if it’s anything like the DSLR’s it’s very useful.

I know we’re talking a different class of camera here but looking at the results Damien, Robbo, Nick et al get, there’s no way I could take shots like that with a 35mm SLR and a long lens. I would have to use a seriously fast shutter speed to stand any chance of a clear picture.

would like to see some pics taken at different sensitivity…if it delivers on that then it would be a revolution in compact land

Can’t remember where but I did read somewhere (possibly in the Leica forum on www.photo.net) that the sensor built into the F10 (one of Fuji’s latest digi compacts) was very good all the way up to ‘ISO’ 1600 – and better than most DSLRs!

One can only assume it’s a similar performing sensor in the new S5600 …

We are letting it run

Moggy
Moderator

This thread centres around a discussion close to the needs of many photographers of historic aviation. IMHO the entire thread is within that context.

The Pro815 hasn’t been priced up yet AFAICT – and I can’t find it for sale yet. But if it is over, say, £300 you’d be right Darren.

Rob,

The proposed price is around £600. With such a large zoom and a large screen its an interesting “compact”. I was at the european launch of the camera in Poland the other month, and from my initial play with it, it will find it hard to compete against digital SLR options like the Nikon D50 and Canon 350D. It is due to hit the shelves in September.

Just thought I’d mention it….

This thread centres around a discussion close to the needs of many photographers of historic aviation. IMHO the entire thread is within that context.

The Pro815 hasn’t been priced up yet AFAICT – and I can’t find it for sale yet. But if it is over, say, £300 you’d be right Darren.

Aviation forum Code of Conduct
1) This forum is the place for discussion based around historic aviation. All other posts/materials belong in the relevant aviation forum or if of a non-aviation nature in the General Discussion forum.

Just thought I’d mention it….

I am, of course, assuming my current teleconverter will work.

It looks as though it will as the filter thread is still 55mm. There is a preview here . I see that the lens is now F3.2 rather than the F2.8 of the S5000.

That 5600 looks like a very worthwhile upgrade on the 5k, and probably on the 5500 too. Manual focus will help a lot in terms of reducing shutter lag.

As I’m not rich, I think this could be an affordable upgrade for me, if they can keep it to around £250.

I am, of course, assuming my current teleconverter will work.

I’ll still be looking carefully at the Samsung P815, though – but as it might use a proprietary lithum ion battery, the Fuji and my existing teleconverter could well take it to the cleaners.

If you are not rich, as you say..then surely the P815 is out of range anyway (especially when a DSLR will cost around the same figure of £600!)

That 5600 looks like a very worthwhile upgrade on the 5k, and probably on the 5500 too. Manual focus will help a lot in terms of reducing shutter lag.

As I’m not rich, I think this could be an affordable upgrade for me, if they can keep it to around £250.

I am, of course, assuming my current teleconverter will work.

I’ll still be looking carefully at the Samsung P815, though – but as it might use a proprietary lithum ion battery, the Fuji and my existing teleconverter could well take it to the cleaners.

Hum would like to see some pics taken at different sensitivity…if it delivers on that then it would be a revolution in compact land…
And then there is the minimal shutter lag…if true…

http://users.pandora.be/Aircraftwalkarounds/introduction.html

I had the S5000 last season as my introduction to digital aviation “toggery”. It’s a fine starter camera, but the shutter lag requires lots of practice and a large dollop of luck. I loved the camera for the price I paid (£189) and considered it more than adequate for airshow photography.

All the pics in this report (sadly only thumbnails, the links are down) were taken on said camera. http://www.airshows.co.uk/content/reviews/2004/hardwick/hardwick.htm

Just for information. Fujifilm have announced the S5600 today (28th July)
To quote from the press release:

Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix S5600 Zoom, the third generation of its powerful, mini SLR-style digital cameras with long zoom lens. Packed with features, including 10x optical zoom and Anti-Blur Mode, the FinePix S5600 Zoom is an impressive reworking of its popular predecessors.

Beneath its robust body lie the sensor enhancements that make the FinePix S5600 Zoom punch above its weight. Boasting a new 5th Generation five megapixel Super CCD HR sensor and Fujifilm’s new Real Photo Technology, the FinePix S5600 Zoom has the power to capture large images with incredible clarity and detail in a range of lighting conditions.

Complete with an unrivalled sensitivity range from ISO 64 to ISO 1600, the camera makes it possible to achieve crisp photographs with minimal noise, even in very low light conditions. The Anti-Blur Mode, which exploits the camera’s exceptional ISO capabilities, reduces blurring caused by movement of the user, as well as movement blur caused by the subject, making it much more effective than image stabilisation technology alone.

The camera’s impressive 10x optical zoom has a fixed lens housing and covers all settings from wide to telephoto. It’s ideal for amateurs and photography enthusiasts alike who want optical power but don’t want to compromise with a heavyweight or bulky camera body. The fixed lens housing also ensures a lightning-fast start-up time and removes the risk of getting dust particles inside the lens or camera body.

The FinePix S5600 Zoom features a high-speed start up time of just 1.1 seconds and shutter lag has been minimised to 0.01 seconds. This, combined with a new automatic pop-up flash, means that you’ll never miss out on the action.

Moreover, the camera offers 30fps movie capability with monaural sound, making it the perfect choice for those wanting to create high quality home movies without the need to carry a camcorder.

FinePix S5600 Zoom features at a glance:

* 5th Generation Super CCD HR sensor
* 5.1 million effective pixels
* 10x optical zoom
* Real Photo Technology and ISO 64 – 1600 sensitivity range
* Anti-Blur Mode to minimise blurring from photographer and subject
* Highlight Warning function to alert users to overexposed areas of an image (in playback)
* High quality video recording at VGA and 30fps
* Rapid start-up time of 1.1 seconds and shutter lag of 0.01 seconds
* Automatic pop-up flash
* JPEG and RAW file format
* Versatile manual functions including manual focus and exposure

Availability & pricing
The FinePix S5600 Zoom will be available from UK retailers in September 2005. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

I was getting some good shots from my S5000 but flying shots were difficult so I have just changed to a Canon Eos 350D thats the one to go for.

Sniper, Just an observation but the G-ORDY is considering buying a £170 camera and you are suggesting something costing around £600.

Could this be seen as less than helpful?

Moggy

Also, have a look at this site (EBuyer, £175) …

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=9241500414&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3Jldmlld3M=&product_uid=66775