Fuji S3 extended dynamic range

[padey]

Hi guys,

I've had a few people ask me, what's with the S3's? Why do i bother with what appears to be a slow and dated DSLR? I’d like to show you the advantage of the Fuji S3 14bit RAW files, and it’s extended dynamic range.

Here is a shot that I exposed for the car. Look at the clipped right hand corner. The sky is blown out. Or is it?


This is the same exposure, but pull back 4 stops.


Look at the detail in the sky. You can clearly see the clouds and blue sky. That’s the advantage of Fuji's 14bit RAW files, Fuji sensors S and R pixel layout that allows it to capture more detail in the highlight.


With my other camera RAWs, I’ve always had to capture 2 exposures and blend them, one for highlights and one for shadows. Here is a blend, both from the same exposure. One normal exposure and the other same exposure minus 4 stops.


Being able to capture more details in highlights is quite helpful when taking photos of brides in white dresses in bright sunlight.

[Michael]

is that using adobe raw?

[wendellt]

very informative
I now understand your signature line

also isn't fuji allied with Nikon?
perhaps in the future we will see fuji sensors on nikon

[Zeeke]

Well... I'm Impressed!!

Tim

[padey]

This is using CS2 RAW converter.

I'd happily give the 25MB RAW file for you to play with if someone can host it.

[sirhc55]

I must admit that I have always been impressed with the ’dark horse’ Fuji. They also had the foresight to use a Nikon mount.

[davidkelly]

Is the Fuji S3 the only camera with a 14 bit raw output?
Or do the rest all have 12 bit AD converters and 12 bit raw?
I know some industrial cameras that have 14 bit output, but they have to cool the sensor to reduce noise.
Dave Kelly.

[xorl]

I'd be interested in seeing these samples, but the links don't appear to be working at the moment..

[lukeo]

sadly the links don't work for me either, i was quiet interested to see these raws.

[Killakoala]

One day, all DSLR's will be this good. If only i could see the images, but i can imagine them.

[padey]

Ahh guys, this thread was started in May.

Those images are long gone into the recycling bin ether.

[ljxphotography]

I have both a S3 pro and S5 pro, the dynamic range is awesome. the S5 I found to be the better of the two, but I love the weight and shape of the body on the S3.
The only niggle I have with the fuji sensor is that you occasionally get refection off the sensor when shooting into bright light, almost looks like chromatic abrasion but can be in anywhere in the frame and on the edge of the bright spot.
Was a hard decision to get rid of the S5, beats my D3's Dynamic Range(even with D lighting) Hands down(Nikon is catching up though)
It was the AF and frame speed and iso performance that made me move over to the D3.

Mick

[aim54x]

I love the S5 and have often though about selling off my D300 and putting the money back into glass, but the S5 is technically my little sisters.

[ljxphotography]

I love the S5 and have often though about selling off my D300 and putting the money back into glass, but the S5 is technically my little sisters.

She wont notice

Mick