Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
Anyone have any hard information as to whether Fuji are to discontinue the S5 Pro, without a successor in the wings? The current low price of around £495 for the S5, plus declining availability, leads to suspicions that they are.
On the Fuji stand at "Focus on Imaging" they denied it, but then they would wouldn't they. Could it be a victim of the recession? It leaves me in two minds whether to upgrade from my current S3's (slow, but lovely quality results), or go for a different make altogether.
Fuji's official comments are that they are waiting for market conditions to change. As for upgrading the S3 to S5, it depneds upon what you want to achieve, for me the more robust body, far more accurate WB and faster response time have made the upgrade well worth while, especially at the current price. The alternatives would be A D90, (but in many respects not much of an upgrade although it is a good cam) or more likely a D700, which may be a problem concerning lens... plus they do not come cheap. For the price of a D700 you can get 3 S5's or two S5's and a MF Fuji film cam, and still have change. Do you need to change the S3?
One of them things, if you like the camera and can get the S5 cheap then it will keep you happy. If you have to at some point go another path (by then Im sure there will be more Nikon options) or even hope that market conditions mean they bring out another update...
Tommy
I'm a S5 user and have been for nearly two years. I paid full whack when I got mine though - over £1,000! Arghhh!! I does make me feel a little sick that it now cost over 50% less; but I love using the S5 and am pleased with the results I get from it, despite it being a slow camera (3FPS).
I have not heard whether Fuji are planning to discontinue their SLR. But I for one think that that shall be a sad day for the photography world if the company does let the S5 go.
I'm sure you know that it's matched to the Nikon D200, which has itself now been entered into the history books, and discontinued. This is an indicator of how long the S5 has been on the market; it's equivalent competitor already off the shelf.
I've 'built-up' my S5 by buying a Nikon battery-grip, an improved view-finder eyepiece, and Fuji's Hyper-Utility RAW file converter. Plus I have a small selection of four Nikkor lenses. However, when the £ picks up again, and camera prices start to fall in general, I will aim to save up the cash to invest in a D300 or D700. The reason I plan to do this is because the S5 has been superceded many times over by newer, better sensor technology; advanced sensor technology being the S5's main selling point when it was released of course.
Overall though, at £450 a piece, the S5 is an excellent bargain for a 12MP, serious DSLR. Go get one!!!
Best wishes, Iain.
Quote: However, when the £ picks up again,
Cough, cough, splutter - the eternal optimist then 
Seriously tho ' worth looking around as there are some good second hand bargins already on the D300 - I bought one last week from a reputible dealer (Mifsuds) - It would be a shame if Fuji did pull the plug, as a diverse competitor base can only be good, however I fear that the big 2 will become ever more dominant as the recession bites. Even Nikon I think will struggle against the might of Canon - I see they have already announced a 15Mp entry(ish) level dSLR with the 500D - the first time in a couple of years they have beaten Nikon to the table. I know MP are not everything but it grabs the headlines.
Quote: Yes but have you seen the price of the 500D! not what I'd call entry level
Yes, unfortunately its as a consequence of the weekness of the pound - the only models that are at a realistic level are those approaching the end of their life cycle, where suppliers have excess stock or where enough units are manufactured to absorb some of the increase - I fear any new model launched in the UK in the foreseeable future will have a high price tag.
Reported sales in the UK were extremely high in 2008, partly due to the low prices (THEN) in the UK to the rest of Europe - It will be interesting to see what sales are like by the third quarter, that is when we will probably see some heavy discounting.
Its not just cameras but many many items.
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Login or Join Now
New to ePHOTOzine? Join ePHOTOzine for free!
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
foliopic 'Movement' Competition
1st May 2012 - 31st May 2012
This month's competition theme is 'Movement' which can be interpreted in a number of ways. You could photograph an animal running, a person walking or a car speeding...
Featured Directory Listing
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
Interact
Photography Gallery Photography Forums Recent Forum Activity Members' Meetings Members' BlogsSearch ePHOTOzine
Having trouble or would like to make a suggestion? Create a report
Calibrate your monitor so you can see 16 different shades.
ePHOTOzine © 2001 - 2012 Magezine Publishing | Contact Us | Site Map | Top