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Fuji FinePix S1 Pro

A 3.5 megapixel "SuperCCD" gives superb color and amazing low-light capability in an under-$4,000 SLR digicam!

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Page 5:Optics

Review First Posted: 8/1/2000

Optics

The S1 doesn't come with any lenses, but supports most lenses compatible with the Nikon F-mount system, which includes Nikkor lenses with built-in CPUs, D-type and other AF Nikkor lenses. The accompanying camera manual provides a very detailed listing of the compatible lenses, which we've reproduced below. (One notable exception for professional photographers is that the S1 won't support Nikon's latest AF-S "silent wave" lenses with the high-speed built-in autofocus motor system.) Lenses attach to the front lens mount and can be released by pressing the lens release button to the right of the mount, and turning the lens (as you would on most film-based SLRs). A small focus switch on the lower right side of the lens mount switches back and forth between auto and manual focus. Two types of auto focusing are used by the camera, Single and Continuous AF. Single autofocus simply means that the focus is not set until the shutter button is halfway pressed. With Continuous autofocus, the camera is constantly adjusting the focus as the subject moves. According to the manual, the camera judges whether or not the subject is in motion and then determines which autofocus method to use. Since the Single autofocus method is better for power conservation, we'd like to be able to adjust this feature ourselves. The S1's autofocus system uses an AF Assist light, located on the front of the camera, which helps the camera focus in low light situations. This assist light is disabled when the camera is in manual-focus mode, which is a nice feature: It's very bright, and would definitely blow your cover if you're trying for candid shots! When you need it though, the bring autofocus assist is very handy. We didn't really have the wherewithal to test it's effective range (which will depend heavily on the subject of course, as well as lens speed), but in some quick tests with our cheapie 35-80mm Nikkor f/4-5.6 zoom, it appeared to work well out to at least 15-20 feet. One important note about the AF assist light though: Because it's located quite close to the lens barrel, it can be blocked by large lenses or lens hoods: Our Tamron 28-300mm "vacation lens" has both a fairly fat body and a rather large hood on it, and this interferes with the beam projected by the AF assist lamp.

Here's a copy of the table from the S1's manual, showing which Nikkor lenses are compatible with the S1, as well as which exposure modes are supported, and also which are specifically to be avoided:

 

Modes ->
 Focusing Mode Exposure Mode Metering Mode
Lenses
 Auto Focus Focus aids Manual Other M 3D 6-zone 6-zone Center weighted avg.
Nikkor lenses with built-in CPU*2
D-type AF lenses O O O O O O - O
AF-S, AF-I lenses (D-type lenses) - O O O O O - O
PC micro 85 mm f/2.8D *3 - O*4 O - O O - O
AF-I Teleconverter - O*5 O O O O - O
AF Nikkor lenses other than D-type (excluding lenses for F3AF) O O O O O - O O
Ai-P Nikkor - O*6 O O O - O O
Lenses other than Nikkor lenses with a built-in CPU*7
Ai-S, Ai Series E lenses, modified AI Nikkor - O*6 O - S*8 - - -
Medical 120 mm f/4 - O O - S*8 - - -
Reflex lenses - - O - S*8 - - -
PC Nikkor - O*4 O - S*8 - - -
Ai-S, AI Teleconverter - O*5 O - S*8 - - -
Bellows PB-6 (used with K ring 1, 3, 4 or 5) - O*5 O - S*8 - - -
Auto close-up rings (PK-11A, 12, 13 and PN-11) - O*5 O - S*8 - - -

 

Key:
O : Usable
S : Usable subject to conditions
- : Not usable
*1 When the M (manual) exposure setting or AE lock is used, the light metering mode is automatically switched to center-weighted metering.
*2 IX Nikkor lenses cannot be mounted on this camera.
*3 The camera's light metering modes and flash control functions do not operate correctly when camera movements are performed (both shift and tilt) or when the aperture is set to any setting other than fully open.
*4 Only possible when camera shift or tilt are not performed.
*5 Can only be used when the combined aperture value is f/5.6 or brighter.
*6 Can only be used when the widest aperture value is f/5.6 or brighter.
*7 Some lenses cannot be mounted on this camera.
*8 Set the exposure mode to M. Note that the exposure meter cannot be used.


 

Lenses that cannot be used: (Caution, do not attempt to forcibly mount or damage to the camera could result!)
 
Lenses other than Nikkor lenses with a built-in CPU that cannot be used
The lenses other than Nikkor lenses with a built-in CPU listed below cannot be used with this camera. Any attempt to forcibly mount one of these lenses on the camera could damage the camera and lens.
  • AF Teleconverter TC-16AS
  • Non-AI Nikkor lenses (lens types with a connecting bayonet that precede the AI system)
  • Lenses that require the Focusing Unit AU-1 (400 mm f/4.5 and 600 mm f/5.6)
  • Fish-eye lenses (6 mm f/5.6 and OP 10 mm f/5.6)
  • ED 180-600 mm f/8 (product no.174166 and earlier)
  • ED 360-1200 mm f/11 (product no. 174087 and earlier)
  • 200-600 mm f/9.5 (product no. 300490 and earlier)
  • For F3AF (80 mm f/2.8 and 200 mm f/3.5, Teleconverter TC-16S)
  • PC28 mm f/4 (product no. 180900 and earlier)
  • PC35 mm f/2.8 (product no. 906200 and earlier)
  • Reflex 1000 mm f/11 (product no. 142361-143000)
  • Reflex 2000 mm f/11 (product no. 200310 and earlier)
  • Medical Nikkor 200 mm f/5.6 (This lens can be used if used together with the Sync Terminal Adapter AS-15.)

 

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