Steve's Digicams - Breaking News - Fujifilm 07/28/04 Press Releases

Fujifilm Announces Availability and New Features For Finepix S3 Pro Professional Digital Camera

October 21, 2004 update - Fujifilm USA has today released the pricing information for the Finepix S3 Pro camera, the MAP (minimum advertised price or street price) is .

VALHALLA, NY, July 28, 2004 – With the FinePix S3 Pro firmly established at the top of many wish lists, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today announced that the camera of choice for many wedding, portrait and commercial photographers will be available October 2004 with a number of previously unannounced features, including adjustable dynamic range and film simulation modes.

The FinePix S3 Pro represents the culmination of Fujifilm’s unmatched professional photography heritage and continuous commitment to technology innovation. Special features that will set the FinePix S3 Pro apart from competitors will be Fujifilm’s proprietary Super CCD SR II sensor, new and advanced image processing technology and a number of professional controls developed exclusively for the FinePix S3 Pro. With knowledge culled from years of dedication to the professional photography community, Fujifilm understands that a quality image is about more than just resolution, and thus created the FinePix S3 Pro to bring the digital picture closer to the film standard than ever before. Photographers shooting with the FinePix S3 Pro will experience greater dynamic range, improved tonal capabilities, exceptional color balancing and accuracy and better signal-to-noise ratios, all factors that contribute to a colorful, clear and detail-laden picture.

Feature highlights of the FinePix S3 Pro include:

• Improved Dynamic Range – A wider dynamic range opens up a whole new world in terms of picture quality, and the unique double photodiode design (6.17 million S-pixels and 6.17 million R-pixels) of the Super CCD SR II sensor will produce dynamic range approximately 400% greater than that of CCD working on a single-pixel design, capturing the finest detail in even the highest contrast scenes.

• Adjustable Dynamic Range (New Feature!) – No longer confined within a small, fixed space, professional photographers will have the option to adjust the camera’s dynamic range, changing the mixing ratio between the FinePix S3 Pro’s "S" and "R" pixels.

• Film Simulation Modes (New Feature!) – A feature unique to the FinePix S3 Pro and one that could only be developed by a company with Fujifilm’s experience. Photographers that favor the look and feel of film can replicate the results of various chrome and negative films while shooting digitally with the FinePix S3 Pro.

• Color Spaces (New Feature!) – The FinePix S3 Pro will offer a choice of sRBG and Adobe RGB to generate the color best suited for the job.

• Selectable RAW capture modes (New Feature!) – Sometimes, a smaller file is needed. With the FinePix S3 Pro, the user will be able to "turn off" the expanded dynamic range function without losing resolution.

• Lightning-Fast Start-Up (New Feature!) – Boot time in the blink of an eye. The FinePix S3 Pro goes from off to ready-to-shoot in one-half second – with any compatible media type.

• D-TTL Flash Exposure Metering System – Photographers can take advantage of a host of creative options, even on location, and get outstanding results with all Nikon-compatible speed lights.

• Dual Shutter Release Buttons – Photographers should love the addition of a second shutter release button, situated perfectly for easier vertical shooting.

• High-Speed Dual Image Interfaces: The FinePix S3 Pro provides IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and USB 2.0 interfaces for camera control (IEEE1394 only) and high-speed image transfer.

• 10-Pin Nikon Electric Remote: Standard equipment for a camera in this class

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and delivers technology solutions to meet the imaging and information needs of retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers. As a global leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm pioneered the development of digital medical systems, and today is the leader in digital minilab systems. The company was ranked in the top ten for U.S. patents granted during the last decade, employs 73,100 people worldwide and in the year ending March 31, 2004, had global revenues of more than billion.

In the U.S., Fujifilm is a leader in delivering high quality, easy-to-use imaging and information solutions in the following categories: Digital Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media, Film and Imaging Systems, Motion Picture Film, Graphic Arts and Printing Systems and Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Systems. Fujifilm is committed to being an environmentally friendly, humane enterprise and an exemplary corporate citizen.

For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the Fujifilm U.S.A. Web site at www.fujifilm.com.

Film Simulation:F1, F2

Dynamic Range: Auto, Wide 1, Wide 2, Standard

Color, Tone, Sharpness