| Features |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| Columns |
| |
| |
| Departments |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Rangefinder
Magazine
December 2002
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
by John Rettie
Fuji S2 Pro and Macintosh Jaguar
 |
 |
| Fujifilm’s Finepix S2 Pro camera is a significant
upgrade to the S1 model. |
 |
Fujifilm FinepixS2 Pro
Soon after writing the review on the Nikon D100 digital SLR camera, I
had the chance to briefly try out the new Fujifilm Finepix S2< Pro. As
it is based on the Nikon N80 film body, it is similar to Nikon’s
own D100, at least as far as the photographic side of the camera is concerned.
Because of this it is gives Nikon users a real choice in cameras.
On the digital side of the equation there are considerable differences.
The S2 Pro is converted from the film body rather than being built from
the ground up as a digital camera. At first glance this is not apparent,
as the Fuji camera looks more “digital” with a bigger body
than the D100. This is because it has a separate base tacked on the bottom
to hold a battery pack for powering the digital side of the camera. This
is both a blessing and a curse. As it takes four regular alkaline or rechargeable
NiMH AA batteries, it is more flexible than the single proprietary NiMH
battery that powers the D100. Unfortunately, the S2 Pro also requires
a couple of CR123A batteries in the main body to power the camera and
the built-in pop-up flash. These batteries are relatively expensive and
are, unfortunately, not rechargeable.
The Fujifilm Finepix S2 Pro includes a FireWire port as well as a USB
port, which is better than the D100, which only has a USB port. The Fuji
has a PC sync connection, whereas the D100 lacks this feature. However,
the Fuji’s flash sync speed is only 1/125 sec., as compared to a
more reasonable though still slow 1/180 sec. on the D100. The Fuji also
includes a voice recorder for capturing up to 30 seconds of sound to accompany
a photograph.
 |
|
The resolution of images captured by the S2 Pro (left)
is slightly better than those on the D100
(right). |
|
It should be noted that some of these extra functions
such as the voice recorder are available for the Nikon D100 with the addition
of the battery pack, which accepts AA batteries as well as the proprietary
Nikon batteries. Ironically, adding this battery pack to the D100 makes
it closer in weight and size to the S2 Pro and the additional cost for
the adaptor is about the same as the extra cost of the S2 Pro over the
D100 ($2399 vs. $1999). With a battery pack attached, the D100 gets a
couple of features that the S2 Pro lacks, such as a vertical shutter-release
button and a remote cable-release plug. It also makes the D100 as nice
to handle as the S2 Pro with the lower battery pack helping balance.
Of course, the biggest difference between the Fuji S2 Pro and the Nikon
D100 are the image sensors. Although both sensors are actually 6-megapixel
CCDs, the Fuji produces a larger image size through interpolation. The
S2 Pro uses Fuji’s unique Super CCD, which produces a 12-megapixel
image (4256 x 2848 pixels) compared to Nikon’s 3008 x 2000 pixel
image from a 6- megapixel chip.
As far as image quality is concerned there is a difference, though less
than the image size would suggest. The resolution of images captured by
the S2 Pro is slightly better than those on the D100. It also appears
that S2 Pro images require less postprocessing work, such as sharpening,
than images captured by the D100.
Operationally the two cameras are very similar. The Fuji has an extra
small LCD screen for quick changing of several parameters such as white
balance and image size. The controls and LCD on top of the camera body
are the same for both cameras as they come from the same film camera body.
The image display on the Nikon LCD viewing screen is somewhat better than
that on the Fuji. Also, in the review mode the speed at which one can
zoom in for a detailed look is slower on the Fuji as compared to the Nikon.
All in all there are pluses and minuses to each of these digital camera
bodies but I’d be happy with either one.
 |
|
| Apple’s gone for the animal look in its latest
OS X 10.2 operating system. |
|
Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar
No I’m not mistakenly reviewing the latest Jaguar car. Instead it’s
the newest version of Apple’s OS X operating system. Quite why the
company chose to add a name to the normal numbering system is not immediately
apparent but it’s obvious that Jaguar refers to its speed and sleekness.
Even the box has Jaguar skin coloring.
While the OS X operating system has been well accepted by many Mac users
there have been complaints of sluggish operation at times. This upgrade
has sped up many operations and made the system feel snappier. What’s
probably more important is that it seems to be even more robust. In a
few weeks of use I have only suffered from a couple of crashes and these
were as much my fault as anything.
The most impressive improvement, however, is the new networking capabilities.
It’s now possible to connect to PCs on a network without needing
a degree in network engineering or any additional third-party programs.
It has been possible to do this in earlier versions but it was a convoluted
process. Now you can literally plug a PC into an Ethernet network, click
on “Connect to Server” in the “Go” menu and all
computers on the network will show up. As long as access has been granted
by turning on file sharing, one can access files on the connected computers
within seconds. Aftermarket programs, such as PC MacLan and Dave, are
still worthwhile, as they offer more flexibility such as printer sharing
and enhanced communications capabilities.
Other OS X improvements include an enhanced mail program coupled with
an improved Address Book, which can be accessed from other applications.
Inkwell is another intriguing new feature that offers handwriting recognition
using certain input tablets. I have not had a chance to try this out yet
but plan to see if it’s worthwhile.
On the whole most of the improvements in the latest Mac OS are aimed at
making the whole experience more friendly for new computer users. Yet
ironically because OS X is based on UNIX it is also becoming increasingly
popular with real computer geeks. Twice recently when visiting a CompUSA
store I have overheard conversations from programmers who were purchasing
their first ever Mac so that they could use it for Unix programming. Apple
even goes as far as including a Developers CD-ROM in the box so that programmers
can immediately get to work using the Mac as a development platform. In
fact it’s easier to get to a prompt line on a Mac now than it is
on a Windows machine running XP. Quite a change from a few years ago,
when a prompt line was easily available on a PC and it was impossible
to get below the friendly graphical user interface on a Mac.
I still have a couple of gripes about OS X. My biggest complaint is the
inability to view files sorted by date from within a program. They can
be sorted by date, name, type or size in a finder window but not when
opening or searching for a file in the browser window within a program.
I find this slows me down, as files I have recently saved are not at the
top of the list so one has to scroll down the alphabetized list looking
for them. It also means you’ve got to remember what they are named!
Another annoyance is being asked for a password in order to add programs
or change some settings even when you’re the sole user on a computer.
I understand the need for security with computers that are used by numerous
users but it would be nice to be able to turn off the function easily.
While the majority of operations are fast there are occasions when the
computer mysteriously takes several seconds to accomplish a task such
as resorting files in a finder window. One frustrating “feature”
is in Microsoft Word. For some reason Microsoft engineers have programmed
Word and other programs in the Office suite so that one cannot create
a file name longer than 32 characters. It’s a strange limitation
as other programs such as Photoshop allow long file names. One can rename
a file in the finder and make it longer than 32 characters. Then once
it’s opened in a Microsoft program it will truncate the name temporality
but at least it still retains the longer name when it’s saved again.
Although Apple has only called Jaguar a minor upgrade from 10.1.5 to 10.2
it is in reality quite a major upgrade, which is why it’s charging
$129. If you haven’t yet started using Mac OS X it’s probably
worthwhile trying now. After all, from January on new Macs will only come
with this operating system installed.
 |
|
If you follow the hands-on advice in this book there
will be no excuse for
producing dull looking photographs in Photoshop. |
|
Quick Book Review:
Photoshop Color Correction
There’s no doubt that an important key to producing great looking
photographs in Photoshop is to have an understanding of how to correct
color. On a couple of occasions I have been able to attended a short seminar
on color correction by Michael Kieran, who is acknowledged to be one of
the best color experts in the business. Now he has put his expertise into
writing with a book called Photoshop Color Correction (Peachpit Press,
384 pages, $49.99). Most books on Photoshop only have a chapter or two
on color issues. This one contains eight lengthy chapters, starting with
color basics before getting into a technical chapter on color management.
The author then goes into numerous practical examples showing how a picture
with a serious color cast is corrected. Even pictures, which are badly
faded or seriously underexposed, are brought back to life. Another chapter
discusses the importance of sharpening and how it improves the look of
an image. Kieran says to avoid using variations and brightness/contrast
tools in Photoshop as those are only for amateurs and cause damage to
an image. Instead he takes readers through the steps to understand curves.
If you’re having trouble getting really good images from scanned
photographs or digital images this book could go a long way to helping
you use Photoshop for color correction.
John Rettie is a photojournalist who resides in Santa Barbara,
CA. He has been using a camera as a professional for 32 years, a computer
for 22 years, and has combined his knowledge of both for the past nine
years. Readers can contact him by email at john@johnrettie.com or by snail-mail
c/o Rangefinder.
Further Information
Finepix S2 Pro
Fujifilm
555 Taxter Road
Elmsford, NY 10523
(800) 755 3854
www.fujifilm.com
Mac OS X Jaguar
Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
(800) 823 2775
www.apple.com
Photoshop Color Correction
Peachpit Press
1249 Eighth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 524 2178
www.peachpit.com
|
