Help, I'm new here.....

[tehsusu]

I'm new to CS and I need help to learn more abt my hand-me-down S2 pro.
My brother has migrated and prior to his departure, he gave me his seasoned s2 pro to play with it ...minus manuals, cables, cd-roms etc.....He just said: If u need help, register with Clubsnap.' That's it and here I am.
I'm also a blur newbie with absolutely no idea on photography except to aim and shoot.

Couple of questions:
1. what is the current firmware?
2. what sw do i use? The cd-roms that came with it were missing.
3. is it better to stick with the S2pro than to buy a d70?
4. what accessories do i require?
5. what is the CR123A batteries for? Can I not load these batt in the cam?
6. Which media is better - CF or ???
7. What flash shld i use - SB600?
8. What good cam strap shld I buy & from where?
8. What is the preferred setting...I hate PSing!

Down the road, I will be asking alot of silly questions....hope you guys can help me....

[silver.wolf]

Let me first welcome u aboard to Clubsnap! Hope u will enjoy your time here and get to pick up photography skills

I'll try answering your questions to my best of knowledge.
1. what is the current firmware?
-> Currently, there's only one version of firmware.

2. what sw do i need?
-> Any photo editing software (i.e. Photoshop). You don't need any software to download the photos from the camera to the computer.

3. is it better to stick with the S2pro than to buy a d70?
-> Well, this better leaves to your own judgement. Alot of people have claimed the colours are superb right out of the S2pro.

4. what accessories do i require?
-> Essential accessories like CF card, batteries and not forgetting the lenses. Better to have accessories include flashlight, tripod and camera bag.

5. what is the CR123A batteries for? Can I not load these batt in the cam?
-> CR123A batteries are used to power functions such as auto focus,
aperture, mirror and shutter operation, and charge the flash. Yes, you can choose not to load these batt in, but the built-in flash will not work and the time for which the cam can be used is shorter.

6. Which media is better - CF or ???
-> CF

7. What flash shld i use - SB600?
-> All old models of Nikon flashes (i.e. SB-28/28DX, 27, 26, 25 and 24)

8. What is the preferred setting...I hate PSing!
-> Probably P Mode

[Terence]

Welcome to the CS community. Here are some answers to your Qs...

3. is it better to stick with the S2pro than to buy a d70?
I sold off my D70 and kept the S2, mostly because of the fast declining value of the D70. The S2 used prices remain a little more stable. Apart from that, I find the color rendition, dynamic range way better than that of the D70, those were the main reasons I chose it over the Nikon.

8. What good cam strap shld I buy & from where?
The Leica 42162 Neoprene Strap. Originally meant for their binos but works awesome on cams as well. Unlike many other neoprene straps, this one doesn't cause your cam to bounce around when slung over your shoulder. The Optechs are notorious for that, it's a very uncomfortable feeling. They can be bought from CP... not cheap, about $60.

[jopel]

2. what sw do i use? The cd-roms that came with it were missing.
You will need Photoshop CS if you shoot in raw mode or need to do post processing.

3. is it better to stick with the S2pro than to buy a d70?
Does it mean you want to sell the S2 How much aha?


5. what is the CR123A batteries for? Can I not load these batt in the cam?
unload the batteries especially when you are using the cable. It drains the batteries real fast. (btw I don't load them cos' I never used the build-in flash)

6. Which media is better - CF or ???
Try the Lexar 1Gb. It is about $155 - $160.

7. What flash shld i use - SB600?
SB28 will do. Unless you have plan to downgrade to latest Nikon DSLR then go for SB800.

8. What is the preferred setting...I hate PSing!
Do you mean Photoshoping? This skill is a neccsary evil if you are into digital photography.

Preffered setting - no definite answer depends on many factors.
Most likely setting is: White Balance - auto; Fine - 4256; Colour,Tone,Sharpness - all set to standard; Centred weight metering and Apperture mode.

Have fun!

[David Lee]

Originally Posted by tehsusu I'm new to CS and I need help to learn more abt my hand-me-down S2 pro. My brother has migrated and prior to his departure, he gave me his seasoned s2 pro to play with it ...minus manuals, cables, cd-roms etc.....He just said: If u need help, register with Clubsnap.' That's it and here I am. I'm also a blur newbie with absolutely no idea on photography except to aim and shoot. Couple of questions: 1. what is the current firmware? 2. what sw do i use? The cd-roms that came with it were missing. 3. is it better to stick with the S2pro than to buy a d70? 4. what accessories do i require? 5. what is the CR123A batteries for? Can I not load these batt in the cam? 6. Which media is better - CF or ??? 7. What flash shld i use - SB600? 8. What good cam strap shld I buy & from where? 8. What is the preferred setting...I hate PSing! Down the road, I will be asking alot of silly questions....hope you guys can help me....

How about i photo copy a S2 manual for your own reference??

Oh Yes...one more thing, If your camera suddenly switches off, its the CR123A run flat, have it replaced. NO INDICATION.... Always bring along a spare set.

[tehsusu]

Originally Posted by David Lee How about i photo copy a S2 manual for your own reference?? Oh Yes...one more thing, If your camera suddenly switches off, its the CR123A run flat, have it replaced. NO INDICATION.... Always bring along a spare set.

Thanks for the offer. I can print the manual of fuji website.

[tehsusu]

Originally Posted by jopel 7. What flash shld i use - SB600? SB28 will do. Unless you have plan to downgrade to latest Nikon DSLR then go for SB800. 8. What is the preferred setting...I hate PSing! Do you mean Photoshoping? This skill is a neccsary evil if you are into digital photography. Preffered setting - no definite answer depends on many factors. Most likely setting is: White Balance - auto; Fine - 4256; Colour,Tone,Sharpness - all set to standard; Centred weight metering and Apperture mode. Have fun!

How much does the SB28 costs? I was able to get hold of a SB-600. Can this be used?
As for the cam settings, that's was what I was looking for....
Thanks!

[jopel]

Originally Posted by tehsusu How much does the SB28 costs? I was able to get hold of a SB-600. Can this be used? As for the cam settings, that's was what I was looking for.... Thanks!

Cannot remember the exact price bought it at TCW for around $285 3 yrs ago.

Yes it works with the SB600 also.

Flash-photography requires some times to master.

[Azure]

1. what is the current firmware?
There is none. Camera is as is.

2. what sw do i use? The cd-roms that came with it were missing.
Anything you like. Photoshop Elements is something easy to start with.

3. is it better to stick with the S2pro than to buy a d70?
If you are not shooting for speed (bursts, buffers and all those tech specs), the S2 is a superior camera any day.

4. what accessories do i require?
Just a lens. A flash unit is optional if you want to shoot in low-light or nights.

5. what is the CR123A batteries for? Can I not load these batt in the cam?
You do not need to use the CR123s. They power the pop-up flash of the camera.

6. Which media is better - CF or ???
CF is cheap and good. Don't waste $$$

7. What flash shld i use - SB600?
Any Nikon-compatible. SB24, 28DX, 80DX, 600, 800 are all fine.

8. What good cam strap shld I buy & from where?
Someone mentioned a Neoprene one, that's good. But the existing Fuji strap is good enough for me.

8. What is the preferred setting...I hate PSing!
ISO200, Auto WB, Normal quality/size, 3024, Std Color, Std Tone, Hard Sharpening. This setting works for most outdoor shots. But for specific conitions, you'll have more specific settings that may suit your style of shooting better.
I personally use ISO100, 4256, High Color and Sharpening Off half the time.


IF you are looking for S2/S3 users to learn from, you can always look up my AG-series outings in this sub-forum. Every month there are at least 2 outings. And there's usually 1-2 S2/S3 users there. The upcoming one (AG66) is already full though, and we have 3 S2 users and a S3 user in there....

[zorro18]

after reading so much abt the s2pro....its tempting

[Azure]

Originally Posted by zorro18 after reading so much abt the s2pro....its tempting

Why the temptation? I thought you are a hard-core Nikon-only fan?

[zorro18]

been reading so much (& being told) abt the colors and vibrancy of the S2/S3 shots that I'm a little curious to see it with my own eyes.

Anyway, I'm trying to hard to suppress my urge of buying a new toy every month.....it's not healthy

[Azure]

Hahaha....
Nope, Buying Syndrome is NOT healthy at all.

If you really want to see, some places in Sg has S2/S3 Pro prints on display. The lab the Germ_Boi goes to has two of mine (from S3), while several schools have my S2 works printed to life-size or more. Or you can always wait for my weekday AG-Gathering to drop in for a look-see. There should be one in March.... If not, wait for end-April, a Cat Photo Book due to be launched then will have half S2 pics (the rest from my Coolpixes and a couple from a D70).

[Clown]

Originally Posted by zorro18 been reading so much (& being told) abt the colors and vibrancy of the S2/S3 shots that I'm a little curious to see it with my own eyes. Anyway, I'm trying to hard to suppress my urge of buying a new toy every month.....it's not healthy

ei zorro.. look here...

www.lateral-i.com/moken
www.lateral-i.com/israel

all S2pro pics. hehehehehehe

[Terence]

Originally Posted by Clown ei zorro.. look here... www.lateral-i.com/moken www.lateral-i.com/israel all S2pro pics. hehehehehehe

Hi, actually it was after bumping into you the other day in Spinelli's Excelsior (when I was selling my cam) that I began to look at the S2 myself. I liked the colors of the prints you showed me so I did a bit of research and picked up a used body about a month ago... beautiful, wish I had picked one up a lot sooner. Now if only Fuji will make one to match the speed of the 1DmkII.

[yowch]

BIG welcome to you.

1. what is the current firmware?
Fuji doesn't seem to believe in firmware upgrades.

2. what sw do i use? The cd-roms that came with it were missing.
The CD-ROMs are only good for Win98. If you need to process in RAW (the true power of S2, giving 1Ds a strong challenge), contact me by Personal Message, right Silverwolf?

3. is it better to stick with the S2pro than to buy a d70?
SURE! I bought my S2pro second hand at a higher price than a D70 first hand.

4. what accessories do i require?
Above said. A hand strap can be handy, and go for 'pro' body bags, as the tall S2pro body may not fit the typical SLR bags. E.g. my Sideline Shooter (Lowepro) can barely hold the S2pro.

5. what is the CR123A batteries for? Can I not load these batt in the cam?
As said, but you'll be using only 20% of the AA batteries. As the AA charge is used up, the voltage drops. Once the voltage goes below activation level for the cam, the cam shuts down. But there is still much charge left in the batteries. Better to use CR123 with AA.

6. Which media is better - CF or ???
CF card. Don't bother with 40x or 80x other than durability. S2pro is an older cam, the speed is on the camera, not the card. And if I remember correctly, 2GB is max, FAT12 problems.

7. What flash shld i use - SB600?
The new SB600 and SB800 are overkills, as they have functions and features that the S2pro cannot use. It seems that the best flashes are SB24, 25, 26 and 28 (read somewhere that the 28DX can underexpose often). Get the older SB24/25/26 at about $200 or less here on Clubsnap.

8. What good cam strap shld I buy & from where?
I use Optech's neoprene neck strap and a homemade hand strap.

9. What is the preferred setting...I hate PSing!
WB "Auto" or "daylight", STD STD STD, shoot in P or A, 3024 (6MP mode, 12MP soft images and needs post processing hardening), FINE. But the true power is in the dynamic range captured in RAW. Try it.

All the best.

BTW, I have often printed processed RAW files to 10"x15" and on occasion A0 size. Strong colours, high contrast and very sharp.

[tehsusu]

to all the guys who responded to my call for help......Thanks!!!

I'm still fiddling my way thru......

To Clown, u evil man u......tempting zorro...........m sure he will end up with S2 sooner or later.

[silver.wolf]

Originally Posted by yowch 2. what sw do i use? The cd-roms that came with it were missing. The CD-ROMs are only good for Win98. If you need to process in RAW (the true power of S2, giving 1Ds a strong challenge), contact me by Personal Message, right Silverwolf?

Yeah! Give that man a PM. He can help u

[silver.wolf]

Originally Posted by tehsusu to all the guys who responded to my call for help......Thanks!!! I'm still fiddling my way thru...... To Clown, u evil man u......tempting zorro...........m sure he will end up with S2 sooner or later.

Just join Azure and his group for outings and in no time u will master S2!

[asturias105]

Originally Posted by Clown ei zorro.. look here... www.lateral-i.com/moken www.lateral-i.com/israel all S2pro pics. hehehehehehe

Hey clown, all without post-processing??