FinePix IS Pro
Encyclopedia
The FinePix IS Pro is a digital single lens reflex camera introduced by Fujifilm
in 2007. It is based on a FinePix S5 Pro
, which is in turn based on the Nikon D200
. It has a Nikon F
lens mount and can use most lenses made for 35 mm Nikon
SLR
cameras. It replaces the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR.
Unlike most digital cameras, there is no IR
or UV
filtering in front of the image sensor. This results in a wide spectral response of approximately 1000 nm to 380 nm (infrared
to ultraviolet
). Suitable external bandpass filters are required to photograph in IR or UV wavelengths. Infrared filters are readily available at low cost from many sources, but ultraviolet filters – and suitable lenses – remain expensive.
Photography in infrared and ultraviolet poses its own special challenges regarding exposure and – above all – focusing a SLR camera. By definition, you cannot see what you are doing when trying to focus on wavelengths of light that are invisible. The IS Pro includes a Live View
mode that relays what the sensor sees as live video to the LCD screen (and, optionally, via USB to a computer running appropriate software). Some lenses have separate IR focus index marks, which help, but few if any have UV marks. True ultraviolet photographic lenses are generally made from special glass because normal optical glass does not pass UV particularly well.
The IS Pro was originally intended for specialist markets like Forensic photography, medical, museum and fine art. FujiFilm generally restricts the sale of these cameras to professional users in these and similar fields; their EULA specifically prohibits "unethical photographic conduct". Very few have ever gone on open public sale, although some were made available via dealers at closeout prices in fall 2010.
Fujifilm
is a multinational photography and imaging company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.Fujifilm's principal activities are the development, production, sale and servicing of color photographic film, digital cameras, photofinishing equipment, color paper, photofinishing chemicals, medical imaging...
in 2007. It is based on a FinePix S5 Pro
Finepix S5 Pro
The FinePix S5 Pro is a digital single lens reflex camera introduced by Fujifilm on25 September 2006 and since discontinued. It replaces the previous FinePix S3 Pro and keeps the Nikon F mount compatibility, including DX size lenses. It is based on the Nikon D200 body, and benefits from its...
, which is in turn based on the Nikon D200
Nikon D200
The Nikon D200 is a 10.2 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera that falls between entry-level/midrange DSLR cameras such as the Nikon D40, Nikon D40x, and D80 and high-end models such as the Nikon D2Hs and D2Xs. It was released by the Nikon Corporation in November 2005...
. It has a Nikon F
Nikon F
The Nikon F camera, introduced in 1959, was Nikon's first SLR camera. It was one of the most advanced cameras of its day. Although most of its concepts had already been introduced elsewhere, it was the first camera to combine them all in one camera. It was produced until October 1973 and was...
lens mount and can use most lenses made for 35 mm Nikon
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
SLR
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
cameras. It replaces the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR.
Unlike most digital cameras, there is no IR
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
or UV
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
filtering in front of the image sensor. This results in a wide spectral response of approximately 1000 nm to 380 nm (infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
to ultraviolet
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
). Suitable external bandpass filters are required to photograph in IR or UV wavelengths. Infrared filters are readily available at low cost from many sources, but ultraviolet filters – and suitable lenses – remain expensive.
Photography in infrared and ultraviolet poses its own special challenges regarding exposure and – above all – focusing a SLR camera. By definition, you cannot see what you are doing when trying to focus on wavelengths of light that are invisible. The IS Pro includes a Live View
Live preview
Live preview is a feature that allows a digital camera's display screen to be used as a viewfinder. This provides a means of previewing framing and other exposure before taking the photograph. In most such cameras, the preview is generated by means of continuously and directly projecting the image...
mode that relays what the sensor sees as live video to the LCD screen (and, optionally, via USB to a computer running appropriate software). Some lenses have separate IR focus index marks, which help, but few if any have UV marks. True ultraviolet photographic lenses are generally made from special glass because normal optical glass does not pass UV particularly well.
The IS Pro was originally intended for specialist markets like Forensic photography, medical, museum and fine art. FujiFilm generally restricts the sale of these cameras to professional users in these and similar fields; their EULA specifically prohibits "unethical photographic conduct". Very few have ever gone on open public sale, although some were made available via dealers at closeout prices in fall 2010.
External links
- Finepix IS Pro at Fujifilm USA
- Flickr group dedicated to Fujifilm IS Pro, with sample UV and IR photos
- UV-visible-IR multispectral lens with Nikon mount
- Details of discontinued Nikon Nikkor UV lens with discussion of theory & practise of UV photography and examples
See also
- Infrared photographyInfrared photographyIn infrared photography, the film or image sensor used is sensitive to infrared light. The part of the spectrum used is referred to as near-infrared to distinguish it from far-infrared, which is the domain of thermal imaging. Wavelengths used for photography range from about 700 nm to about...
- Ultraviolet photographyUltraviolet photographyUltraviolet photography is a photographic process of recording images by using light from the ultraviolet spectrum only.-Overview:Light which is visible to the human eye covers the spectral region from about 400 to 750 nanometers. This is the radiation spectrum used in normal photography...
- FinePix S5 ProFinepix S5 ProThe FinePix S5 Pro is a digital single lens reflex camera introduced by Fujifilm on25 September 2006 and since discontinued. It replaces the previous FinePix S3 Pro and keeps the Nikon F mount compatibility, including DX size lenses. It is based on the Nikon D200 body, and benefits from its...
- Nikon D200Nikon D200The Nikon D200 is a 10.2 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera that falls between entry-level/midrange DSLR cameras such as the Nikon D40, Nikon D40x, and D80 and high-end models such as the Nikon D2Hs and D2Xs. It was released by the Nikon Corporation in November 2005...