"Paul Rubin" wrote in message
...
"Howard McCollister" writes:
I would wait until February and see what Fuji's S3 features. Thom
Hogan has predicted that it will be an 11mp full frame sensor. He is
thinking it will be mounted on an N85 (upgrade from N80) which may
meter with MF Nikkors, or the other rampant rumor is that the S3
will be based on the F100 body, which will also do such metering.

That's interesting. Is the S3 already predicted for February?

If it's based on the F100 and has a full frame sensor, it will cost
at least $5K, which is way out of my range.



Thom Hogan predicts the S3 will have 11mp and full frame sensor and will be
announced at $3999. The price will wander around downward a bit as the
actual release date in June (speculated) approaches. Best guess is indeed
that it will be announced at PMA in February.

Just looking at current retail prices, the F100 would add about $400 to the
cost of the S3, which is only about 10% assuming all the other assumptions.
The F100 has been around awhile and I have to believe that Nikon has wiggle
room on the price they'd sell it to Fuji for. OTOH, the N85 will be a brand
new body and would be less likely to be discounted to Fuji.

It all depends where Fuji is aiming the S3. One would think that if it is
indeed 11mp full frame, they're aiming at the pro market, especially at
$4000. It would seem silly then to put it in a low level consumer body and
not to use a rugged pro body. Sort of like putting a Ferrari engine into a
Ford Focus.

Personally, if the S3 comes in at $4000 and is in the N85, I think I'd be
more likely to wait for the Nikon D2X.

HMc