FujiFilm announced its FinePix S3 Pro UVIR digital SLR camera today, making it the first production digital camera capable of taking pictures in the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums, in addition to standard visible-light images. Although these capabilities are of obvious interest to the CSI generation and forensic investigators (for the ability to photograph human blood, bodily fluids, gunshot residue, and other substances which may have evidentiary value but be invisible to the human eye), the capabilities are undoubtedly of interest to many other professionals from art restoration and recovery experts, fire investigators, insurance adjusters, medical professionals, astronomers, some contractors…and, yes, even some really artsy photographers looking for that unique perspective.
The nature of taking photographs outside the visible spectrum makes the camera’s UV and IR capabilities a process of trial and error, and focus, ISO, and exposure settings all have to be managed manually because (surprise) automatic focus and exposure systems don’t have any relevance in those spectrums. The S3 Pro system does offer a 30-second live CCD preview mode which provides a preview from the CCD to the camera’s built-in LCD monitor, enabling verification of focus and exposure settings even in (say) complete darkness.
The S3 Pro DSLR camera captures 12.34 million pixels (6.17 million S-pixel and R-pixel) for a resolution of 12.1 megapixels, offers support for xD, CompactFlash, and Microdrive storage, a 2-inch low-temperature LCD display, and runs on four AA batteries. The S3 Pro will be available in September for a retail price of $1,799.95.
