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Fujifilm's IS-1 digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Fuji: New digicam aimed at infrared photography
By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 00:00 EST)

Of the four digital cameras announced today by Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc., one model is going to stand head and shoulders above the crowd if you're a fan of infrared photography.

Marketed towards the law enforcement, medical / dental and science fields, the Fujifilm IS-1 answers a problem infrared photographers have found with most existing digicams. Most manufacturers add built-in filters in their cameras that cut infrared light, preventing it from affecting regular photos adversely. Unfortunately, this means if you want to replicate the artistic experience that simply required an infrared film roll in the days before digital, you often need to either dismantle your camera to remove the filter (voiding the warranty in the process), or deal with multiple-minute exposure times and an inability to preview the scene on your LCD display - if you can even get a useable photo at all.

Based on the Fujifilm FinePix S9100, the Fuji IS-1 retains basically the entire feature set of that camera, but with the ability to shoot infrared photos. A note of caution though - shooting regular photos will require the use of an infrared cut filter (not included with the camera) which is mounted on the front of the lens. Fujifilm notes that with such a filter in place, the IS-1 offers images "very close in quality to that of a standard digital camera".

The Fuji IS-1 couples a powerful 10.7x optical zoom lens which can focus down to just 0.4 inches, with a 1/1.6" nine megapixel SuperCCD HR imager that yields a maximum ISO rating of 1600. Other hardware features in the Fujifilm IS-1 that are held over from its predecessor include the overall body design, dual media slots (CompactFlash / Microdrive and xD-Picture Card), and an electronic viewfinder that can offer frame rates of either 30 or 60 frames per second. There's plenty in the Fuji FinePix IS-1 to cater to the needs of advanced amateurs looking to gain maximum control over their photos, with P / A / S / M exposure modes, a Raw file format, auto / manual focus, three metering modes, nine white balance modes (including two custom hold modes), and both a six-mode popup flash, plus a choice of external flash hot shoe and PC sync connector.

Commanding somewhat of a price premium as you'd expect of a camera aimed at a niche market, the Fujifilm IS-1 ships from February 2007 for US$899.

Fujifilm IS-1
Fujifilm's IS-1 digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type SLR-style
Manufacturer Fujifilm
Model Number IS-1
Dimensions 5.0 x 3.7 x 5.1"
127.0 x 94.0 x 129.5mm
Weight 649.2 g
22.7 oz
Planned Price $899.00
Planned Availability 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type 1/1.6" Fujifilm SuperCCD HR
9.24 megapixels (total)
9.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions 3488 x 2616 (9.1 megapixels)
3696 x 2464 (9.1 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder Yes, EVF type, 0.44" 235K pixel color LCD
100% field of view
LCD 2.0", 235,000 pixels
100% field of view
Lens
Lens Type Fujinon Zoom
10.7x optical zoom
58mm lens thread, lens threads
Image Stabilization No
Focal Length 6.2 - 66.7mm (actual)
28 - 300mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.9 (tele) - f/11
Focusing System TTL Contrast-type (Area, Multi, Center) with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Focusing Range Normal: 16" - infinity (40 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - 122" (1 cm - 300 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Shutter Speed 30 - 1/4000 second
Exposure Modes Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes 256-zone multi, spot, average
White Balance Image Sensor - Auto, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Custom 1 & 2, Manual
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Sync, Red Eye Reduction + Slow Synchro
Range: Wide: approx. 30 cm-5.6m (1.0 ft.-18.4 ft.); Tele: approx. 60cm-3m (2.0 ft.-9.8 ft.)
Creative
Scene Modes Picture Stabilization, Natural Light, Portrait, Landscape, Night
Digital Zoom 2x fixed
Self Timer Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio
640x480 and 320x240
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second
Storage
Recording Medium CompactFlash Type 1, CompactFlash Type 2, Microdrive, xD Picture Card
File System Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format CCD-RAW, RAW, JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
Video Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer USB 2.0 High Speed
Other DC In
Power
Battery Type Alkaline disposable or NiMH rechargeable
Battery Form Factor 4 x AA
Product Bundle
Software FinePixViewer, ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix, RAW File Converter LE, Hyper Utility Software
Battery / Charger 4 x AA Alkaline disposable battery
Flash Memory 0.0MB
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
Remote Control Yes, Cable release
Operating System Compatibility Windows, MacOS
 

Original Source Press Release:

THE IS-1 IS FUJIFILM'S NEWEST INFRARED DIGITAL CAMERA

Valhalla, NY, January 4, 2007 – Fujifilm continues to lead in the area of alternative light photography with today’s announcement of the IS-1 digital camera, Fujifilm’s latest model for capturing images in the infrared light spectrum. The IS-1 was developed for use in the law enforcement, medical/dental and science fields and is a follow-up model to the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR D-SLR.Like the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR, the IS-1 will help law enforcement officers solve crimes by capturing evidence not easily seen by the human eye. It can be used in both the visible and infrared light spectrums, making the evidence-gathering process more efficient and accurate.

For example, the IS-1 has a continuous live preview feature, an advantage during infrared photography for focusing and composing when using dark lens filters. It also has an articulating LCD, which simplifies the processes of previewing, capturing and reviewing photos – especially when the camera is in a laboratory environment. Its 10.7x, 28-300mm optical zoom system is built-in, minimizing dust, making operation a snap for forensic photographers.

Through the use of an infrared cut or “hot mirror” filter on the lens, the IS-1 can capture a visible light image very close in quality to that of a standard digital camera, adding flexibility and cost-effectiveness to the overall package.

“The FinePix S3 Pro UVIR has been well-received in the forensic and scientific markets, and we anticipate an even better reception for the IS-1 digital camera in these same channels,” remarked Darin Pepple, Marketing Manager, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.

“Law enforcement and scientific departments often contend with very restrictive budgets so a product that can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations, without draining too much of their resources, is quite appealing.”The IS-1 digital camera features a nine MegaPixel Fujifilm Super CCD sensor and ISO 80-1600 (in case of capturing a visible light image) capabilities. The camera's high sensitivity range, made possible by Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology, enables IS-1 users to capture images using visible and infrared light (approximately 400nm –900nm). Users can apply lens filtration to isolate specific wavelengths to achieve a desired effect. In addition, Fujifilm's Picture Stabilization technology uses the heightened sensitivity of the IS-1 and high-speed shutter settings to reduce blur caused by camera shake and subject movement. This easy-to-access feature is selectable on the mode dial and allows the IS-1 to choose the correct light sensitivity and best-matching shutter speed automatically for the highest quality digital pictures.

HS-V2 Software: The inclusion of Fujifilm's Hyper Utility Software HS-V2 version 3 enables IS-1 photographers to explore the full potential of the camera's RAW file format. This program also provides law enforcement investigators with side-by-side image comparisons along with metadata analysis, a useful tool when examining images of blood stains, documents or other forms of evidence.

Priced at $899, the IS-1 will be available at select authorized dealers in the United States in February 2007. For a dealer list, interested parties should visit www.fujifilmusa.com. Infrared and infrared cut filters are optional.

About Fujifilm
Fujifilm brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries including medical, life sciences, consumer electronic, chemical, graphic arts, information systems, photography and office products based on its vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company provides products and services that contribute to the advancement of culture, science, technology and industry, as well as to improved health and environmental protection. It is the global leader in digital minilabs; Computed Radiography systems; ink dyes, pigments and UV inks for inkjet printers and materials used in the production of flat panel displays. It was ranked number 18 for U.S. patents granted in 2005, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2006, had global revenues of $22.8 billion.

FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc., Valhalla, NY, is a U.S. marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, providing digital and analog photographic Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media and Motion Picture Film products and services to consumers, professionals and businesses.

For more information on FUJIFILM U.S.A. products, customers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the FUJIFILM U.S.A. Web site at www.fujifilmusa.com.

To receive news and information direct from FUJIFILM U.S.A. via RSS, subscribe free at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.

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