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This new body from Kodak, announced today (March 18th 2004) is very similar
the 14MP DCS Pro SLR/n Nikon mount body Kodak announced some time ago. It is not
100% identical however. Some differences are:
SLR/c CANON
SLR/n NIKON
Max sync speed
1/180
1/125
Popup flash
No
Yes
Longest Exposure
30s
60s
AF Assist Light
No
Yes
The Camera is not manufactured by Canon and Kodak decline to comment on
whether there is or was any relationship with Canon concerning the development
this camera. The camera is assembled in Japan. Rumor is that it's made by Sigma.
Kodak have confirmed it's not made by their partener Chinon, but have made no
offical statement on who actually does make it. Canon E-TTL is supported, but
E-TTL II is not.
It looks like its mainly aimed at studio photographers, possibly as an
affordable alternative to a MF digital back. The 1.7fps limited frame rate.
relatively slow sync speed, and upper limit of ISO 1600 (ISO 800 if you want to
shoot JPEGs) probably mean it won't be the camera of choice for action, news or
sports photographers. I suspect that it won't be sealed against dust and moisture
as well as the pro series EOS-1D(s) bodies are either. However commercial studio
shooters and wedding photographers may find it's a good alternative to existing
Canon bodies, offering 14MP resolution for little more than the cost of 8MP
EOS-1D mark II (~$4500).
Of course real world performance counts more than spec sheets do, so we'll
just have to wait for some hands on user reviews to see how well it compares with
the Canon EOS bodies. At least Canon users who want 14MP will no longer have to
suffer from Nikon envy!
The following information is from Kodak:
Now the quality of medium format with the flexibility of 35 mm
is available to photographers with CANON EF lenses. The 14-megapixel KODAK
PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/c Digital Camera, like its cousin the DCS Pro
SLR/n, has the highest resolution and widest ISO range of any digital SLR on the
market.
The DCS Pro SLR/c Digital Camera utilizes a
4536 x 3024-pixel, 12-bit CMOS imager that covers the full 24mm-by-36mm
image area of 35mm, so photographers gain the benefits of true wide-angle lenses.
This sensor uses advanced High Performance-Low Noise (HPLN) technology, which
enables increased sensitivity and reduced noise levels to drive much broader ISO
performance.
The camera's variable-resolution function enables photographers
to choose the image size that best suits their specific workflow-14MP, 6MP, 3MP
or even 0.8MP JPEG-only files.
The camera boasts a flash sync of 1/180th of a second with a
Focal Plane (FP) flash mode up to 1/6000th of a second when using an EX-series
Speedlite, and an overall shutter speed range from 1/6000 to 30 seconds. Captured
at about 1.7 frames per second, images can be saved as RAW files, normal JPEG
files, or KODAK PROFESSIONAL Extended Range Imaging Technology (ERI) JPEG files.
With an ERI-JPEG file, a form of picture protection, photographers can enhance
(or correct) a shot after it's taken. Those who use DCS RAW, JPEG and
ERI-JPEG files can access a fully calibrated ISO range of 6 to 800; those who use
DCS RAW files can also access an extended (non-calibrated) range from 1000 to
1600 ISO.
The DCS Pro SLR/c Digital Camera also features an infrared
remote control for shutter release; a "longer exposure" mode, enabling
exposures up to 30 seconds at lower ISO settings (down to 6 ISO); a full
resolution RAW image burst depth of ~19 frames using its integrated 512MB RAM
buffer; and a "sleep mode," which conserves battery life. And, Kodak offers
free firmware and software upgrades, so your new DCS Pro SLR/c Digital
Camera can stay that way.
Specifications
13.89 million total pixel image sensor with new high-performance pixel
design
Full 35 mm frame CMOS sensor (24 mm x 36 mm)
Selectable image size —
4500 x 3000 (13.5 million recorded pixels)
3000 x 2000 (6.1 million recorded pixels)
2250 x 1500 (3.4 million recorded pixels
1125 x 750 (0.8 million pixels)
Total selectable ISO range from 6 to 1600 —
Calibrated ISO from 6 to 800 (DCS RAW, JPEG, ERI JPEG files)
Non-calibrated ISO from 1000 to 1600 (DCS RAW files only)
ISO Stops —
Normal exposure mode ISO between 160 and 1600 in 1/3-stop increments
"Longer" exposure mode ISO between 6 and 50 in full stop increments
Rumor is that Sigma builds it? It's obvious. Just compare the Sigma SD series bodies with the SLR/c and you'll see an identical top panel and controls with a few different legends. The sync speed and high shutter speed are identical to Sigma's spec.
A big deal? I imagine it's not the best news for a Canon system owner who is used to Canon controls and handling. It also makes me wonder about the depth of compatibility with Canon lenses and flash units. Sigma has a record (at least with Nikon mount lenses, I'm not familiar with Canon) of having to fix sporadic lens CPU incompatibilites as new bodies and features come out.
>> offering 14MP resolution for little more than the cost of 8MP EOS-1D mark II (~$4500).
The Nikon mount body is selling for 4000$ at Adorama so if the price will be the same (and I don't see why not) then it will cost less than the 1D Mk II.
Boy, this sounds great and I'd buy it in a second, but for the fact that everything I've seen suggests the Nikon model that's been out for a while now stinks - poor color, sharpness, tonal definition, noise, etc. In side-by-side tests with the Canon 1-DS, the Kodak wasn't even in the same league - ugly images. How will we know whether Kodak has gotten it's act together and produced a camera with professional quaity, not just megapixels?
Brett, where have you seen what you've seen? I've seen only excellent quality files from the SLR/n. Note that it's a different camera (with a different sensor) from the 14/n which had problems early on.
Mark, I didn't intend to imply that the 1D Mk II is not worth the extra money. I just said that the Kodak may cost less. If I were to invest that amount of money in a body (which I don't), I'd probably get the Canon for the same reason you stated.
The Pro/n and hence Pro/c sensor and processing package is better than the 14n's was, but IMO it still has severe noise problems even at moderate ISO ratings.
As has been said, it has Sigma camera workings, and it's a pioneer for a Sigma reverse-engineered EF camera mount.
While I bet Sigma lenses have fewer problems than normal with this body, I can't help but wonder about Canon lenses and flashguns.
I wonder if Kodak will offer a firmware update if a new Canon lens proves not to work with the body?
Finally, in comparison with the 1Ds it's a consumer DSLR put into a magnesium body and won't have the weather sealing and long shutter life of the 1Ds.
So even if I had just enough cash for this and not enough for a 1Ds I don't expect to buy a Pro SLR/c.
Sorry Kodak, but I don't think you've got it right here.
For those who are worried about the body, Kodak remade it in magnesium, so it will take a lot of punishment. I tested a Kodak DCS SLR/c for a week, not enough time! The camera was very sturdy and well made. My problem was the images. I could not get a really good image because of the noise. I attribute this to this particular camera and to my lack of experience in using the new Photodesk software (Ver. 4). I feel as a studio or wedding camera this would be a hard one to beat (once the image noise issue is resolved) but I have other requirements where this camera is sadly lacking. Sports, for instance. I need the speed and the higher ISO's of a Canon Mark II or Nikon D2h.
The menu system of the SLR/c is the most comprehensive I've ever seen. I'm almost sure that I didn't have something set right which gave me unsatifactory results.
As far as Sigma making this camera, yes. Once upon a time Sigma made a camera (SA series) with their name and the Canon lens mount, but it didn't make it to market. It now appears as the body of the Pro SLR/c.
I have now used a Kodak SLR/c for five months. In the last month I have discovered the killer ap for this camera. Architecture and landscape.
This cameras ISO 6 mode can be fantastic. In this mode, exposures are 15 or 30 seconds and noise cancellation exposures are made. This is suitable for slow considered work like Landscape, still life and architecture. In this mode noise is as good as with $20,000 MF digital camera backs and resolution is also very good if not up to a 22Mp level.
There is an excellent and supportive user community at the Kodak forum on dpreview.com which has explored this mode in detail.
I was considering the purchase of a Canon 1DsII, but the discovery of the ISO 6 mode means I will not bother. Instead I also have purchased a Canon 20D for use where 1600 ASA is essential. The cost of both of these cameras still leaves thousands of dollars to spare on the cost of a 1DsII.
Noise was a problem when I started, but I do mainly portraiture and architecture and the camera works very well for both of these uses. For portraiture I stick to ISO 160. I have taken some good motor racing photographs at ISO 320 as well. Although I thought that these pictures were "noisy" two other people shot film that day... and the SLR/c pictures look distinctly better and the noise is not visible in the prints.
I havent even bothered with noise reduction software, but I am sure that with these products the cameras usability would be expended.
I think that when Kodak moves forward with future versions this is going to be a very successful product line for the professional.
Also note that these cameras are much easier to purchase than the Canon FF cameras. There is plenty of supply, so I could start shooting with this 3 months before I was able to get my hands on a Canon camera. That is a significant advantage for a professional.
All in all, this is not a consumer object of desire but an excellent professional tool which requires experience to use properly.
This family of cameras are the best bargain now.14mp and full frame that can be had for the price of a canon 20d?If you are into landscapes there's no contest.I find the kodak image processing to be accurate colorwise.There are reports that there are problem with certrain prime lenses but works well with quality zooms.I bought a DCS
Pro 14n and haven't had any of the reported prime lens problems so far.Nikon lenses never produced better images.Maybe with the exception of the Fuji S2 pro.
