KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/n Digital Camera

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The following statements are the opinion of Michael Neese. These are subjective opinions of a working photographer and do not represent anything other than my subjective opinion. I may actually be wrong in the following technical review, but this is because of my personal understanding or misunderstandings of the technology and equipment and not necessarily scientifically documented data.

I can't say enough about this newest version of the Kodak SLR digital camera. This has a newly designed CMOS unit and I feel offers the highest quality image for the studio photographer shooting SLR digital.

A 14megapixel image at 300dpi is 10x15 inches (4500x3000 pixels), fully covering the standard page for advertising or magazine work. Couple this with the higher resolution and MTF rated Nikon lenses and you have an image that is better than a 16 MP on a 2 1/4 (the 2 1/4 lenses deliver lower resolution, contrast and MTF results.)

The higher 16MP image is only a wider (4080x4080 pixels) picture which gets cropped on an 8.5x11 sheet. Not bad considering you are saving approximately $11,000. ($24,000 savings vs. the Leaf Valeo)

I have looked at the new 22MP Leaf Valeo (on a Mamiya 645) images vs the Kodak DCS 645 16MP (on Contax 645)

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/valeo22.shtml

and the Kodak images are actually sharper. It could have been the camera, or the import system, not sure.

There are many sites devoted to these types of camera and back comparisons, but I have just accepted the fact that there really is no conclusive evidence of the "Best" digital resource. I have embraced this new Kodak camera for the following reasons, based on my needs and budgets.

  1. Industry's highest 35mm SLR digital capture at 14 mega pixels.
  2. Nikon lens mount.
  3. Full auto focus, auto exposure, metering functions.
  4. Superb color correction.
  5. NO FILM!
  6. Firmware updates FREE!
  7. ASA/ISO range from 6 to 1600!
  8. Full frame CMOS capture, lens coverage is 100%. Only one other SLR offers this (but at a significantly lower resolution).
  9. Images are far superior to drum scanned 2 1/4 film images, superior to flat-bed scanned 4x5 film based images, and I feel they are comparable to 4x5 drum scans when reproduced on press.
    Large display prints (greater than 16x20) from 4x5 film may be better, but for 4 color repro, virtually no difference (the great equalizer is the printing press).
  10. Excellent software.
  11. Uses CF memory cards as well as SD cards.
  12. Raw Files open in Photoshop CS with the latest digital import plug-in or can be exported from the Kodak Desktop software directly into Photoshop. Photoshop has import features that the Kodak software does not and vice-versa.
    Which way you go depends on your particular image. I feel the Kodak software is superior in the portrait conversion options, and Photoshop feature set is better for the advertising, product or fashion photographer
  13. Need a really good separation but can't wait for the drum scan turnaround? This technique goes back to the old days of making an interneg.
    Attach the film to a piece of white frosted plexi. Backlight this and use the camera's color correction features by taking a pic of the plexi itself. Photograph the film and then import the image to photoshop. I have done this with 2 1/4 and the results are superb, with 4x5 film it is even better. These images are very usable for magazine repro, superior to any flatbed available (1200dpi vs 4500 dpi) and a quick inexpensive way to put film images on the internet.
  14. Looks really cool!
  15. I think 35mm lenses have more character (subjective) and when you shoot a 21/4 with a long lens it's just a chore! Shoot this camera handheld and your photo-life changes, with greater options and spontaneity.
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This is a 35k jpg of a photo shot for an ad for JW Cooper which will run in the Bal Harbour magazine in November 2004. This full resolution image is stunning. It was shot with the Nikkor 80-200 zoom on the Kodak camera. Click here to see ad.

The most amazing thing about this photo is the fact that none of the highlights were out of range, and there is shadow detail. There are NO REFLECTORS used here.

I have shot film in the New Mexico sun for 25 years, and never have I got this contrast range in direct sun without fill lights or reflectors and two assistants to work them.

Rick Schroder, shot at Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico. Shot with the Nikkor 35mm lens. This JPG (40k) is converted from the camera jpg with no enhancements at all, and the white balance was the default daylight setting.

Julie Jones, actress model, also photographed at Acoma Pueblo. She is the female lead in the new Rick Shroader movie, Black Cloud.

Taken with the 85mm Nikkor in open shade. Converted direct from the camera jpg (not raw) to lower rez for this page (27k). Used camera's default open shade color temperature balance. (no time to calibrate with grey cards), handheld @ 1/30!

THANK YOU KODAK!

This is a cropped section +/- 500%, jpeg @80 quality from the photoshop "save for web module". Incredible detail for a full figure shot, handheld even! (cropped from the Raw image)

This is a jpg from a 60MB file, shot on Kodak E100s, scanned on a Heildelberg Tango drum scanner at West Coast Imaging (fabulous service and quality on display prints!). The lens was a Zeiss 150mm on a Rollei 6008 with strobe, on a tripod. +/- 500% from a full figure shot.

Even in this JPG you can see grain and all kinds of artifacts! It still reproduced beautifully!

This image had identical jpg conversion processing in photoshop as did the one of Rick above.

These are sections that would be about 30"x40" images.

YOU DECIDE!