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DCS
660 Questions and Answers
- How does the DCS 660 compare to similar products in the industry?
- The DCS 660 provides studio and location photographers new levels
of camera performance, including unique instant image verification and
one-shot image capture, while combining the image quality and workflow
familiarity associated with traditional imaging with the return-on-investment
advantages of digital imaging, at a price at par with the competition.
- What makes this camera unique?
- The DCS 660 provides professional photographers who require high-resolution
images, with a device that can meet their needs in a studio environment
or in the field. The DCS 660's flexibility and portability provides
new imaging opportunities to photographers normally restricted by the
tethered nature of other high-end studio digital cameras.
- Is Nikon selling the same camera?
- No, the DCS 660 was developed by Kodak in cooperation with Nikon and
will be sold exclusively by Kodak dealers
- What did Kodak and Nikon do to make this camera unique?
- Nikon manufactured the base Nikon F-5 camera system for professional
lenses, viewfinder technology and camera metering. Kodak drove the user
interface and image acquisition software. The technology underpinnings
are based on over 30 Kodak patents as developed by specifications determined
by leading photojournalists. Additional enhancements to Kodak's first
fully digital camera on a Nikon platform include an increased burst
rate, increased speed, enhanced blue channel, color LCD, anti-aliasing
capabilities, truer colors, lighter weight and a durable cast metal
body. Finally, the sensor in the 660 is a patented Kodak product.
- What are the advantages of SLR cameras over point-and-shoot
digital cameras?
- The DCS 660 is a high-end professional digital camera, unlike its
point-and-shoot counterparts. The DCS 660 is designed for imaging professionals
who require the sophistication, quality, precision, performance and
portability of an SLR camera with interchangeable lenses. This allows
full control over lighting, exposure, focus and accurate framing.
- Can I use Nikon lenses?
- Yes, but check the Kodak user's manual for a list of acceptable Nikon
lenses; most will work, but a few older Nikkor AF lenses will not work.
- What are the dimensions of the camera?
- The DCS 660 is 7.6 in. (194 mm) tall, 6.2 in. (158mm) wide, 3.4 in.
(88mm) deep. Weight: 3.49 lbs. (1.58kg) without lens.
- Do digital cameras require special care when being used in
the field?
- As with any camera, certain care must be taken. However, these cameras
were developed to be used by professionals in their daily environment.
Temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 105 degrees Fahrenheit
may cause problems or failure and are not supported or recommended.
- How does the DCS 660 differ from the DCS 620?
- The DCS 660 offers a six megapixel CCD unique to the studio market,
a burst rate of one image per second, and an ISO range of 80 - 200.
The DCS 660 is an integrated SLR digital camera designed to let professional
photographers digitally capture images, allowing fast access, flexibility
and control.
- How does the DCS 660 fit into Kodak's family of digital cameras?
- The DCS 660 is the newest addition to Kodak Newsfessional's family
of DCS products. It offers high-end productive shooters with a digital
camera that meets their needs in a studio or field environment, and
accelerates workflow without compromising image quality.
- How much time does it take between pictures?
- The camera can take 3 images before it writes out to the PC card.
The camera allows you to take 1 image every 3 seconds on a continuous
basis, limited by disk space.
- Can I buy the PCMCIA storage cards in retail outlets?
- Yes, most PC card flash (Type II and III) and hard drive (Type III)
products that are compatible with the full ATA standard will format
and work in the camera.
- Will this model be upgradeable?
- The hardware design is set and not upgradeable; Kodak remains committed
to improving the software and firmware we provide for both Apple Macintosh
and PC-compatible Windows platforms.
- How many pictures can I store on one card?
- This is contingent upon the size of the PC card being used. The 340-megabyte
PC card hard drives available today will hold approximately 60 images.
- Is the ISO set or variable?
- The camera has ISO ranges of 80-200.
- Is it waterproofed/sealed?
- No. However, the F5 is a very rugged, weather-proof camera.
- What is the difference between today's sensor and the sensor
in the DCS 620?
- New color-calibrated CCD sensor with improvement from 2 to 6 megapixels,
improved color response.
- What is the histogram and highlight option?
- Developed and patented by Kodak, the histogram on the LCD display
graphically depicts the distribution of gray-scale values among pixels
in a picture based upon the captured file. It functions in review as
a digital light meter by letting the photographer know, graphically,
the exposure of the image. Photographers can adjust their exposure according
to what the histogram reveals.
- What is the length of warranty?
- The length of warranty is one year after purchase in the United States.
- If my camera breaks, will a replacement be provided under
the warranty?
- No. Kodak will repair your camera but will not provide a replacement.
- What is the service plan?
- Kodak will service cameras from four worldwide service centers. These
include Melbourne, Tokyo, Stuttgart, and Wilmington, Ohio.
- Where is the camera made?
- The Nikon camera body is made in Tokyo; the sensor assembly, the integrated
electronics and the software are assembled and tested in Rochester,
N.Y. Final assembly is being done in the Kodak facility in Rochester,
N.Y.
- Where can I purchase the camera?
- The DCS 660 can be purchased at authorized Kodak retailers worldwide.
- How much do the storage cards cost?
- Kodak supports many different types of storage cards and has found
that PC card hard disk (Type II) technology offers the best value. The
price of these cards ranges from a few hundred to several hundred dollars.
- Does a removable PC Card hard drive come with the camera?
- No.
- Why buy a Kodak digital camera when traditional cameras will
do the same?
- Digital cameras offer the freedom, performance, and quality required
by today's high-end product shooters who need to quickly capture images
and transmit them to users.
- What is IEEE 1394? Why is it important?
- IEEE 1394 is a high-speed serial interface that provides an easier
and faster way to connect hardware and software than by SCSI interface.
- How do I get images from my camera onto my computer?
- On a workstation: through an internal PC card reader, and external
SCSI PC card reader, or an IEEE 1394 interface card (until new computers
have integrated IEEE 1394 in their system architecture). On a laptop:
most PC laptops have PC card readers built into them. Until the PC industry
fully adopts IEEE 1394, users will be required to swap PC cards from
cameras to computers. For further information, please contact your dealer.
- Does the DCS 660 come bundled with software?
- The DCS 660 comes with TWAIN and PHOTOSHOP Acquire Plug-In.
- How long does it take to transfer images?
- Transfer speed depends on the hardware speed and the robustness of
a given computer's operating system. While IEEE 1394 is designed to
transfer data at up to 400 megabits per second, it will be contingent
upon the computer's operating system and PC card transfer speed.
- What is the resolution in pixels?
- 6 megapixel (2K x 3K)
- Is software a new development?
- Yes, the camera includes an improved Acquire software module and a
SDK (software developer's toolkit) is available to help third-party
developers integrate software.
- Are batteries included?
- No. Batteries are sold separately. Please note, there are regional
versions of the battery. Please contact your local reseller for the
right version.
- Are lenses interchangeable?
- Yes, but check the Kodak user's manual for a list of acceptable Nikon
lenses; most will work, but a few older Nikkor AF lenses will not work.
- Can I modify my existing Nikon F5 camera with these features?
- No. All of the components were specifically designed or modified to
work together in the DCS 660 digital camera. Existing F5 camera bodies
cannot be retrofitted to accommodate the anti-aliasing technology.
- Can this camera be used with film?
- No.
- What accessories are included with this camera?
- AC adapter, external battery charger, 2 sets of universal AC power
cables, software for both MAC and PC plug-in modules, user's manual,
IEEE 1394 cable, hand strap and neck strap.
- Are there optional accessories?
- Yes, the PCMCIA card, IEEE 1394 cards, additional battery charger
and rechargeable batteries are available from your Kodak reseller.
- Will the storage cards lose images if dropped?
- Though durable, the cards may break, and the images can be lost if
they are dropped. As with all computer or camera accessories, care should
be exercised.
- How long does the battery take to charge?
- Approximately one hour.
- How many pictures can be taken per battery charge?
- Up to 100. There is a dual slot battery charger that uses an AC power
adapter (90-240V, 50-60 Hz) or a 12-24 VD using an auto accessory power
adapter.
- I currently use a hot mirror filter on my camera. Do I need
the hot mirror filters on my lenses?
- No. Kodak has incorporated this on the anti-aliasing filter on the
camera.
- What happens if I remove my anti-aliasing filter?
- In this case, you should use the hot-mirror filter in order to reduce
contamination of the image sensor of infrared light. Any images that
are taken without the anti-aliasing filter will not benefit from the
technology.
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Kodak Professional
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