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DCS
620 Digital Camera Questions and Answers
DIGITAL CAMERA COMPETITORS
PRODUCT
SERVICE AND SUPPORT
SALES DISTRIBUTION
PRICING
FUTURE PRODUCT DIRECTION
SOFTWARE
HARDWARE
DIGITAL
CAMERA COMPETITORS:
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- How does this camera differ from the Nikon F-5 camera for
film?
- It was developed in cooperation with Nikon, incorporating: Nikon's
F-5 body functions, light meter, exposure systems and optical mount.
The DCS 620 includes Kodak's innovative digital imaging technologies:
Kodak's CCD imager, image review controls, image storage, and camera
power supplies.
- What did Kodak do to make this camera unique?
- 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 fully digital camera include an increased burst
rate, increased speed, enhanced blue channel, color LCD, anti-aliasing
capabilities, and truer colors. Finally, the sensor in the 620 is a
patented Kodak product; one of over 30 patents in the camera.
- Can I use my current Nikon lenses?
- Yes, but check the Kodak ProfessionalDCS 620 digital camera user's
manual for a list of acceptable Nikon lenses, most will work but a few
older AF will not work.
PRODUCT:
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- Do
cameras require special care taken when used in the field?
- As with
any camera, certain care must be taken. However, these cameras were
developed to withstand temperature extremes and the environments that
field photographers typically work in. The DCS 620 can withstand temperatures
from 17 degrees up through 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
- How
much time between pictures taken?
- The camera
can take up to 12 images before it writes out to the PC card. The camera
allows you to take 3.5 frames per second.
- Can
I buy the storage cards in retail outlets?
- Yes.
- Will
this model be upgradeable?
- Camera
hardware is not upgradeable, internal firmware and host software drivers
are upgradeable.
- Will
the camera be at trade shows for demos?
- Yes,
Kodak has committed significant resources to the DCS 620 and will provide
product demonstrations at tradeshows as well as through qualified Kodak
resellers. The first public showing of the DCS 620 will be at the Photo
Marketing Association (PMA) conference in Las Vegas, February 18 to
21, 1999.
- How
many pictures can I store on one card?
- This is
contingent upon the size of the PC Card being used. The 520-megabyte
card will store approximately 230 images.
- Is
the ISO set or variable?
- Yes, it
is from 200-1600.
- Is
it waterproof/sealed?
- No. The
DCS 620 is a professional camera made more rugged for use by field photographers
in various outdoor conditions, including rain; but it is not waterproof
.
- What
are the histogram and the highlight options?
- The Highlight
option allows the photographer to review a thumbnail image and quickly
and to accurately judge the exposure prior to output. The benefit is
that overexposed image areas are represented by flashing portions of
the image that reliably present areas where details have been lost due
to overexposure. The histogram is a graph that visually shows the distribution
of gray scale values among a picture's pixels based upon the captured
file. At the push of a button, photographers have tools to support their
professional judgment.
SERVICE
AND SUPPORT
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- What
is the length of warranty?
- It is
a regional decision.
- Is
the warranty for global use?
- No, but
Kodak does offer support and service agreements are available by region.
- Where
can I speak to somebody in my own language?
- Please
contact your local dealer for additional support and information on
Kodak ProfessionalDCS.
- If
my camera breaks, will a replacement be provided under the warranty?
- No, Kodak
will repair your camera but will not normally provide a replacement
(check with your regional contact).
- 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
component of the camera is made in Tokyo, Japan with final assembly
at Kodak facilities in Rochester, NY, USA.
SALES
DISTRIBUTION
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- Where
can I get the camera?
- From authorized
resellers of Kodak digital products.
PRICING
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- How
much do the storage cards cost?
- Kodak
supports many different types of storage cards and found that the PC
hard disk technology (Type III) offers the best value; flash cards tend
to be more rugged (Type II). The price of these cards ranges from a
few hundred to several hundred dollars.
- Do
I get a PC Card with the camera?
- No.
FUTURE
PRODUCT DIRECTION
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- Are
you discontinuing the DCS 420 and DCS 460 Camera models?
- There
are no plans at present to discontinue these models.
- 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
photojournalists who need to quickly capture images and share them via
advanced computer technology (i.e. Internet).
- Does
this mean the NC2000e will be discontinued?
- Yes, the
NC2000e will be discontinued in calendar year 1999.
SOFTWARE
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- What
are the advantages of the API?
- Few other
digital camera manufacturers offer the sophisticated software tool that
talks to all levels of their DCS camera platforms through a common interface.
Developers, sophisticated end users and applied imaging professionals
can easily integrate Kodak digital cameras into their applications.
- What
is IEEE 1394? Why is it important?
- It is
a high-speed interface that provides an easier and faster way to connect
hardware and software previously joined by a SCSI interface. In its
most basic understanding, IEEE 1394 will allow hardware components to
"talk" to each other, more economical connectors, hot connect, and plug
and play of components. Consult the IEEE 1394 Web site for future developments.
- How
do I get images from my camera into 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 computer
card readers. For further information, please contact your dealer.
- Can
I view images with software other than Adobe PhotoShop?
- The camera
is shipped with software drivers allowing for Macintosh and PC downloading
of images. No application software is bundled with the Kodak Professional
DCS 620 digital camera. The software drivers provided are compatible
with Power Macintosh or Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0, and many applications
will run.
- Is
any application software shipped with the camera?
- Application
software is not included with the camera, Macintosh (PhotoShop plug-in)
and TWAIN Acquire software modules are included with the camera. The
DCS 620 is not bundled with software applications (i.e., PhotoShop,
etc).
- How
long to acquire images?
- Acquire
speed depends on hardware speed and the robustness of a given computer's
operating system. Kodak testing reveals the acquiring speed is less
than 15 seconds. While IEEE 1394 is designed to transfer data at up
to 100 megabits per second, it will be contingent upon the computer's
operating system. As IEEE 1394 evolves, incremental improvements will
allow the camera to keep pace with future computer performance.
- What
is the resolution in pixels?
- 2 megapixels
(1728 x 1152 finished file size).
- Is
the software included with the camera?
- Yes, the
DCS 620 digital camera includes a new 5.x Macintosh (PhotoShop plug-in)
and TWAIN Acquire module, while still maintaining connectivity with
our present DCS 300, 400, 500 and EOS-DCS, and NC2000e digital camera
models.
HARDWARE
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- Are
the batteries included?
- Batteries
are not included. Due to international recycling laws, we offer batteries
labeled for three regional requirements. All the batteries are fully
compatible with DCS 620 and DCS 520 cameras.
- Are
lenses interchangeable?
- Yes, you
can use Nikkor 35 mm lenses as indicated in the operator's manual. Certain
Nikkor lenses may not be compatible. See the manual.
- Can
I modify my existing Nikon camera with these features?
- No.
- Can
this camera be used with film?
- No.
- What
accessories are included with this camera?
- AC adapter,
external battery charger, 1 set of universal power cords for external
battery charger, 12-volt auto adapter software for both Macintosh and
PC plug-in modules, user manual, IEEE 1394 cable, hand strap and neck
strap.
- Are
there optional accessories?
- Yes, the
PCMCIA card, IEEE 1394 cards, battery charger and rechargeable batteries
are available from your Kodak reseller. In addition, AC power supplies,
Nikon SB-28D flash (see question 46) and Nikkor 28 mm lenses are also
available.
- Will
the storage cards lose images if dropped?
- Though
made of a durable technology, 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. Kodak recommends flash memory cards for use
in more rugged environments.
- How
long does the battery take to charge?
- Approximately
one hour.
- How
many images per battery charge?
- Approximately
300; ambient temperature, auto focus and LCD viewing can affect battery
life. There is a dual slot battery charger that can recharge two batteries
simultaneously using AC power (90-240 volts, 50-60 Hz) or 12 volts DC
using an auto accessory power adapter (supplied).
- I
currently use a hot mirror filter on my Kodak digital camera. Do I need
the hot mirror filter on my DCS 620 Camera lenses?
- No, Kodak
has incorporated this on the anti-aliasing filter in the camera.
- What
happens if I remove my anti-aliasing filter?
- Kodak
recommends the use of a hot mirror filter to reduce infrared light contamination
of the CCD sensor.
- Are
the Nikon F-5 custom functions (CSM) supported in the DCS 620?
- Yes, all
custom functions (not involving film) are supported and can be viewed
via the Nikon LCD panel and Color LCD display using properties listing.
- Is
the Nikon SB-28D flash different from my Nikon SB-28 flash?
- Yes, Nikon
has modified the SB-28D to work with the DCS 620 camera. Tests show
that the SB-28D offers better exposures/flash than a manually set SB-28.
- Why
is the Nikon SB-28D flash so expensive?
- The price
of the flash is based on the cost at which Nikon is selling the flash
to Kodak.
- Does
The Associated Press have an exclusive selling arrangement with Kodak
for the DCS 620?
- No. The
AP will sell the DCS 620 as a Kodak reseller, but not in an exclusive
program.
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Kodak Professional
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