Detailed and sharp pictures, much better than the most current (2003) 4-5 MPixel cameras. A wide spectrum of great lenses. Very good Kodak Aquire/File-SW. Works also fine with Canon (free) EOS-D SW. This has also the ability to hold the timestamp within the picturenames !! Ex: EOSB530720031016093746011L.jpg DCS1-SN#| date |time | pic# Robustness, easy to hold. Direct shoots from the Laptop possible via PCMCIA-SCSI-Interface.

The accuracy of the colours has to be manually adjusted, the dedicated SNxx.cal-file for each particular body isn't sufficient for colour-correction alone. Saturation has to be increased, and white-balance has to be set first to the best level before proceeding. Expensive Hot- Mirror filter has to be used for any extreme lightsituation (open fire, bright sunlight etc.) Lack of a LCD-Monitor on it's back and finally ISO-80 only :-(

It's heavy and solid like a tank. Works great via SCSI-Channel to PC. The EOS-1N body is also used on its successor DCS-560, stable and reliable. Good viewfinder and quick and precise autofocus, 6.2 MPix like the current Canon D60 and 10D. Works with PCMCIA-Flash-Memories until 512MB (hold 80 pics.) and CF and Smartmedia with Adapters. PCMCIA-Harddrives also supported, but seldom used by me. The newest Memorycards are quick enough. 2 fps possible, afterwards you have to wait for about 7 seconds, when internal 16MB Memory is written to Flash-Media. During this time, shutter is blocked. No camera for sports, more for portrait and stills. RAW-Format is 6.2MB, opened in Photoshop it's approx. 18MB on 8bit colour and approx. 36MB on 12/16bit colourdepth. Camera has 3 x 12 bit colourdepth, Photoshop can handle only 8 or 16 bit. Int. Battery is good only for 120-150 exposures, with Quantum-5 Pack your fine for whole day shooting. Use them with several Canon-L-Lenses and also Tokina's AT-X-Lenses from 20mm til 400mm. No SIGMA's at all, worst 18-35mm.

Customer Service

Self-Maintaining (mosttimes only battery-refurbrishing, Sensor-cleaning ...) No fail on both Cameras since 2.5 years. Kodak Professional Service is very helpful inside Germany. Sent some old Battery-Packs to me for free, so I could built trained (charge/discharge) new MiMH-Cells of approx. 2.4 Ah into them. Works great now.

Similar Products Used:

DCS1c, DCS3c, DCS560(the successor), Fuji MX-2900z and Nikon Coolpix 4500. EOS620/650 and several Canon F1(old) and Canon EF for the old filmmedia.

High detailed images. Ability to produce large files (17 to 35 Mbs) Uses Type III PCMCIA card harddrives. EOS 1N body. Easy to hold because of size.

Heavy! No LCD viewer on back. Kodak Proprietary software. Limited to ISO 80 speed. Will not use CF cards. Mulitiplcation of lens length to 1.6 times.
Need the calibration software to make this camera work. Software is linked to the camera's serial number. Without the calibration software the camera is an expensive paperweight.

Its a great hulking monster that screams "I cost a lot of money!" However, it produces excellent images and when set to 12 bit imaging, you get a 35 megabyte image that can compete with film. New this camera cost too much, but with the drop in prices, these will start appearing on the used market fairly soon and for a digital studio camera this just might be the ticket. I use the Canon 20-35 for a regular lens and a 28-105mm for most subjects out side of the studio.

If you buy one of these cameras, be sure to check out the software. The Acquire mpdule, and Firmware can be updated from Kodak's website. But the Calibration software is tied to the camera's serial number. This must be downloaded into the computer on which the Kodak software resides. Also you should check out the cables for the camera. I have the original Kodak cables and have yet to be able to find any other cables that will fit the camera and computer. These are Kodak specific cables and are not cheap. One good thing is when this camera is teathered to the computer you can take a picture and see it immediately via the computer screen.

While this is a good attempt at a digital camera, the 560 and 520 are vast improvements over this model. I would recommend it only if you were able to purchase it at a very good price.

Customer Service

Sent e-mail to inquire about the use of CF cards. No one ever responded. Have to reread the manual and call for assistance. When you get through to a person they are very knowledgable and helpful.

Similar Products Used:

Kodak DCS 200; Kodak DCS420, Nikon Coolpix 900, and 990. And various other mid range digital cameras.