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Kodak Offers More Choices for Pro Photographers by Introducing New 14MP
Digital SLR Camera with CANON EOS Mount Compatibility
Highest Resolution, Broadest ISO Performance in a Digital SLR
HANNOVER, Germany, March 18 -Providing professional photographers with a
choice of lens mounts on its new digital SLR cameras, Eastman Kodak
Company today introduced the KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/c - a
digital camera compatible with the popular CANON EOS lens mount. It
offers the same superior resolution, broad ISO performance and extended
burst depth found in the acclaimed KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/n
digital camera built on a NIKON F-mount and introduced in February,
2004.
The DCS Pro SLR/c digital camera contains a high-performance imaging
system and full size 35mm size CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor) sensor, boasts 14 million pixels with a total available
ISO range of 6 to 1600 and offers variable resolution raw files. The
camera delivers the highest resolution of any digital SLR with an ISO
range that meets the needs of a wide variety of professional
photographers, including wedding, portrait, event, commercial and
advanced amateur photographers. Aside from the EOS lens mount, the DCS
SLR/c camera also includes an infrared (IR) remote for shutter release,
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 1/6000th to 30 seconds. Each of these
features is unique to the SLR/c model.
"Once again, Kodak combines the best of medium-format image quality with
the convenience and flexibility of 35mm photography in its digital SLR
cameras. The introduction of our DCS Pro SLR/c further meets the needs
of our customers by giving them a choice of lens mounts," said Jay
Kelbley, Worldwide and US&C Product Manager, Professional Digital
Capture. "By pairing a CANON EOS compatible lens mount with highest
performance sensor available in a digital SLR today, we are now
providing stunning image detail and broad ISO range to customers who
use CANON lenses."
Image Quality and Key Features
As with the DCS Pro SLR/n, the DCS SLR/c camera leverages the same 4536
x 3024 pixel (effective), 12-bit CMOS imager that covers the full
24mm-by-36mm image area of 35mm film. With a full-size sensor,
photographers regain the benefits of true wide-angle lenses and can use
their CANON EF-lenses the same way they used them with 35mm film. This
new sensor incorporates advanced High Performance-Low Noise (HPLN)
technology, incorporating a unique pixel design and an optimized device
manufacturing process that enables increased sensitivity and reduced
noise levels that result in broader ISO performance.
The DCS SLR/c camera's sensor incorporates an enhanced optical
transmission system that further increases image quality - particularly
with tungsten light sources. Consistent with the recent generation of
DCS Professional cameras from Kodak, photographers can select the
appropriate image size that suits their particular shooting environment
and workflow. Full resolution 14MP, 6MP, and 3MP sizes are available
for both RAW and JPEG files and thumbnail 0.8MP size for JPEG files
only.
As with the DCS Pro SLR/n, photographers using the SLR/c will have the
benefit of a fully calibrated ISO range of 6 to 800, while those that
utilize DCS raw files can also access a non-calibrated ISO range that
extends from 1000 to 1600. In addition to this broad ISO range, the
feature set for the SLR/c camera includes long-exposure capabilities,
enabling exposures up to 30 seconds at settings down to 6 ISO, a full
resolution raw image burst depth of ~19 frames from the cameras
integrated 512 MB RAM buffer and a hardware "sleep mode" that conserves
battery life when the camera is not in use.
The camera captures images at about 1.7 frames per second. Images can
be saved as DCR raw files, normal JPEG files or ERI-JPEG files. The
ERI-JPEG files serve as another form of picture protection for
photographers, especially in situations where re-shooting is
inconvenient. They provide two stops of exposure latitude and extended
color space within a JPEG workflow - a benefit no competitor offers.
Images are stored via COMPACTFLASH and/or MMC/SD memory cards. Images
can be written to each card type simultaneously in any combination of
the three available formats. In addition, FIREWIRE connectivity - at a
transfer rate of up to 12 MB per second - adds speed to the
photographers' workflow.
Designed with a new, custom magnesium body, the DCS Pro SLR/c camera
includes a vertical trigger that works in conjunction with the camera's
auto orientation sensor. The sensor detects the camera's orientation
+/- 90 degrees from the horizontal position. This enables automatic
rotation of the image as it moves to a computer for manipulation, saving
photographers time and improving workflow - hallmarks of Kodak's efforts
to make digital easier for customers.
Simplifying Digital, Free Firmware Upgrades
The DCS Pro SLR/c camera includes features for both new and more
advanced digital shooters. The camera operates in two user modes: basic
and advanced. It defaults to the basic setting and offers a very
intuitive, simple interface. In the advanced mode, the user can access
and adjust a host of capture, resolution, storage and other settings.
Many key features of the DCS Pro SLR/c camera are based on KODAK
PROFESSIONAL firmware and are not hard-wired within the camera, so they
can be enhanced and easily upgraded with free firmware downloads from
Kodak. Free firmware upgrades essentially give photographers a "new"
camera, whereas most other manufacturers require the purchase of an
entirely new camera system to receive the latest enhancements.
Kodak leverages the CANON Evaluative - Through The Lens (E-TTL) flash
metering system in the DCS Pro SLR/c digital camera. Photographers can
expect near-perfect flash exposures with the camera, an improvement over
many existing professional digital cameras.
The DCS Pro SLR/c has a camera interface localized in nine languages and
comes complete with the latest versions of the following software:
* KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Photo Desk - including Expert level noise processing tools
* KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Camera Manager
* KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS File Format Module
* KODAK PROFESSIONAL Extended Range Imaging Technology File Format Module
Availability of the KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/c digital camera
begins in May, 2004 through authorized dealers of KODAK PROFESSIONAL
digital imaging solutions.
For information about Kodak's professional products,
please visit www.kodak.com/go/professional
