KODAK DCS 620 Digital Camera

...SLR film camera in a Kodak digital format.

There's a lot to learn to use this camera to it's full potential, and it's worth it. Multiple recording media use, multiple recording formats, computer interfacing, and a fully customizeable user interface. You have both the digital menus and camera button functions and settings to learn. Be prepared to practice and experiment. Being digital, you can trash what you don't like. The three key ...
...mastering anything. Practice, practice, practice.

This not a camera for kids or people who tire easily. It's big, it's heavy, it's robust. In the configuration you see in the image, this camera weighs in at a whopping 4 Lbs. 9 ozs. A wide, comfortable neck strap is essential. Compared to the weight of most of today's DSLRs, this camera is heavier by half or more. It's big enough to be hard for people with small hands to use. Size, ... more

How can you go wrong with a digital camera based on a Kodak/Nikon collaboration? This is not for point and shoot amateurs. This is for high end amateurs and professionals. It has all the features of the legendary Nikon F5 SLR film camera in a Kodak digital format.

There's a lot to learn to use this camera to it's full potential, and it's worth it. Multiple recording media use, multiple recording formats, computer interfacing, and a fully customizeable user interface. You have both the digital menus and camera button functions and settings to learn. Be prepared to practice and experiment. Being digital, you can trash what you don't like. The three key words to mastering this camera are the same words for mastering anything. Practice, practice, practice.

This not a camera for kids or people who tire easily. It's big, it's heavy, it's robust. In the configuration you see in the image, this camera weighs in at a whopping 4 Lbs. 9 ozs. A wide, comfortable neck strap is essential. Compared to the weight of most of today's DSLRs, this camera is heavier by half or more. It's big enough to be hard for people with small hands to use. Size, weight, and the ease with which you can hold your camera are important. There's no point in having an awesome camera that sits in a bag because it's too heavy for a full day's shooting. Careful thought and consideration should go into your camera purchase, and hold the camera you want in your hands to be sure it's comfortable and the buttons you need are easily reached without taking your eye from the viewfinder. Also, you need to consider shutter lag. Lag is the time it takes for the shutter to open after the shutter release button is pressed. Great shots are missed because of lag. It's the difference between catching your kid diving to make that great soccer save or catching her already on the ground. The F5 is famous for it's speed. When buying any digital camera, insist on taking an action shot of something, and see if you catch it. If it lags, look at something else.

The camera in the image I'm looking at right now is my basic setup sans neck strap. You ought to see the real thing with a long lens attached. Whew! I also have a hand strap attached for when I prefer that. This camera uses a terrific variety of lenses, both manual and AF. I know photographers who aren't interested in AF, and feel that full manual control is the way to go. This camera allows either AF or manual users a control set not available on too many cameras. One of the very nice features of this camera is that there are two AF focus buttons for shooting in the vertical, one of which is the shutter release button. Trying to shoot in the vertical with a camera made to shoot horizontally can be difficult and very awkward. This feature makes it easy. Another nice feature is the viewfinder closure switch. Instead of sliding that little piece of plastic (that's always lost) over the viewfinder to keep out stray light during timer mode, you simply flip a switch. A very cool feature. It has a diopter so you can adjust the viewfinder to be in sharp focus. It's easily adjusted so you can use your glasses or not, or maybe your prescription sunglasses are a little different from your clear glasses. Doesn't matter. Simply adjust the diopter. Add a nice eyepiece adapter to reduce eye strain and make using your glasses easier, and you're ready to rock!

A quick note on flashes. This camera does not have a built in flash, and you'll need one. Even in the daytime or strong light there are times when you want to fill flash. Spend the money and get a Nikon Speedlight. It's made for the camera, let's you use and enjoy all the features of your camera and light working together, and let's you use rear curtain synch, one of the coolest things ever for fun, eyepopping photos. The flash fires on the last curtain, so your kid running with a sparkler leaves a trail of light behind him but is lit by the flash. Used at your local harbor's Christmas Boat Parade you can take photos that will blow the viewer away and have everyone asking "How in the world did you do that?" You have the choice of telling them, or just smiling the smile of the seasoned veteran that knows his gear and has the talent to get the shot that others miss. :-)

Bottom Line
If you want awesome digital images built on a legendary film SLR body, this is what you're looking for. A lighter, more modern digital SLR may be more up your alley. For me, give me the weight of my DCS 620 and a long lens for that shot that you just can't afford to miss. 

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