najobskalf
Member
I know that the Kodak DCS back was discontinued some time ago. Would it be a good buy second-hand nevertheless? How cheap would it have to be? Any opinion would be appreciated.
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Kodak DCS digital back
- Thread starter najobskalf
- Start date
floridarich
Member
NOTICE OF DISCONTINUANCE - May 31, 2005
KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/n and SLR/c Digital Cameras
Kodak has discontinued production of the KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/n and DCS Pro SLR/c Digital Camera models. Camera sales will continue until current stocks are exhausted.
Kodak continues to expand its range of other digital cameras, as well as supply high-performance CMOS and CCD sensors to the professional imaging industry and LEAF Camera Backs for specialized high-end image capture applications.
Kodak will continue to supply service support and honor warranties for the DCS Pro SLR Digital Cameras until December 31, 2008.
KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/n and SLR/c Digital Cameras
Kodak has discontinued production of the KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/n and DCS Pro SLR/c Digital Camera models. Camera sales will continue until current stocks are exhausted.
Kodak continues to expand its range of other digital cameras, as well as supply high-performance CMOS and CCD sensors to the professional imaging industry and LEAF Camera Backs for specialized high-end image capture applications.
Kodak will continue to supply service support and honor warranties for the DCS Pro SLR Digital Cameras until December 31, 2008.
Richard,
You're quoting something about the Kodak Digital SLR cameras.
Bojan is asking about the 16 MP Kodak digital back.
Bojan,
The back would be good to buy (and use), but only if it is in good condition, and comes with all bits and parts you need, including software.
How much (or little)? No idea... Sorry!
I guess as much as you would be willing to pay for it.
You're quoting something about the Kodak Digital SLR cameras.
Bojan is asking about the 16 MP Kodak digital back.
Bojan,
The back would be good to buy (and use), but only if it is in good condition, and comes with all bits and parts you need, including software.
How much (or little)? No idea... Sorry!
I guess as much as you would be willing to pay for it.
I've owned and only recently sold the Kodak DCS Proback (used on a Hasselblad V camera and a Mamiya RZ Pro-II), and Proback 645C (used on a Contax 645).
There are 2 versions of the original DCS Proback.
Version 1 fit a digital ready Camera like a Hasselblad 555ELD, and required an expensive interface plate to operate on a RZ. It did not directly work on a 503CW. The top ISO is 100, and it had two CF card slots allowing you to shoot to one card then the other. The rear panel could be angled up for low angle viewing.
Version II (Proback Plus) allowed the back to be used on a 503CW with connection sync cords. I can't recall if it offered additional ISOs.
Both versions required a Quantum battery for power unless tethered to a computer via firewire. Both were 16 meg, 12 bit square sensors.
The 645C : Contax 645 (or 645M: Mamiya 645, 645H: Hasselblad H1) are totally portable units dedicated to their respective cameras, and cannot be used on other 645 cameras. The sensor is the same size, but the camera/back is totally portable and uses a clip on Lith battery for power. The ISO selection for this back was 100 through 400.
All these backs have a RAW file format supported by the Adobe Raw Converter in PSCS and PSCS2. The Kodak software is also available on the Kodak site. The software that came with these cameras is outdated and obsolete, so if it's missing it's irrelevant.
All the cameras indicate the total number of captures to date ... but that is also irrelevant because here are no moving parts to wear out. Either it works or it doesn't. These back are built like tanks and most likely will outlive all of us.
I have moved onto a Hasselblad/Imacon H2D and can say with confidence that all these Kodak backs were ahead of their time in every way. For approx. $5,000. or less, (or $6,000 for the 645C version), you can have image quality that beats the Canon 1DsMKII, and isn't that far from the $30,000 backs on the market today.
There are 2 versions of the original DCS Proback.
Version 1 fit a digital ready Camera like a Hasselblad 555ELD, and required an expensive interface plate to operate on a RZ. It did not directly work on a 503CW. The top ISO is 100, and it had two CF card slots allowing you to shoot to one card then the other. The rear panel could be angled up for low angle viewing.
Version II (Proback Plus) allowed the back to be used on a 503CW with connection sync cords. I can't recall if it offered additional ISOs.
Both versions required a Quantum battery for power unless tethered to a computer via firewire. Both were 16 meg, 12 bit square sensors.
The 645C : Contax 645 (or 645M: Mamiya 645, 645H: Hasselblad H1) are totally portable units dedicated to their respective cameras, and cannot be used on other 645 cameras. The sensor is the same size, but the camera/back is totally portable and uses a clip on Lith battery for power. The ISO selection for this back was 100 through 400.
All these backs have a RAW file format supported by the Adobe Raw Converter in PSCS and PSCS2. The Kodak software is also available on the Kodak site. The software that came with these cameras is outdated and obsolete, so if it's missing it's irrelevant.
All the cameras indicate the total number of captures to date ... but that is also irrelevant because here are no moving parts to wear out. Either it works or it doesn't. These back are built like tanks and most likely will outlive all of us.
I have moved onto a Hasselblad/Imacon H2D and can say with confidence that all these Kodak backs were ahead of their time in every way. For approx. $5,000. or less, (or $6,000 for the 645C version), you can have image quality that beats the Canon 1DsMKII, and isn't that far from the $30,000 backs on the market today.
I bought a used Kodak Proback Plus for $2500 about a year and a half ago. I'm pretty satisfied with the results, even though it is limited to ISO 100. If you can get one for $3000-4000 it may be a good buy. Kodak has stated that end of service for this item is the end of 2007 (almost 2 more years). Make sure it is in good working condition since extensive repairs won't be worth doing. With the new V96C coming out, the old one may get pushed down to the $5000 area used.
najobskalf
Member
Many thanks for all your comments. A couple of these backs have just appeared on Ebay with starting bids of GBP 250.00 (about USD 450.00). They need an additional lead (unspecified) for use with non-EL bodies and I requested more information.