Kodak DCS
Encyclopedia
The Kodak Digital Camera System is a series of digital single-lens reflex camera
s and digital camera back
s that were released by Kodak
in the 1990s and 2000s, and discontinued in 2005. They were all based on existing 35mm film SLRs from Nikon and Canon. The range included the original Kodak DCS, the very first commercially-available digital SLR.
invented the first digital still camera, which used a Fairchild
100 x 100 pixel
CCD
. By 1986 Kodak had developed a sensor with 1.4 million pixels.
A number of other invention
s were made to increase usability, including improvements in sensor technology, the first Raw image format
DCR, and usable host software. The original Kodak DCS was launched in 1991, and was based around a stock Nikon F3
SLR with digital components. It used a 1.3 megapixel Kodak KAF-1300 sensor, and a separate shoulder-mounted processing and storage unit. The DCS 200 series of 1992 condensed the storage unit into a module which mounted onto the base and back of a stock Nikon F90
SLR. The module contained a built-in 80 megabyte hard drive and was powered with AA batteries. It was followed by the upgraded DCS 400 series of 1994, which replaced the hard drive with a PCMCIA
card slot. The DCS 400 series included the 1.5 megapixel DCS 420, and the 6 megapixel Kodak DCS 460, which retailed for $28,000 on launch. In common with Kodak's later 6 megapixel models, the DCS 460 used the award-winning APS-H
Kodak M6 sensor. A modified version of the DCS 420 was also sold by the Associated Press
as the Associated Press NC2000. In parallel with the DCS 400 series Kodak also sold the analogous Kodak EOS DCS range, which was based on the Canon EOS-1N
SLR. With the exception of the original DCS 100, these early models did not include LCD preview screens.
Kodak's subsequent models integrated the digital module with the camera body more thoroughly, and included LCD preview screens and removable batteries. The DCS 500 series of 1998 was also based on the Canon EOS-1N, and comprised the 2 megapixel DCS 520 and the 6 megapixel DCS 560, which initially had a suggested retail price of $28,500. These models were also sold by Canon, as the Canon D2000 and D6000 respectively, and were the first digital SLRs sold under the Canon name. Kodak used the same electronics package for the DCS 600 series, which was based around the Nikon F5
. The DCS 600 range included the Kodak DCS 620x, a high-sensitivity model with an upgraded indium tin oxide
sensor and a cyan-magenta-yellow Bayer filter
, which had a then-unique top ISO setting
of ISO 6400.
Kodak's concluded the initial DCS range with the DCS 700 series, which comprised the 2 megapixel DCS 720x, the 6 megapixel DCS 760, and the 6 megapixel DCS 760m, which had a monochrome sensor. By the time of launch, Kodak faced competition from the popular Nikon D1
and Nikon D1x, which were physically smaller and cheaper. The DCS 760's initial list price was $8,000.
Kodak final generation of DCS cameras was launched with the Kodak DCS Pro 14n, a 14 megapixel full-frame digital SLR, in 2002, and continued with the upgraded DCS PRO SLR/n in 2004. These two cameras were based on a Nikon F80 body, and were considerably more compact than previous Kodaks. They used sensors designed by Belgian imaging company FillFactory. The DCS PRO SLR/n was also accompanied by the Canon-compatible DCS PRO SLR/c, which was based on a Sigma SA9 SLR. Kodak discontinued the SLR/n and SLR/c in May 2005, to concentrate on compact digital cameras and high-end medium format digital backs
for Leaf, among others.
Kodak continues to design and manufacture digital imaging sensors, including the full-frame 18 megapixel KAF-18500, which is used in the Leica M9
digital rangefinder.
body and use Nikon's F mount.
.
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
s and digital camera back
Digital camera back
A digital camera back is a device that attaches to the back of a camera in place of a film holder and contains an electronic image sensor. This lets cameras that were designed to use film take digital photographs...
s that were released by Kodak
Eastman Kodak
Eastman Kodak Company is a multinational imaging and photographic equipment, materials and services company headquarted in Rochester, New York, United States. It was founded by George Eastman in 1892....
in the 1990s and 2000s, and discontinued in 2005. They were all based on existing 35mm film SLRs from Nikon and Canon. The range included the original Kodak DCS, the very first commercially-available digital SLR.
History
In 1975 Kodak engineer Steven SassonSteven Sasson
Steven J. Sasson , is an American electrical engineer and the inventor of the digital camera. Sasson is a 1972 and 1973 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in electrical engineering.-Biography:...
invented the first digital still camera, which used a Fairchild
Fairchild Semiconductor
Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. is an American semiconductor company based in San Jose, California. Founded in 1957, it was a pioneer in transistor and integrated circuit manufacturing...
100 x 100 pixel
Pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....
CCD
Charge-coupled device
A charge-coupled device is a device for the movement of electrical charge, usually from within the device to an area where the charge can be manipulated, for example conversion into a digital value. This is achieved by "shifting" the signals between stages within the device one at a time...
. By 1986 Kodak had developed a sensor with 1.4 million pixels.
A number of other invention
Invention
An invention is a novel composition, device, or process. An invention may be derived from a pre-existing model or idea, or it could be independently conceived, in which case it may be a radical breakthrough. In addition, there is cultural invention, which is an innovative set of useful social...
s were made to increase usability, including improvements in sensor technology, the first Raw image format
RAW image format
A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
DCR, and usable host software. The original Kodak DCS was launched in 1991, and was based around a stock Nikon F3
Nikon F3
The Nikon F3 was Nikon's third professional single-lens reflex camera body, preceded by the F and F2. Introduced in 1980, it had manual and semi-automatic exposure control whereby the camera would select the correct shutter speed . The Nikon F3 series cameras had the most model variations of any...
SLR with digital components. It used a 1.3 megapixel Kodak KAF-1300 sensor, and a separate shoulder-mounted processing and storage unit. The DCS 200 series of 1992 condensed the storage unit into a module which mounted onto the base and back of a stock Nikon F90
Nikon F90
The Nikon F90 is a 35mm SLR camera manufactured between 1992 and 2001 and replaced the earlier Nikon F801 . At the time of its release it was noted for its fast autofocus speed compared to previous Nikon models, which had lagged behind competitor Canon's...
SLR. The module contained a built-in 80 megabyte hard drive and was powered with AA batteries. It was followed by the upgraded DCS 400 series of 1994, which replaced the hard drive with a PCMCIA
PC Card
In computing, PC Card is the form factor of a peripheral interface designed for laptop computers. The PC Card standard was defined and developed by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association which itself was created by a number of computer industry companies in the United States...
card slot. The DCS 400 series included the 1.5 megapixel DCS 420, and the 6 megapixel Kodak DCS 460, which retailed for $28,000 on launch. In common with Kodak's later 6 megapixel models, the DCS 460 used the award-winning APS-H
Crop factor
In digital photography, a crop factor is related to the ratio of the dimensions of a camera's imaging area compared to a reference format; most often, this term is applied to digital cameras, relative to 35 mm film format as a reference. In the case of digital cameras, the imaging device would be a...
Kodak M6 sensor. A modified version of the DCS 420 was also sold by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
as the Associated Press NC2000. In parallel with the DCS 400 series Kodak also sold the analogous Kodak EOS DCS range, which was based on the Canon EOS-1N
Canon EOS-1N
The EOS-1N is a 35mm single lens reflex camera body produced by Canon. It was announced by Canon in 1994, and was the professional model in the range, superseding the original EOS-1. The camera was itself superseded by the EOS-1v in 2000....
SLR. With the exception of the original DCS 100, these early models did not include LCD preview screens.
Kodak's subsequent models integrated the digital module with the camera body more thoroughly, and included LCD preview screens and removable batteries. The DCS 500 series of 1998 was also based on the Canon EOS-1N, and comprised the 2 megapixel DCS 520 and the 6 megapixel DCS 560, which initially had a suggested retail price of $28,500. These models were also sold by Canon, as the Canon D2000 and D6000 respectively, and were the first digital SLRs sold under the Canon name. Kodak used the same electronics package for the DCS 600 series, which was based around the Nikon F5
Nikon F5
The Nikon F5 is a 35 mm film-based single-lens reflex camera body manufactured by Nikon from 1996 through 2004. It was the fifth in Nikon's professional film camera line, which began in 1959 with the Nikon F. It followed the Nikon F4 of 1988, which had introduced in-body autofocus to Nikon's...
. The DCS 600 range included the Kodak DCS 620x, a high-sensitivity model with an upgraded indium tin oxide
Indium tin oxide
Indium tin oxide is a solid solution of indium oxide and tin oxide , typically 90% In2O3, 10% SnO2 by weight. It is transparent and colorless in thin layers while in bulk form it is yellowish to grey...
sensor and a cyan-magenta-yellow Bayer filter
Bayer filter
A Bayer filter mosaic is a color filter array for arranging RGB color filters on a square grid of photosensors. Its particular arrangement of color filters is used in most single-chip digital image sensors used in digital cameras, camcorders, and scanners to create a color image...
, which had a then-unique top ISO setting
Film speed
Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system....
of ISO 6400.
Kodak's concluded the initial DCS range with the DCS 700 series, which comprised the 2 megapixel DCS 720x, the 6 megapixel DCS 760, and the 6 megapixel DCS 760m, which had a monochrome sensor. By the time of launch, Kodak faced competition from the popular Nikon D1
Nikon D1
The Nikon D1 is a digital single-lens reflex camera introduced on June 15, 1999. It featured a 2.7 megapixel image sensor, 4.5 frames per second continuous shooting, and accepted the full range of Nikon F-mount lenses...
and Nikon D1x, which were physically smaller and cheaper. The DCS 760's initial list price was $8,000.
Kodak final generation of DCS cameras was launched with the Kodak DCS Pro 14n, a 14 megapixel full-frame digital SLR, in 2002, and continued with the upgraded DCS PRO SLR/n in 2004. These two cameras were based on a Nikon F80 body, and were considerably more compact than previous Kodaks. They used sensors designed by Belgian imaging company FillFactory. The DCS PRO SLR/n was also accompanied by the Canon-compatible DCS PRO SLR/c, which was based on a Sigma SA9 SLR. Kodak discontinued the SLR/n and SLR/c in May 2005, to concentrate on compact digital cameras and high-end medium format digital backs
Digital camera back
A digital camera back is a device that attaches to the back of a camera in place of a film holder and contains an electronic image sensor. This lets cameras that were designed to use film take digital photographs...
for Leaf, among others.
Kodak continues to design and manufacture digital imaging sensors, including the full-frame 18 megapixel KAF-18500, which is used in the Leica M9
Leica M9
The Leica M9 is the second digital camera in Leica Camera AG's rangefinder M series. It was introduced on 9 September 2009 and uses an 18.5-megapixel Kodak KAF-18500 Full Frame CCD image sensor....
digital rangefinder.
35mm Nikon based
All models based on NikonNikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
body and use Nikon's F mount.
- Kodak DCS - May 1991, later called DCS 100, first commercially DSLR camera, Nikon F3Nikon F3The Nikon F3 was Nikon's third professional single-lens reflex camera body, preceded by the F and F2. Introduced in 1980, it had manual and semi-automatic exposure control whereby the camera would select the correct shutter speed . The Nikon F3 series cameras had the most model variations of any...
based body. Many variants. - Kodak DCS 200 - 1993, Nikon F801Nikon F801The Nikon F-801 is a 35mm SLR of the late 1980s, and one of the first Nikon cameras with autofocus. Although its autofocus mechanism is slow in comparison to modern standards, it was an improvement on Nikon's first attempt at an autofocus SLR - the F-501 , and proved to be typically Nikon in its...
s (N8008s) based body. Color, monochrome and infrared variants. - Kodak DCS 300 seriesKodak DCS 300 seriesThe Kodak DCS 300 series comprised two cameras, the DCS 315 and DCS 330. They were professional-level digital SLR cameras built by Eastman Kodak's Kodak Professional Imaging Solutions division. They were based on the Nikon Pronea 600i APS SLR cameram and were aimed at a lower price point than other...
- 1998 and 1999, budget priced professional Nikon APS formatAdvanced Photo SystemAdvanced Photo System is a film format for still photography first produced in 1996. It was marketed by Eastman Kodak under the brand name Advantix, by FujiFilm under the name Nexia, by AgfaPhoto under the name Futura and by Konica as Centuria.- Design :The film is 24 mm wide, and has three...
SLRSingle-lens reflex cameraA single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
Pronea 600i and Pronea 6i based body, uses Nikon's F mount and additionally special Nikkor IX (APS) lenses - Kodak NC2000 series - August 1994, Nikon F90Nikon F90The Nikon F90 is a 35mm SLR camera manufactured between 1992 and 2001 and replaced the earlier Nikon F801 . At the time of its release it was noted for its fast autofocus speed compared to previous Nikon models, which had lagged behind competitor Canon's...
/N90 and N90s based body, designed in speed and noise characteristics for press use. - Kodak DCS 400 seriesKodak DCS 400 seriesThe Kodak DCS 400 series was a series of Nikon based digital SLR cameras with sensor and added electronics produced by Eastman Kodak.The cameras in this series include the 1.5-megapixel DCS 420 , the 1.5-mpx DCS 410 , and the 6.2-mpx DCS 460...
- August 1994, Nikon F90Nikon F90The Nikon F90 is a 35mm SLR camera manufactured between 1992 and 2001 and replaced the earlier Nikon F801 . At the time of its release it was noted for its fast autofocus speed compared to previous Nikon models, which had lagged behind competitor Canon's...
/N90 and N90s based body - Kodak DCS 600 series - 1999, Nikon F5Nikon F5The Nikon F5 is a 35 mm film-based single-lens reflex camera body manufactured by Nikon from 1996 through 2004. It was the fifth in Nikon's professional film camera line, which began in 1959 with the Nikon F. It followed the Nikon F4 of 1988, which had introduced in-body autofocus to Nikon's...
based body - Kodak DCS 700 series - 2001, Nikon F5Nikon F5The Nikon F5 is a 35 mm film-based single-lens reflex camera body manufactured by Nikon from 1996 through 2004. It was the fifth in Nikon's professional film camera line, which began in 1959 with the Nikon F. It followed the Nikon F4 of 1988, which had introduced in-body autofocus to Nikon's...
based body - Kodak DCS Pro 14nKodak DCS Pro 14nThe Kodak Professional DCS Pro 14n is a professional Nikon F80 based F-mount digital SLR produced by Eastman Kodak. It was announced at the photographic trade show Photokina in Germany during September 2002; production examples became available in May 2003....
- 2002, Nikon F80Nikon F80The Nikon F80 is an SLR camera manufactured by the Japanese Company Nikon for prosumers, that is to say amateur photographers with advanced skills.-History:...
based body. Kodak DCS Pro 14nx variant incorporates updated sensor, memory buffer and firmware from DCS Pro SLR/n. - Kodak DCS Pro SLR/nKodak DCS Pro SLR/nThe Kodak Professional DCS Pro SLR/n is a 13.5 megapixel full-frame 35mm digital SLR produced as a collaboration between Nikon Corporation and Eastman Kodak. It was an improved version of the Kodak Professional DCS Pro 14n series, and was based on a modified N80 film SLR and thus compatible with...
- 2004, Nikon F80Nikon F80The Nikon F80 is an SLR camera manufactured by the Japanese Company Nikon for prosumers, that is to say amateur photographers with advanced skills.-History:...
based body
35mm Canon based
All models use Canon's EF lens mountCanon EF lens mount
Introduced in 1987, the EF lens mount is the standard lens mount on the Canon EOS family of SLR film and digital cameras. EF stands for "Electro-Focus": automatic focusing on EF lenses is handled by a dedicated electric motor built into the lens...
.
- Kodak EOS DCS series - 1995, Canon EOS-1nCanon EOS-1NThe EOS-1N is a 35mm single lens reflex camera body produced by Canon. It was announced by Canon in 1994, and was the professional model in the range, superseding the original EOS-1. The camera was itself superseded by the EOS-1v in 2000....
based body. Rebranded by Canon as EOS DCS 1Canon EOS DCS 1The Canon EOS DCS 1 was Kodak's second Canon-based Digital SLR camera . It was released in December 1995, following the cheaper EOS DCS 3, which had been released earlier that year. Like that camera, it combined an EOS-1N body with a modified Kodak DCS 460 digital back...
, -3Canon EOS DCS 3The Canon EOS DCS 3 was Kodak's first Canon based Digital SLR camera released in July 1995. It uses a modified Canon EOS-1N film camera with a modified Kodak NC2000e digital camera back attached. As a result, it maintained the Canon EF lens mount, and full compatibility with all of Canon's EF...
and -5. - Kodak DCS 500 series - 1998, Canon EOS-1nCanon EOS-1NThe EOS-1N is a 35mm single lens reflex camera body produced by Canon. It was announced by Canon in 1994, and was the professional model in the range, superseding the original EOS-1. The camera was itself superseded by the EOS-1v in 2000....
based body. Rebranded by Canon as Canon EOS D2000Canon EOS D2000The Canon EOS D2000 is a 2-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera developed by Kodak on a Canon EOS-1N body. It was released in March 1998. It features a CCD sensor and can shoot at 3.5 frames per second. Many enthusiasts regard the D2000 as Canon's first truly usable Digital SLR...
and Canon EOS D6000 - Kodak DCS Pro SLR/cKodak DCS Pro SLR/cThe Kodak Professional DCS Pro SLR/c is a 13.5 megapixel digital SLR camera produced by Eastman Kodak. Unlike most DSLRs, it is full frame—it uses an image sensor that is the full size of a 35 mm frame. It is compatible with Canon EOS lenses...
- 2004, Sigma SA9, with Canon EFCanon EF lens mountIntroduced in 1987, the EF lens mount is the standard lens mount on the Canon EOS family of SLR film and digital cameras. EF stands for "Electro-Focus": automatic focusing on EF lenses is handled by a dedicated electric motor built into the lens...
compatible mount and electronics.
Medium format camera backs
- Kodak DCS Pro 465 - 1995, 6 Mega-Pixels digital camera backDigital camera backA digital camera back is a device that attaches to the back of a camera in place of a film holder and contains an electronic image sensor. This lets cameras that were designed to use film take digital photographs...
for several medium format cameras like Hasselblad 500 / 503, Mamiya RB / RZ and Sinar cameras - Kodak DCS Pro Back / Plus / 645 - 2000, 16 Mega-Pixels digital camera backDigital camera backA digital camera back is a device that attaches to the back of a camera in place of a film holder and contains an electronic image sensor. This lets cameras that were designed to use film take digital photographs...
for several medium format cameras.
External links
- The DCS Story: 17 years of Kodak Professional digital camera systems Nikonweb
- KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Digital Cameras Kodak
- Kodak DCS cameras based on Nikon
- Nikon Digital Still SLR camera models Mir
- DCS-1, 3 , 5 Series with Canon EOS 1n body chassis Mir
- DCS-500 Series with Canon EOS-1n body Chassis Mir
- The Kodak DCS420, DCS460, EOS DCS5 and Nikon E2s digital cameras on test Epi-centre
- Electronic Photo Imaging EPIcentre Library of Reports and Reviews
- Kodak DSLR Camera-wiki.org
- Nikon-based Kodak Digital SLRs Nikonlinks