Kodak DCS MFDB image quality

[evgeny]

by the way, can someone explain why valeo 17, which has no screen and only iso 200, is better than this kodak back. educate me.

[klane]

-The valeo is 4:3 (which isn't better for everyone)  sensor is around 32x43 kodak is 36.7x36.7

-it's a leaf product so it has WIView capability(wireless preview on ipaq), as well as the LC11 software

-It's a true 16bit back, the kodak is 12

-Dalsa technology (a preference) leaf and sinar use dalsa

-Great trade in program ( in most cases)

-Fast frame rate 1.2s per frame

-Live view on view cameras

-Valeo products are still service supported

 

[evgeny]

Thank you for this reply! I really like some of these highlights.

And now, what are the advantages of Kodak DCS back over Valeo 17?

[evgeny]

The IQ at iso 100-200 is superior to any Nikon that I've used including the D3, far better colors with deeper & richer tones, specially the skin tones are to die for.

David, by the way, the technical documentation says, the D3 has a Color Depth 12-Bit or 14-Bit A/D Conversion with up to 48-Bit RGB image processing. And so the Kodak DCS back has a colour depth of 12 bits/color — 36-Bit RGB color.

Are these the same numbers?

Thank

[ddk]

Thank you for this reply! I really like some of these highlights.

And now, what are the advantages of Kodak DCS back over Valeo 17?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=189616\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Better DR, far better color & tone. I don't know if the Valeo 17 is compatible with their latest software or not, the colors weren't good using the older one.

The above arguments are all true and some of it is true for phase one backs too. You can't upgrade the Kodaks but you can still have them serviced. What it comes down tofd is your priorities and budget. I went through the same process recently looking to upgrade from the Kodak and haven't found an upgrade path without compromising something, mainly those Kodak colors which I'm not willing to give up at this point. This might not be important if you pp your images heavily or can profile the back limited to studio use. IMO unless you're willing to spend the money on the latest generation of Leaf/Sinar/Phase backs the Kodak holds its own against the older ones when it comes to color and tone and even against the latest ones to some degree.

david

[evgeny]

That's what I also read in reviews - better, colors, colors and tone.

Valeo 17 has no image preview display, only histograms, and supplied IPaq is black and white, if I not mistaken. If not this fact, that back could be a good buy.


Edited to add: Kodak DCS shows image previews up to 2Gb, thank to the forum member for telling me. Images above 2Gb will not display, but stored on big cards. A good idea is to buy 2 or 3 cards, each 2 Gb

[Ken Doo]

Just a couple more tidbits from my experience with the Kodak 645M:

1.  Make sure to get the Kodak Special Looks software.  This software really makes the difference in workflow and looks.  (Can't emphasize this enough)

2.  The DCS Probacks were engineered around the microdrive.  I found that the 645M worked better with 1 and 2 GB microdrives than the CF cards, though they are both compatible.

ken

[evgeny]

Ken, thanks, very useful info. Where can I get the Special Looks software? Can you recommend a specific microdrive and CF cards, such as Kingston?

Thank

[ddk]

Ken, thanks, very useful info. Where can I get the Special Looks software? Can you recommend a specific microdrive and CF cards, such as Kingston?

Thank
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=189670\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I use Transcend 133x & Sandisk ExtremeII 4gb CF cards without any problems.

I can send you Mac version of Custom Looks if you get the back, the rest you can still download from Kodak.

david

[evgeny]

Well he outbid me  
My last bid was $5900 and I had not enough time to increase the bid


but I have an offer from another photographer...

[shutay]

evgeny, US$5900??? In case it helps, if you look around, you can also get the Imacon branded or Hasselblad branded Ixpress digital backs - the 96C and 132C backs for between US$6000 - US$8900. Just that to me, if you're spending as much as 6K, you start to have options... Just like the Leaf Valeo, you get to lug about a hard disk pack.

These 2 will mount on your Contax 645:
96C: square Kodak sensor, 16MP, i-Adapters to mount on lot's of different systems, upgradeable to multishot.
132C: 22mp Kodak 48x36 sensor, i-Adapters, upgradeable to multi-shot.

The firmware is still getting updated in recent FlexColor updates.

FYI, if you see a V96C, it is similar to the 96C except that it will only mount on a Hasselblad V body and does not have a multishot upgrade option, but it tends to be cheaper, around US$5200.

Jason

[ddk]

Well he outbid me   
My last bid was $5900 and I had not enough time to increase the bid
but I have an offer from another photographer...
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=189698\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

$6000 is very high for that back, even with the additional AA filter!

david

[shutay]

$6000 is very high for that back, even with the additional AA filter!

david
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=189903\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Yes, that's what I thought too. Don't mean to go on and on about Ixpress backs, just indicating it as a reference point of sorts, in case it helps to give perspective, but KEH.com is currently listing an Hasselblad Ixpress 132C in H-mount in Excellent condition for $7,499 down over $1,000 from when I last looked over Christmas. I'd say evgeny was lucky he didn't win the auction.

[evgeny]

And know what!

The winner was a scammer from the UK.

The auction was cancelled by eBay, they sent me a message that result of the auction is void.

The guy relisted the back, you can Buy It Now. I will not bother with that seller, and likely with that Kodak back at all.

I believe it was a fun and happy end evening.

I will spend my money in something better. I need to patiently watch eBay and think, think