Kodak Dcs 760

[scotgasch]

Anyone have any experiance with this camera?
How does it measure with the S2?
Is it a good backup to the S2 or vice versa?

[lightwrangler]

Although they most likely have different chips, both the 460 and the 760 produce identical file sizes. The main difference as far as I can tell is the body. The 460 was built around the Nikon F/N90 body while the 760 is built on the F5. The 460 did not have a LCD screen and the interface was SCSI, the 760 has a LCD and the interface is (I believe) is firewire.

I think that the 460 was a good camera for it's time (hellishly expensive in comparison to today's prices). I do believe that the S2 has a better chip than the 460 and at least as good as the 760 from images I have seen. The larger files Fuji generates through interpolation make the camera that much more useful. The 760 is considerably more expensive, due in part to the difference in bodies. Of course the F5 body will take a lot more punishment than the F80 will. Before I went to the S2 I did consider the 760, but I decided to save some cash and I thought that the 760 was just a little long in the tooth. Besides I am not that hard on my gear.

IMHO, I would buy the S2 and sit back until Kodak releases their new camera (14n). At that point the S2 would be a great backup to the 14 megapixel Kodak. Right now I believe that the only thing a 760 offers over the S2 is a higher quality body. I wonder as well just how long a 760 will be available.

[James Russell]

When we started with the 760 I loved the large buffer and "feel" of the camera.
Working the file was another issue.


We slowly worked into the Fujis and at first I felt they were slow compared to the 760.

Much of this coming from the plastic and lightweight feel of the body and slight click of the shutter.

Last week we used both cameras, mainly because the project was not as rushed as we normally work and I really wanted to comare the cameras in real world work.
Now this is just my opinion, but . . .


The S2 fired 8 frames continuous much faster than the 760. The S2 focused more accurately (I would not belive this, but I tested it over and over).

The S2's lcd was brighter (much) than the 760's, easier to read and offered more tonal range for viewing highlights to shadows.

Now the S2's buffer is not as large and at 8 to 9 frames you have to wait a minute for it to write, but I equate this to changing a roll of 120 film.

The final result is I shot 70% to 80% of the project on the Fuji's and at the end, the 760 is on it's way to Kodak for repair and the S2's are ready to use next week.

The S2's with a quantam battery, cords hanging off, a remote slave trigger and matte box looks good. The client looks at the S2 and goes wow, they look at the Kodak and said "is that old?". I know that this shouldn't matter, but it does. How many times have you taken a truck load of equipment to location, only to use a fill card. The camera look does matter.

This comparison may be an abberation, but I beleive the S2 is probably the deal of the century.

Also I do shoot a saturated look for some clients. We also have a series of work that is less color and cooler that I will post soon. I believe the S2 will produce this color, even in jpeg.
Best Regards,

James
www.pbase.com/russruth/jan_2003

[bjnicholls]

I guess if your clients are more impressed by an N80 body than an F5, they're not very camera-savvy.

The Fuji is a good deal, but it really is the most "plasticky" camera I've owned. My N80 at least has rubberized gripping surfaces instead of hard, textured plastic.

The 760 has far nicer materials, fit and finish. It has a 1.3x multiplier; a better, faster AF system with 5 cross-type sensors to the Fuji's 1; superior RGB metering; a 1/300 synch speed, a removable finder with a brighter view; mirror lock-up (for actual shooting not just CCD cleaning); and the solid, weather-sealed body of a pro camera. And I wish that Fuji had a fraction of Kodak's software design capability. The Fuji LCD is bright, too bright even with the brightness turned all the way down on mine.

I'm pleased with my S2 but I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I do hope that Kodak can make the 14n a decent successor to the 760, but it is basically an N80 with a fancy chassis, a step down in camera capability.

[James Russell]

My post on the dcs 760 and fuji s2 comparison was not meant to disparage any camera or system. I have respect for the 760 and Kodaks efforts.

My expeience with these cameras is in real world, high intensity production.
The S2 has produced tremendous images that are currently running world wide.

As far as the comments on my cleint's knowledge of camera equipment, I generally do no respond to such negative posts, but in your case I will make an exception.

To begin with our clients are some of the world's largest and most successful international advertisers and marketers. Our productions run in the many, ten's of thousands of dollars per project and we would never compromise a shoot over any piece of equipment.

With this in mind the images we have produced with the S2 have been successful and by all accounts technically and artistically successful.

My, or any client cares little of camera construction, but places a rightful emphasis on the results.

But to emphasize again, my dcs 760 is presently in for repair and the S2's are still in operation.

Sincerely,

James Russell
Russell Rutherford
www.pbase.com/russruth/all_s2

[James Russell]

8 months ago we purchased a DCS 760 from a Kodak reccomended reseller.

We purchased this camera as a demo with 7,000 acutations.


The dealer said the camera came with a 1 year warranty and if we wanted to purchase the Kodak gold warranty we could do this at any later date, prior to the 1 year expiration.
After 8 months of use and 10,000 frames the camera stopped focusing.


Kodak says the "18 month?" warranty has expired and the repair bill has come in at
$1,700 with 3 to 4 weeks for repair.


Naturally this is dissappointing . For a professional $7,000 camera to fail after 10,000 frames and 8 months is huge issue, thouigh 3 to 4 weeks repair is even more disturbing.

I will post the repair quote below and if I receive any "positive response" from Kodak I will post an update.
James Russell
Russell Rutherford


The following is a quotation for service you requested on your KODAK DCS760
,
serial number; K7----------------.

The following is a list of charges required to complete your request for
service;

Option A: Camera Body Replacement
Ø Parts - $1284.95
Ø Labor - $400.00
Ø Transportation & Handling - $10.95
Ø Total cost + tax (if applicable) - $1695.90 + tax

Replace; Camera Body - $1179.37 (refurbished camera body may have cosmetic
imperfections)
_______________Battery - $85.10
_______________Box - $20.48

Option B: Camera Body Repair (turn around time: 3 to 4 weeks)
Ø Parts - $805.58
Ø Labor - $400.00
Ø Transportation & Handling - $10.95
Ø Total cost + tax (if applicable) - $1216.53 + tax

Repair; Camera Body - $700.00 (estimated cost, camera body may have
cosmetic imperfections)
Replace; Battery - $85.10
_______________Box - $20.48

NON-WARRANTY REPAIR
REPAIR TECHNICIAN NOTE; Verified the customer's complaint that the auto
focusing is not working. The camera body needs to be replaced or repaired.
Verified the complaint of no power. One of the batteries is bad and needs
to be replaced. The camera needs to be cleaned and adjusted.
IR filter, yes...total actuations, 17545

[lightwrangler]

I take it from your message that the camera just "failed". That is to say that you hadn't caused a failure in someway by improper use or handling. If that is the case then Kodak's response is truly unacceptable. This is very low mileage for a professional camera. They are asking for the equivilant dollar value of a new S2 to replace the 760 with a refurb.

I can only hope that for your sake that they come to their senses. Having had dealings with Kodak in the past, I know that repairs can be pricey, but considering the product and the limited use it has had, I think that they should cut you some slack. This is not the way to keep customers.

[James Russell]

During the shoot, the focus started making noises and we turned it off.

What is noteworthy is we used the S2's for the most demanding situations and babied the dcs 760. We shot 70% of the job on the S2s.

I can't speak for Kodak as I do not understand their policy.

James