I find it hard to believe...

[George Riehm]

No Kodak dSLR users out there?

Jeff, How about a review of the DCS Pro SLR/n to get things rollin'?

[Cold Snail]

Hello George.

I have an antique DCS410 (Nikon N90s with Kodak back) next to me and hopefully can get the drivers working for Windows XP Pro, but I have to admit to looking in other forums for some advice.

But then, who cares about a 1.5mp DSLR these days. (Even 1.5mp point and shoot's don't generate much interest)

All the best.
Paul.

[George Riehm]

Hello George.

I have an antique DCS410 (Nikon N90s with Kodak back) next to me and hopefully can get the drivers working for Windows XP Pro, but I have to admit to looking in other forums for some advice.

But then, who cares about a 1.5mp DSLR these days. (Even 1.5mp point and shoot's don't generate much interest)

All the best.
Paul.

I have some great shots taken with my old Nikon CP900 (1.3MP). With a little pixel-stuffing I can squeeze an 8 x 10 out of some of them.

I would be willing to bet that the 1.5MP image coming from that DCS 410 (with a little post processing) is as good, or better, than most 3.2MP point-n-shoot images from the current crop of DC's. So don't think you can't get great pictures from the 410.

I know that the firewire connnection is intreguing, but doesn't the 410 use a PCMCIA memory card? If you have a laptop then you can transfer the pics that way. But probably the best solution is to use a Compact Flash card with a PCMCIA adapter for taking pics, and then downloading from the Comapct Flash card through a low cost multi-card reader. That way the camera is independent of the computer and OS. AND you can use the CF cards in other cameras as well. CF cards are really cheap these days and a 256MB card would hold about 500 images for arround $30. Here is a PCMCIA adapter for $5.99.

http://www.surpluscomputers.com/IMG10072.html

And a 256MB CF card for $23.99.

http://www.softwareandstuff.com/CPM10192.html

Except for the weight, the original DCS SLR series were some great cameras and still have the ability to take great shots. Please post some as soon as you get the download system figured out. It can be done without much hassle or cost.

[Cold Snail]

It's working now, thank you for the tips.
I had already gone down the PCMCIA adapter route but with no success until 3am this morning.

The problem was formatting with Windows XP Pro (SP2), it allowed the camera to have some shots, but when the CF card was inserted into the card reader it came up blank. (Even though the memory was being used)

After Photoshop decided to crash on me, I decided to try again this morning and using my kids PC (which I had turned back to Windows 98SE), I formatted and it shows up.

First impressions are good, I prefer the focusing over my DX6490 and the lack of shutter lag is a major plus point.
The x2.6 ratio will take some getting used to, but I'm sure it won't take long.
The overall quality is quite surprising and the red cast is easily removed from the images.

The only minus is there seems to be a smudge on the sensor in the top left of the image, so now I have to learn how to clean it up.

This is test taken from my doorstep, I will get out later and try something better. (The red cast was removed and converted to Jpeg)

http://cold-snail.smugmug.com/photos/10761352-O.jpg

This has been a steep learning curve over the last week, I was almost thinking of converting the N90s back to film.

[George Riehm]

It's working now, thank you for the tips.
I had already gone down the PCMCIA adapter route but with no success until 3am this morning.

The problem was formatting with Windows XP Pro (SP2), it allowed the camera to have some shots, but when the CF card was inserted into the card reader it came up blank. (Even though the memory was being used)

After Photoshop decided to crash on me, I decided to try again this morning and using my kids PC (which I had turned back to Windows 98SE), I formatted and it shows up.

First impressions are good, I prefer the focusing over my DX6490 and the lack of shutter lag is a major plus point.
The x2.6 ratio will take some getting used to, but I'm sure it won't take long.
The overall quality is quite surprising and the red cast is easily removed from the images.

The only minus is there seems to be a smudge on the sensor in the top left of the image, so now I have to learn how to clean it up.

This is test taken from my doorstep, I will get out later and try something better. (The red cast was removed and converted to Jpeg)

http://cold-snail.smugmug.com/photos/10761352-O.jpg

This has been a steep learning curve over the last week, I was almost thinking of converting the N90s back to film.

First rule is: Always format in the camera. XP should read it after that.

I forgot about the 2.6 crop factor on the older sensors. On the positive side, that cheap 70-300 f4.5 to 5.6 AF G is now a 182mm - 780mm f4.5-f5.6! If you want to spend some bucks there is a 12-24 Sigma for about $700 that will give you 31.2 - 62mm wide angle capability.

When you post these pictures in the future don't tell anyone the pixel count. I'm sure they will be surprised, and it goes a long way to debunk the megapixel race.

Don't clean the sensor yourself!!! Hopefully, you have a local camera repair shop that can do this. Also, does it show up in all pictures?

If you see another DCS 410 for 100 pounds, let me know. I would love to have one for critter pics.

[Cold Snail]

I would keep an eye out for a DCS 420 as it has a few more features over the 410. (Various ISO setting is the one I would like on mine)
Ebay has a few listed at the moment for a reasonable amount.

I've found the reason for the red cast over the images.
It turns out to be extremely sensitive to infrared and requires a hot mirror filter over the lens to keep things in check. The upshot of this is it should be very good at IR type photography.

I am still looking for a filter, but for the moment it makes a very nice B/W image.

Good hunting.
Paul.

[George Riehm]

I would keep an eye out for a DCS 420 as it has a few more features over the 410. (Various ISO setting is the one I would like on mine)
Ebay has a few listed at the moment for a reasonable amount.

I've found the reason for the red cast over the images.
It turns out to be extremely sensitive to infrared and requires a hot mirror filter over the lens to keep things in check. The upshot of this is it should be very good at IR type photography.

I am still looking for a filter, but for the moment it makes a very nice B/W image.

Good hunting.
Paul.

Thanks for the tip. I found a 410 with a Tamron lens starting at $100, but has a reserve (not good). the 2 420's look interesting and may be available for $150 to $175. I'm not sure why these are so interesting, but the N90 body is a good one. My D70 is fun, but for $200 or so, the 420 looks like fun as well.

Keep in touch and post those pics once in a while.

[Cold Snail]

I've now gone and done the retro thing and converted the DCS back to a Nikon N90s 35mm with the data back and battery grip.
I will of course keep the Kodak back, but until the funds are available for a more up-to-date dSLR, I have decided to go for a real test.
I still have a DX6490 for day-to-day shooting, but if I want a stunning landscape shot, the old 35mm will come out to play.

Happy New Year.
Paul.

[George Riehm]

I've now gone and done the retro thing and converted the DCS back to a Nikon N90s 35mm with the data back and battery grip.
I will of course keep the Kodak back, but until the funds are available for a more up-to-date dSLR, I have decided to go for a real test.
I still have a DX6490 for day-to-day shooting, but if I want a stunning landscape shot, the old 35mm will come out to play.

Happy New Year.
Paul.

Thanks for the update. I still haven't bought a 420, but it's on the list, along with a Pentax 645 medium format film camera. They are getting cheap (~$500 used) and I've always wanted to shoot medium format, but could never afford it. The Nikon D70 will make a good light meter ;) .

Now you have to buy a decent scanner for those film shots. :) .

Keep us posted.

[bws]

I would like to convert my kodak420 to the n90s. where do you get the parts and is the final product worth more than the 420 as is? It comes with a Nikkor
28-70 3.5-4.5D lens in excellent condition. It also has and angle view finder.

what do you think?

[Cold Snail]

I would like to convert my kodak420 to the n90s. where do you get the parts and is the final product worth more than the 420 as is? It comes with a Nikkor
28-70 3.5-4.5D lens in excellent condition. It also has and angle view finder.

what do you think?

All you need is a new battery cover and back cover.
The focusing screen can also be changed, but I still use the Kodak back from time to time, so mine is still the same.
I did the full blown thing with mine and updated using the best condition upgrades available (MB-10 Vertical Battery Grip and MF-26 Data Back), but the basic items work just as well.
There is also a MF-25 which works on the back, but the MF-26 is packed with many more features it seems the best bet.
I believe that the film guide isn't included in the standard back, but can be picked up at the time of ordering.

I used B&H for the data back and Ebay for the grip.
Total cost to me, £127 for the parts (inc. postage and customs tax, (I won't swear)) + £90 for the camera (inc. lens) = £217 for a film or digital SLR isn't bad.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/coldsnail/100_8690Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/coldsnail/100_8691Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/coldsnail/100_8692Small.jpg

Link to B&H's N90s stock. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=n90s)

[bws]

Thanks for the pics and the info.
you failed to mention if you think this conversion is worth more than the original 420 with the lens and angle finder.
I would appreciate your opinon.

[George Riehm]

All you need is a new battery cover and back cover.
The focusing screen can also be changed, but I still use the Kodak back from time to time, so mine is still the same.
I did the full blown thing with mine and updated using the best condition upgrades available (MB-10 Vertical Battery Grip and MF-26 Data Back), but the basic items work just as well.
There is also a MF-25 which works on the back, but the MF-26 is packed with many more features it seems the best bet.
I believe that the film guide isn't included in the standard back, but can be picked up at the time of ordering.

I used B&H for the data back and Ebay for the grip.
Total cost to me, £127 for the parts (inc. postage and customs tax, (I won't swear)) + £90 for the camera (inc. lens) = £217 for a film or digital SLR isn't bad.

Link to B&H's N90s stock. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=n90s)

Wow Paul, that turned out great (I don't think I saw the finsished project before). I'm still thinking of a 420 for fun, with N90 conversion as well, but have my heart set on a Pentax 645 medium format kit first. I even went out and shot a couple of rolls on my old FE (used the D70 as a light meter).

I think I'm regressing here. :rolleyes:

Throw some of the 410 shots and N90 scans up on the web when you have time.

So you really can turn a sows ear into a silk purse... ;)

[Cold Snail]

BWS.
I would have a look on Ebay, to see what the current prices for a N90s/F90x are nearest to you.
The digital camera seems to generate more interest and would sell easier than the film body, but if I ever sell mine, the complete package would probably generate a lot of interest.

George.
I have thrown a few shots into my album, but I haven't had much time of late to do anything good with it.
A few shots (http://cold-snail.smugmug.com/gallery/352864)

I am currently waiting for a 35mm scanner, so the phone box and cathedral pictures have been scanned prints with my flatbed.

[George Riehm]

BWS.
I would have a look on Ebay, to see what the current prices for a N90s/F90x are nearest to you.
The digital camera seems to generate more interest and would sell easier than the film body, but if I ever sell mine, the complete package would probably generate a lot of interest.

George.
I have thrown a few shots into my album, but I haven't had much time of late to do anything good with it.
A few shots (http://cold-snail.smugmug.com/gallery/352864)

I am currently waiting for a 35mm scanner, so the phone box and cathedral pictures have been scanned prints with my flatbed.

Actually the 410 shots look great. Again, no one would know these are 1.3MP.

Thanks for sharing.

PS can I borrow one of your squirel shots? These were taken with the kodak back right?

[Cold Snail]

PS can I borrow one of your squirel shots? These were taken with the kodak back right?


What one do you want?
I'll send you the full sized image in a email if you want.

[George Riehm]

What one do you want?
I'll send you the full sized image in a email if you want.

Just the head-on shot. Don't need the full sized picture as I think I can just copy it from the site.

This is gonna be fun.

[jewallace]

Nikon AF N90 Excellent Condition #413 Item number: 7505568681 $149.00


there are several on eBay, here's one as an example. Cheers, jw