The Kodak DC120 Zoom Megapixel Digital Camera was first released in 1997, and was one of the earliest digital cameras to incorporate a 1.2 megapixel CCD sensor. This camera was a popular choice for amateur photographers who wanted the convenience of digital photography, but didn't want to invest in a high-end professional camera. At the time, in 1997, there were no "high-end professional digital cameras", so this was about the apex of digital photography at the time. It's retail price was $699!
I have one of these. It was won in an auction last year and has been sitting quietly in my camera cabinet waiting for some use.
It's an interesting camera in that there is no button to turn the power on; rather, the front of the camera needs to literally slide open to expose the view finder.
I have a fascination with old, "out of date," digital cameras. At one point in time they were not out of date, but were cutting edge! More importantly, they are challenging to use. The small sensor and limited light capabilities means the images have a tendency to come out grainy and shitty. The goal is to use them - somehow - to make good images!
Kodak did not build the DC120 shoddily. This was, at the time, a really good camera. They even invested in technology to allow the camera to save images in RAW format. I can tell you, by experience, that using RAW takes a very long time to save to flash, but every advantage that one can squeeze out of this camera the better, and using RAW instead of JPG is one of those advantages. The drawback is that I have not found a local converter and have so far needed to use an online web based one.
These are some pictures from Longwood Garden last week. Yes, they have been desaturated in post processing. They work better this way. Black and white removes the noise of colour, anyway; particularly the muted color that the DC120 provides.
The final test, of course, is the "skeleton test." How does my front yard tree climbing skeleton look with this camera? The answer is... not bad.
(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe
About Me
Sometimes photographer. Wannabe author. Game designer. Nerd.
General all around problem-solver and creative type.
Blind Skeleton
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