Photo by Lynn Eodice Fourteen-megapixel resolution means you can make really big prints: the 4500x3000-dpi images can be published at 15x10 inches at 300 dpi in quality magazines, and will turn out dandy 25x16.7-inch inkjet prints at 180 dpi. And you have enough pixels to blow up a small section of an image and make a normal-sized print. But remember that huge blow-ups will expose any image blur due to camera shake or inaccurate focusing. So, to get maximum benefit from this camera, you should use it the same way you’d use a 35mm SLR when aiming for maximum image quality with slow, fine-grain films: mount it on a tripod, and focus manually. Fourteen-megapixel resolution also means large image files (RAW images are around 14 megabytes each, highest-quality JPEGs 2–10 MB), which take up more space on storage media and require more time to process. The Pro SLR/c has a huge 512MB internal memory buffer, which allows it to shoot up to 19 consecutive full-res RAW images at 1.7 per second (but curiously only 12 JPEGs), but it’s a good idea to use high-speed memory cards, which not only speed up transfer of images from camera to card, but also prolong battery life—shorter processing times mean less battery drain. Kodak specs say the supplied 7.4V lithium-ion battery will provide up to 400 shots per charge. Under adverse conditions—a slow standard-speed 1GB CompactFlash card, and a long 300mm lens with continuous autofocusing and image stabilizer on—the low-battery indicator activated after around 140 shots. The camera also comes with an AC power module, great when AC current is available, as in studio work. Of course, you’ll also need a fast computer with lots of RAM to deal with the files—the 13.5-megapixel images are around 38 MB when opened and uncompressed. You probably won’t be happy with computers that just meet Kodak’s minimum requirements. You’ll also want a FireWire/IEEE1394 card reader for downloading images—USB can be painfully slow with such large files. Bottom Line: If you specialize in low-light work, or like to shoot hand-held autofocused action images, this camera is not the best choice. But if you want truly amazing image quality, and are willing to put the camera on a tripod and focus manually when necessary to get it, the DCS Pro SLR/c—in RAW mode—does deliver. Specifications CAMERA: Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c TYPE: Pro AF digital SLR LENS MOUNT: Canon EF bayonet FOCAL-LENGTH CONVERSION FACTOR: None (full-frame sensor) IMAGING ELEMENT: 13.89-megapixel 24x36mm CMOS sensor; 13.5 image megapixels IMAGE RESOLUTIONS: 4500x3000, 3000x2000 and 2250x1500 pixels RAW or JPEG, 1125x750-pixel JPEG IMAGE FILE TYPES: DCR (RAW), JPEG (three JPEG quality levels), ERI-JPEG, simultaneous RAW + JPEG capture STORAGE: Two slots, one for Type II CompactFlash card or Microdrive, one for SD/MMC card FOCUSING: TTL phase-detection AF with 5 AF zones; AF range EV –1 to 18 (ISO 100); single-shot AF, continuous AF, plus manual via focusing ring on lens METERING: TTL 8-segment, average or center- area EXPOSURE MODES: Shiftable program AE, shutter- and aperture-priority AE, metered manual SHUTTER: Vertical-travel metal focal-plane shutter with electronically controlled speeds from 30 sec. to 1¼6000 plus B ISO SETTINGS: 160–1600 (ISOs down to 6 in long-exposure mode) ADVANCE MODES: Single-frame and continuous (up to 19 13.5-megapixel RAW images at 1.7 per second) FLASH: Hot-shoe provides E-TTL exposure control with compatible accessory flash units; PC terminal for studio flash; maximum flash-sync shutter speed 1¼180 (1¼6000 in FP mode with compatible flash units) VIEWFINDER: Fixed eye-level pentaprism type shows approx. 92% of actual image area, 0.77X magnification with 50mm lens at infinity; 18mm eyepoint; built-in eyepiece correction from –3 to +1 diopters VIEWFINDER INFORMATION: AF-zone brackets, center-area metering reference circle, and crop lines for 8x10 format in image area; below image area, flash indicator, focus indicator, shutter speed, AE-lock indicator, aperture, exposure meter, auto bracketing EXTERNAL LCD PANEL: Displays (when applicable) shutter speed, ISO, aperture, frame counter, sound setting, metering mode, remote control, exposure meter, auto bracketing, AF mode, battery indicator LCD MONITOR: 1.8-inch TFT color, LCD displays exposed images, setting info SELF-TIMER: Electronic, 2 or 10-sec. delay (cancelable) POWER SOURCE: One rechargeable Kodak Professional DCS Pro lithium-ion battery provided with camera; AC via provided adapter DIMENSIONS: 5.4x5.9x3.0 in. WEIGHT: 31.5 oz. STREET PRICE: $4995 DISTRIBUTOR: Eastman Kodak Company; 1-800-235-6325; www.kodak.com/go/professional