Unknown user 86445
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I've been using the DC4800 for over a year. I don't use it every day, but it's been a good camera.
I started learning photography 33 years ago and am highly suspect of any camera that has automatic features. This one, though, may break me of my old habits. The only manual feature I miss is focus. The DC4800 handles auto focus well, but there are times when I wish I could take over.
I still do my serious photography with a Mamiya RB67 professional medium format camera. For large prints there is no affordable digital camera that can take its place. Nor is there an affordable large format printer that can do as well as a good enlarger in a chemical darkroom. It just isn't cost effective yet to make 16x20 or 20x24 prints from digital, though 11x14 is marginally possible for a reasonable price.
The DC4800 is my snap shooter and a tool for documenting my travels that makes web site photos very easy. I don't have to have film processed (usually badly) and printed on overly contrasty paper using a printing exposure that is guessed at by a computer (the operators aren't competent and don't have the skill or equipment adjustments available to correct photos that have a broad range of exposures), then try to scan the small prints to make my web photos. No more! The DC4800 is the best tool I've found for this task.
My likes are: 28mm equivalent wide angle lens. This is a mandatory item for me. The long end of the zoom is irrelevant. Light, easy to carry, easy to use. The PC connector for external flash was a really smart move on Kodak's part. Haven't had short battery life problems. I turn the camera off when not in use. Takes excellent macros using a B+W +2 close-up lens. I use adaptor rings to step the camera up to use my 52mm (Nikon size) CUL and filters. Love the red and yellow filter simulator modes for B&W.
See photos at: http://www.inficad.com/~gstewart/ggep.htm Be sure to read the text for more info.
Problems:
Dislikes: Macro button badly placed. I frequently bump the button and end up with some OOF shots before I realize the problem. Back cracked. Not a functional problem, but indicative of a small design error. Viewfinder not accurate. In addition, the LCD is impossible to see in bright sunlight. Need a dark towel over my head to compose. Mode knob feels cheesy, but seems to be stout enough for the job. While the PC connector was a great move, the lack of a hot shoe is a real annoyance. The on-board flash weakness can be overcome by adding +2 EV compensation using the top-mounted switch. Lens shade/filter adaptor attachment gets in the way of flash for closeups. Black and white mode is VERY grainy. Needs a AA battery adaptor.
I started learning photography 33 years ago and am highly suspect of any camera that has automatic features. This one, though, may break me of my old habits. The only manual feature I miss is focus. The DC4800 handles auto focus well, but there are times when I wish I could take over.
I still do my serious photography with a Mamiya RB67 professional medium format camera. For large prints there is no affordable digital camera that can take its place. Nor is there an affordable large format printer that can do as well as a good enlarger in a chemical darkroom. It just isn't cost effective yet to make 16x20 or 20x24 prints from digital, though 11x14 is marginally possible for a reasonable price.
The DC4800 is my snap shooter and a tool for documenting my travels that makes web site photos very easy. I don't have to have film processed (usually badly) and printed on overly contrasty paper using a printing exposure that is guessed at by a computer (the operators aren't competent and don't have the skill or equipment adjustments available to correct photos that have a broad range of exposures), then try to scan the small prints to make my web photos. No more! The DC4800 is the best tool I've found for this task.
My likes are: 28mm equivalent wide angle lens. This is a mandatory item for me. The long end of the zoom is irrelevant. Light, easy to carry, easy to use. The PC connector for external flash was a really smart move on Kodak's part. Haven't had short battery life problems. I turn the camera off when not in use. Takes excellent macros using a B+W +2 close-up lens. I use adaptor rings to step the camera up to use my 52mm (Nikon size) CUL and filters. Love the red and yellow filter simulator modes for B&W.
See photos at: http://www.inficad.com/~gstewart/ggep.htm Be sure to read the text for more info.
Problems:
Dislikes: Macro button badly placed. I frequently bump the button and end up with some OOF shots before I realize the problem. Back cracked. Not a functional problem, but indicative of a small design error. Viewfinder not accurate. In addition, the LCD is impossible to see in bright sunlight. Need a dark towel over my head to compose. Mode knob feels cheesy, but seems to be stout enough for the job. While the PC connector was a great move, the lack of a hot shoe is a real annoyance. The on-board flash weakness can be overcome by adding +2 EV compensation using the top-mounted switch. Lens shade/filter adaptor attachment gets in the way of flash for closeups. Black and white mode is VERY grainy. Needs a AA battery adaptor.