The biggest drawback of the Nikon D1 (IMHO) is the unprotected CCD element which allows dust and invites cleaning scratches on its surface. Canon will be releasing a model designated as the D30, a good viable option for those in the "in-between" price point crowd. After contacting Canon, they had this to say:

>>The EOS D30's CMOS element is protected by a piece of glass. This provides the sensor with protection against the elements. However, like all CMOS sensors, it is not fully covered as this would inhibit light gathering and image processing.>>

My questions: is this true (as far as I know, this is the only camera using a CMOS sensor and isn't a replacement for a film back), and if it's not fully protected, what's to stop dust from mucking it up?

It seems to me this is a sore spot with camera manufacturers, but I don't understand why, if it's addressed and designed correctly.

-- Sue Bald (destiny3@ix.netcom.com), July 05, 2000

Answers

Hi Sue, you've touched a raw nerve - the dust problem is a big problem. I really have to smile when I read articles about the latest professional digital cameras, I have yet to find an article in which or where the author's find or see this problem. Believe me it's here and the more you stop down,say you've got studio shots, where the depth of field is essntial and you are shooting at f.11 and all depending on the object and distance to object maybe even at f. 32. You are not only picking up dust on the sensors, but also any dust on the lens too. It is absolutely unbelievable, the time I spend in Photoshop cleaning "spots" and other nasty wandering objects. The real problem is that the camera-makers are so hell-bent on out-acing each other, that they really don't have time to "test" their camera properly before putting it on the market, because they are so scared that the competition will get their oar in first. The D-1 was or is heralded as "the camera", but I've been hearing all sorts of complaints - including dust.... In a way, this is my opinion, the D-1 was brought onto the market to shoot down the Canon and Kodak digital cameras, which are priced higher than the D-1 and sadly quality takes second place. In the so-called good old days a number of years went by before a new model replaced the old one. In this present day and age no sooner has Nikon announced its D-1 and fantastically "low" priced camera for the professional, Fuji hits back with a six-million pixel camera at half the price of the D-1's 3 mio pixel. Nikon started the war and I guess they'll end up with a bloody nose. Whatever, the advantages and disadvantages are manyfold: the prices are tumbling - and we'll just have to hope that a real solution to protect the sensors will be found. Whoever solves this problem first, will end up being the winner. Best regards Guy P.S. If you want to see some of my digital pics, take a look at www.gannetvision.ch

-- Guy Bernhardt (info@gannetvision.ch), July 19, 2000.