The digital series, with the Digital DG-1 launched earlier in 1998, is a follow-up to the brand's original 35mm film camera series with waterproofing (JIS protection grade 7), dust-proofing, and shock resistance.
The DG-2 (2002) was later replaced by the 3.24MP DG-3 (Digital 現場監督 DG-3Z) in 2003. Although the series remains non-manual-control-friendly throughout its production, its use with gloved hands is explicit and convenient.
The advantages of cameras from the early years of the digital revolution are, of course, their functional aspects, which are easier to grasp and simpler to use, without the overburdening complexity of their modern counterparts.
As a matter of interest, both the Digital DG-2 and its film-sibling, the Konica Genba Kantoku 28WB, are also recognized as cult favorites, known for their extreme ruggedness, unique design, and simple functionality in harsh environments.
The Konica Genba Kantoku Digital DG-2
The digital features a 1/2-inch 2.1-megapixel CCD sensor, a fixed 5.8mm f/2.8 Hexanon lens (equivalent to a 38mm lens on a full frame camera), with digital zoom, a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters, an optical viewfinder, a built-in flash, an LCD panel for camera status display, and a 1.8-inch TFT LCD screen.
Images are recorded at 1600x1200, 1280x960, or 640x480 resolutions and saved to CompactFlash cards.
Exposures are fully automatic. The camera has a shutter speed range from 2 to 1/750 seconds, is powered by 4 AA batteries (NiMH recommended), measures 139 x 77 x 53 mm, and weighs 425 grams.
Camera Features
The camera is encased in a robust, thick plastic shell with a rubberized body designed for a sturdy feel, good handling, and extra protection against impacts. The utilitarian design is often seen in natural colors.
On the front, aside from the bulk of the hand grip, located centrally, is the lens assembly unit, complete with industrial-style faceplate screws and clear glass plate protection to prevent dust or water ingress, with a viewfinder window positioned toward the top of the camera body, above the lens, a built-in flash almost to the top right corner of the camera, and a pair of autofocus sensors aligned aside it.
On the top plane, from left to right, an ID tag insert, a hot shoe, an LCD function panel, the Shutter Release button, and a large 2-position hexagonal cut Power Dial at the lower right edge of the camera top.
On the back plane, above the 1.8-inch LCD screen, is the viewfinder eyepiece, beside which is an LED indicator light, which goes Green when autofocus is locked, or flashes Green when autofocus fails to lock, or the camera is unable to focus, particularly in low-light conditions. Flash, when set to Auto, will be deployed for the shot.
Lower down, to the right of the LCD screen, is another function button which will activate Edit icons for Image Control, Image Edit, or Camera Setup menus.
Below the lower function button is the Cross Keys pad, or directional buttons control, with a Joystick located centrally. The Joystick can be nudged (moved) in the direction of the four arrows for navigation or selection, or pressed down affirmatively for function execution.
On the bottom plane, the battery chamber cover, and the tripod bush.
The right side panel of the DG-2 (looking from the camera back) is the cover for the CompactFlash compartment, while the panel on the left is the cover for a USB port and an external power source socket.
Starting-Up and Recording
Next, set the operational parameters for the shoot on the LCD panel, which will be stored in the camera's memory (aside from the flash and self-timer settings), and the camera is ready for taking pictures with the camera held to the eye and images framed through the viewfinder.
To adjust the image parameters, use the left button below the LCD panel to cycle between the 3 inage resolution settings, and use the right button to cycle through the flash settings. Press both buttons simultaneously to activate the approximately 10-second delay Self-Timer.
While still in the Record mode, the LCD screen can be activated as an image frame or a viewfinder screen, so images can be captured with the camera held away from your eye. To activate, press the function button located beside the viewfinder eyepiece.
The active display can also be used for zooming in the image, or, by pressing the lower function button (beside the LCD Screen), to activate a 3-icon menu selection for Zoom, Setup, or for setting image Review On, or Off.
The Record mode will time itself after about a minute, or so, and the Flash mode setting is not saved to memory.
While the AF lock works well with its Green LED display, the shutter release, on my test unit, is a very faint click and is almost inaudible.
In Record mode, with the LCD screen activated, the image frame can be zoomed and recorded at 1.5X, 2X, and 2.5X zooms. To activate the Zoom function, nudge the Cross Keys Joystick up or down.
Display and Editing
To activate, press the function button located beside the viewfinder eyepiece, and recorded images will be displayed with a short info on the date and time of image capture. Nudge the Joystick to the right or left to navigate the images.
To Edit Images, press the (lower) function button located on the side of the LCD panel. This will access the Edit menu, displayed as icons. Nudge the Joystick to the right or left to choose between Erase, Thumbnail, Lock, Rotate, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Magnify, or Setup functions.
Erasing An Image
- Set the camera to idle, i.e., with Power Dial set to left arrowhead.
- First, press the top (Display) button located beside the viewfinder eyepiece.
- Select image - nudge the Joystick left or right to navigate.
- Next, press the lower (Edit) button located beside the LCD screen.
- Select function - nudge the joystick right to select the Erase icon.
- Select 'Yes' on the first image prompt, press down the joystick to confirm,
- Select 'Yes' again on the next image prompt, and press down the joystick again to confirm.
- Select 'Exit' on the next image prompt, and press down the joystick to end the Erase sequence.
The Display will time itself out after about a minute.
A Couple of Early Takes
End Note
With its robust body form, ease of use, and likable images, especially for low-light shots, the Konica Genba Kantoku Digital DG-2 does have the edge as a vintage enthusiast's favorite, and in doing so, retains its status as a 'cult classic'.
And just as well, its crisp and sharp retro images with high-contrast early-2000s CCD color science may put the Konica Genba Kantoku Digital DG-2 just as favourable to 'CCD Resurgence' enthusiasts.
No comments:
Post a Comment