The resurgence of the interest in CCD photography, which may or may not have been directly influenced by the ever-increasing cost of film for film photography and its associated services, does not deter from the fact that CCD images are not less superior to that of CMOS sensors (which are faster, frugal, and cheaper to manufacture). While CCD sensors may not be too practical with, for example, video capabilities, CCD sensors have always been acknowledged for their high sensitivity to light, low noise levels, and excellent ability to capture details.
Images and photos taken with CCD sensors from earlier production camera models do tend to reflect a nostalgic and vintage look and feel that does not only feed directly to the interest of retro trenders, but also to the group of classic, portrait, still-life, art, and other genres of photo hobbyists. The line of thought that modern new cameras are too clinical and lack the personality that older and quirkier cameras have, similar to the argument on the image characteristics of vintage glass against their modern counterpart, prevails here.
While the choice of a compact, bridge, or SLR camera with CCD sensors to the nostalgic among us is currently confined only to vintage models (as they were built with technology that is considered redundant and have been bypassed) which were already out of production, a wide range of these cameras are still readily available today on auction sites or even in brick-and-mortar stores with conditions that pristine and hardly used, or mint, with prices for the asking.
For the enthusiast who is looking at the standard F-mount system camera that can be used with almost the complete range of Nikkor F lenses, including G- and D-type AF Nikkors, one of the better options is for you to look at the Nikon D200, Nikon D80, or the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro. All three are fitted with CCD sensors. They are easily available on auction listings, or in brick-and-mortar stores at a cost that is negligible to what you will be paying if you follow the trend of going for the newest and latest.
Nikon D200, 10.2MP CCD
The Nikon D200, the prosumer workhorse announced by Nikon in 2005, is a robust body with a magnesium alloy chassis with enough rubber gasket seals around body seams, controls, and compartment doors to form a very effective environmental seal, and highly functional controls and performance close to the professional D2. Just like the D100, which the D200 replaces and stays close with the compact body design, the D200 is also fitted with a CCD sensor, a DX-format 12.2MP, and sports a new AI aperture ring connector that supports A/M modes and metering with AI manual focus lenses built from 1977 onward.
The D200 has a shutter speed range of 1/30 to 1/8000 second with 1/250 second X-Sync speed, an ISO speed range of 100-2500 and 3200 with boost, built-in flash, and a 2.5-inch 230,000 pixel LCD monitor with high-resolution anti-aliased fonts and icons and increased use of subtle color. The D200 can capture high-resolution images at up to 5 frames per second and has a Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module with an 11-area AF. Metering is by a 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, autofocuses with the Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module with 11-area AF.
The camera can be considered slightly weighty though, as it weighs in at 830 grams without battery, but with great ergonomics and soft rubber skin that makes it easy to hold the camera steady, you really have to pick it up to appreciate how the camera fits into your hand, and the ease as you handles the controls. The top panel LCD and other functions (buttons layout) are laid out sensibly and are easy to read, learn, and get used to. Images are rendered with superb clarity and smooth color gradations.
Nikon D80, 10.2MP CCD
The enthusiast-grade Nikon D80, launched by Nikon in 2006, replaces the very popular D70 with interesting updates including a 10.2MP DX-format CCD sensor, improved AF, wider flash coverage, higher capacity battery, and larger LCD monitor. The D80 is the model that sits in between the entry-level D50 and prosumer D200, and just like the D200, the D80 is also fitted with the AF screw drive mechanism, making it usable with almost all of F-mount Nikkor lenses including G- and D-type AF Nikkors. Image storage is on SD/SD-HC cards.
The camera has an electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter with a shutter speed range from 30 to 1/4000 second, plus Bulb. ISO sensitivity is from 100 to 1,600 (up to ISO 3200 with boost). Metering options include 3D Color Matrix II, Center-Weighted, and Spot. The D80 shares the same bright, sharp, and smooth, 170° wide viewing angle 2.5-inch 230,000 pixel LCD monitor as the D200 and D2X. Seen from the D50 is the AF-A mode, which automatically switches from AF-S (single autofocus) to AF-C (continuous autofocus) if subject movement is detected.
The D80 is, however, missing the 'Non-CPU Lens Data' menu item or entering information about non-CPU lenses, and the AI aperture ring connector for full-aperture metering with older 'AI' lenses. This means that, when used with these old-school manual focus lenses, metering on the D80 is stop-down. Earlier enthusiast-grade models, the D70 and D70s, were also fitted with the AF screw drive mechanism, while entry-level models (D40, D60, D3000, D5000) do not. The follow-up D90 has a 12.9MP DX-format CMOS sensor.
Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, 6.2MP SuperCCD
The Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, announced in 2002, replaces the earlier FinePix S1 Pro, which had a 3.1MP SuperCCD sensor and comes with an almost-APS-size 6.2MP SuperCCD sensor with images that can be selected to be generated at 12MP. or any of the other three sizes. The body is based on the Nikon N80 (F80), modified by Fujifilm to include its own proprietary image sensor and electronics. The model even comes with the Nikon F-mount which means that the camera can be mounted and used with almost all of the lenses made for Nikon 35mm SLR cameras.
The camera is AF, with an electronically controlled focal plane shutter with a speed range from 30 sec. to 1/4000 second, with ISO sensitivity from 100-1600, built-in exposure metering and pop-up flash, and sound recording capability. A great camera, professional-looking, solid, and robustly built with a body size and shape, and contoured grip that feels just right. The camera is a joy to hold and lug around, none too heavy with a body weight of 760 grams without batteries or other add-ons. The S2 Pro also features a control layout that does ring a bell with the Nikon D100 (as both were based around the F80/N80).
Unique to the Sx Pro series are the SuperCCD sensors designed with the photodiodes oriented diagonally instead of the horizontal and vertical orientation of the others. This allows images generated from the sensor to be interpolated to a huge 12MP size, or set to a choice of three other lesser size settings. Image quality, as seen below shot with an AF-Zoom Nikkor 35-70mm 1:3.3~4.5, is to the standard of what the CCD sensors are acknowledged for.
The Final Cut
As these are what I consider as ultimates of the selection, except maybe for a higher priced FinePix S3, or S5 Pro, or before jumping the bandwagon to medium or other formats, there are no reasons why you should not enjoy the experience, and go next to look at the selection of more than 400 F-mount lenses already available that can be used with these cameras.
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