Dynax 5D: The initial experience

synapseman · 29th August 2005

(Note, this is not meant to be a film vs digital, or prosumer vs DSLR debate. It's just an account of my experience based on the different camera types I've used. And since I'm no expert, merely an enthusiast, this review is more biased towards features, build and handling of the camera. All the cheem-cheem technical MTF/dynamic range/contrast whatever things, I still not so sure.)

So finally, I've got myself a DSLR (yay!). My beloved Dimage A2 had to make way for this new baby, the Dynax 5D.

Here's what I liked, and miss about the Dimage A2:
Sealed unit - no dust worries
Virtually silent in operation
Flex focus point - shift the focus point anywhere on the screen!
On-screen grid overlays (grid, scale, live histogram)
Tiltable LCD/EVF
Vertical-grip + 2 NP400 batts = long mileage.
Video-clip recording
Live exposure preview
Magnesium-alloy shell
8 megapixels
LARGE depth of field (good for group shots)

But here's what I don't:
8 megapixels, but really small CCD
Inherently noisy images; ISO rating greater than 200 is WAY BAD.
Video-AF system is slow, sometimes completely unreliable.
922k EVF, while second to none amongst its peers, still can't hold candle to the dimmest optical VF.
Doesn't look "pro enough"; chicks unimpressed.
Fixed-range lens. (Good range, though. And it's f/2.8)
Push-button on/off switch
LARGE depth of field (limits creative control of aperture)
Pathetic 3-shot buffer, no matter what size/quality setting.

It's worth mentioning at this point that I also use a Dynax 60 film SLR. A cursory glance suggests that the Dynax 60 and the D5D are at least somewhat similar. The construction of the packaged kit-lens is practically identical. Probably the Dynax 60 was meant as a "prototype shell" design for the D5D? There were several issues with the Dynax 60, namely the awkwardly-sized dials that were too loose and were easy to shift accidentally (as were those on the A2). The built-in flash is of the auto pop-up variety, which IMHO, kinda sucks because they'd always pop-up at the time you don't want them to. What more, the catch is so loose that it's easy to accidentally cause the flash to pop up. The buttons were also small, flat, and quite hard to locate and press when you have your eye to the viewfinder. It's good to note that in the D5D, most of these concerns have been addressed. With the exception that the Dynax 60 has a metal top plate, but the D5D doesn't.

So, from the handling point of view, here are the plus points of the D5D:
Intuitive controls. Took me 10 minutes tops to figure out the entire camera, w/o reading manual.
Good buttons, rounded & well-protruded for good tactile navigation.
Not as flimsy-feeling as anticipated.
Good 9-pt AF (same as Dynax 7?, Dynax 60)
Good, solid dials.
Good size. Good for street, candid and travel photography. The EOS-1Ds, while cool to look at, was a ridiculous beast to handle.
Manually flipped-up flash.
Uses wired remote controller (like on the A2, but not on the Dynax 60)
Decreased megapixel count, but (I anticipate) image quality to kick the pants off the A2.
Good buffer, fast write speed, even with slowass, cheapo Kingston card.
At less than $1400 with 28-100mm (35mm equiv), it's a killer deal.
Anti-shake is a godsend (see additional notes below).

And the not-so-fantastic:
The four-way controller at the back feels really cheap.
Eye-relief not sufficient for spectacle-wearers (same as Dynax 60)
Cheap, clunky-sounding mirror-lift noise. (same as Dynax 60, worse than my cheapo Olympus IS-500)
No effective dust-management system (a BIG worry for a clean-freak like me)
No vertical grip option.

Need special mention: The Konica Minolta Anti-Shake system.
If you didn't already know, the AS was first implemented in the Dimage A1/A2, then the Dynax 7D. It's won the EISA award for Best Innovation for year 2004-2005, and for good reason. I am TOTALLY sold on this feature, and will NEVER get a camera without this function. It allows you to shoot at shutter speeds 2-3 stops lower than would be needed for a conventional camera. For the technically uninitiated (like myself), 3 stops is equivalent to a selection of TEN shutter speeds! The traditional calculation for shake-free shots is the reciprocal of the focal length, so for a 200mm lens, you'd need at least 1/200s. I've been able to hand-hold (with good technique) shots exposed for as long as 1/3s! With the useable ISO range of the D5D up to 3200 (as opposed to ISO400 on the A2, and that's reaaaaally stretching it), the possibilities have certainly increased many times!

So, that's it for the time being. Not really field-tested it yet. In time to come, I'll put up some shots and maybe comment more on its real-world user-friendliness and image quality.

sulhan · 29th August 2005

Wah....

Looks like many A1/A2 users upgrading. Great.!!!!hAVE FUN WITH YOUR GREAT CAM...

rgds,
sulhan

Drudkh · 29th August 2005

Looks like it is time for a massive outing.

kelster · 29th August 2005

wah....hand itchy liaoz....*scratch scratch*

TME · 29th August 2005

Originally Posted by kelster

wah....hand itchy liaoz....*scratch scratch*

U can always sell that fantabulous laptop that u have lor...

kelster · 29th August 2005

Originally Posted by TME

U can always sell that fantabulous laptop that u have lor...

heh...then how to access CS??...go to your place ah??...kekekeke

TME · 29th August 2005

Originally Posted by kelster

heh...then how to access CS??...go to your place ah??...kekekeke

No lar.... internet cafe lor..

kelster · 29th August 2005

Originally Posted by TME

No lar.... internet cafe lor..

wah...like that ah...where got chance to save $$ for the cam then....

TME · 29th August 2005

Originally Posted by kelster

wah...like that ah...where got chance to save $$ for the cam then....

Hullo... 1hr like $5 only right? 1 hr enough liaoz mah.... for reading posts on CS that is...

denizenx · 30th August 2005

A2 is not air-sealed right? u zoom more and dust will get in lol
but I tried the d5d at the showroom, the AF is fast yeah...
post some pics!

Drudkh · 30th August 2005

365 x $5 = $1.8K !!! can buy a 7D by then!

TME · 30th August 2005

Originally Posted by Drudkh

365 x $5 = $1.8K !!! can buy a 7D by then!

But u would have 365 hours of internet usage... with the lovely inhabitants of the Minolta forum.... how to compare like that?!

kelster · 31st August 2005

Originally Posted by Drudkh

365 x $5 = $1.8K !!! can buy a 7D by then!

heh...thnx Don....exactly my pt...kekekekeke....

tao · 31st August 2005

Originally Posted by synapseman

No effective dust-management system (a BIG worry for a clean-freak like me)

Is CCD dust a real problem on the 5D and 7D like the Nikon D70? Seems that it has something to do with static on the CCD too.

Drudkh · 31st August 2005

Originally Posted by tao

Is CCD dust a real problem on the 5D and 7D like the Nikon D70? Seems that it has something to do with static on the CCD too.

dust on CDD is unavoidable. you can control it but it will still go in one way or another. there's a function call "Clean CCD" in the menu under the tool icon. select that function and use a blower, camera (len mount) face down and blow the CDD to remove dust. switch off when done. switch on again and take a shot to confirm.

muko · 31st August 2005

Originally Posted by sulhan

Wah....

Looks like many A1/A2 users upgrading. Great.!!!!hAVE FUN WITH YOUR GREAT CAM...

rgds,
sulhan

hiks..hiks...
i wanted to migrate also...

Drudkh · 31st August 2005

Originally Posted by muko

hiks..hiks...
i wanted to migrate also...

Hey muko! you've been missing for a long time!

TME · 1st September 2005

Yeah, he's been in secret training with his A2... hiak hiak... that's why now he wants to upgrade...

sulhan · 1st September 2005

Originally Posted by muko

hiks..hiks...
i wanted to migrate also...

I think he said Migrate right.....?.......or was it upgrade.

What ever the cam - just enjoy photography...!!!

rgds,
sulhan

TME · 1st September 2005

Originally Posted by sulhan

I think he said Migrate right.....?.......or was it upgrade.

What ever the cam - just enjoy photography...!!!

rgds,
sulhan

I think he meant upgrade... we'll ask him tonight if he comes along...

29th August 2005	#1
synapseman Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,088	Dynax 5D: The initial experience (Note, this is not meant to be a film vs digital, or prosumer vs DSLR debate. It's just an account of my experience based on the different camera types I've used. And since I'm no expert, merely an enthusiast, this review is more biased towards features, build and handling of the camera. All the cheem-cheem technical MTF/dynamic range/contrast whatever things, I still not so sure.) So finally, I've got myself a DSLR (yay!). My beloved Dimage A2 had to make way for this new baby, the Dynax 5D. Here's what I liked, and miss about the Dimage A2: Sealed unit - no dust worries Virtually silent in operation Flex focus point - shift the focus point anywhere on the screen! On-screen grid overlays (grid, scale, live histogram) Tiltable LCD/EVF Vertical-grip + 2 NP400 batts = long mileage. Video-clip recording Live exposure preview Magnesium-alloy shell 8 megapixels LARGE depth of field (good for group shots) But here's what I don't: 8 megapixels, but really small CCD Inherently noisy images; ISO rating greater than 200 is WAY BAD. Video-AF system is slow, sometimes completely unreliable. 922k EVF, while second to none amongst its peers, still can't hold candle to the dimmest optical VF. Doesn't look "pro enough"; chicks unimpressed. Fixed-range lens. (Good range, though. And it's f/2.8) Push-button on/off switch LARGE depth of field (limits creative control of aperture) Pathetic 3-shot buffer, no matter what size/quality setting. It's worth mentioning at this point that I also use a Dynax 60 film SLR. A cursory glance suggests that the Dynax 60 and the D5D are at least somewhat similar. The construction of the packaged kit-lens is practically identical. Probably the Dynax 60 was meant as a "prototype shell" design for the D5D? There were several issues with the Dynax 60, namely the awkwardly-sized dials that were too loose and were easy to shift accidentally (as were those on the A2). The built-in flash is of the auto pop-up variety, which IMHO, kinda sucks because they'd always pop-up at the time you don't want them to. What more, the catch is so loose that it's easy to accidentally cause the flash to pop up. The buttons were also small, flat, and quite hard to locate and press when you have your eye to the viewfinder. It's good to note that in the D5D, most of these concerns have been addressed. With the exception that the Dynax 60 has a metal top plate, but the D5D doesn't. So, from the handling point of view, here are the plus points of the D5D: Intuitive controls. Took me 10 minutes tops to figure out the entire camera, w/o reading manual. Good buttons, rounded & well-protruded for good tactile navigation. Not as flimsy-feeling as anticipated. Good 9-pt AF (same as Dynax 7?, Dynax 60) Good, solid dials. Good size. Good for street, candid and travel photography. The EOS-1Ds, while cool to look at, was a ridiculous beast to handle. Manually flipped-up flash. Uses wired remote controller (like on the A2, but not on the Dynax 60) Decreased megapixel count, but (I anticipate) image quality to kick the pants off the A2. Good buffer, fast write speed, even with slowass, cheapo Kingston card. At less than $1400 with 28-100mm (35mm equiv), it's a killer deal. Anti-shake is a godsend (see additional notes below). And the not-so-fantastic: The four-way controller at the back feels really cheap. Eye-relief not sufficient for spectacle-wearers (same as Dynax 60) Cheap, clunky-sounding mirror-lift noise. (same as Dynax 60, worse than my cheapo Olympus IS-500) No effective dust-management system (a BIG worry for a clean-freak like me) No vertical grip option. Need special mention: The Konica Minolta Anti-Shake system. If you didn't already know, the AS was first implemented in the Dimage A1/A2, then the Dynax 7D. It's won the EISA award for Best Innovation for year 2004-2005, and for good reason. I am TOTALLY sold on this feature, and will NEVER get a camera without this function. It allows you to shoot at shutter speeds 2-3 stops lower than would be needed for a conventional camera. For the technically uninitiated (like myself), 3 stops is equivalent to a selection of TEN shutter speeds! The traditional calculation for shake-free shots is the reciprocal of the focal length, so for a 200mm lens, you'd need at least 1/200s. I've been able to hand-hold (with good technique) shots exposed for as long as 1/3s! With the useable ISO range of the D5D up to 3200 (as opposed to ISO400 on the A2, and that's reaaaaally stretching it), the possibilities have certainly increased many times! So, that's it for the time being. Not really field-tested it yet. In time to come, I'll put up some shots and maybe comment more on its real-world user-friendliness and image quality. __________________ The synapseman uses Sony Alpha system & Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2. Last edited by synapseman; 29th August 2005 at 08:10 PM.

29th August 2005	#2
sulhan Advertiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,051	Re: Dynax 5D: The initial experience Wah.... Looks like many A1/A2 users upgrading. Great.!!!!hAVE FUN WITH YOUR GREAT CAM... rgds, sulhan

29th August 2005	#3
Drudkh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,019	Re: Dynax 5D: The initial experience Looks like it is time for a massive outing.

29th August 2005	#4
kelster Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Everywhere where e sun shines Posts: 1,078	Re: Dynax 5D: The initial experience wah....hand itchy liaoz....scratch scratch

30th August 2005	#10
denizenx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: L2TPYSG Posts: 4,514	Re: Dynax 5D: The initial experience A2 is not air-sealed right? u zoom more and dust will get in lol but I tried the d5d at the showroom, the AF is fast yeah... post some pics! __________________ "I'm... dreaming... of a wide... angle~ Just like the ones I used to know~"

1st September 2005	#18
TME Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Clementi Posts: 6,188	Re: Dynax 5D: The initial experience Yeah, he's been in secret training with his A2... hiak hiak... that's why now he wants to upgrade...