Pro/n vs SLR/n

Paul_Lumnitzer · #1 08-07-2005, 01:24 PM

I have been using a Pro/n for about a year for weddings and portraits. I really like the color rendition and the Photo Desk workflow. The major downside is the short battery life. I go through 3 batteries for a wedding. While irksome, the sloooooooooooow start up time is not a deal killer.

I have been thinking about looking for the newer SLR/n on eaby in hopes that they may have made some improvements on these issues. For my work, I have not really noticed the color fringing that I have read about.

Any feedback on improvements between the two models? Thanks.

#2 08-07-2005, 01:39 PM

If you like the color while doing weddings with the 14N, do not upgrade. You will not get more battery performance with the NX or the 14SLRn than you do with the 14N. We have three. 2 NX's and a 14N.

The color problems especially the red blob was due to certain lenses not matching up well with the sensor on the 14N. Particularly offensive was the 85mm 1.8 nikkor. I have not had many problems with zoom lenses and the red blob. Some photograhers have experienced bad magenta fringing problems especially when a lot of sky in in the images. We have not, however, I keep the 14N in the studio and use the 14NX's on location.

If the battery is a problem for you, why not buy a digital battery that will last up to 4-5 times longer. Its like the Turbo battery for cameras the way Quantum has captured the battery market for flash. Don't recall the name right now, but do a search and you should get the link. All that have these high powered batteries seem to love them.

Vince_Roberts · #3 08-08-2005, 03:31 AM

I have upgraded from a 14n to an SLR/n (actually, I bought two of them in a deal.) The difference in my opinion is drastic, night and day. First, I can now use ALL of my primes, including my 16, 24, 35, 50, 60 and my favorite 85mm, none were usable on the 14n. No red blobs, period. The improved optimization routine, though clumsy, works. I'm no longer stuck with expensive, heavy zooms, though they of course work fine, I also own and use them regularly, but there's nothing like a small, light, fast prime. The noise at 160 is better than the 14n at 80, it's actually usable at 400, even 640 with judicious noise reduction. And of course there is the emergency option to go higher, but I'm sure you know it's not a high ISO camera. The 14n was 100% useless at any higher than ISO100 (except in 6 mp mode, which looked good up to 200.)

Battery life is at least 4 times better with the SLR/n while actually using the camera, infinitely better when the camera is just idling, though I still remove the battery when not using it. I can get several hundred shots with regular chimping. The improvements in the 14NX only include the sensor, the battery life will be the same.

Frankly, the only drawback I have found from the upgrade is related to the sync speed for fill-flash. With the 1/125 limit the 160 ISO does cause a problem, other than that I'd upgrade in a heartbeat at today's prices, assuming the other Kodak quirks (moire, etc.) are acceptable.

MarkLe · #4 08-08-2005, 04:53 AM

I use a 14n with 35-70 2.8 with no problem whatsoever. That said (and it is indeed a matter of optimization) don't upgrade just for the battery because it will stay the same. Since you don't mention any of the lens-related problems I don't see why you should upgrade.
About the power I don't shoot all the wedding with that camera: just formals while all the candid part is done with a D100 (and 10D) so I don't suffer from the battery problem too much.
If really bothers you, like the previous poster suggested, look for an external battery. like this http://www.qtm.com/battery/turbo_2x2_main.html

Clifford_Sarokoff · #5 08-08-2005, 01:03 PM

I have had the same battery concerns. What I did was to replace the two year old batteries with a fresh set of replacement batteries. I now have six replacement Lenmar batteries. For me it's a win win situation. About 30 dollars a battery I now have a battery that offers more exposures as well as the piece of mind that I could cover multi-jobs without bring the charger.
I dislike battery packs with the cord that aways seems to get in the way. (Not to mention my pants are always pushing down if I place it on my belt.)
Six new replacements for $180.00 is all it took to make me a happy camper.
CS

Don_Schenk · #6 08-09-2005, 11:29 AM

Larry is correct. The image quality with the SLR/n is soooooo much better than the 14n.

After shooting with a 14n for over a year, I borrowed an SLR/n (demo camera) from my dealer and ran comparison side by side tests in studio and outdoors.

Upon seeing the image quality difference, I immedeately bought the SLR/n and sold the 14n. They were't even comparable!

The SLR/n gives MUCH better color, no noise up to ISO400, we haven't had the moire problems with it that we had with the 14n, and outdoor natural light photos are much truer.

Get the SLR/n, you'll be please with the image quality. As for battery, I haven't been keeping track and just change it when needed.

Don

Chris_Shain · #7 08-09-2005, 07:56 PM

I have both - the slr/n is certainly a much better performing every day camera and its what I pick up first - but I certainly wouldn't get rid of my 14n, its marginally sharper and in the right conditions is a very good camera. I have also used it a couple of times when I want a lower base iso (80) for fill in flash work. The other issue is that as a working professional, owning one camera body in this day and age is very dangerous ! so with the 14n I have a back up camera that operates in the same workflow and produces hi res files.

hth

Chris