Canon's D60 digital camera.

I have had my Canon D30 for about a year and have taken more than 4,000 shots. Canon has since come out with the D60, which is patterned after the D30 and has many similar features. The major difference is that the D60 has 6.3 million pixels vs. 3.25 million pixels for the D30. I have evaluated the D30 and I like the camera very much. I contacted Canon about supplying a D60 loaner for evaluation and they obliged.

The D30/D60 cameras are the first to employ CMOS (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) instead of the CCD (Charged Capacitance Device) for the light sensor. This is important since CMOS draws less power and therefore the camera can shoot more pictures on one battery than most Point-and-Shoot cameras without the loss of image quality.

Here is a list of what I think are the major specifications:

D60 Specifications:

Type: Single Lens Reflex; 36 bit full color; CMOS direct imaging sensor

Compatible lenses: All Canon EF lenses

Lens focal length: 1.6 X indicated lens focal length

Imaging element: High sensitivity high resolution large single plate CMOS sensor

Effective sensor size: 22.7 X 15.1mm

Effective pixels: 6.29 million pixels (3072 X 2048)

Aspect ratio: 3:2

LCD monitor: TFT type color LCD monitor

Picture size: 1.8 inch

Recording method: Media--CF card (type I or II)

Formats: JPEG, RAW

Auto focus type--AF

Focusing points: 3 point (1 + 1)

AF working range: EV0.5 to EV18 (ISO 100)--This is a big improvement over the D30 with a range of EV2 to EV 18.

Focusing modes:

(1) One shot AF: AF locks when focus is achieved

(2) A1 servo AF: Tracks subject movement until the actual start of metering

(3) A1 focus AF: Automatically switches between one-shot AF mode and A1 servo AF.

(4) Manual focus: Manual focusing can be used when focusing mode switch on lens is set to manual focus (M)

Exposure control: 35-zone SPC and TTL open Metering

(1) Evaluative metering

(2) Center partial metering (approx. 9.5% of viewfinder area)

(3) Center weighted average value metering

Exposure modes:

(1) tv (time value) Shutter speed priority

(2) av (aperture value) Aperture-priority

(3) Auto depth of field priority

(4) Full Auto mode

(5) Manual mode

ISO speed range: Equivalent to 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000

Exposure compensation:

(1) AEB +/- 2 stops in 1/2 or 1/3 stop increments.

(2) Manual compensation +/- 2 stops in 1/2 or 1/3 stop increments.

Shutter type: Vertical travel focal plane shutter with all speeds controlled electronically.

Speeds: 1/4000 to 30 seconds. Bulb, and X-sync at 1/200 second.

Self-Timer: Electronically controlled, 10-second delay.

Drive modes:

(1) Single shot

(2) Continuous

(3) Self-timer (10 sec)

Number of continuous images:

Approximately 3 images/second; In One Shot AF mode at 1/250 second or faster, to a maximum of 8 images.

Built-in flash type:

Retractable E-TTL autoflash and auto popup flash.

Guide No. 39 at ISO 100 (ft.)

Recycling time: approximately 3 seconds.

Power Supply: operates from one BP-511 Battery Pack (lithium ion battery)

Number of images that can be taken with a fully charged battery:

540 (50% flash, normal temp.)

Camera Body

Flash contacts:

(1) Accessory shoe: X-sync contacts

(2) Sync terminal (with locking thread) on lower corner of camera body.

External flash system compatibility: Compatible with E-TTL auto sync.

In my opinion, the D60 camera's most valuable specification and feature is, that it will take all of Canon's EF (auto focus) lenses.

This was a very important consideration for me since I already own Canon EOS equipment and the following EF lenses:

20mm 2.8           28-135 IS 4.5/5.6
100mm 2.8 macro    75-300 IS 5.6
70-200mm2.8        100-400 IS 5.6 300mm 2.8

I took the D60 to Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, FL for a photo shoot where I used the Canon 100mm 2.8 macro lens. Its focal length is 160 mm when mounted on the D60, an ideal macro lens. I use a twin macro flash, which I have been using for years with my EOS 1N. I shoot in the manual mode with this flash, using the guide number to gauge the distance. The shutter speed of the camera is set to 1/200 sec. I vary the f-stop depending on the distance of the butterfly from the imaginary film plane. The f-stop is generally varied between f16 and f25. When the distance to the subject exceeds 1 1/2 feet, I change the ISO setting from ISO100 to ISO200 instead of opening up the aperture. In this manner I could still use a small aperture value and maintain a good depth of field. With the D60 and 6.3 million pixels, I was able to make a very good 10 X 15 inch print using the largest jpeg image storage mode. Figure 1 shows a Coolie Butterfly taken at ISO200, 1/200 sec, f22, and a distance of about 2 feet.

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

On a photo shoot to Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, FL, I used my 100-400 IS lens, which gave me a focal length of 160-640 mm when mounted on the Canon D60. With this lens, I could reach just about any bird in the area. Another feature to help you get the shot is being able to shoot 3 images per second and up to eight continuous images; this is especially useful when shooting feeding birds. Figure 2 is a Cattle Egret and Figure 3 shows a Great Egret feeding its babies.

[FIGURES 2-3 OMITTED]

When evaluative metering was used on the snowy egrets against a green background, the egrets were overexposed. The same is true to a lesser extent when using Center Partial Metering and Center Weighted Average. To get the proper exposure on the White Egrets, an exposure compensation of -2/3 to -1 stop was used in the evaluative metering mode. I shoot most all my pictures using the evaluative metering mode.

One of my photo shoots with the D60 was at a Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball game in a dome stadium. The roof does not open in this stadium; it is completely enclosed. I know from previous experience that the lighting is very low compared to a baseball game played outdoors in sunlight. During my first trip to the dome stadium several years ago, I used ISO 100 slide film and a 75-300mm 5.6 lens mounted on my EOS1N camera body. I did not have an IS lens at the time. The camera was set to aperture priority and wide open. I was surprised to see my shutter speed at 1/ 30 second! (5 stops under sunny--16). I said to myself, "They play major league baseball in this light?" Needless to say, that shooting hand held from my seat at 300 mm and 1/30 second, I didn't have a chance. The next time I will take faster film. I took the D60 and my 100-400 IS lens. Our seats were about 150-200 feet from home plate. The D60 was set to ISO 800. I was now shooting at 1/250 second at 5.6 at an equivalent of 640 mm hand held. The combination of the D60 and ISO 800 with the 100-400 IS lens did a fine job. Figure 4 shows the action at home plate. This illustrates another one of the D60's great features: The ISO Speed Range, which is adjustable in mid-roll.

[FIGURE 4 OMITTED]

The images were reviewed and placed on CD-ROMs for permanent storage. I don't generally delete any images from my memory cards. It's easier to archive all of them on CD-ROM media. Any images that are deleted are gone forever.

The CD-ROM is a very inexpensive way to store images. I always make two copies just in case one gets lost or damaged. Canon's D60 software helps you keep your images organized.

There are two file numbering systems to choose from: (1)Continuous. (2) Auto reset. In the Continuous mode the numbering is continuous between cards. The Canon software assigns the folder numbers. The image number in each successive folder picks up where the previous folder left off, thereby providing consecutive numbering of images. The time/date is also permanently stored with each image file. Images are placed in folders in groups of 100.

In the Auto reset mode the number resets to 0001 each time you insert a new card.

The D60 image numbering system only goes to 9900. It would have been nice to allow for 100,000 images. Heavy shooters will shoot more than 10,000 images in a year.

Here is an example of how the folder and image numbers work:

Folder      Image Range

CANON100    IMG_0001 to IMG_0100
CANON101    IMG_0101 to IMG_0200
CANON102    IMG_0201 to IMG_0300
CANON198    IMG_9801 to IMG_9900
CANON200    IMG_0001 to IMG_0100
CANON201    IMG_0101 to IMG_0200

By keeping images in different folders, duplicate image file names can be identified and then renamed if necessary.

I give the D60 a good grade. I was impressed with the image quality. The camera has interchangeable Electronic Focus lens capability, and multiplies your long lenses by a factor of 1.6X. There is one disadvantage to the 1.6X. It makes your wide angle lenses a longer focal length. The 28mm becomes a 45mm and my 20mm is a 32mm mounted on the D60. However, I am not concerned about the loss of wide angle since I shoot mostly with longer lenses. There is a 16-35mm Canon lens available, which would give an effective focal length of 26-56mm.

With the D60's 1.8 inch TFT color LCD monitor, you can immediately review your images and see if you got the shot. I like to check the exposure and composition as I am shooting.

About the battery life: With 50% flash use and review mode on, I usually get between 350 and 400 images on one fully charged battery. Reviewing the images does use a significant amount of battery power.

Features of the D60 that I consider important:

1. D60 can use all Canon EF lenses.

2. Changing ISO settings in mid-roll.

3. Review your picture :immediately after making the exposure.

4. Having a built in 1.6 X extender.

5. Shooting 3 images per second and up to eight continuous images.

Also, I can put in a large memory card and shoot all day without having to change rolls or worry about running out of film. The 1 GB micro drive holds about 400 images; this is shooting with the largest jpeg image storage mode.

The Canon IS (Image Stabilizer) lenses are a bonus. The 1.6X indicated lens focal length of the D60, together with Image Stabilizer lenses, are a powerful combination.

Nick Muskovac, PPSA Palm Harbor, FL