My New Nikon D70!!!

[michaelkahl]

Just got my Nikon D70 today and I must say that this is one sweet camera. It seems to have everything from incredibly fast shutter speeds to great quality images. I am not disappointed with my purchase. The Nikkor 18-70 lense that came with the kit is just awesome as well. For anyone looking into digital SLR's I'd suggest this over the digital rebel any day. The rebels are nice but this camera just has that little bit extra. Even if you mod the rebel into a 10D you don't get all the 10D features, I think a few will be missing.
The D70 Rocks!!! :clap:

[acesea]

Yep, I've had this badboy for a while now. Its real sweet. For the money, the quality and speed cant be beat. However canon new 20d looks interesting, nevertheless, ive already got too many nikon lenses & accessories to look elsewhere :) Have fun though.

[Nero]

You don't know how much I envy you both. :cry:

The more and more design work I do, the more I realize I need a true DSLR (and all that it offers), but I'm still a student, and it'd be tough (though not impossible) to swing it without having to break out the plastic. I'm really eyeing the D70 since I already have a Nikon 35mm body (N80), and a couple of lenses.

[michaelkahl]

it is definately a wonderful camera. If you get it I highly suggest the 18-70mm lense that's $300 extra (if you can) because it just awesome. I have a 28-80 and 70-300 Nikkor and they are nice, but the aperature on this lense is simply awesome. Quality is up there as well, it's not your typical cheap-o lense, it's quality. Plus you save $60 if you get it with the D70 because alone it goes for $360.

[RP Racing]

I got my D70 with a 28-80 Tamron and a 70-300 Tamron lenses. I retired my 1983 model Canon AE1P this spring after getting the D70. My only grip is Nikon should give you Nikon Capture full version free with this camera and higher. Really silly to have a $1000 camera body and have to pay another $100 to utilize Nikon RAW. Thankfully Paint Shop Pro 9 will be able to read Nikon nef raw files.

[acesea]

Yea, the nikon capture app is useful and should come free, i still havent gotten around to getting it. but as suggested, if looking to this cam, definately opt for the 18-70 lense, its a perfect match. aside from that in the meantime ive bought the 50/1.4, 80-200/2.8. Both are also real quality glass.

[Nero]

Yea, the nikon capture app is useful and should come free, i still havent gotten around to getting it. but as suggested, if looking to this cam, definately opt for the 18-70 lense, its a perfect match. aside from that in the meantime ive bought the 50/1.4, 80-200/2.8. Both are also real quality glass.

Yeah, the kit lens is definitely worth getting. How practical is the 75mm equiv. focal length on that 50/1.4? I ask because I have the 50/1.8 and I'm worried that it wont see any real use because of the crop factor.

[acesea]

I like my 50mm. Its perfect for portrait shots, even though i dont take too many, but I bought it more for its low light usage.

[Graphicism]

Enough talk, post some pictures already - how about you take pictures of your modded PCs in low light? then we can see how well the shutter works and how much noise you pick up.

[JCLW]

Enough talk, post some pictures already - how about you take pictures of your modded PCs in low light? then we can see how well the shutter works and how much noise you pick up.
Or of the moon - easier to compare to other cameras :)

How good is the Nikon 70-300? I've got the Canon 75-300 IS and it's kind of sucky, especially beyond 200mm - or opened up wider then f/8.0.

[Graphicism]

I have a $200 fluzi that can take better pics of the moon than any camera, doesn't really say anything. I thought pictures of systems as it suites the forum.

[acesea]

Alright, ill post some pics later tonight when i get a chance. Btw, regarding the 70-300, ive also heard its so-so. not too sharp.

[RP Racing]

Enough talk, post some pictures already - how about you take pictures of your modded PCs in low light? then we can see how well the shutter works and how much noise you pick up.

:D:D

Since we have another pug owner here.....

[Graphicism]

Where are these system pics?

[acesea]

Sorry I havent been able to get the pics up yet of the system. Been real busy lately. However Ive got these pics here on my work pc that I can put up for now that might show some of the capabilies of the cam- these are all just casual shots either of my pug at the dogpark or running around, or some shots at the Chicago air show. I just want to note that I am still very much in the learning process as far as photos are concerned. Also, I believe most of the shots here are taken with my tele lense, the 80-200/2.8.. I will make them links as to not kill those on 56k:
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o1.JPG)
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o2.JPG)
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o4.JPG)
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o5.JPG)
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o7.JPG)
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o9.JPG)
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o10.JPG)
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o11.JPG)
pic (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/o12.JPG)

I will get the system pics up tonight for sure though.

[acesea]

Alright, for those interested, heres a post comparing the different iso sensitivities during night shots:

iso
200 (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/Picture014.jpg)
400 (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/Picture015.jpg)
1000 (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/Picture016.jpg)
1250 (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/Picture017.jpg)
1600 (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/Picture018.jpg)

Note: i did absolutely no post processing on the pics. they are straight out of the camera. also, shots were handheld. O yea, almost forgot, theres also no compression.. the files are huge.

[Graphicism]

Pretty cool night shots, but you can do a lot better with a SLR.

Use a tripod, all the shots were blured.
Set the shutter to atleast 4 seconds plus.
Use manual focus.

Good work on the day time shots, I like the park pix.

[acesea]

I just wanted to get them up for you as fast as i could. I know they could've looked a lil better. But then again, I got that lenses with the idea in mind that I won't need to use the tripod, not a big fan of it. Only case I really use the tripod for this cam is when taking ir shots, which surprisingly come out pretty nice on the d70 as well. Here are a couple-
ir (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/ir1.jpg) ir2 (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/ir2.jpg) ir3 (http://s88713454.onlinehome.us/ir3.jpg)

[Graphicism]

Haha, thats cool. Is IR a setting on the camera?

I use a mini tripod which I bought for 5 bucks at Walmart, use it for everything.

[acesea]

I ought to get myself one of those mini pods. Do you find it really that useful? I'll hit up walmart and take a look, i didnt know they could be had fro so cheap. But regarding the IR, no theres no setting on the cam. You need to buy the appropriate lenses filter that filters out the visible light rays. Then what you do is edit the white balance settings accordingly, play with the file a little in p.s., then viola. Its pretty cool being able to view something that our eyes are unable to see.

[Graphicism]

Yeah that's pretty cool, I could achieve a similar effect in Photoshop using filters but wouldn't pick up any additional data or block light rays etc..

The mini tripod works great, I usually stick it in my back pocket or in my camera case when I go out. It works like the real thing, has the legs that extend, and the pan/tilt top. Great for taking display countertop pictures and to steadying the camera when out, when it's not always possibly to bring along a full size tripod.

[[aXe]]

The D70 has an AA filter over the CCD preventing IR light from getting into the camera. You can modify the D70 and remove the default AA filter with an IR filter, but this makes it an IR-only body.

The D70's a good camera. If I were buying my first DSLR right now, I'd probably get one. But, I have a D100, and there's no way I'd get rid of it to go to a D70. The D70 just doesn't feel right to me, and I'd be worried about damaging the plastic body. The D100 is a plastic-coated magnesium alloy body, much more robust, and less prone to getting damaged (and I've seen a few D70's get pretty badly beaten up over the past few months).

The 18-70DX is indeed a great lens, and that'll probably be my next lens, unless I can pick up a 24-120VR at a decent price. There's not much point gettin a 50mm f/1.4D if you already have the f/1.8D. The only difference between the two lenses is the extra 2/3rds of a stop on the f/1.4D. Unless you've got pots of money, or you're regularly shooting in super-dark environments, it's not worth paying way more than double the price. The f/1.8D can be bought from KEH for only 96 bucks and is one of Nikon's sharpest ever lenses.

As far as tripods go. When you're putting this much expense into a camera, don't skimp on the tripod. I bought the Bogen 3001BN legs & 3030 head (that combo costs about $150 from B&H), and it's still not as solid as I'd like (but it's light, so a good combo for carrying around). I used to have the Bogen 3033 legs & 3047 head, which was a good solid combo, but WAY WAY too heavy for carrying around. That's definitely just a studio tripod (unless you're built like Arnie). :)

Congrats on getting your first Nikon (it won't be your last) ;)

Personally, I'm saving for the D2x :)

[Graphicism]

Can you fit the Bogen 3001BN in your back pocket?

My mini tripod is very sturdy, even for my heavy FZ1.

[michaelkahl]

Wow! I didn't know this thread would get the attention it has...I'll have to see if I can post some photos later on. I had some really good ones but my hdd died on me last weekend so all the photos I took up till then were lost. Works been busy this week and I've pulled some 12 hour shifts. Here is a good site that I really like.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1034

[michaelkahl]

http://www.pbase.com/michaelkahl/image/34752034/large

http://www.pbase.com/michaelkahl/image/34752091

http://www.pbase.com/michaelkahl/image/34752263

http://www.pbase.com/michaelkahl/image/34754634


here are a few photos I took around the house. I hope you enjoy

[Daegon]

My school's newspaper recently purchased a D70, and I, as a photographer have indeed gotten to play around with it quite a bit. A lovely DSLR and a great advance in technology. I hope to see more cameras of this ilk (and i've no doubt we will)