Another D70 review

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70.htm

Few notes:

- With Nikon D70 automatic image rotation is done with special flag in EXIF data and by using nikon software to transfer the images. If you just copy the files from memory card, you will have to rotate images manually. This is bad as it makes workflow more complex.

- RAW + JPEG mode with D70 actually records two separate files, which is really good. With Canon 300D/ Rebel JPEG is written within the RAW file and you have to use Canon software to extract the JPEG, which kind of spoils the idea of shooting RAW + JPEG with Canon for me.

Sami

- RAW + JPEG mode with D70 actually records two separate files, which is really good. With Canon 300D/ Rebel JPEG is written within the RAW file and you have to use Canon software to extract the JPEG, which kind of spoils the idea of shooting RAW + JPEG with Canon for me.

 

Sami

Irfanview will read the JPEG part of the Canon CRW+JPEG and save as a JPEG. Can be done in batch mode very quickly.

Breezebrowser also allows you to batch extract the JPEGs, auto rotate (lossless), add EXIF, and set the timestamp appropriately. Frankly, not a big deal to me. In fact, I don't generally do this at all, if I need JPEGs quickly, I just batch process the whole lot of CRWs through C1.

Ken Rockwell cracks me up. He firmly advocates NEVER shooting RAW, always shooting JPEG and "getting it right the first time."

Well...I am firmly for getting it right the first time, but I certainly advocate getting it right AND shooting RAW for underwater photography - simply because lighting conditions vary so much making white balance after the shot VERY important.

I can't comment about the RAW+jpeg, but I think it's cool that the D70 records both formats as separate files... On my S2 I have to use software to strip out Jpeg's as well and it's an extra step in the workflow I wouldn't have to do w/ a D70.

I think that's the point, it's not an extra step in the workflow and doesn't require another program to get the Jpeg's out.

Cheers

James

I agree with James about RAW for UW. Being able to adjust white balance after the event is much more important for UW shooting. When I have used raw on land I never fiddle with the white balance. Whereas I often change it a bit for UW shots.

I tried the D70 yesterday. The 1/500th flash synch is very nice - I only tried it with the internal flash. I am not sure that it would work with an external non-nikon DX flash. When connecting a non-DX flash to the D100 you have to blank several of the plugs because the camera refuses to fire when there is a non-DX flash attached. I presume the D70 will be the same.

My understanding is that the D70 achieves 1/500th flash synch by using a virtual shutter - i.e, an electronic shutter on the chip. I also guess that the camera uses the normal shutter (mechanical) when shooting at 1/500th without flash. The normal shutter would not allow synch at 1/500th, and therefore if we attached a non-DX flash, which the camera knows nothing about, I don't think we will be able to use the high speed falsh synch.

What do others think?

Alex

I think we need to try it to find out! If you'll recall, Thom Hogan has a technique to fool the D1 and D1x into doing high speed wireless flash sync. So hopefully it doesn't matter if there is an iTTL flash attached to the D70 or not.

I follow your logic though Alex. I too have my fingers crossed.

Cheers

James

I am going to take my D100 housing (Subal) to the camera shop tomorrow to check if the D70 will fit in it. The D70 is not as tall, but the other dimensions look similar. The height can easily be correct with spacers on the base tray.

Thanks for letting me know that my previous post made sense. Typing that in one go, what pretty tough on a brain still on Sulawesi time!

Alex

While you're there, can you try to shoehorn an SB800 into your Subal strobe housing and hook it up? I have the same strobe housing that you have.

Sincerely,

James

I walked into my local camera shop and was surprised to see 3 D70s sitting on the shelf. I looked at it side by side with a D100. Buttons are almost the same but the camera is a little shorter. One might be able to use it with most of it's functions in a D100 housing. If so I would have to think seriously about getting one as a backup. Though a used D100 may soon be a better deal. They are suppose to get the 17 - 55 any day. Several people have asked me if I would sell my 17 - 35 and I said no. This new lens is tempting though. I might have to see if I can get a good price for my 17 - 35.

There was a woman that came in to look at while I was there. Seems she had to replace her D100 which had gotten into salt water and was unrepairable. She looked vaguely familiar but I didn't have the guts to ask her if she had flooded it diving.

I tried the D70 yesterday. The 1/500th flash synch is very nice - I only tried it with the internal flash. I am not sure that it would work with an external non-nikon DX flash. When connecting a non-DX flash to the D100 you have to blank several of the plugs because the camera refuses to fire when there is a non-DX flash attached. I presume the D70 will be the same.  

 

My understanding is that the D70 achieves 1/500th flash synch by using a virtual shutter - i.e, an electronic shutter on the chip. I also guess that the camera uses the normal shutter (mechanical) when shooting at 1/500th without flash. The normal shutter would not allow synch at 1/500th, and therefore if we attached a non-DX flash, which the camera knows nothing about, I don't think we will be able to use the high speed falsh synch.  

 

What do others think?

 

Alex

You can house a DX flash and use it to trigger slave strobes

I just got a D70 and my 5 minute review is as follows:

- it does not fit a D100 housing (Aquatica). The dimensions are similar and look close but the grip is slightly deeper making shutter release/on-off switch way out. Bad luck.

- the viewfinder is REALLY VERY small. Any housing will need serious viewfinder optics to make it useable. At a guess, I would say it is 25% smaller than a D100.

- RAW and JPEG is nice.

- the 18-70mm is decent. Side by side it is dead ringer for the AFS 24-85mm....

- it is QUICK. Not on AF mind you, but in shooting, getting a preview on screen, playing back... the electronic processing is considerably improved over the D100.

Looking forward to shooting with it.

I tried the D70 in my Subal today. It is not as tall, so it would need thicker base plate. The on/off switch, shutter etc all conected OK. But many of the other controls didn't match up. The other potential problem with the D70 vs D100 is in the position of the lens mount - which is slightly closer to the top of camera than the D100. This means that the lens pokes out to high in the port, which would cause major optical problems with a dome-port. So with the Subal and the Aquatica the D70 is going to need its own housing.

Alex

I have tried to get my head round the 1/500th synch thing as well. But haven't had a chance to play with the camera - which will prove whether I am right or not! So this is all suposition at the moment - from the instruction manual!

The D70 is more friendly with older flashguns than the D100. The manual says it will work (not in TTL (or iTTL/dTTL) but in auto and manual) with many of the older Nikon speedlights - WITHOUT having to block any contacts as you need to on the D100.

The manual doesn't say it, but I'm guessing, that if it works with older speedlight it will probably also work with Nikonos style UW strobes (from many manufacturers) while having all 5 pins connected. As long as the camera is OK with this, we will be able to use the 1/500th synch underwater. If the camera needs contacts bloked to work with UW strobes then I think we won't be able to use 1/500th synch.

Alex

James, they didn't have a SB800 yet!

Just a comment on the amusing review: Imagine choosing camera based on the color of the body.. and taping over the brand name to make the camera look more "cool"... my goodness!

HAHA!

The Rebel is a nasty amateur fake chrome color, and the Nikon is professional black. I prefer the subdued and less visible black to the shiny, stand-out silver paint. I also put black electrical tape over the NIKON logo to subdue it further. Cameras used to come both colors back in the 1970s. If you are a semi-amateur showing up to shoot a wedding for pay with the Rebel the bride will probably ask you "have you seen our photographer yet," and with a black camera they'll know it's you.

Thank goodness my camera is black!

I have to admit though - I think everyone should put black electrical tape over the brand name. I would feel a LOT better if my cam didn't say "Finepix" on the front.

Cheers

James

But it does make such "finepix!" Oh wait...that's the photographer.

Pete