frederic_lepage

Hi,

I just got a ZeroImage 2000. The Jessops cable release I have (Jessops) does not fit. Zernika Au recommends Habuka or similar, yet here

in Western Europe Habuka is not popular.

Would anyone recommend a brand/model of compatible cable release (UK, Germany, Benelux, France ...) ?

Thank you.

Fred

No, it won't.

But you can guess the exposure and adjust it by looking at the histogram.

I sold my S2 a few weeks ago after purchasing the D70.

I have experienced that the S2 sensor's only deliver its best when associated with prime lenses.

In most cases I did use the 24-70 EX from Sigma, which delivers crisp pictures (not as crisp as a Nikkor 28-70/2.8, but I'm not talking about the same budget here). Nikkor 50/1.8 was excellent on this guy.

I've been quite disappointed when shooting with "consumer" oriented lenses like the 70-300, due to a combination of slow AF (limited aperture of the 70-300) and demanding sensor. Especially in poor light conditions. I could not afford the 70-200VR so I can't tell how improved the results would be (I expect: a lot).

Compared to the S2, the D70 is much more tolerant with respect to the quality of the zoom, at the price of delivering less crispy images altogether (definitely experienced above 600 to 800 ISO, where I have got to use RAW mode systematically on the D70, without being able to match the S2's results).

Fred

Hi,

Unless the targeted application is very specific, I think it is reasonable to say that nobody would purchase a D100 over a D70 today at an equal price.

The D70 brings the following improvements (non-exhaustive):

- very sophisticated metering

- lower noise at high sensitivities (but some moire in very particular conditions, it would seem)

- more compact, very good feel in the hands

- highly responsive camera, near-immediate startup

- large buffer for Jpeg and Raw shooting

- better ergonomics (handling) as well as new buttons for ISO, WB and selection of resolution

- very elaborate, performant flash system (with new built-in flash as well as SB-800/600)

- more powerful CPU and definitely better in-camera jpeg processing software

- coupled with a 18-70 DX kit lens, a definitive beater

As far as the viewfinder is concerned, there is no improvement (I'm not discussing one's personal view on slightly better or slightly worse than the D100's, I'm expecting a significant step from Nikon in this department).

A friend of mine who carried his D100 all over the place decided for a swap immediately (http://www.jacobel.net/)

Equally I decided to trade my Fuji S2 against a D70 as soon as I got the opportunity to shoot some shots with it early March, although my intention was just too get a feel for it (http://www.oo-fred.net/photos/)

Fred

Hi,

Have you tried to use the non-CPU lenses in Manual mode ?

The histogram helps correcting the shot until you get it right.

After some time you should become able to find your way and guess the right exposure.

In particular if you shoot raw files, there is some room for post-processing - prabably enough to correct the small exposure glitches you may encounter.

Fred

All details are clearly explained in the manual (available for download on the Nikon support web site).

The AF modes are very complete, indeed. AF single, continous, close-subject, tracking options etc.

The flash system ... Well, Nikon changed again the rules of the game. For the last time, they say ... Forget about the DX series if you want to benefit from the new i-TTL (à la D2H), only available with the new SB-600/800. Also describe at length in the D70 manual.

Otherwise a very friendly and attractive body, resourceful.

Hi all,

Thanks for your very valuable input. http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=007qRE is a very complete thread with very constructive contributions.

Being a complete newbie to macro (my best half loves flowers ...), I now understand the true value of "free working" distances.

Well, well. The 60mm Nikkor seems to be a definitive beater (also on the F-80 for special work like repro), but equally a 90mm with 1,5x crop factor would be valuable - shining more light on the subject.

I'll start with the 60mm Nikkor (must be pinched on the wall of fame nowadays) and later on move to the 90mm Di Tamron when made available. The latter will be much more convenient for in-the-field work, I suppose.

Thanks to all contributors to this excellent forum.

(Check the www.photim.com forum, in French only unfortunately, to see what a helpful forum is or ... is not !)

Frederic

(Brussels)

I'm considering to use a 60 mm Micro-Nikkor on the D70.

Has anyone already experienced this ?

Are the results up to the expectations ?

I heard Tamron will market a new 90 mm Di macro, optimized for

digital. I'm wondering whether the Nikkor and D70 is a good

combination.

Thanks for helping.

Frederic

Hermes is a group that specialises in luxury items.

They have invested in Leica's exclusive image. That is, a license to print more money.

What we can see is that they are very good at creating funny collector series of the M system. They find enough customers who are more than happy to pay a big premium to look at these items (I don't think they are actually put into use in the field).

The rest ?

A very cautious approach to Digital through Panasonic, an electronics giant looking for credibility and respect in the strategic imaging arena.

Still no digital back for the big R8/R9 bodies - lack of funding of these projects ?

I would be very good for them to start producing lenses compatible with the major DSLR mounts, indeed !

We took some here too

http://www.jacobel.net/pages/D70/firsttests/

(http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=007cnw)

I tested the D70 last Sat.

See http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=007cnw

The viewfinder is better than the D100's and the S2's. We always used autofocus lenses (17-80 DX, 12-24 DX, 70-200 VR and 85 f:1.8 AF).

The D70 is a light body, and so is the 18-70 DX lens.

In comparison to the 300D, it does not feel plastic however, and the lens is very capable.

We did hands-on test of the D70 last Sat (see thread on Digital forum).

To "develop" the compressed RAW pictures, we had to upgrade to PictureView 6.2.1. It also comes with a plug-in for PS (tried it with PS7, work flawlessly).

Capture 4.0 did not work, so we have got to wait until 4.1 becomes available.

Many people will start shooting raw, as it is in compressed format and only requires just over 5 Mb. As the camera is quick, one may take several RAWs in a ... row.

Fred

I confirm.

I tested the D70 last Sat in Germany (see other threads).

Same bottom plate as for a F-80, i.e. no vertical grip.

Fred

I had the D70 in my hands two days ago.

No external connection, so a hot shoe adapter is necessary.

Fred

We did use the standard colorspace as well as auto white balance settings.

For the charts, we used PS 7's levels tools, one click on the white with the white drop tool, the same for the black spot. Delivered splendid results.

We had some issues with a few shots which were unexpectedly under-exposed (same as for a D100 with default curve settings), but managed to get all shots OK after post-processing.

Flash performance is OK - far better than D100.

I think most of the users will us compressed RAW, as we did for some pics (ca. 5 Mb / image, i.e. a good 180 snaps per 1 Gb).

Fred

We have had the opportunity to test a D70 + 18-70 DX yesterday (in

Germany), FW release 1.01.

It's a very responsive camera. What impressed us most was the

capability to shoot several consecutive RAW (NEF) files is a row

(ca. 5 Mb each) and still being able to take the next shot (tested

with 1Gb CF).

The new 18-70 DX is a very pleasant surprise (AF-S !). It's not a

cheap entry-level lens that needs to be upgraded. Our impression is

that it's going to become the lens used in 3/4th of the situations.

Very good pictures (we checked the sharpness with 200% enlargements

on-screen). Let's wait for more complete tests.

http://www.jacobel.net/pages/D70/firsttests/

(The site may not feel responsive as many visitors are experienced).