Check out Commercial and Industrial Photography section of our forum.
Nikon D70s
Mar 27, 2015 15:23:42 #
Mar 27, 2015 15:30:15 #
Don Fischer
Loc: Antelope, Ore
I had the D70 and used it for about 10yrs. Recently gave it to a niece. It was a great camrea. I couldn't crop a photo as small with it as with my D5000 and certainly not my D7000. But the D70 takes just as good of photo's as the other two.
Mar 27, 2015 16:04:17 #
It is a great camera if you use it within it's capabilaties. Not for low light conditions. The pixel peepers will complain about noise in anything bigger than 8x10. If you buy lenses you can use them if you decide to upgrade. Many a Wedding were done with this camera when it was the newest thing and the pictures are still loved. - Dave
Check out Panorama section of our forum.
Mar 27, 2015 17:14:59 #
Having used a D70s in the past and comparing that model to more 'modern' cameras, I'll suggest few addition usage tips that might not be obvious to a new user:
1. The USB transfer was amazingly slow. Taking the CF card out and using a CF card reader on the target computer was much faster. Of course, there needs to be a CF card reader on the target machine ...
2. Do not ever delete pictures / files from the CF card using anything other than the D70s camera. The best approach is to copy the files off the CF card and then reformat the card in-camera in preparation for the next use.
3. The camera uses only 'smaller' cards. I forget if it can use more than 8 GB or even more than 4 GB. Don't buy new / large cards until the usage is confirmed. Have multiple cards available and formatted before heading out to shoot.
4. Assuming my memory is correct on small card limits, point #3, be sure to confirm the copy and reformat process that are tips #1 and #2.
In good light, the camera took nicely saturated JPEGs. It uses all Nikon D and G lens and the better the lens, the better the results. A 18-105 VR DX lens would be a modest investment for a nice general purpose lens that would work well with this model. They're available used in many online locations such KEH and Adorama. The original 'kit' with a D70s may have been an 18-55 that was not VR enabled. Looking for a newer used copy that includes VR would also be a good choice. They're readily available used, just make sure the copy is fully operational as they're mostly plastic and may not hold up in heavy use situations.
1. The USB transfer was amazingly slow. Taking the CF card out and using a CF card reader on the target computer was much faster. Of course, there needs to be a CF card reader on the target machine ...
2. Do not ever delete pictures / files from the CF card using anything other than the D70s camera. The best approach is to copy the files off the CF card and then reformat the card in-camera in preparation for the next use.
3. The camera uses only 'smaller' cards. I forget if it can use more than 8 GB or even more than 4 GB. Don't buy new / large cards until the usage is confirmed. Have multiple cards available and formatted before heading out to shoot.
4. Assuming my memory is correct on small card limits, point #3, be sure to confirm the copy and reformat process that are tips #1 and #2.
In good light, the camera took nicely saturated JPEGs. It uses all Nikon D and G lens and the better the lens, the better the results. A 18-105 VR DX lens would be a modest investment for a nice general purpose lens that would work well with this model. They're available used in many online locations such KEH and Adorama. The original 'kit' with a D70s may have been an 18-55 that was not VR enabled. Looking for a newer used copy that includes VR would also be a good choice. They're readily available used, just make sure the copy is fully operational as they're mostly plastic and may not hold up in heavy use situations.
Mar 27, 2015 17:42:25 #
The original 'kit' with a D70s may have been an 18-55 that was not VR enabled. Looking for a newer used copy that includes VR would also be a good choice. They're readily available used, just make sure the copy is fully operational as they're mostly plastic and may not hold up in heavy use situations.[/quote]
Original was 18-70. My D50 that came in after the D70 as a cheaper camera with all the features had the 18-55. It will support only a 2 gig card. I think the D70 is the same but with only 6.1 gig that will give you 500+ pictures in fine.
Another plus is that it has a built in focus motor and there are all kinds of lenses that are auto and don't have motors at almost give away prices on ebay. - Dave
Original was 18-70. My D50 that came in after the D70 as a cheaper camera with all the features had the 18-55. It will support only a 2 gig card. I think the D70 is the same but with only 6.1 gig that will give you 500+ pictures in fine.
Another plus is that it has a built in focus motor and there are all kinds of lenses that are auto and don't have motors at almost give away prices on ebay. - Dave
Mar 27, 2015 17:51:45 #
Rockwell provided a D70s review back in the day: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70s.htm It dates from 2006 and he expressed concern whether the camera could handle a CF card greater than 4GB. The review includes a link to lens suggestions. On his site he has a review for nearly every Nikon lens so you have plenty of ideas to consider if looking for a lens as well.
Mar 27, 2015 19:45:30 #
Don Fischer
Loc: Antelope, Ore
If you upgrade from a D70 to a D5000 series the lens need's a motor in it to auto focus. All lens work on the D70 though.
Check out Close Up Photography section of our forum.
Mar 27, 2015 20:40:43 #
Don Fischer
Loc: Antelope, Ore
Remembered I have photo's taken recently with my old D70, the D70s was an upgrade.
Mar 27, 2015 20:40:54 #
kfoo wrote:
I have d D70s, is it a decent camera for a beginner?
there great low budget camera that shoots good pics
i have 3
1-converted to infrared
and 2 regulal d70s....you can't go wrong with that camera
i d/l my pic's from camera to computer usb port its faster then a reader,
with a reader you have to be careful not to bend pin in reader
i usually use 8gb cf cards at 133 speed
Mar 28, 2015 06:18:13 #
Just to reinforce what has already been said, D70 is a good camera. Was my first DSLR and came with a 18-70 to which I quickly added a 70-300 and this combination was used a lot with great results. I have upgraded to the D7100 but still use the D70 often, generally keep the 70-300 on it.
Mar 28, 2015 07:12:13 #
kfoo wrote:
I have d D70s, is it a decent camera for a beginner?
Welcome to our forum!
I had both the D70 and D70s. I had the D70 converted to infrared. The D70 was one of Nikon's top DSLRs, but it's design is eleven years old. For a beginner, it's fine. You can learn all the fine points of the exposure triangle and shoot to your heart's content.
One negative I see in the D70 is the CF card. I don't like CF cards. Quite a few people here have had trouble with those little pins bending. I never take my card out of the camera for fear of bending the pins.
Check out Wedding Photography section of our forum.
Mar 28, 2015 07:15:30 #
I had a Nikon D-70 but the view finder was to small. It is a good camera for beginner in digital.
Mar 28, 2015 07:38:54 #
Bugfan
Loc: Toronto, Canada
The D70 was my first digital SLR and it was a really happy experience. I still have it in fact and I routinely loan it to kids who want to learn photography.
Remember it's an early model so it doesn't have a very high ISO, it's not got piles of pixels and if you're doing continuous shooting it doesn't go at blinding speed. But for its time it was quite advanced and did produce lovely images.
The D70 was also what I like to think of as the last full function consumer level entry camera. After Nikon issued the D70s they tried to figure out what to remove to keep the cost of the body low. As a result the D70 takes all the lenses, it has a focus motor built in, but the later entry level cameras didn't. After this model there were usually two entry level inexpensive camera bodies in the line up neither of which were full featured. To get what the D70 had required going up three steps to the D90 at the time.
As a result of this I find the D70 is an excellent teaching tool since it has most of the functions we expect from higher level cameras and that's why I still have it. Add to that the stuff I have for my sophisticated SLRs fits on, and works with, the D70 too which enables budding photographers to try all of my gear when they borrow the D70.
Remember it's an early model so it doesn't have a very high ISO, it's not got piles of pixels and if you're doing continuous shooting it doesn't go at blinding speed. But for its time it was quite advanced and did produce lovely images.
The D70 was also what I like to think of as the last full function consumer level entry camera. After Nikon issued the D70s they tried to figure out what to remove to keep the cost of the body low. As a result the D70 takes all the lenses, it has a focus motor built in, but the later entry level cameras didn't. After this model there were usually two entry level inexpensive camera bodies in the line up neither of which were full featured. To get what the D70 had required going up three steps to the D90 at the time.
As a result of this I find the D70 is an excellent teaching tool since it has most of the functions we expect from higher level cameras and that's why I still have it. Add to that the stuff I have for my sophisticated SLRs fits on, and works with, the D70 too which enables budding photographers to try all of my gear when they borrow the D70.
Mar 28, 2015 08:38:40 #
OlinBost
Loc: Marietta, Ga.
I have a D70s that I use for most of my shots, a D70 that I had converted to Ir, and a D90 that I use for sports and dark areas. I am satisfied with all. Plus they were in my budget range and expertise areas (beginner).
Mar 28, 2015 13:34:28 #
Great starter. Regarding the CF size issue, suggest viewing https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9601/~/approved-cf-cards---d70-%2F-d70s.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.