D70 observations

[samester]

Would like to start off by saying a big hello - just found this spot on the web, great to find a decent oz forum on nikon gear.

Just bought a D70 after a few years shooting with an F80. Took it out on the weekend and noticed a few things which will probably improve with time and a little help from the odd guru.

The standard kit lens seems pretty soft, especially at the long end. Was shooting pics of boats on the water and when i downloaded the RAW pics they just weren't crisp when viewed at 100%

Pics also seem to underexpose slightly in broad daylight (no flash). CW meter probably couldn't handle the contrast - on the whole most pics were a little dark. Might have to dial in -1 or so to compensate, still feeling my way around the camera though.

Anyone else have similar obeservations - should i be expecting crisp, sharp pics with the kit lens ?

Cheers,
Sam

[sirhc55]

Would like to start off by saying a big hello - just found this spot on the web, great to find a decent oz forum on nikon gear.

Just bought a D70 after a few years shooting with an F80. Took it out on the weekend and noticed a few things which will probably improve with time and a little help from the odd guru.

The standard kit lens seems pretty soft, especially at the long end. Was shooting pics of boats on the water and when i downloaded the RAW pics they just weren't crisp when viewed at 100%

Pics also seem to underexpose slightly in broad daylight (no flash). CW meter probably couldn't handle the contrast - on the whole most pics were a little dark. Might have to dial in -1 or so to compensate, still feeling my way around the camera though.

Anyone else have similar obeservations - should i be expecting crisp, sharp pics with the kit lens ?

Cheers,
Sam

Welcome Sam - firstly, it will take a little time to get used to the ins and outs of the D70. Don’t dial in - dial in +0.3 or +0.7. Make sure your focus mode is AFS-S and not C. Use the matrix metering. I found the pics to be a bit soft on the kit lens when I first used it but within weeks they were sharp. The other point is that a sensor will tend towards soft rather than sharp and you will find that some USM in PS will help in PP.

Hope this helps

[W00DY]

Make sure your focus mode is AFS-S and not C. Use the matrix metering.

Hi Sam enjoy your stay....

sirhc55 - So that's whats wrong with all my shots

I usually use AFS - C mode and hardly ever use Matrix Metering

Good to see we all use our cams differently.

W00DY

[sirhc55]

Make sure your focus mode is AFS-S and not C. Use the matrix metering.

Hi Sam enjoy your stay....

sirhc55 - So that's whats wrong with all my shots

I usually use AFS - C mode and hardly ever use Matrix Metering

Good to see we all use our cams differently.

W00DY

You are right woody - I use spot metering more than matrix but to begin with I think matrix is a good way to go until you get the hang of the camera. I should have said that AFS is great for all static shots but if you are into anything with speed then use AFC

[W00DY]

whew, glad you cleared that up

[samester]

Welcome Sam - firstly, it will take a little time to get used to the ins and outs of the D70. Don’t dial in - dial in +0.3 or +0.7. Make sure your focus mode is AFS-S and not C. Use the matrix metering. I found the pics to be a bit soft on the kit lens when I first used it but within weeks they were sharp. The other point is that a sensor will tend towards soft rather than sharp and you will find that some USM in PS will help in PP.

Hope this helps

I guess i didn't have time to compose the shot and probably should have used the matrix meter.

So you're suggesting single servo, single area AF mode - is that correct ? At the moment i have the cam set to single servo, dynamic area AF mode.

I'm typically shooting moving subjects, hence the hurried shots. Wonder what the sporting photographers set their cameras to.

Many thanks for the replies,
sam

[sirhc55]

Welcome Sam - firstly, it will take a little time to get used to the ins and outs of the D70. Don’t dial in - dial in +0.3 or +0.7. Make sure your focus mode is AFS-S and not C. Use the matrix metering. I found the pics to be a bit soft on the kit lens when I first used it but within weeks they were sharp. The other point is that a sensor will tend towards soft rather than sharp and you will find that some USM in PS will help in PP.

Hope this helps

I guess i didn't have time to compose the shot and probably should have used the matrix meter.

So you're suggesting single servo, single area AF mode - is that correct ? At the moment i have the cam set to single servo, dynamic area AF mode.

I'm typically shooting moving subjects, hence the hurried shots. Wonder what the sporting photographers set their cameras to.

Many thanks for the replies,
sam

Sam

I have single area set with wrap so that I can alter the focus area using the control on the back of the camera - but this is basically for static shots.

If you are into sports then you are better off with continuous with dynamic area set if the object is going across your point of view. If the object is coming towards you or away then the static mode would be better IMO.

The main thing is to try all methods until you are happy with the one that suits your shooting mode.