D70 as a pro photographers camera?

[xerubus]

Hi all,

Just a curiosity question and the need to scrath an itch...

Ever since I purchased my D70 (march 04) I have always loved what the camera can do, it's specs, and it's overall performance.

My question is how many pro's amongst us use the D70 as their primary body? Do you find the viewfinder is too small for your work? Does the camera function to your needs? etc etc...

I know it's a very open ended question, so just humour me... The question basically came when I used a d1x over the weekend and found simple things like the larger viewfinder an absolute dream when framing that perfect shot...

cheers

[MHD]

I loved the viewfinder when I played with Birddog's D2H... Lovely..

One of the few places where the answer would be no would be in some action sports where the rep rate of the more expensive bodies is higher... (some of us would remember the demo of the d2h at the meet last year... machine gun style)

I think that there are many pro fields where the D70 is more than adequate!

[sirhc55]

I use the D70 in a professional business sense and find it to be excellent I would even go so far as to say that it is better than my old D1.

But in the defence of the D1 it served me faithfully for four years and one would expect major performance increases within that 4 year span which the D70 has.

Chris

[JordanP]

I have no issues at all using the D70 as my primary (and infact my secondary body also).

The camera is up for the task - .... would the D1x or D2x be better? It better be.

One lesson I was given many years ago was that a camera body is just a fancy light box. Look to invest your money in good glass first, worry about upgrading your body later.

The person that taught me this used an FE2 with a $17k lens attached to it - and produced some of the best images I have ever seen.

If or when the D70 falls short of my needs or if it makes me very large sums of money, I will consider upgrading my camera body.

Cheers,

[Onyx]

The D70 had its metering system lifted from the F5 - Nikon's flagship film model at the time. Flash metering (iTTL) same as D2H, Nikon's flagship digital body. The D70 body shell was said to be based off the F80, which is a mid-range film body, not the F55/F65 entry level consumer body.

When used in conjunction with high end AF-S lenses, there's little AF speed difference compared to Nikon's D1/D2 series "pro" models. 3FPS is plenty fast in many cases - the viewfinder blackout is surprisingly short if you don't compare to the lightning quick D2H.

D70's capabilities are definitely suited for "pro" work. It's what's behind the viewfinder that counts even more.

[Joe]

The D70 is capable of many professional applications, without a doubt. A given is that it will be used with compatible, appropriate lenses for the given task.

By far the most crucial element in the equation is the photographer's ability; the combination of knowledge, skill, sensitivity, perception and a multitude of other factors. A photographer with an unusual excellence in one or more of these talents, or a multitude of others, MIGHT show us something we have seen before, but never in THAT way. Might not.

The camera and lens will do things very predictably, that is why they are tools. It is up to you to push yourself to make some new aspect of being visible to the rest of us.

Remember, very bright people before you have spent their entire working lives attempting to do this. It is up to you to push beyond.

My friends, after you, please.

Peace,
Joe

[Raydar]

I have no issues at all using the D70 as my primary (and infact my secondary body also).

The camera is up for the task - .... would the D1x or D2x be better? It better be.

One lesson I was given many years ago was that a camera body is just a fancy light box. Look to invest your money in good glass first, worry about upgrading your body later.

The person that taught me this used an FE2 with a $17k lens attached to it - and produced some of the best images I have ever seen.

If or when the D70 falls short of my needs or if it makes me very large sums of money, I will consider upgrading my camera body.

Cheers,

Well said mate.
My thoughts to a tea

Cheers
Ray

[rokkstar]

I read somewhere a while ago:

"Give an amateur a professional camera and he'll come back no doubt with a good shot. Give a professional a disposable camera and he'll no doubt come back with a great shot."

It's all in the eye I guess. I think my D70 is more than capable of professional application. But then I aint no professional.

THere's my tuppence worth

[phillipb]

It's not so important that you're using a D70, what's more important is that you have 2 of them.

[christiand]

The equipment doesn't matter.
This has been testified a lot of times.
However, having really nice tools does a tonne of good to my ego.
And I admit that I like to keep my ego happy.

My 2 cents
CD

[xerubus]

thankyou everyone for your input... much appreciated.....

[Mj]

Like many of these things... law of diminishing return applies.
The higher end bodies certainly have some nice enhanced features and performance but at an non-proportionant cost. The future usually provides these features at a lower pricepoint anyway so I'd rather wait till the time was right.

Michael.

[xerubus]

the reason i have asked this question is because i need to get a backup body.... at this stage i'm tempted to get the d2h which is now only $2K US from BH, and use the d70 as a backup body.... however, i am also considering just getting another d70 body as a backup.... too many questions

[gstark]

Mark,

The problem - if it is in fact a problem, would be the pixel count of the D2H. If you need to go to a large scale enlargement from a D2H, you might find that as an issue. You need to remember that camera's a niche market tool, and thus you should be working within the parameters of that niche market.

I'd probably be looking at another D70, or perhaps a D100.

[MHD]

Get a D70 + some new glass... will be better than another type of body

[xerubus]

sold!! you've convinced me... enough questions now

thanks guys..

[gstark]

Damn!!!!!

I forgot to suggest a 300D!

[birddog114]

the reason i have asked this question is because i need to get a backup body.... at this stage i'm tempted to get the d2h which is now only $2K US from BH, and use the d70 as a backup body.... however, i am also considering just getting another d70 body as a backup.... too many questions

Mark,
I learned that B&H won't ship any DSLR to non-US address or outside of US, except APO/ FPO address. Is it correct?

[Onyx]

Or if you wait it out a few months, see what PMA brings us in terms of the D100 replacement. But if you can't hold your breath that long, a second D70 is definitely the way to go. Getting from Mr Poon/HKS it should be closer to a grand than two (body only).

Xerubus, thx for your PM too - it was rather informative. No doubt I'll think up more q's for you in the near future.

[MHD]

Given the lag on the D2X I think a d100 replacement is more like a xmas present!

[xerubus]

no worries onyx.... may have to invest in something sooner as i have got another wedding and cannot go with only one body.... just incase one faults

[redline]

well I wouldn't call myself pro but i have sold image rights to a few motoring mags with pics from the d70. i must say compared with my f5,
- the viewfinder a little small,
- slighty slow af but not as bad as a f65
- lack of side grip (oh how i miss it on the f5 ) but i can live without it.
- lower fps compared to the f5, however the f5 only has 36exp and you would be out of film in less than 5 seconds on continuous shooting. then the reloadin film time >30sec depending on individual.
- no 10pin connector
- better csm menu, rather than having to remembering the f5 codes
- you can't swing around you d70 as a weapon of mass destruction if you get mugged, just doesn't have the same effect.

[shutterbug]

the reason i have asked this question is because i need to get a backup body.... at this stage i'm tempted to get the d2h which is now only $2K US from BH, and use the d70 as a backup body.... however, i am also considering just getting another d70 body as a backup.... too many questions

Mark,
I learned that B&H won't ship any DSLR to non-US address or outside of US, except APO/ FPO address. Is it correct?

True, I wanted the D2h, price was great in the US, but I got a D70 in sydney instead

[sirhc55]

no worries onyx.... may have to invest in something sooner as i have got another wedding and cannot go with only one body.... just incase one faults

Mark - obviously the D70 has proven itself to you so another D70 body would be the go and the other monies can be spent on lens lust with Birdie

Chris

[xerubus]

very true chris... very true....