What would you like to see in the D70 replacement?

[johndec]

We all pretty much know and love our D70's but eventually it's going to be replaced with an updated model. What would you like to see in its replacement, bearing in mind you are not going to get D2x specs for the price of a D70

As far as I'm concerned, I'm very happy with the level of features that the D70 currently has, any more would be a waste on such a ham fisted wannabe such as myself

The only 2 things I'd like would be:

1. Reasonable request: A better,bigger and brighter viewfinder such as the one on the D2H that Birddog has.

2. Dream time: The CMOS out of the D2X. Run out of reach? No problem just flick a switch and get 2x crop with 6.8MP resolution. Instant teleconverter

Dream away Ladies and Gentlemen

[pippin88]

Except the 2x crop factor doesn't act like a teleconverter, it just cuts out the edges of the image.

So if you take two photos of a flower at all the same settings except one using the full frame and one using the cropped frame, the flower would still be the same physical size on the sensor in both photos. If you print both photos at the same size, the crop factor one will look like a greater focal length, but it actually is just a crop blown up. You can do the same by cropping the total frame photo and blowing that up.

Not sure if my explaination makes sense.

[johndec]

Except the 2x crop factor doesn't act like a teleconverter, it just cuts out the edges of the image.

So if you take two photos of a flower at all the same settings except one using the full frame and one using the cropped frame, the flower would still be the same physical size on the sensor in both photos. If you print both photos at the same size, the crop factor one will look like a greater focal length, but it actually is just a crop blown up. You can do the same by cropping the total frame photo and blowing that up.

Not sure if my explaination makes sense.

Actually it makes perfect sense. Perhaps the use of the term "teleconverter" was a poor choice on my part What I was trying to suggest that instead of 1.5x crop factor at 6.0MP as we currently enjoy, you would have the option of a 2.0x crop factor at a higher resolution than the current D70 provides.

[brembo]

A Battery grip would be a good addition.

[lukeo]

It sort of makes sense my view on the crop factor is its to do with field of view, ie it takes the optical image from the center of the glass not the edges, and the 1.5x crop factor does not add noise to the image like a 1.5x teleconverter (1.4 or 1.7 even) does.

Essentially the sensor of the D70 is smaller than that of a 35mm negative, hence imagine the sensor sitting inside a 35mm negative the light that misses it but hits the negative is the crop factor. You have not physically amplified the light you are simply getting a tighter field of view.

MS Paint is a wonderful program. Well not really ...

http://www.pixspot.com/displayimage.php?album=247&pos=0

[Killakoala]

Hopefully this will help with the crop factor issue.

http://www.stevekilburn.com/cropfactor/cropfactor.htm

As for the D70 replacement, i reckon we will see 12MP, faster motor drive, MLU and a bigger viewfinder.

[Oneputt]

An easier way of navigating the menu. Cannon leaves it for dead.

[johndec]

ARGHHHH I wish I'd never mentioned the crop thing!! Let's start again.

2. Dream time: The CMOS out of the D2X. 12.4MP, wouldn't that be nice.

[stubbsy]

I can't say what I want in the D70 replacement since I haven't yet learnt everything that's in the camera I have now

[Onyx]

I'm definitely for a bigger viewfinder.
Also, 7 AF points, central 3 or 5 of which are cross-hatched. At the moment I (and I suspect others too) are using the D70 as a 1 AF point camera with focus/recompose for shots. We shouldn't need to.
Auto focus mode (AFS/AFC) switch on the body. This is perhaps the 1 setting not changeable by on body buttons, but requiring menu navigation to do so.
>1 custom tone curve, same with WB saved presets.
NEF+JPEG setting with selectable Jpeg size/compression.
f/2.8 VR "kit lens".

But what we want and what is expected from Nikon's next "entry level DSLR" could be two completely different beasts.

[xerubus]

I'm definitely for a bigger viewfinder.

yes please....

[stubbsy]

Guys. Isn't wanting a bigger viewfinder in the same category as wanting more reach from your TF lens - it's a given

[MattC]

Peter,

The existing viewfinder shows only 89% (??) of the total frame. Something closer to full frame would be nice, however I have learnt to deal with the viewfinder as it is.

Cheers

Matt

[christiand]

I would like a button or dial that allows me to change from AF-single to AF-continuos and also nearest focus.
Just like you can rotate through, single shot, brackets, timer, remote etc.

Chers
CD

[birddog114]

We soon have the "new replacement D70 body" as we have seen the prototype & discussed last Saturday with Leigh and Gary, come on Leigh!

- Large viewfinder
- Grip battery optional.
- ISO 10
- MP3 & GPS built in
- Built in 2Gb internal memory & slot can take 2 x CF card
- Wireless G
- No in-built flash cos everyone has the SB-800

[pippin88]

Peter,

The existing viewfinder shows only 89% (??) of the total frame. Something closer to full frame would be nice, however I have learnt to deal with the viewfinder as it is.

Cheers

Matt

Wow, I didn't realise that.

[redline]

bigger viewfinder with good eye point.
af switch not in menu
10-pin connector
flipout lcd hood
iso display, distance and speed in camera
live histograms
internal vr built-in
self cleaning sensor

[birddog114]

bigger viewfinder with good eye point.
af switch not in menu
10-pin connector
flipout lcd hood
iso display, distance and speed in camera
live histograms
internal vr built-in
self cleaning sensor

Redline,
Do we need 6 airbag incase we accidentally drop it on the concrete

[MattC]

I will take everything on this page.... Hang on a moment. that new D70 replacement will hit the streets in the next couple of months. It is called... now wait for it.... the D2X!

Cheers

Matt

Edit: Whoops! Not quite. A few extra posts slipped in.

[christiand]

I love all the suggested features.
Quanta costa ? !!!

Cheers
CD

[redline]

bigger viewfinder with good eye point.
af switch not in menu
10-pin connector
flipout lcd hood
iso display, distance and speed in camera
live histograms
internal vr built-in
self cleaning sensor

Redline,
Do we need 6 airbag incase we accidentally drop it on the concrete

nah, just have reverse polar magnets to the earth. so it can't hit the ground.

[Matty B]

Ok my 20 cents worth:-

Proper Viewfinder (even old Nik FM 2 cacks on it)
Vertical battery grip option
More AF points maybe two more
colour histogram readout
More kit lens offers ie) VR lens options - wide angle options - telephoto options
Dust bunny trap!!!!

What I don't want to see on the new D70 equiv. model

Full frame sensor
A pop up flash
A silver case finish option (canon digreb thing is .....tacky)

ps. Birdog - you have a tremendous sence of humour - don't change!

[dooda]

Ditto,

as well as a remote that fires from the back of the camera (or even from the front left side). The remote is sometimes the bane of my existence.

[johndec]

Given the advances in technology I think the following suggestions made in this thread "should" be achievable in the D70 replacement without drastically affecting the price of the camera:

- A bigger and better viewfinder
- 2nd IR sensor on the rear of the camera
- Battery grip option
- Better menu navigation with extra options (curves, WB,etc)
- More AF points
- AFS/AFC switch on body

Actually, except for the viewfinder which would take a bit of re-designing, all the other changes are either software or minor alterations.

Of course, it's a given that the "D70 MkII" will have a higher MP CCD/CMOS, after all that will be the major marketing point.

Any other suggestions within reason? Don't forget for all we know Mr Nikon may well be a lurker because after all this is the "Premier" D70 forum on the internet

[birddog114]

Given the advances in technology I think the following suggestions made in this thread "should" be achievable in the D70 replacement without drastically affecting the price of the camera:

- A bigger and better viewfinder
- 2nd IR sensor on the rear of the camera
- Battery grip option
- Better menu navigation with extra options (curves, WB,etc)
- More AF points
- AFS/AFC switch on body

Actually, except for the viewfinder which would take a bit of re-designing, all the other changes are either software or minor alterations.

Of course, it's a given that the "D70 MkII" will have a higher MP CCD/CMOS, after all that will be the major marketing point.

Any other suggestions within reason? Don't forget for all we know Mr Nikon may well be a lurker because after all this is the "Premier" D70 forum on the internet

John hi,
Well said! do you know that Nikon won't have the D70MkII at least another 12 months from today?
Hope our wishes come true!

[johndec]

Birddog. 12 months is fine by me, gives them plenty of time incorporate some of the features we would like to see

[Matt. K]

Inbuilt MP3 player and laser operated theodalite. Oh, and a flip out corkscrew for opening wine.

[digitor]

Don't need more technical features, don't need more megapixels, the only thing I miss compared to my old film cameras is a decent viewfinder!

Mind you, the D70 viewfinder looks a lot better with a 1.4 lens on it, but it's still a wee bit small and dull.

Cheers

[digitor]

Inbuilt MP3 player and laser operated theodalite. Oh, and a flip out corkscrew for opening wine.

I thought only Canon users needed a corkscrew - in emergencies, real men bite the necks off the bottles....

Cheers

[gstark]

Except the 2x crop factor doesn't act like a teleconverter, it just cuts out the edges of the image.

So if you take two photos of a flower at all the same settings except one using the full frame and one using the cropped frame, the flower would still be the same physical size on the sensor in both photos. If you print both photos at the same size, the crop factor one will look like a greater focal length, but it actually is just a crop blown up. You can do the same by cropping the total frame photo and blowing that up.

Not sure if my explaination makes sense.

Actually, it is no different at all to understanding the 1.5 crop factor that the D70 (and all other Nikon DSLRs) applies when compared with a standard 35mm SLR.

[gstark]

Dave,

Ditto,

as well as a remote that fires from the back of the camera (or even from the front left side). The remote is sometimes the bane of my existence.

You're missing the point with respecthe remote.

It's a remote.

You need to be miles away from the camera to use it. In, say, a ghost town!

[gstark]

Inbuilt MP3 player and laser operated theodalite. Oh, and a flip out corkscrew for opening wine.

I thought only Canon users needed a corkscrew - in emergencies, real men bite the necks off the bottles....

No. They open their champagne bottles with a sabre!

[dooda]

Dave,

Ditto,

as well as a remote that fires from the back of the camera (or even from the front left side). The remote is sometimes the bane of my existence.

You're missing the point with respecthe remote.

It's a remote.

You need to be miles away from the camera to use it. In, say, a ghost town!

...you mean...and all this time I...I'm must be the biggest dope

[bouyant_clown]

how about a mirror lock up function. (or inbuilt super steady tripod)

[kipper]

Redline, damn you thought about the self cleaning sensor

[sirhc55]

Thought long and hard on this question and have decided the following would be nice to have on a replacement D70:

Built-in ion engine for hover capability
Able to take holographic images
Intelligent thought processing computer in-built
Button to produce immediate weather proof housing or underwater housing
Able to make me a Latte while waiting for the perfect shot

On second thoughts - I like my D70 as it is

[ATJ]

I very much agree with the need for a larger viewfinder. I have only had my D70 for 4 days and that was the first thing I noticed. I would have like to be able to get an underwater housing, but with the current viewfinder it would be almost impossible to see what you were shooting.

What would be a nice alternative to the larger viewfinder would be the ability to lock up the mirror and preview on the LCD like on a CoolPix. I wouldn't use that for above water photos, but for underwater it would mean you could actually see the subject and frame the photograph.

[jdear]

i think it should have:

* COCM (cack on canon mode) - renders all canon DSLR's within a 5km radius completely inoperable... better yet turns them into high-yield claymores

* ASM (active stealth mode) camera merges into surroundings, therefore becoming invisible... great for hitting the bondi beaches and taking "photos" - could see alot of 'mime's at the beach pretending to take photos

* MLDF (mirror lock down function) when you never want to take another photo again, you just like looking through the pretty viewfinder at life.

* SDSM (self destruct security mechanism) unlawful operation will render the perpertrator... useless

... um im sure someone will come up with some more abreviations...

JD