Nikon D70

Reviews

• There's a big D70 review at DPReview.
• Another review may be found at photo.net.
• A nice, down-to-earth review is at kenrockwell
• A huge list of reviews and sample photos is at NoEnd Press

Issues

• Firmware B Update v1.03 The upgrade addresses the problem of image editing programs with color management functions recognizing JPEGs as having the Adobe RGB color space.
• D70 firmware adds D70s Features New firmware update further enhances the functionality of 2004's Digital SLR Camera of the Year

Specifications

• Type Digital SLR

• Effective Pixels: 6.1 million

• Image Sensor: RGB CCD, 23.7 x 15.6 mm

• Image Size (pixels): 3008 x 2000 [L], 2240 x 1448 [M], 1504 x 1000 [S]

• Sensitivity: 200 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1/3 EV

• Storage Media: CompactFlash (CF) Card (Type I and II ) and Microdrive

• Storage System:

1. Compressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit lossless compression
2. JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant

• White Balance(WB):

1. Auto (TTL White Balance with 1,005 pixels RGB sensor)
2. Six manual modes with fine-tuning
3. Preset White Balance
4. White Balance bracketing

• LCD Monitor: 1.8-in., 130,000 -dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

• Interface: USB Mass Storage and PTP selectable

• Compatible Lenses:

1. DX Nikkor: All functions supported
2. Type G- or D-AF Nikkor: All functions supported;
3. Micro Nikkor 85mm F2.8D: All functions supported except some exposure modes;
4. Other AF Nikkor (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR
5. AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash for digital SLR and autofocus
6. Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster.
7. IX Nikkor Lenses cannot be used.

• Picture Angle: Equivalent in 35 mm format is approx. 1.5x lens focal length

• Viewfinder: Fixed eyelevel penta-Dach-mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.6 to +0.5 m -1)

• Focusing Screen: B-type BriteView clear matte screen II with superimposed focus brackets and On-Demand grid lines

• Viewfinder Frame Coverage: Approx. 95%

• Viewfinder Magnification: Approx. 0.75x with 50 mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1

• Viewfinder Information: Focus indications, Metering system, AE/FV lock indicator, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure/Exposure compensation indicator,Exposure mode, Flash output level compensation, Exposure compensation, Number of remaining exposures

• Autofocus: TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator (approx. 0.5 m to 3.0 m) Detection range: EV -1 to +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20°C/68°F)

• Lens Servo:

1. Autofocus (AF): single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous servo AF AF-C); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status
2. Manual focus (M)

• Focus Area: Can be selected from 5 focus areas

• AF Area Mode: Single Area AF, Dynamic Area AF, Closest Subject Priority Dynamic Area AF

• Focus Lock Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

• Exposure Metering: TTL full-aperture exposure metering system

1. 3D color matrix metering with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor
2. Center-weighted: Weight of 75% (8mm dia. circle) given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame
3. Spot: Meters 2.3 mm dia. circle (about 1% of frame) centered on active focus area

• Exposure Modes: Digital Vari-Program ( Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close up, Sports, Night landscape, Night portrait),programmed auto [P] with flexible program; shutter priority auto [S]; aperture priority auto [A]; manual [M]

• Shooting Modes:

1. Single frame shooting mode
2. Continuous shooting mode: approx. 3 frames per second
3. Self-timer/remote control mode

• Shutter: Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter, 30 to 1/8000 s in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb

• Sync Contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/500 second

• Flash Control:

1. TTL: TTL flash control by 1,005 pixel RGB sensor Built-in Speedlight: i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering or mode dial set to [M]) SB-800 or 600: i-TTL balanced Fill-Flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering)
2. Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 and 600 with CPU lens
3. Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s
4. Range-priority manual available with SB-800 and 600

• Flash Sync Mode:

1. Front-Curtain Sync (normal sync),
2. Red-Eye Reduction,
3. Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync,
4. Slow Sync,
5. Rear-Curtain Sync

• Built-in Speedlight: auto flash with auto pop-up[P], [S], [A], [M]: manual pop-up with button release Guide number(ISO 200/ISO 100, m): approx. 15/11 (manual full 17/12)

• Flash Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2EV

• Accessory Shoe: Standard ISO hot shoe contact with safety lock provided

• Power Source: One rechargeable Nikon Li-ion Battery EN-EL3;Three CR2 lithium batteries (with supplied CR2 Battery Holder MS-D70) AC Adapter EH-5 (optional)

• Tripod Socket 1/4 inch (ISO1222)

• Dimensions(W x H x D): Approx. 5.5 x 4.4 x 3.1 inches

• Weight: Approx. 21 oz body only

Tips & Tricks

• There's a great explanation of custom curves, and some to download, over at Fotogenic.

• Great camera to use for high-speed syncing of flashes. Due to it's "electronic shutter" on the CCD sensor, this camera can be used at shutter speeds up to and slightly beyond 1/1000th if the flashes durations are fast enough.

Nikon Cameras