|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
 |
My Digital Quest |
There's little doubt that the D70s will be my last SLR camera purchase. Moving into my 60's and with both my wife and I retired, there will be no money for new cameras or expensive lenses. In fact, it'll be difficult to have enough money to get out anywhere to take pictures very far from home. So, whatever extra money we can scrape together will be needed to make those photo trips whenever possible. That's not to say, however, that there won't be another DSLR in the future, just very highly unlikely.
But why buy a third digital SLR at all, and more specifically why the
older, less advanced D70s?
First; a third DSLR
was not needed. It was more a question of wanting a third for convenience.
Second; the D70s would provide a number of useful
functions:
1 - To help preserve the longevity of my other DSLRs.
2 - As
a backup for both my D100 and D200 digital cameras.
3 - As a smaller,
lighter camera for use when hiking and for family functions.
4 - Better fit,
fits my hands better than the smaller D40, D50, or D80 available at the time.
5
- And, for simplicity of use:
- - - - - Smaller files to work with than the
D80.
- - - - - The D70s takes a wired remote cord, which I prefer.
- - -
- - The D70s uses the same CF cards as the D100 and D200.
- - - - - Simpler
infrared photography because of its better infrared sensitivity.
- - - - -
To keep from switching the D100 or D200 between use of their battery packs/grips
when not wanted.
|
Having no need for a D70s kit, I ordered the body only for $639.95 from Adorama on November 30, 2006 and it arrived December 7, 2006. First impressions were that it seemed a touch too small in my hands, but then that's part of the reason I wanted it. Controls all seem well placed and easy to use, and the menu is easy to read and understand. I also noticed that the D70s estimates remaining shots on a CF card differently than the D100. |
 |
The original D70 was announced by Nikon in December 2003 and began shipping in March 2004. It was an instant success. In early 2005 the D70 was upgraded with minor improvements as the D70s and sold at $995, body only. That price was reduced to the point that I bought mine new in November 2006 for $639.95.
 |
Some of the changes between the D70 and D70s include: The D70s has a wired remote capability with the MC-DC1 remote cord. The D70s has a 2" LCD monitor compared to the 1.8" monitor on the D70. Better autofocus performance. The built-in flash of the D70s covers an area as wide as an 18mm lens, compared to 20mm on the D70. Some of these changes are available for the D70 with the 2.0 firmware update. Picture quality, however, is the same with either camera. |
The D70s, along with the D70, were considered an upgrade from the D100. Things that were good with the D100 remained with the D70 and D70s, but some other elements/functions were improved. Some of those improvements found of the D70s include:
The D70s flash sync speed is 1/500 compared to
the D100's 1/180.
The D70s is faster at clearing the buffer than the D100.
The
D70s simplifies the autofocus controls, although they are only found in the
menu.
The D70s uses the 1005-element color matrix meter, while the D100 uses
a 10-sensor matrix meter.
The D70s supports wireless and multiple TTL flash,
I-TTL and CLS flash. The D100 can only use one flash in TTL.
BUY, WAIT! Just because I said there most likely would not be another SLR or DSLR in my future, doesn't necessarily mean there would not be yet one more camera. Check out the Next Page to see what I'm talking about.
 |