What's up with the D70 color?

Anthony said:

After some more tweeking, I've been able get beautiful flash pics,
and perfect outdoor colors.

Apparently, the D70 default settings are "off" a bit.

Here are my findings:
Keep in mind, these settings are for my camera, your results may
vary

AW: Set to -1 ( this removes the blue cast many describe)

Flash WB: again -1 put the color temp at 5600k. Most flashes are
calibrated to this temp.

Flash: +.03 This will come a little closer to an accurate flash
exposure (.07 nailed it), while keeping the noise level low.

Click to expand...

Anthony14707 said:

(Underexposure introduces more noise)

sRGB color space seems most logical for me.

End result:

I'm happy to say that I like the look of the D70 images over my 10D.

Click to expand...

digital-freak said:

Where is the "Flash Adjustment for +.03 ? In the Menu? or Exp. Comp
next to shutter button?

Click to expand...

Anthony said:

If you look at the manual on page 51, you'll see a table that
describes fine tuning the WB.

The default setting on the D70, has the flash set to 5400k. Whereas
the 10d uses a 5600k setting.
So for starters, in order to get closer to a Canon flash temp, I
would have to change the WB for flash to (-1)

As far as daylight is concerned, again Canon defaults to 5500k, and
the D70 is at 5200k. That would explain the "bluish" tint. I would
have to default my daylight WB to (-3) to match color temp of the
Canon 10D.

Don't get me wrong, this is a very nice camera. And my few little
tweeks are already showing some improvements.

Click to expand...

Anthony said:

Ok.

About three years ago, I bought a Canon D30. It was indeed a
beautiful camera, but had very similar issues with regard to
exposure and color shifts.

I sent the D30 in for calibration.

About 2 years ago, I purchased a Canon D60. That camera also had
underexposure issues (well documented on this site). I also sent
that camera to canon for calibration.

Both cameras came back acting like a total different camera, with
all exposures "dead on".

I then purchased a 10D ( for the sake of "upgrade"). That is the
ONLY Canon DSLR that canon intentionally metered "hot". The 10D has
a tendency to overexpose highlights, making certain parts of your
image totally useless. This was met with just as many complaints on
this board as underexposure.

I will go on record saying that these cameras are intentionally
"toned down" to preserve highlights However, "toned down" doesn't translate into that "ooh and ahh"
feedback that makes digital so popular.

Nikon chose the same approach as all the previous cameras with
their exposure.

Anyway, I spoke with Nikon today. My D70 will be on the Fedex truck
first thing in the morning on its way to Nikon for a "tune up".
I am requesting that they overclock the exposure a bit beyond their
normal specs. They need to "up" the exposure 1/2 stop accross the
board.
They can also adjust the default WB.

Click to expand...

GeorgeF said:

My question is should we all be sending our machines back to Nikon?
or do we just manually override picture taking each time?

You thoughts would greatly be appreciated.

George

Anthony said:

Ok.

About three years ago, I bought a Canon D30. It was indeed a
beautiful camera, but had very similar issues with regard to
exposure and color shifts.

I sent the D30 in for calibration.

About 2 years ago, I purchased a Canon D60. That camera also had
underexposure issues (well documented on this site). I also sent
that camera to canon for calibration.

Both cameras came back acting like a total different camera, with
all exposures "dead on".

I then purchased a 10D ( for the sake of "upgrade"). That is the
ONLY Canon DSLR that canon intentionally metered "hot". The 10D has
a tendency to overexpose highlights, making certain parts of your
image totally useless. This was met with just as many complaints on
this board as underexposure.

I will go on record saying that these cameras are intentionally
"toned down" to preserve highlights However, "toned down" doesn't translate into that "ooh and ahh"
feedback that makes digital so popular.

Nikon chose the same approach as all the previous cameras with
their exposure.

Anyway, I spoke with Nikon today. My D70 will be on the Fedex truck
first thing in the morning on its way to Nikon for a "tune up".
I am requesting that they overclock the exposure a bit beyond their
normal specs. They need to "up" the exposure 1/2 stop accross the
board.
They can also adjust the default WB.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Anthony said:

If you look at the manual on page 51, you'll see a table that
describes fine tuning the WB.

The default setting on the D70, has the flash set to 5400k. Whereas
the 10d uses a 5600k setting.
So for starters, in order to get closer to a Canon flash temp, I
would have to change the WB for flash to (-1)

As far as daylight is concerned, again Canon defaults to 5500k, and
the D70 is at 5200k. That would explain the "bluish" tint. I would
have to default my daylight WB to (-3) to match color temp of the
Canon 10D.

Don't get me wrong, this is a very nice camera. And my few little
tweeks are already showing some improvements.

Click to expand...

Anthony said:

After some more tweeking, I've been able get beautiful flash pics,
and perfect outdoor colors.

Apparently, the D70 default settings are "off" a bit.

Here are my findings:
Keep in mind, these settings are for my camera, your results may
vary

AW: Set to -1 ( this removes the blue cast many describe)

Flash WB: again -1 put the color temp at 5600k. Most flashes are
calibrated to this temp.

Flash: +.03 This will come a little closer to an accurate flash
exposure (.07 nailed it), while keeping the noise level low.
(Underexposure introduces more noise)

sRGB color space seems most logical for me.

End result:

I'm happy to say that I like the look of the D70 images over my 10D.

Click to expand...

Anthony said:

After some more tweeking, I've been able get beautiful flash pics,
and perfect outdoor colors.

Apparently, the D70 default settings are "off" a bit.

Here are my findings:
Keep in mind, these settings are for my camera, your results may
vary

AW: Set to -1 ( this removes the blue cast many describe)

Flash WB: again -1 put the color temp at 5600k. Most flashes are
calibrated to this temp.

Flash: +.03 This will come a little closer to an accurate flash
exposure (.07 nailed it), while keeping the noise level low.
(Underexposure introduces more noise)

sRGB color space seems most logical for me.

End result:

I'm happy to say that I like the look of the D70 images over my 10D.

Click to expand...

andyz4000 said:

Anthony said:

If you look at the manual on page 51, you'll see a table that
describes fine tuning the WB.

The default setting on the D70, has the flash set to 5400k. Whereas
the 10d uses a 5600k setting.
So for starters, in order to get closer to a Canon flash temp, I
would have to change the WB for flash to (-1)

As far as daylight is concerned, again Canon defaults to 5500k, and
the D70 is at 5200k. That would explain the "bluish" tint. I would
have to default my daylight WB to (-3) to match color temp of the
Canon 10D.

Don't get me wrong, this is a very nice camera. And my few little
tweeks are already showing some improvements.

Click to expand...

--
Andrew Z
Melbourne, Australia
http://www.pbase.com/andyz
[email protected]

Click to expand...

John M. Polston said:

Making changes in P mode is fine with me but another poster came up
with the point about his wife picking it up and putting it in Auto
mode and then having to do more Post processing. All the folks in
denial can say what they want but I can't believe that Nikon missed
this in testing. Sounds to me like their testers need to do the
same type tests that Phil and other reviewers do prior to releasing
product. I can't believe that folks want to accept and live with
blue/green cast photos. I want to live with true-to-life photos
that match what I see pretty darn close. WB on the camera works
darn well, it's just off a bit in one direction which can easily be
fixed. It would be nice if Nikon would set a trend and allow us to
modify the Auto properties either in menu or by being able to
customize settings in Firmware. Too bad they probably won't as
this could usher in a new era and possibly cause a cult following
of the D70.

Just some thoughts,

--
John M. Polston
Atlanta, GA

Click to expand...

archaic said:

Did anyone ask Nikon whether or not they may accomodate future
modifications to Auto properties in firmware, or ar we assuming
that the won't? I made some of the setting adjustments suggested by
Anthony and then took two photos of my cat (well, my wife's cat, my
model). One photo was on Auto, and the other was on A. The
difference was extraordinary -- sorry, can't post yet, still
looking for the right site. I opened the A photo in PS and an auto
adjustment to levels made no changes -- PS liked the levels as they
came out of the camera.

Anyway, I'm happy. I'm ust stuck on this steep learning curve...but
then again, I wanted a hobby that would challenge me, and taking
all my photos on Auto, well, that's not much of a hobby, IMO.

Thanks Anthony, hope you don't eat too much on the sale of your
camera.

Click to expand...

Anthony said:

archaic said:

Did anyone ask Nikon whether or not they may accomodate future
modifications to Auto properties in firmware, or ar we assuming
that the won't? I made some of the setting adjustments suggested by
Anthony and then took two photos of my cat (well, my wife's cat, my
model). One photo was on Auto, and the other was on A. The
difference was extraordinary -- sorry, can't post yet, still
looking for the right site. I opened the A photo in PS and an auto
adjustment to levels made no changes -- PS liked the levels as they
came out of the camera.

Anyway, I'm happy. I'm ust stuck on this steep learning curve...but
then again, I wanted a hobby that would challenge me, and taking
all my photos on Auto, well, that's not much of a hobby, IMO.

Thanks Anthony, hope you don't eat too much on the sale of your
camera.

Click to expand...

Thanks.

I'm glad the little adjustment worked. I was very happy with the
images produxed by the camera, and I'm sure that I'm simply being
too critical.

As far my wife is concerned, I can understand why she feels like
she does. Having do pay attention to detail, while chasing 4 kids
could be a bit too much for anyone.

I'll be watching this camera very closely. I really liked the way
it handled.
Any improvements made by Nikon would definetely make me re-purchase
this camera.
It's a winner, no doubt.

Click to expand...

Anthony said:

THIS IS NOT A TROLL POST!!!!!
I have a Canon 10D. I've been using Canon cameras for quite some time.

On the contrary, my wife has been a faithful Nikon user for years.
Last night, I came home from work with a Nikon D70 kit for her.
We're expecting our second child in a few months, and she wanted to
use a DSLR, but felt that my 10D was too bulky.

After opening the Nikon D70, I realized that this camera had the
right "feel" to it. She loved it!

Can someone please tell me what it takes to get accurate colors
from this camera?

I'm finding all flash pics dull and dark.
I took a few outdoor pics this morning, and my lawn looked as if it
was a dark evergreen color.
OTOH, the 10D nailed the exposure and color in all pics.

I really like this camera, and would like her to keep it.

What settings do you use for accurate color?

Click to expand...

Anthony said:

So for starters, in order to get closer to a Canon flash temp, I
would have to change the WB for flash to (-1)

As far as daylight is concerned, again Canon defaults to 5500k, and
the D70 is at 5200k. That would explain the "bluish" tint. I would
have to default my daylight WB to (-3) to match color temp of the
Canon 10D.

Click to expand...

Dave Beaman said:

The chances that you are going to get good color right out of the
box is slight. You should use the custom white balence. The D70 has
a very easy way to do it. Press the WB button on the back and shoot
a neutral area. Done. Works like a charm.

dave

Click to expand...