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Back-focus and Dark pictures

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Team Critter said:
Finally, by the tone of your post, I sense that you are attempting
a cheap shot at anybody who had this myth of a problem called
backfocus. Was your intention to fuel a debate? Are you implying
that this problem did/does not exist? I'll await your reply.
Click to expand...
I expected exactly that kind of response when I started this thread, but have been surprised to find that a lot of folks think the back-focus issue is being way overplayed.

And FYI, I'm not really depressed... I was just dramatizing my disappointment with the tenor of the forum. It'd be a great place to share pictures and workarounds if it weren't so danged negative.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
 
I don't know where the average D70 user comes in at for average SLR experiece. Myself I have always enjoyed photography as a hobby strickly out of shear enjoyment and fun... I had several SLR camera's(Pentax K1000 and ME Super, Minolta Maxxum 7000i) a couple of digicams(Kodak and Sony) before getting my D70. I can't imagine myself complaining on a single level on this forum regarding the performance of my D70... It is not perfect, I would love to have the focus speed of the D2H for instance as getting the focus correctly can be a task at times but for the money Nikon has come up with a winner for sure here... I also lament that when I look at this forum I have to wade through a lot of negitivity to find the good stuff(ie.. Instructional and informative posts that help us learn how to take better pictures with our Nikons or great pictures someone has taken that inspire us to get out there and shoot rather than complain.
Uncle Frank said:
I'm getting depressed reading the forum. Instead of being a
celebration of d70 photography and sharing of technique, the
dominant topic seems to be disappointment. Maybe expectations are
unrealistically high, or some people were unprepared for the
demands of a dslr... not just the d70, but any dslr.

The big rigs have less depth of field, so focusing techniques have
to be more precise, and manufacturers don't build as much image
processing into their dslrs as they do in their digicams, so the
photographer is expected to know how to "finish" the picture. I
believe these are the primary causes of the complaints about
"back-focus" and "dark images", which overwhelm the rest of the
traffic on the forum. I can only imagine how much it's costing
Nikon to service perfectly good cameras that are being returned
because of operator error :- .

Before someone jumps into the dslr arena, it would serve them well
to understand the relationships between apertures, shutter speed,
focal length, and DOF... and be well grounded in Photoshop.
Otherwise they may be disappointed with a major investment in a
dslr system that can run from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on lenses
and accessories.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
Click to expand...
--
D70
18-70 AFS, 85 1.8, 50 1.8D and 75-300 AF
 
Ilja said:
I'm a bit offended by the first post in this thread.
Click to expand...
Maybe if you re-read it carefully, you won't be.

"I believe these are the primary causes of the complaints about "back-focus" and "dark images", which overwhelm the rest of the traffic on the forum."

I wasn't ruling out the possibility of quality problems. But it's clear from reading the forum that the back-focus/dark-picture issues are becoming institutionalized excuses for user errors that result in flawed captures.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
 
We are a little like:



or maybe:



being lead along by others?

(Just taking a leaf out of, umm, ah! U.Franks book - by the way I agree ;-)

--
Regards, Paul.
 
I don't mind telling that I'm an amateur/newbie. I ordered my D70 with 18-70 lens and I'm waiting for it.
I read the BF posts and the posts of unhappy owners.
But, I know it's a good camera and I have to learn it.....

I will ask questions over here sometimes to learn from you, somethimes my questions it will be a silly too...

Because, I'm in love with photography.....I have a very good job and I'm not going to take the pro. photographer jobs....I just want to relax and feel the beauty god create for us....

This camera is a low end prosumer dSLR. Don't forget it.....

If the pros. which we will learn from them doesn't want to answer they are welcome. But the pros. which answers they are "more welcome". And I believe they will always be in our hearts and respect to them because we are learning from them.

You have to know if you don't like the post just IGNORE it.

It's wrong and very selfish thing to think, my camera is good and I don't care yours or learn how to use it and than come here....

Are we a community over here or a nethandreal group of monkeys...

I am very angry to these kind of posts and it realy hurts me.....

--
We are a family over here and we have lots of things to learn from eachother.
The Conqueror
 
Well Uncle Frank maybe we feel the same way only because English is not my first language (Dutch is) we just didn't completely unstood eachother.

I do think that there are some people complaining that could use their time better to take pictures and learn how to take them
--
gallery's @ http://www.illdesign.nl
 
The Conqueror said:
I am very angry to these kind of posts and it realy hurts me.....
Click to expand...
You're very sensitive for a Conquerer, my friend. You don't even own the camera, and you're already offended. I can't wait to see the levels your righteous indignation will reach when you actually take delivery on a d70.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
 
How far back does one have to go in order to find pro-DSLRs that don't perform as well as the D70? Were there pro-DSLRs five years ago that had better performance features than the D70 at any price? This isn't rhetorical, I'm actually asking the question.

I'm curious, in general, about the rapid development of the digital photography world. It's further interesting to note how quickly we go from "in love" with the latest tech to "I'm disappointed, what next?"...that phenomenon alone is fascinating!
Ilja said:
Well Uncle Frank maybe we feel the same way only because English is
not my first language (Dutch is) we just didn't completely unstood
eachother.

I do think that there are some people complaining that could use
their time better to take pictures and learn how to take them
--
gallery's @ http://www.illdesign.nl
Click to expand...
 
Kelton Sweet said:
How far back does one have to go in order to find pro-DSLRs that
don't perform as well as the D70?
Click to expand...
Imo, the only dslr in the Nikon stable that has a feature set superior to the d70 is the d2h, which just started shipping this year. The only drawback to the d70 as a pro camera is its lighter weight construction.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
 
.... or SLR before the D70, and I just want to say how much I've enjoyed the picture-taking process with the D70. Reading and learning from all the DSLR forums, not just the D70 one, has made my acquaintance with the D70 much easier and more fulfilling.

The learning process hasn't ended for me yet, and I look forward to acquiring more skills with additional lenses, flashes, etc, etc.

To all those who have had negative experience with the D70 but are willing to continue learning, don't give up - if I could do it, anybody can.
Uncle Frank said:
--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
Click to expand...
--
Regards, David
(D.7.0. & C.P.4.5.0.0.)
http://www.fotop.net/dlcmh/
http://www.pbase.com/dlcmh
http://www.pbase.com/dlcmh/dslr_links
 
Uncle Franks pictures are beautiful. Your pictures too, David. I saw lot's of beautiful pics here and in Pbase from D70.

But, I won't take only one picture and post it here to complain. As you say I won't give up.....

--
We are a family over here and we have lots of things to learn from eachother.
The Conqueror
 
Forums become the attitudes of the posters. That attitude then attracts others with like attitudes.

It probably would have been much better if the D70 had not split from the D100 forum. There is a predominance of new dslr owners now, drowning in a lot of technology, without many experienced, knowledgeable posters to help. And, do the few experienced posters soon leave from lack of sharing the exploration of what the D70 can do?

I have noticed very few posters still posting from a couple of months ago. It was then assumed that the storm of moire, bf, blooming, etc would eventually pass, and true learning and sharing of great techniques, etc would start. It's now July, and the forum is still mainly posts of perceived and real problems of the camera with the occassional photos posted and technical/technique posts the minority.

I wonder if the few experienced posters got tired of relieving others of issues better handled by their store or manufacturer. I guess if this forum remains as such, that's ok...People will get their issues solved by the new posters who are just becoming aware of the answers, and then they, like many have already, will find a more appropriate venue to discover the art and science of the D70 elsewhere.

Maybe in a few more months, this forum will elevate to more posts about the great things the D70 can do. Not responding to the multiple posts of the same problem except with a "Search First" response or a direct link to the posts with the answer would be helpful to set a new attitude that this forum is not about the problems, but the possibilities.
 
Now seriously, wouldn't it be funny to find out that your brand spanking new D70 had a technical glitch such as a misalignment of the CCD like mine did? Now wouldn't it be even funnier to find out that it took you over 2 months to get the problem resolved with Nikon? Put yourself in other people shoes and you'll understand where I'm coming from.
Uncle Frank said:
I expected exactly that kind of response when I started this
thread, but have been surprised to find that a lot of folks think
the back-focus issue is being way overplayed.
Click to expand...
Of course 'some' forum members may have overplayed this problem. That's the nature of a free online forum. I won't entirely disagree with you on this. However, at least have some respect for the others who have had genuine problems with their camera.
Uncle Frank said:
And FYI, I'm not really depressed... I was just dramatizing my
disappointment with the tenor of the forum. It'd be a great place
to share pictures and workarounds if it weren't so danged negative.
Click to expand...
Isn't the nature of a free online forum fun?!? So you lied about your frustrations just to stir the pot? It STILL IS an excellent place to share pictures and workarounds. Most of the threads are NOT about D70 problems...you are blowing it out of proportion. Also remember that this is generally a 'technical' forum and not a 'photography' forum. You may be in the wrong place.
Uncle Frank said:
--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
Click to expand...
 
Just a bit of background-- I've been using film-based Nikon SLR's for about 35 years, so I know a bit about apertures, DOF, etc. I waited to move into digital until an affordable Nikon DSLR body came along, and I decided the D70 was it. Prior to the D70, I had no digital experience. Overall I love my D70. I also purchased Photoshop CS and I'm learning how amazing it is to be able to make my pictures better. I resisted digital, but now, I don't see ever going back to film. Now I get a kick hearing other people, like in the camera store, talking bad about digital -- if they only gavie it a try.

Anyway, here's my point. I got one of the first D70's back in March. Right away, I noticed that my "people" shots (indoors w/ flash) didn't provide the same sharpness as I've been accustomed to with my N80 and N70 (and N6006, Nikkormat, etc before those). The focus point is definitely behind my subjects. I'm still fighting with myself whether to send my camera in for service. I've read where other people have had their D70 "fixed" with the kit lens and then have issues with their other lenses. I'm sorry, but there is NOTHING I'm doing wrong with these pictures. It has nothing to do with "ignorance" or "operator error". Outdoors, using smaller apertures, my pictures are beautiful. I keep rationalizing that I can simply use USM in PS to correct the slight focus deviation, but it makes me angry that I'm having the issue and that some other people seem to feel it can't be an issue with the camera.

Anyway, I agree whole-heartedly that the D70 is a magnificent machine -- I just wish mine didn't have the occasional focus issue...
Uncle Frank said:
I'm getting depressed reading the forum. Instead of being a
celebration of d70 photography and sharing of technique, the
dominant topic seems to be disappointment. Maybe expectations are
unrealistically high, or some people were unprepared for the
demands of a dslr... not just the d70, but any dslr.

The big rigs have less depth of field, so focusing techniques have
to be more precise, and manufacturers don't build as much image
processing into their dslrs as they do in their digicams, so the
photographer is expected to know how to "finish" the picture. I
believe these are the primary causes of the complaints about
"back-focus" and "dark images", which overwhelm the rest of the
traffic on the forum. I can only imagine how much it's costing
Nikon to service perfectly good cameras that are being returned
because of operator error :- .

Before someone jumps into the dslr arena, it would serve them well
to understand the relationships between apertures, shutter speed,
focal length, and DOF... and be well grounded in Photoshop.
Otherwise they may be disappointed with a major investment in a
dslr system that can run from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on lenses
and accessories.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
Click to expand...
 
Well Uncle Frank, I wouldn't worry so much about the rantings and ravings that go on in this and other forums. Let's just go out and have fun shooting. I went to 3 different recreation areas here in eastern Mass this long weekend and between that and fireworks on the 4th I shot over 350 images on the D70. The only problem I have is I keep hearing this little wimper and sob from my neglected 5700.

Here's one shot from Friday evening,



--
Jim M.

Pbase Supporter, FCAS Member
http://www.pbase.com/jimm
 
Mark, I recommend you send it in. I'm amazed at the difference in shots coming from this camera AFTER Nikon adjusted the position of the CCD (which they confirmed was not aligned properly). It's unbelievable. Even my wife (who knows absolutely nothing about digital/traditional photography) could spot the difference from the before and after. It's that clear. This camera continues to amaze me and if anybody is having second thoughts on purchasing a unit...I encourage you to do so.

Do yourself a favor and get it fixed. It sounds like you know what you are talking about...so Uncle Frank should not even concern himself with your negative post. I also encourage you to use this forum to discuss both your positive and negative issues with your camera as that is what this technical forum is intended for. I believe some people are so pro Nikon that seeing any kind of negativity about a Nikon product personally impacts them in a negative way...even causing depression. ;-)

Seriously though, I've been there done that. Nikon can offer you assistance. Good luck.
Mark53 said:
Anyway, here's my point. I got one of the first D70's back in
March. Right away, I noticed that my "people" shots (indoors w/
flash) didn't provide the same sharpness as I've been accustomed to
with my N80 and N70 (and N6006, Nikkormat, etc before those). The
focus point is definitely behind my subjects. I'm still fighting
with myself whether to send my camera in for service. I've read
where other people have had their D70 "fixed" with the kit lens and
then have issues with their other lenses. I'm sorry, but there is
NOTHING I'm doing wrong with these pictures. It has nothing to do
with "ignorance" or "operator error". Outdoors, using smaller
apertures, my pictures are beautiful. I keep rationalizing that I
can simply use USM in PS to correct the slight focus deviation, but
it makes me angry that I'm having the issue and that some other
people seem to feel it can't be an issue with the camera.

Anyway, I agree whole-heartedly that the D70 is a magnificent
machine -- I just wish mine didn't have the occasional focus
issue...
Uncle Frank said:
I'm getting depressed reading the forum. Instead of being a
celebration of d70 photography and sharing of technique, the
dominant topic seems to be disappointment. Maybe expectations are
unrealistically high, or some people were unprepared for the
demands of a dslr... not just the d70, but any dslr.

The big rigs have less depth of field, so focusing techniques have
to be more precise, and manufacturers don't build as much image
processing into their dslrs as they do in their digicams, so the
photographer is expected to know how to "finish" the picture. I
believe these are the primary causes of the complaints about
"back-focus" and "dark images", which overwhelm the rest of the
traffic on the forum. I can only imagine how much it's costing
Nikon to service perfectly good cameras that are being returned
because of operator error :- .

Before someone jumps into the dslr arena, it would serve them well
to understand the relationships between apertures, shutter speed,
focal length, and DOF... and be well grounded in Photoshop.
Otherwise they may be disappointed with a major investment in a
dslr system that can run from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on lenses
and accessories.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 


So, the gist to me of this is to stop complaining and start shooting. It's a great camera. Have fun
Uncle Frank said:
I'm getting depressed reading the forum. Instead of being a
celebration of d70 photography and sharing of technique, the
dominant topic seems to be disappointment. Maybe expectations are
unrealistically high, or some people were unprepared for the
demands of a dslr... not just the d70, but any dslr.

The big rigs have less depth of field, so focusing techniques have
to be more precise, and manufacturers don't build as much image
processing into their dslrs as they do in their digicams, so the
photographer is expected to know how to "finish" the picture. I
believe these are the primary causes of the complaints about
"back-focus" and "dark images", which overwhelm the rest of the
traffic on the forum. I can only imagine how much it's costing
Nikon to service perfectly good cameras that are being returned
because of operator error :- .

Before someone jumps into the dslr arena, it would serve them well
to understand the relationships between apertures, shutter speed,
focal length, and DOF... and be well grounded in Photoshop.
Otherwise they may be disappointed with a major investment in a
dslr system that can run from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on lenses
and accessories.

--
Warm regards, Uncle Frank,
FCAS Charter Member, Hummingbird Hunter, Egret Stalker
Dilettante Appassionato
Coolpix Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/coolpix
D-Seventy Gallery at http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/d70
Click to expand...
--
Harris

PBase/DPReview/NTF supporter
Egret Stalker #4, WSSA #29

http://www.pbase.com/backdoctor
 
I agree. Go shoot and have fun. By the way, my little Canon S230 cries a little as well. It just cant give me shots like these...




Jim M. said:
Well Uncle Frank, I wouldn't worry so much about the rantings and
ravings that go on in this and other forums. Let's just go out and
have fun shooting. I went to 3 different recreation areas here in
eastern Mass this long weekend and between that and fireworks on
the 4th I shot over 350 images on the D70. The only problem I have
is I keep hearing this little wimper and sob from my neglected 5700.

Here's one shot from Friday evening,



--
Jim M.

Pbase Supporter, FCAS Member
http://www.pbase.com/jimm
Click to expand...
 
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