Parry Johnson
Senior Member
I'm very picky. I have to start off that way because a camera really has to impress me before I'll buy it. I bought the Nikon D70S a month ago.
I've owned a Fuji S2 Pro since 2002. I chose that camera over the D100 because of its superior resolution and colour fidelity. The D70S has come a long way in narrowing that gap, but has not reached the same capabilities of the S2 or the new Fuji S3. For an extra $2000 difference between the D70S and S3, however, you expect extra quality.
Although I am a school teacher, I shoot portraits and weddings professionally part-time. My Fuji is better for that purpose because I don't need fast-action for most shots.
However, a wedding photographer needs a backup camera for emergencies or whenever another lens is needed. Shooting both digital and film is unproductive and not cost-effective, although I've done that for the last few years. It was time for me to get another body, so I bought the D70S without the kit lens (I've already got all I need, and I intend to keep shooting film, so want to stay away from G-series or DX format lenses).
So why the D70S? It's the best bang for the buck. Digital cameras are designed to be thrown away after only a few years, and this camera has practically paid for itself already. This camera is capable of producing excellent photos up to 11x14, has a faster frame rate than the S2 or S3 (3 f.p.s. vs. 1.5 / 2 f.p.s), is more predictable for exposure (my Fuji shots are almost always 1/3 stop underexposed), start-up and playback are instantaneous, excellent fast focus and tracking, and it's got practically every other feature you could want.
Recent Canon cameras may outdo this one for overall image quality, but you'd have to look VERY close to be able to tell any difference. I did this with PRINTS, not on-screen, as that's where the final output counts. Screen resolution doesn't mean a thing in comparison, and many photographers looking for a new camera seem to forget about that. This camera delivers.
Problems:
The biggest problem with this camera is the awkward method of choosing between AF-S and AF-C or dynamic focussing. I much prefer the little switch or even a button found on almost all my other AF Nikon cameras. Although this is a better camera for sports and fast-action than my Fuji S2, many fast-action situations also require portrait-like shots where AF-S is needed.
It would be nice to have multiple exposures, a mechanical cable release socket and a PC flash socket.
Other than that, this is a great starter DSLR or the perfect second DSLR if you've already got a higher-res camera.
I've owned a Fuji S2 Pro since 2002. I chose that camera over the D100 because of its superior resolution and colour fidelity. The D70S has come a long way in narrowing that gap, but has not reached the same capabilities of the S2 or the new Fuji S3. For an extra $2000 difference between the D70S and S3, however, you expect extra quality.
Although I am a school teacher, I shoot portraits and weddings professionally part-time. My Fuji is better for that purpose because I don't need fast-action for most shots.
However, a wedding photographer needs a backup camera for emergencies or whenever another lens is needed. Shooting both digital and film is unproductive and not cost-effective, although I've done that for the last few years. It was time for me to get another body, so I bought the D70S without the kit lens (I've already got all I need, and I intend to keep shooting film, so want to stay away from G-series or DX format lenses).
So why the D70S? It's the best bang for the buck. Digital cameras are designed to be thrown away after only a few years, and this camera has practically paid for itself already. This camera is capable of producing excellent photos up to 11x14, has a faster frame rate than the S2 or S3 (3 f.p.s. vs. 1.5 / 2 f.p.s), is more predictable for exposure (my Fuji shots are almost always 1/3 stop underexposed), start-up and playback are instantaneous, excellent fast focus and tracking, and it's got practically every other feature you could want.
Recent Canon cameras may outdo this one for overall image quality, but you'd have to look VERY close to be able to tell any difference. I did this with PRINTS, not on-screen, as that's where the final output counts. Screen resolution doesn't mean a thing in comparison, and many photographers looking for a new camera seem to forget about that. This camera delivers.
Problems:
The biggest problem with this camera is the awkward method of choosing between AF-S and AF-C or dynamic focussing. I much prefer the little switch or even a button found on almost all my other AF Nikon cameras. Although this is a better camera for sports and fast-action than my Fuji S2, many fast-action situations also require portrait-like shots where AF-S is needed.
It would be nice to have multiple exposures, a mechanical cable release socket and a PC flash socket.
Other than that, this is a great starter DSLR or the perfect second DSLR if you've already got a higher-res camera.