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Nikon D70 issues/questions Vs. Canon



 
 
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  #11  
Old October 13th 05, 07:36 AM
Philip Homburg
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In article .com,
wrote:
The focusing screen in that D70 was just a matte/Fresnel.
There was no split in the middle where you can focus
by lining up two lines together. And it's hard to tell
in the small viewfinder if the picture is in focus.

The other thing I noticed is that the viewfinder screen
is smaller. I'm older now, and it seems I need my glasses
to focus through there. And, in the catalog, there is
no diopter (?) correction for the D70. They have some
for other Nikons, but not the D70.


I have a D1 (for fun and experiments, my 'real' photos are still on film).
In my experience, the ground glass in the D1 is quite suitable for manual
focus (I only have manual focus Nikkors).

The screen in the D1 can be replaced, but I don't think that Nikon makes a
screen with focussing aids.

The resolution of the D1 is a bit low, but the D1X may be a option. Second
hand prices aren't all that high. And you get good compatibility with
your manual focus Nikkors.


--
That was it. Done. The faulty Monk was turned out into the desert where it
could believe what it liked, including the idea that it had been hard done
by. It was allowed to keep its horse, since horses were so cheap to make.
-- Douglas Adams in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
  #12  
Old October 13th 05, 07:44 AM
DoN. Nichols
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According to :
Dear experts,

I've always used Nikon, and have a number of FE and FM
cameras, and whole bunch of fixed focal length lenses.

I took my equipment to the store the other day, and
noticed a few issues.

The focusing screen in that D70 was just a matte/Fresnel.
There was no split in the middle where you can focus
by lining up two lines together. And it's hard to tell
in the small viewfinder if the picture is in focus.


That can be a problem, as the viewfinder screen (permanent one,
not changeable like the Nikon F was) is optimized for working with the
autofocus mechanism.

The other thing I noticed is that the viewfinder screen
is smaller. I'm older now, and it seems I need my glasses
to focus through there. And, in the catalog, there is
no diopter (?) correction for the D70. They have some
for other Nikons, but not the D70.


There is none in the catalog because it is built into the
camera. There is a ribbed sliding object just to the right of the
eyepiece which can be used to adjust the diopter of the viewfinder
eyepiece. To set that correctly, turn on the grid and the zone-of-focus
indicators to give your eye something to judge the focus by. (These
also help when focusing a lens, once the eyepiece is tuned, because they
can help to anchor the focus of the eye, which can otherwise be pulled
by an out-of-focus image -- as could an eye using the clear spot version
of the Nikon F viewfinder, which is why there was a fine black '+' in
the center of the spot.

So, this brings up the question, if there is any
real advantage to buying a Nikon digital so that I can
use my old fixed manual focus sharp lenses, if I can't
focus them.


You can focus them -- but if they have no built-in electrical
contacts, you cannot use the camera's metering system with them. The
metering system for the D70 *must* see a chip in the lens. Some of the
more expensive Nikon cameras will still work with any lens with the AI
aperture ring (a couple of tabs on it to talk to sensors on the camera.)

I could buy used Nikon autofocus lenses if I bought
the Nikon. But then I could just buy used Canon
lenses too if I bought a Canon.


If your lenses have the chip, you can use them with the D70
metering once you tune the viewfinder to your eyeglass prescription.

I understand that Canon has brought out a newer
camera lately. Does anyone know how it compares
on these issues? Does it have a diopter? Does it
have different screens?


I presume that it, also, has a built-in diopter adjustment like
the Nikon D70. I don't know whether it has interchangeable screens, and
this may be a function of *which* Cannon you are talking about. There
are several, just as there are several Nikon DSLRs. The D70 is the one
which I happen to have, so I can answer your implied question about the
diopter correction.

How does the Canon compare in any other area that
you think is significant? Advantages? Disadvantages?


Again -- *which* Cannon, compared against which of the Nikon
cameras?

If I had the money, I would be very tempted to change to the
D2x, which would allow me to meter with some of my older lenses which
can't be "chipped". (I had a nice 180mm f2.8 manual lens "chipped" so
it will work nicely with the metering in the D70, though it still has no
autofocus.

You can also get used lenses *with* the autofocus. One of mine
(a 50mm f1.4) was obtained used, and I expect to get others as time goes
on. (I also expect to perform some modifications on some really old
ones to allow me to actually mount them on the D70. Those too old to
have the AI aperture ring won't mount, as the solid aperture ring
interferes with the sensor that assures the D70 that a lens has been
stopped down all the way.

Good luck,
DoN.
--
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---
  #13  
Old October 13th 05, 08:25 AM
DD (Rox)
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In article .com,
says...
Dear experts,

I've always used Nikon, and have a number of FE and FM
cameras, and whole bunch of fixed focal length lenses.

I took my equipment to the store the other day, and
noticed a few issues.

The focusing screen in that D70 was just a matte/Fresnel.
There was no split in the middle where you can focus
by lining up two lines together. And it's hard to tell
in the small viewfinder if the picture is in focus.


The modern Nikon cameras use an electronic rangefinder device of some
sorts to indicate when you are in focus. A little green dot in the
viewfinder lights up when the lens has achieved focus and arrows either
side of it tell the user which way to turn the focussing ring to achieve
focus.

The other thing I noticed is that the viewfinder screen
is smaller. I'm older now, and it seems I need my glasses
to focus through there. And, in the catalog, there is
no diopter (?) correction for the D70. They have some
for other Nikons, but not the D70.


Definitely has that feature.

So, this brings up the question, if there is any
real advantage to buying a Nikon digital so that I can
use my old fixed manual focus sharp lenses, if I can't
focus them.


You won't be able to use the cameras metering with a non-CPU lens. You
would have to meter using a handheld or accessory shoe meter.

I could buy used Nikon autofocus lenses if I bought
the Nikon. But then I could just buy used Canon
lenses too if I bought a Canon.


Ooohh! OOOOOHHHHHHH!

Don't go there! Canon is an EVIL company that makes evil products. If
you buy one you will surely be on the fast track to hell.

I understand that Canon has brought out a newer
camera lately. Does anyone know how it compares
on these issues? Does it have a diopter? Does it
have different screens?

How does the Canon compare in any other area that
you think is significant? Advantages? Disadvantages?


Canon cameras change so often that should anything go wrong with your
current model in a couple of years time, the chances of getting spares
to do feasible repairs is unlikely. In my opinion unless you are buying
at the top end of the Canon offering you are playing a hit and miss
game.

--
DD (everything is temporary)
www.dallasdahms.com
  #14  
Old October 13th 05, 08:32 AM
DD (Rox)
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In article dYm3f.1421$UF4.1052@fed1read02, "Mark=B2" mjmorgan(lowest=20
even number says...

Well, here's something for you to chew on: on Friday last week I
popped into one of the local photographic shops and I was fiddling
around with the 5D, chatting to the manager. I asked him how much
interest he had in the camera and he said that he had taken about 10
orders for it, but amazingly all of them were from people who were
not regular photographers. They were mostly rich folks who had bought
the camera (with one of the crappy kit lenses) because it was the
newest thing and they had to had it.

=20
There will always be people like that.
I've seen people hauling around Leicas for the same reason: They think t=

hey=20
look cool holding one. I'm sure that happens with all sorts of=20
things...cars...motorcycles...guns...and cameras. Meanwhile, those who=

=20
actually know how to use a camera are using them well, regardless of how=

=20
many dorks with money there might be--posing in their mirrors holding the=

ir=20
new toy.


Yep, too much disposable income. I once had a chat to a guy I saw=20
brandishing an F5 with a crappy Sigma lens on it. I wanted to know what=20
he thought of the camera and he prattled on about how it took the best=20
photos he ever saw. Sounds like another guy we know who owns an EOS1v.=20

The other side of the business coin you describe above is this:
Canon makes most of their money from the sale of lenses.


I disagree. Most of their money comes from selling office equipment
and supplies. On the imaging side the bulk of the revenue that funds
their operation is made from P&S digital cameras.

=20
Since this is a discussion about photography equipment, I thought it woul=

d=20
go without saying that I was referring to SLR photo equitpment $$ coming=

=20
from sale of lenses, as opposed to bodies.
=20
-Though actually, I suspect that with the huge successes of digital bodie=

s,=20
that may be swinging a bit.
I don't know.=20


The big money spinner for any manufacturer is the mass market. Give them=20
what they want and use the profits to fund development in other areas=20
where technology is more cutting edge. Same thing happens in the motor=20
industry with Formula One and Rally Championships.=20

--=20
DD (everything is temporary)
www.dallasdahms.com
  #15  
Old October 13th 05, 09:14 AM
sierra
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"Money spinner" - yes "Profit spinner" - no.

Mass market - GM, Ford, VW - losses

Porsche - profits

  #16  
Old October 13th 05, 12:12 PM
Skip M
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"DD (Rox)" wrote in message
...
In article Pmm3f.1415$UF4.617@fed1read02, "MarkČ" mjmorgan(lowest
even number says...
At this point, the 5D isn't for the masses. A quickie indicator of this
is
its lack of built-in flash. This is for people who wouldn't likely
neither
want/need nor be satisfied with the pop-gun sized built-in flash. It is
for
serious photographers who want their wide angle lenses to work...and who
want the high res of 12.8MP without sacrificing quality to noise. They
have
also indicated a plan to keep both the 1.6 crop-factor sensor range, and
the
full frame sizes in the future.


Well, here's something for you to chew on: on Friday last week I popped
into one of the local photographic shops and I was fiddling around with
the 5D, chatting to the manager. I asked him how much interest he had in
the camera and he said that he had taken about 10 orders for it, but
amazingly all of them were from people who were not regular
photographers. They were mostly rich folks who had bought the camera
(with one of the crappy kit lenses) because it was the newest thing and
they had to had it.


The only "kit" I've heard of for the 5D is a European bundle with the 24-105
f4L IS, hardly a "crappy kit lens." C'mon, Dallas, at least try for a
little objectivity. I was talking to the manager of the local Calumet,
yesterday, and his comments were pretty much diametrically opposed to those
of your store manager, most of the interest is from people like me, part
time pros or full time pros who can't justify the cost of the 1Ds MkII.

--
Skip Middleton
http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com



  #17  
Old October 13th 05, 12:19 PM
Skip M
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"sierra" wrote in message
ups.com...
"Money spinner" - yes "Profit spinner" - no.

Mass market - GM, Ford, VW - losses

Porsche - profits


Porsche was nearly out of business 10 years ago, the Boxter is what saved
them, a (relatively) mass market Porsche.

Chrysler-profits-|
|--DCX-losses.
Mercedes-losses-|

The mass market drives profits in a properly managed company, which, at this
point, GM and Ford are not. Toyota, Honda and Renault/Nissan are largely
mass market manufacturers, and very profitable.

--
Skip Middleton
http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com


  #18  
Old October 13th 05, 12:46 PM
Alex
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On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 09:32:18 +0200, DD (Rox)
wrote:

The big money spinner for any manufacturer is the mass market. Give them
what they want and use the profits to fund development in other areas
where technology is more cutting edge. Same thing happens in the motor
industry with Formula One and Rally Championships.


Not anymore as the mass market cameras are becoming commodities.
(http://www.dpreview.com/news/0508/05...ofit_soars.asp)

The profits are in the high end digicams and dslrs. I believe all the
manufacturers are or have realized this already.


--
Alex
atheist #2007
  #20  
Old October 13th 05, 12:49 PM
Alex
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On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 21:45:23 -0700, "Richard H." wrote:

Bingo. Not just because it's digital - because it's auto-focus. You'll
find this with film AF cameras too. It's nearly impossible to manually
focus sharply with the current SLR focus screens.


Not just that. AF lenses are optimized for quick AF speed, which means
that a small turn of the focus ring will give you more of a change in
the focus distance compared to older (MF) lenses.


--
Alex
atheist #2007
 




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