Hi folks,

I normally hang out in the Bryce and Poser forums and I'm not giving those up by a long shot, (I've pre-ordered Poser 6 and I'm also waiting for DAZ to release Bryce 5.5) but I've also decided to get back into photography.

I used to be very involved with photography, mainly B&W (had my own darkroom) and some color (slides) but slowly drifted away as CG took more and more of my time.

I have a digital camera, it's a P&S (Olympus) and IMO it is not suitable for serious photography but I have also held on to my collection of conventional photo equipment, mostly Nikons with a fairly complete selection of prime Nikon lenses, both manual and auto focus (16mm Fisheye to 300mmm telephoto).

With the price of DSLRs within reach ($1000-$1300+/-) I feel it is high time for me to continue, and possibly combine CG art, with photography.

I have pretty much settled on getting the Nikon D70 with the 18-70 Nikon zoom. The D70 will allow me to still make use of my existing lens arsenal, albeit with some (OK, many) limitation, especially the manual focus lenses...

My question is do any of you guys and gals use the D70, what is your opinion of it and do you use it with older, non-AF lenses?

Thank for reading and TIA for your thoughts, opinions and advise...

Walter

Message edited on: 03/13/2005 21:50

I just bought this camera a few weeks ago,and am real impressed with how easy it is to use.There is only one complaint and that is changing lenses is really to be done quickly as dust really attracts to the mirror,and in worse cases CCD. I have taken one back already for there was too much dust after just one lens change. Make sure camera is off.Hold upside down and have other lens ready. Other than that the manual setting are easy to navigate. Image quality seems really good so far. The kit lens which is a 18-70 NikkorED is clear and in MHO better than any Canon lens I've used of same size. Pre digital though. I have not used any other older lenses as I don't have older Nikon gear. I do know that using a non-Nikon lens will slow the focus times down a tad. It is not a metal body so fairly lightwieght.(I believe that the composite material and the static elec, being digital contributes to the dust inside.) The battery seems to last forever too, which is not the case with my Nikon8700. Go for it and enjoy! Let me know how you like it,and post lot's of images.

I got mine a few weeks ago. I do love it! In the past I used 35mm rangefinder mostly but that was years ago. I do not have any 35mm nikkor lenses and will be stapped to get more lenses. Still, it is worth it, wonderful camera in my "first dslr" opinion. As I read the stuff on it, many 35mm af will work and some will work only on Manual. If used to manual then you can shoot that way, with a few digital work arounds to get used to. Still, I am very pleased and look forward to seeing some images you take with the new cam. TomDart.

I dont use one myself, my friend has had one since it was released, he is very happy with it, and I have seen some outstanding prints from it. Dont know whether he uses older lenses, he has used Nikon film cameras for years, so maybe, probably see him tonight so I will ask him. LP

I too have a couple of friends that shoot with the D70 and they both really like the camera. One does shot with some older Nikon glass, not sure if any is manual focus though.

I also just purchased this cam a few weeks ago. And I can honestly say that I am very pleased with it. I always shot either Canon or Minolta film cams and in all honesty, I am sooo glad that I made this purchase, the colors out of this cam are just out of this world!!! I have not had the opportunity to use the older manual focus Nikkor lenses with it, as all of my manual focus lenses were Canon lenses, but I do know it can be done. IMO if you have both AF and MF Nikkor lenses you really can't go wrong with this camera. The $200 rebate is only good through the end of this month with the D 70 kit, and is the only thing that makes this sweet camera sweeter! Brenda :)

Some time ago, I posted a thread here detailing my experiences with dust issues in 5 brand new d70's...If you recall, ALL of mine had dust on them with NO lens changes. Just wondering if your ccd already had dust on it prior to the lens change? Did you do the test to identify dust on either the camera you returned or the replacement? I believe MichelleA also had dust on her brand new d70....so, it seems to be the norm. Since my posting, several new methods of user cleaning of the ccd's are being reported. I'm still on the sidelines after returning my d70's...but am tempted to jump back in.....

I believe it was from a lens change. I remember well your posts and it was my first questions to the staff at store. I saw no spots when new.After first change I was looking at the sky with the 70-300 lens and noticed spots. I returned and the guy definitely saw them too. He first wanted me to take it back to Nikon office here,but I said nopes.So he gave me a new one. I do notice one tiny spec now,but not bad enough. I do know that it was on the CCD as the mirror was spotless.So were the lenses. I believe the composite material it is made of and the fact digital has more static is a contributing factor. If it happens again I will go to the Nikon office an demand a new one. Maybe a D100 as they are metal.

hmmm off to a good start.Aksing for someone higher is a slap on face.

I'm happy with my D-70 despite the dust issues, which in my case doesn't really bother, I don't shoot landscapes and the like...... a few weeks ago, I had what looked like a tiny little bug on a bunch of images I had taken..... didn't notice until after I got them on the 'puter. Locked up the mirror and sure enough there it was... a quick blow and it was gone.