Nikon D70s Review

For the ability to review the camera Nikon D70s many thanks Alexander Rybalkin.

Nikon D70s Review

Nikon D70s Review

Nikon D70s is an old DSLR, an upgraded version Nikon D70. Nikon D70s was introduced back in 2005. At that time except Nikon D70 there was not a single advanced amateur camera. Then introduced the camera Nikon D50, the latter turned out to be a more stripped-down model and refers to ordinary Nikon amateur cameras (see nameplate) Nikon D70s announced along with the legendary full-time lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED DX SWM IF Asphericalwhose price for 2005 was above 1000 cu

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Nikon D70s uses a sensor on 6 MP, with the Nikon D70s you can take pictures 3008 * 2000 pixels (Altogether 6.016.000 pixels, it is not clear where Nikon gets the number 6.1 MP). Now only 6 megapixels may seem like archaism, but for 2005 such a matrix was considered not bad. I used it for a long time Nikon D40 with the same matrix as the Nikon D70s, I have a lot of printed pictures 20 * 30 format with six megapixels crumbs Nikon D40 and I cannot say that 6 MP is not enough. In general, the 'large' pixels of older first-generation Nikon cameras have their own unique charm.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

By the way, all cameras: Nikon D70, Nikon D70s, Nikon D40, Nikon D50 use the same sensor, so the quality of photos from these cameras will be almost the same. Nikon D70s can use value ISO 200 to 1600... Strangely, the Nikon D70s doesn't have a 'bloated' Hi ISO like the Nikon D100 и Nikon D40. You can use the Nikon D70s auto ISO functionTrue, it’s a pity that in the camera menu You cannot set the maximum ISO sensitivity for this function.. auto ISO always works from the set value to the maximum ISO 1600. short shutter speedwhich can be set in the menu auto ISO is only 1/125 of a second.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Noise level at high ISO values ​​is not particularly pleasing. Modern Nikon cameras have gone very far in noise reduction compared to the Nikon D70s. By the way, in the camera no noise reduction function when using high ISO sensitivity, There is only the function of reducing noise at slow shutter speeds.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s at high ISO

Minimum excerpt Nikon D70s has 1 / 8000 seconds, this is a good indicator, it’s just a pity that the camera does not support ISO 100. Also, the camera does not support high speed FP syncBut Minimal excerpt with flash is 1/500 second... 1 / 500s is a very good indicator even for modern cameras. Nikon D70The Nikon D70s are the first Nikon cameras to support remote control of external flashes, such as Nikon SB-800, SB-600, SB-500, SB-700, SB-900, SB-910.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

True, using Nikon CLS Nikon D70s camera can control only one group of flashes and only one channel. To external flash set on fire from Nikon D70s, you need to set the flash mode in the camera to 'C', and on external flash select group A and the third control channel.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Nikon D70s cannot boast of its high shooting speed and performance. Nikon D70s can shoot at maximum speed 3 frames per second. The camera is very small frame buffer. When the noise reduction function for slow shutter speeds is disabled, the buffer contains:

  • 4 frames in RAW format and in RAW + JPEG format
  • 9 frames in JPEG Fine L
  • 49 frames in JPEG Basic S

If you turn on the noise reduction function, then in frame buffer only 3 frames in RAW format and 7 frames in JPEG L format will fit. For those who shoot in JPEG, the buffer will seem pretty good. RAW (NEF) files weigh approximately 5.25 MB each.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

For measuring exposure the camera has a 1,005-pixel CCD RGB sensor, the same as Nikon D700 и D300 (in more detail here) And the focusing system is based on 5-point Multi-CAM 900same as Nikon D70, Nikon D100 и Nikon D50 (in more detail here). The Nikon D70s' focusing module is much nicer than the three-point 'cropping' found in Nikon D40, D40x и Nikon D60. To measurement work exposure and work white balance need to get used to.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Features Nikon D70s:

  1. The camera has an additional monochrome display for quick access to basic settings. True, the display backlight is turned on not with the camera's power lever, but with the help of an additional button.
  2. The camera uses memory cards CF. My Nikon D70s made friends with the Transcend memory card without any problems CF 32GB 400X.
  3. The camera has a built-in focus motor, you can use the old class optics without problems AF.
  4. The camera battery is quite capacious. The Nikon D70s can use batteries from Nikon D200, D300, D300s, D700, D80, D90but not vice versa.
  5. The camera has a function bracketing. Can be used bracketing exposure и white balance.
  6. RAW files do not have compression settings and only support 12-bit color depthwhile RAW is stored in compressed form.
  7. When viewing pictures and moving to the menu, the camera slows down slightly, for me there is nothing wrong with that.
  8. When viewing photographs taken in an upright position and when zooming in on such photographs, zooming is not performed using the entire display area, but only using the center vertical bar. This is a bit unnerving.
  9. The camera can be controlled remotely using a simple remote control Nikon ML-L3
Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

What is not in the Nikon D70s:

  • Auto mode without flash. True, you can cheat, and in automatic mode, just turn off the rising built-in flash using the flash up button and the main selector.
  • there is no way to automatically measure exposure with non-chip lenses such as Nikon AI-S.
  • no image enhancement features like A-Dlighting, aberration control, distortion control, vignetting control.
  • the central joystick of the camera does not have a central 'OK' button
  • there is no focus mode in the camera AF-A, but only AF-S and AF-C. There is no button to switch the focus mode. To switch between AF-S and AF-C you need to pick your menu
  • the camera cannot shoot in RAW + JPEG Fine mode, but only RAW + JPEG Basic. The same sore is present in Nikon D40
  • there is no Info button for quick access to advanced settings, and the depth of field preview button is not programmable.
  • in the camera that I had on the review was not Russian menu.
  • Nikon D70 & Nikon D70s do not support the use of battery packs (boosters)
Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Nikon D70s is an updated version Nikon D70. There are no serious differences in the cameras. The entire list of differences between Nikon D70 and Nikon D70s can be found in the Nikon D70 review. And here is the next model, Nikon D80, has just a sea of ​​cardinal differences. Nikon D70s and Nikon D80 very very different cameras.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample Photos on Nikon D70s

SIGMA DL ZOOM 35-80mm 1: 4-5.6 MULTI-COATED

increase. Large format in the gallery at this link.

Personal impressions

Now used Nikon D70s costs about 100 cu, add here another 100 cu on the good lens, and you can get a good apparatus for simple photography. I didn’t like the small 2-inch display, It’s very difficult and unpleasant to view the material shot on it, it is more suitable only for picking the menu and viewing bar charts. In all other respects, the camera is pleasant and with its help you can get great photos if put a little work into it... Only after using modern cameras Nikon D70s seems to be 'brick'.

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

Sample photo on Nikon D70s

My recommendations for setting up the camera:

I like to shoot on Nikon D70s in the format JPEG. Using the CCD matrix installed in the Nikon D70s, you can immediately get a pretty good result. All cameras that use the same matrix can be viewed in the table. here.

To manage the images, I use the manual settings of the main parameters:

  • Sharpening - sharpness
  • Tone comp. - contrast
  • Color Mode - color space (I, III - sRBG, II - ADOBE RGB)
  • Saturation - Saturation
  • Hue adjustment - color shift
  1. For nature: Shooting Menu -> Optimize Image -> Custom: Sharpening +2, Tone comp .: -1, Color Mode: III, Saturation: +, Hue adjustment: -3. Then select DONE (ready).
  2. For people (portrait photography): Shooting Menu -> Optimize Image -> Custom: Sharpening +2, Tone comp .: -2, Color Mode I, Saturation: +, Hue adjustment: 0. Then select DONE (ready).
  3. In this camera, when shooting in JPEGLong exposure noise reduction is also responsible for overall noise reduction. I include: Shooting Menu -> Long exp. NR: ON. By enabling this function, you can achieve a cleaner picture even at ISO 200. Important: when shooting with the 'Long exp. NR 'burst speed drops noticeably and amounts to about 1.5 frames per second (instead of the usual 3 fps).
  4. For shooting in JPEG I use bracketing white balance... Configured like this: CSM Menu -> 12 BKT set: WB bracketing. Bracketing included by pressing a button BKT left of the viewfinder eyepiece. Holding down the button BKT with the front selector (under the index finger) you need to select the value -2F 3 (bracketing with a shift of 3 units, 2 pictures are taken). Turns on bracketing by turning the front selector (under the thumb), while on the monochrome display appears BKT. White balance I set to AUTO mode with a correction of -3. So using bracketingcan get automatic white balance with a shift of -6 and -3 units (to create warm shades). During one shutter release, 2 files with different white balances will be recorded. Priority bracketing I choose from smallest to largest: SM Menu -> 13 BKT order: Under-> MTR-> OVER. I usually take a -6 shot, which is the first in a series of two shots. As practice has shown, almost always the picture with the warmest shade is the most successful.
  5. I always try to shoot at ISO 200. I always have the quality of the shots selected or 'JPEG FINE L ', or RAW. Unfortunately Nikon D70 does not shoot in RAW + format JPEG L FINE (RAW + only JPEG L BASIC).
  6. When shooting, I always use matrix metering exposure (Turned on by the button near the shutter button).
  7. I always use creative exposure control modes for shooting P, A, S, M.
  8. For focusing, I use focus tracking mode: CSM Menu -> 02 Autofocus: AF-C, and one focus point: CSM Menu -> 03 AF-area mode: Single Area. The desired focus point is selected with the joystick.
  9. To access the extended menu, follow: SET UP -> CSM menu -> detailed.
  10. Before a new shoot, I always perform quick formatting of the memory card by simultaneously pressing the burst button (to the left of JVI with the inscription Format) and buttons for turning on the backlight of the additional monochrome display (with the inscription Format). To confirm formatting, press this combination twice.

Prices for modern Nikon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Conclusions

Nikon D70s - morally outdated digital mirror camera. Now Nikon D70s is interesting mainly for its modest price for the used version, built-in focus motor, the ability to remotely control flashes and good control of the camera itself. Of the serious flaws: a small display and a small ISO range.

If don't know which camera and lens to choose, then my article will help with this - Which Nikon amateur DSLR camera and lens to choose?

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 140, on the topic: Review of Nikon D70s

  • Elena

    Tell me, this camera will work with a PENTACON 1.8 / 50 multi coating lens and which adapter is needed?

  • Yri

    tell me how much in quality does the NIKON D70 lose to modern digital amateur cameras in terms of image quality?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Everything very much depends on the shooting conditions, requirements for the final material. Here here I have a gallery on 70d and a simple half-hour, look and see for yourself how much the quality of the pictures in those conditions can meet the requirements.

      • Yri

        some interesting foto are like live, I don’t have a professional D70 with a regular processor-controlled lens, but there’s no way to compare it with modern SLR digital cameras, of course, amateur, before that I shot only on film, the last question for you was these pictures in what format and size, usually rented in normal L

        • Arkady Shapoval

          How it was filmed, the recommendations for shooting are described here in the review, section “My recommendations for setting up the camera”

  • Peter Sh.

    The difference in quality will be at high ISO. In addition, if you pull strongly the shadows, bands (banding) come out. And so, no worse.

    DSC_0205

    • Yri

      Peter is understandable, maybe you know how noticeable for the eye is inferior to 6,1MP D70 from 18MP, I have a different main hobby so get me right

      • Arkady Shapoval

        If you look at the monitor without magnification, then by and large there will be no difference at all, at least from 100 MP. Details here.

        • Yuriys

          thanks for the hint Arkady on d70 MP

  • Peter Sh.

    I think it will not be superfluous to add one moment. The photo above was processed on a Macbook Pro. Here it is, only processed on an LG smartphone in the same Photoshop express.

    I really don’t know how to handle the landscape, I just moved all kinds of sliders back and forth.
    In short, both photos are converted to sRGB. On the macbook was the Nikon sRGB display profile.
    On different devices, they will be displayed in different ways. But still the difference is obvious, pay attention.
    I mean, how much more important is having a properly tuned monitor than a super-mega camera for scary money.
    That's all I wanted to say)

    PSX_20180910_133038

  • Peter Sh.

    Yes, I forgot to say. I don’t use a macbook to work and I don’t know if the display is configured correctly. You don’t even have to talk about the smartphone, there are factory settings, it’s not at all clear which ones.
    Just for an example I decided to look and compare.

  • Alexander

    Tell me, this camera will work with a Biometar 2.8 / 80 lens and what adapter is needed for it?

  • BB

    The D100 review says that there is a different matrix, and here:
    'By the way, all 5 cameras: Nikon D100, Nikon D70, Nikon D70s, Nikon D40, Nikon D50 use the same sensor ... '

    • Arkady Shapoval

      fixed

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Good afternoon! Tell me please. And if you try to update the firmware on Nikon d70s, is there any chance that the Russian language will appear?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      no, the Russian language will not appear

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Thank you!

  • Vladimir

    Hello! Is it possible to mount the MC 3M-5CA F8 500mm lens on this camera?

  • Andrei

    Dear Arkady! Tell me please. I have D70s. I often shoot pre-revolutionary newspapers in libraries. Firstly, they are very large (whatman). Secondly, you have to shoot with your hands and without a flash (shooting conditions in libraries). Which lens would you advise me to buy? A large aperture is needed, and secondly, to take along the edges too, otherwise it is often blurred at the edges and it is impossible to read the text later. You can also those that are no longer available, I will look in used.
    Thank you in advance.
    Sincerely.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      For such work, the d70c itself is very outdated. Regarding the lens, first tell me what you already have and what focal length you want for your work.

    • Neustrdm

      Look, the D70 has a low working ISO. A fast lens, such that the sharpness at the edges is open, is not cheap. For example, a Zeiss distagon from old 28 mm or modern Nikkor 28mm 1: 1.8 Yes, and then, it is not a fact that there will be enough light to shoot at ISO 200 and at a short shutter speed.

      Instead, better take Nikkorovsky with a width of 24mm 1: 2.8, shoot on covered up to 5.6 -8 so that the edges are sharp, and better compensate for the lack of light with an external flash with a white reflector.

      • US6IBD

        A width of 24, even taking into account the crop factor, will have a lot of distortion.
        It is necessary with a larger focal length, then the distance both to the center and to the edges is aligned. Therefore, an aperture of 4-5,6 will suffice for good sharpness around the edges. But in any case, Andrey will have to use a tripod ...

    • BB

      It is better to use a tripod - this time, secondly, it seems to me that the resolution is not enough for your tasks, I would take something from 14-16MP, or shoot in parts (half, or even a quarter turn, so that later you can read the text. "With FR from 50mm, but on the open one the edges will not be sharp anyway. For example, Nikon 50 / 1,4G has sharp edges from about f / 4-f / 5 (depending on the distance to the object)

    • Michael

      macro lens must save plus tripod

  • К

    1. Many thanks to Arkady for the site, patience and for answering questions. And to all those who answer, thanks.
    2. Gained interest for the sake of this unit for $ 15 with a declared mileage of 13 thousand. The first thing that struck after the D3100 is an excellent OVI, it really reads all the info, an excellent adjustment for vision. It became easier to hit with manual ones, although I focus on the green point, there is still some kind of + -. I shot ~ 200 frames with a zoom in a couple of hours, something incomprehensible is going on with the metering - it flies away into overexposure, then into under-light. I shoot everything in a jeep. Wait 6mm froze. More or less normally 18-105 worked, which on the D3100 did not produce anything except soap, at the long end at f6,3 it is already acceptable, up to 50mm at f8 in the center. And Duma Dumas are advancing. What to buy, considering that there are manual 24 / 2,8, 50 / 1,8, / 1,4, 200 / 3,5, screwdriver 135-400 and 18-105. Favorite 50 / 1,8, I shoot about 50% of it. Little by little, there is a desire to take pictures of people sometimes. Either 50 / 1,8g, or screwdriver 35-70 / 2,8, 70-210 / 4. It is with people that exposure metering is needed, it greatly reduces the shooting time, I cope with nature normally. Plans to bribe D7000 sometime. But first, a lens for humans

    • Alexey

      buy 80-200 2.8D

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