Very very tough Truly point-n-shoot with lots of configurable settings Great price Did I mention - Extremely configurable

I consider there are the two major weaknesses of this camera: - the new flash system iTTL, is not backwards compatible to TTL, therefore if you have invested in a fancy flash unit with power zoom feature then you'll have to switch it to manual Lenses without a CPU... - can only be used in manual mode - no focus assist for manual lenses with Min Aperture above f5.6 (e.g. f8) - there is NO exposure metering available

This was my second Digital Purchase (I first bought a Fuji 2600) WOW!!! - THIS CAMERA ROCKS ! Purchase the Kit - the included lens is great LOTS! of configurable settings Thanks to the pre-programmed and AUTO settings I can take great pictures now and that's what it's all about - taking pictures So how does the D70 perform... Well first the "KIT" lens - Nikon's multi-coating works wonders - very little flare (when the sun is positioned top right and left of frame) - Fast Focussing and accurate - reasonble aperture range especially for the price - plastic filter threads - BEWARE - get that HOYA Skylight on fast - A TRULY GREAT PRICE when purchased in the KIT Now the body: - Well layed out and LOADED with function (simple Menus) - easy to obtain a great exposure using one of the preset or AUTO modes - simple interface to the PC (when using Windows XP and probably a MAC) - sufficient selection of image size an quality (any more combinations would be wasted) - multi area focus points and auto tracking a real nice features, especially for sports - amazing exposure control system (spot meatering - can configure the size of the spot) - hookup to TV a nice touch - take it back to the hotel and review your days shooting - very flexible white balance control The plastic casing? - it's high tech armour plating - ooops I dropped the camera from 3 ft - all is fine! - I have carefully checked every single screw hole looking for cracks - and also the flash and mount - I'd seen these reported as a problem on the F90X - No cracks Found! (thank god) The lens appears to be functioning OK as well - a couple of small scuff marks on the skylight filter. In the field: Point this camera at almost any lighting condition in full auto mode and you'll get a great exposure - great flesh tones - everytime - high contrast shots - not a problem - great colour - although it has some problems with vivid coloured flowers of a fucia colour that I'm still working on - the manual states long exposure (1 second or longer) shots may experience "noise" - haven't tried this yet - flash kicks in automatically for fill lighting - awsome - just the right amount of fill - can be confured to display the last shot taken as soon as it is taken - I like this feature a lot - finally - a remote release that does not cost an arm and a leg (AROUND $15US) Biggest benefits - no film - I can select ISO range from 200 to 1600 for each an every shot taken - no longer need to carry a camera for different film speed/type If you into taking "photographs" this camera will perform (probably way past your abilities) If your a techie, then the specs may leave you wanting more - I'm real impressed - but you can buy a Canon Why should you purchase a Nikon - Very Tough Cameras - Nikon has a long history of backwards compatibility - reliable - I still have my FE 25 years later, still a fabulous camera - hope the D70 lives up to its performance - The operation of the Nikons I have owned is pretty consistant

Customer Service

Not used on this product yet Previous Experience was very good

Similar Products Used:

FE, F90x/N90s, F3 Fuji 2600 point-n-shoot

Beautiful LCD display; great battery life; pleasant solid feel to the body.

The flash is a bit weak.

This camera was a very pleasant surprise. It had seemed to me that I would need to go digital because that's the trend, but that digital was still well behind what could be achieved with film cameras. I was wrong. The camera has a pleasantly solid feel without weighing me down. Since I carry my camera 8-12 hours (or more) each day, this is significant. My older Minolta film camera is built like a tank and it weighs about as much. The Nikon was lighter, without feeling fragile. The controls are mostly in intuitive places. The ones that are not, are controls that aren't used for shooting. You can take time to fiddle with these before or after the shot, if needed. The flash is a bit weak, but still useful. The lithium battery is long-lived, allowing hundreds of shots without running down. When using the D70, I find that I can concentrate more on composition and let the camera take care of the details. The ability to switch between the various modes is wonderful - especially between aperture- and shutter speed modes. That (plus auto an "programmed" modes) allows me to take almost all my shots. I have not yet had to go to manual mode. So far, despite my fears, I have not had any problems with moire patterns.

Customer Service

None.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Short shutter delay. Pretty fast auto focus. Good color rendition. Very easy handling. High resolution with a good lens (Sigma 105mm f/2.8, Nikkor 180mm f/2.8. Good flash system.

No mirror lock up (when shooting). Odd remote control.

My first digital camera. A very fine camera with a very high resolution compared to print films scanned at 2000 DPI. Most of my shooting up to now has been with aperture priority, and other settings to auto. The occasional weird results I have seen until now (moire, and strange contours) have vanished when using another (non LCD) monitor. I am very satisfied with color rendition, and the metering is spot on most of the time. The camera is fast, and focusing is very accurate (tested with a 105 mm Sigma in the 1:1 area). As a comment to an earlier reviewer: in portrait mode the D70 uses a softening filter (unsharpener), and lower contrast (dull colors). ISO sensitivity can be seen by pressing the ISO button on the back, and changed with the same button and the main command dial.

Customer Service

Not used.

Similar Products Used:

None.

ergonomics speed

no iso 100 small viewfinder dust danger on APS when you frquently change lenses

I love this tool. someone stated it was excellant photojournalist beginners camera. I agree, this is like the first camera in a series of new technology open to those who didn't have access to it. I immediately wanted to move on to the other D's. I've used it on assignment after a short learning curve(read the manual!!!!!) My work associate uses Canon D10 and he marvels at the sharpmess of the Nikon kit lense. Went back to beginners rules, shot Aperture Priority working out from F8, AVOID AUTO!!!,images sharp with good contrast on kit lense, Opted for Sigma 12-24(1.5x=18to36) again remember f8-11. sharp!! also remember the onboard flash is for fill. The SB800 flash is excellant and quick, easy to adjust compensation. The all around speed is great. I did the research, serial numbers above 3048XXXX have worked out kinks, no backfocus issues

Customer Service

have not used

Similar Products Used:

Not exactly similar: Nikon F, FE2, F4, CP995, 50 1.4, 105 2.5 E series 75-150, 24-120, 300 F4 ED.

Yes its fast, and writes images to a sandisk ultra 2 card in a split second, yes it feels strong and the ergonomics are good, yes amongst "other" digital products in this day and age its ok. but this camera simply does not stack up against film and if this is so called the best digital has to offer (as everyone says) then it will be my very last experience with the digital photography world!! Let me give you my reasons why so that no-one can critise me: The camera's i will compare are Nikon F75 vs Nikon D70, both used with a Nikon 50mm F1.8 lens (made in china) and the standard flash in the camera. the F75 used with Fuji Superia Reala 100 print film. Now lets get started: I placed both these cameras in portrait mode on the same day at about 10 second intervals, took a photo of a lady in the same spot. Now according to nikon the pre-programmed vari options (portrait mode) are "supposed" to be able to judge the best settings for all conditions. After getting both these images printed in normal 6x4inch size and 16x20inch, i can confidently say that the D70 is garbage and digital is not what people say its cut out to be against FILM !! The photos from the F75: (Cont below)

were stunningly SHARP, colours were so much bolder and the whole picture looked like a million dollars !!! where-as the D70 i was so so greatly dis-appointed by, the photos looked dull, skin tones were yellow and physically looked fake, sharpness was pathetic even after re-sharpening in photoshop 7 several different ways, and the colours in general were bland !! i was very very dis-appointed. This camera has the following other weakness i found: No ISO setting quick review (you must go into the menu to see what your currently using) - to change between single area AF and dynamic you must also go into the menu !! where as other nikons even the F75 you can switch between at the back of the camera.

Bought this camera 3 weeks ago amongst all the hype and all the speculation that it was soooooo amazing!! But let me tell you it is not the best. Dont get me wrong in the digital world amongst all the other digital camera's - yes it compares, but after this being my first digital SLR experience i have to say im dis-appointed greatly !!!

Customer Service

On a good note the battery is phenominal !! lasts all day over 300 pics taken not even a movement int he battery !! But all in all photos from this camera look like digital images and can be spotted against film equivalents. photos look cheap !! no matter if you render them in photoshop or not....i sold mine for $500 less just to get rid of it !!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon.... F80, F75, Coolpix,

. The excellent image quality. It takes very crisp and clear photographs. . Extremely easy to use. . Almost every setting in the camera is customizable. . From point and shoot (I'm not ashamed to admit that sometimes I like P&S!) to all manual makes it very versatile. . Accept almost all Nikon lenses including my old manual focus ones. . Very fast. . The 18-70 lens is great too, sharp and fast!

. None so far . Some people complain about the vertical grip. Although it would be good to have it, I wouldn't even consider it an issue for not getting this camera.

Awesome, awesome camera, this is my first incursion into the digital world and I have absolutely no complains with this camera. I was forced to purchase it because I discovered after moving o Aruba, that the market for photography in the island was mainly digital, there are no slide processing labs, no knowledge of medium format films, no professional developing...nothing. So after an extensive research and decided to purchase the D70 instead of the more expensive Pro models, so far I am very happy of my decision. The 6MP resolution is as "big" as most of the DSLRs out there, but the quality of the images is what makes this camera remarkable; in some cases the image quality is far superior than some of the "bigger" more expensive cameras. It is very easy to use, it adapts to all kinds of shooting situations and to all kinds of photographers too, from point and shooters to Pros. It is not as heavy camera (witch makes it great for traveling) but feels very sturdy and well built. For a couple of excellent in-depth reviews check www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond70/ or www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70.htm

Customer Service

none so far

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First DSLR I've used and sticking with it!!

Image sharpness Very good metering Useful build in flash Instant startup time Plenty of features

No MLU

Real bargain for the price. Bought 24-85 AF-S + 18-35 instead of 18-70 kit zoom. Seems that they are both much better and cover wider range. Never saw any muar or back focusing problems. As for plastic body - its the same metal frame as much costly D100. Compared to Canon 300D it looks like a solid rock!

Good preformance for the dollar. Good metering. Good battery life. Feels tight for a plastic frame camera, well balanced.

Auto focus hunts, too many "convenience" presettings for the amateur. No battery pack/vertical grip available.

The D70 is an excellent digital student photojournalist camera. If you go pro, obviously a higher end Nikon or Canon will be standard issue and the D70 can't compete with monsters like the D2h or a Canon 1D. But on the basis of general photography, this camera is very good. I have found there is very little of significance to differentiate the D70 from the D100 with the exception of the optional vertical grip. Despite the plastic body, the camera feels very solid and well constructed. Image quality is the the same as the D100 from what I can tell. 6.1 megapixel capability is enough to keep the numbers people pleased, but I don't have enough memory cards to shoot FIne and large all the time. Matrix metering is pretty good but I always carry my Minolta ambiant meter just in case. I haven't used any of the "convenience" auto features, I use manual all the time except for auto focus. The flashs is pretty useful in close situations, even on verticals except for that you have to bounce off your hand . Shoots to 8000 but who uses that? More FPS would be nice, but then you would pay more. This is a starter camera and the price and specs reflect that. I ham I don't want to hear any more complaints on the 1.5x focal length desparity on digitals. SO WHAT! Every format has its differences, each has its own challenges and advantages. DIGITAL IS NOT 35MM! If you want the full frame, shoot film and scan your negatives in. If you want to shoot a larger format move to medium format. It doesn't matter, adjust and shoot! While the D70 is no D2h or D1x, it is a great digital camera for the price, the best I know of.

Customer Service

No experience yet, but the Nikon repair guys at the photojournalism conferences are great people.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D100, F100

Basic functionality, and straight forward navigation is easy to use. Nikon reliability still to be witnessed. Overall pleasing feel/look.

No external self timer button. On preview of image, not enough zoom IN ability. Lost a pixel on my LCD on day 1. No vertical grip. 1.5X magnification

For the price, I have no problems with the camera and it's functions. If I had to get fussy, I would have liked a slightly heavier/bigger body (d100), and a vertical shutter release would be great. Hopefully a battery pack/grip will become available soon. Unfortunately on day one, a pixel blew on my LCD screen, so I have an irritating red dot right in the middle of my window. I miss the rotating back that I have with my Sony and Coolpix cameras (for candid shooting) as well as not really being able to zoom RIGHT in to the image to preview it for sharpness etc.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D100 F100

Solid build Great on-board flash Great kit lens Excellent metering Awesome value!! Intuitive controls Instant start-up Long battery life

No vertical grip Software is somewhat lacking (they always are)

What a great camera!! I have to admit, i have very little to base my comparison on, but i have been very impressed. After seeing the specs in the press release, i decided to sell my $1000 worth of canon stuff in order to take the digital SLR plunge with nikon. Outstanding responsiveness, great intuitive controls, and an above avg on board flash (which i use a lot). I will definitely get an external flash when i can pony up the dough, but the on-board is working pretty well for now. Very fast AF with very little hunting in low light. All of the specs of a mid to upper level SLR without the price. 3 fps continuous is very respectable for $1000. Metering options are plentiful and excellent. Definitely needs a vertical grip, but i'd say one will come out soon enough.

Customer Service

none needed so far

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel 2000 Several digital p&s