Just bought backup D70S on ebay, What test do you recommend?

[Danudin]

I just bought a second hand D70S and two Nikon DX Lenses on ebay and would appreciate some advice to the best tests for me to carry out on the camera prior to giving feedback on the item. I am fairly familiar with the model and made the purchase as I had read in these forums that an identical camera is a good first backup. Would appreciate all advice as all my life I have learnt from my mistakes, and will in all probability continue to do so.
Thanks

Ron

[Not4wood]

Congrats on your new purchase.

Now, first mark it somewhere which body is which (current and newly used) and which lens is which (your current and then again newly used) anything colors a mark for 1 is your usual and left blank in case you have to return it and can be marked later.

Now, take these used glass and try them on your work horse camera and test them to see how the images look. Put them thru there passes shooting at fully opened and everything in between. Now compare them with your old work and see if there are any differences like aperture is off and so on.

Now, go and put your work horse glass and put them on the used body and test the body with the glass that you know does work perfectly and see if there is any change between your old work and these new tests.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out. After you look at them and make a decision why dont you post them here so we all can see how used equipment works.

Thank you for the oportunity to give my opinion in something like this. I'm curious as well to see how this turns out.

[Danudin]

I will post the results, and although I thought of a few of the things you mentioned I did consider that it was a topic that many would benefit from, not just myself. For your info, the reason I made the purchase was that it included two Nikon Lenses (Both DX) that will augment my lenses well, they include a 18-55mm and 55-200, if they work out they should represent a major part of the cost of the whole deal. Will post results both good and bad. Thanks again
Ron:rolleyes:

[genevh]

I shoot with a Nikon D70s....love the camera. Hopefully your tests will prove out the camera is good. I've gotten some good shots with it using the glass I have. :D

[Danudin]

Just had a look at your photos Gene and can see that our interests are similar, but the difference is in knowledge, as good as the camera is, I bought the first one nearly two years ago but was basically using it as a P&S with a big lens. By reading though the threads here and on camelphoto I am starting to see through the mist of the manual settings and am achieving a lot of Much Better shots than before. I am even learning to frame shots prior to clicking, what a difference that is going to make. I am excited about the prospect of adding the two news lenses to my array and can't wait to get them. Will keep you all posted thanks for the interest.
Ron:D

[frank abramonte]

Ron, you may want to read some reviews on your camera. Sounds like a very good camera.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Nikon%20D70s%20Digital%20Camera:1991793412:page= user-reviews

[Danudin]

I think I read around a thousand reviews before buying the D70s I use now and like some of the reviewers felt it a tad expensive, but having used it for a few years I realize what a bargain I got, the machine is forgiving and kind. Now that I am delving into manual Mode I don't find it so forgiving, (It actually wants me to think??) but with the thinking I am learning and am achieving so much more than I could have under Auto mode and in my eyes it's value has skyrocketed! I bought it cheaply at around $Aus1,700 incl 18-70mm lens but had to save money and bought a Sigma 70-300mm lens to shoot wildlife, and got lucky there too as some of my close-ups (macros) taken with it have pleasing Bokeh effects. So when the chance came to buy a second one came up at about a third of my initial outlay, but which included two nikon lenses thrown in, I had to dive in - if the lenses are good I am well ahead and if the camera is in even the same condition as mine - it will be a bonanza, my reason for posting this thread was initially to get confirmation on what I thought I should test for but Mark gave me even more (as is his wont) and he asked for the results to be posted ,which I have promised to do, as we both feel there must be many others out there contemplating doing likewise, and if it works out, it will give them confidence to "HavaGo" as we say "down under". If it is a buster people should know that too. I have been told that the equipment will be shipped tomorrow so in a couple of days I will post the test results. Thanks for your advice and interest.

Ron

[Not4wood]

I will post the results, and although I thought of a few of the things you mentioned I did consider that it was a topic that many would benefit from, not just myself. For your info, the reason I made the purchase was that it included two Nikon Lenses (Both DX) that will augment my lenses well, they include a 18-55mm and 55-200, if they work out they should represent a major part of the cost of the whole deal. Will post results both good and bad. Thanks again
Ron:rolleyes:

Just in, Hot Hot Hot Hot

I must ask you a question about one of those lenses you said you actually had caused you to buy this set?

The 18-55 mentioned above, is that the f:/2.8 very Sharp Nikon Lens?

I will put the Link here for you to verify: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/300490-GREY/Nikon_2147_17_55mm_f_2_8G_ED_IF_AF_S.html

or the more normal quality 17-55 f:/3.5 Lens: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/477230-GREY/Nikon_2170_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6G_ED_II.html

I was just reading a thread over at Photocamel about the very fast, very sharp 18-55 f:/2.8 Pro Lens above so I was curious.

BTW:
The D70 is a very good camera and will give you many years of wonderful images. It can be used as an advanced P&S Camera when on Full Auto but, like a Pro Camera can deliver excellent images when pushed to its limits by a desire to learn more. Remember all its the D70 that actually got Nikon an Idea to go eventually to the D300 and so on. There D40 was a work horse for a while and they perfected the idea and quality to give them the D70 and then the wonderful D80.

[Danudin]

Hi Mark I have to assume it is the 3.5 based on the price, I don't expect miracles in THIS life (maybe the next - or is it all the same) I expect it to be posted today so should get it in a day or too. I will start looking at the high quality stuff when Hip pocket restrictions aren't so pressing, but even then it will be after I scrounge together enough Dough Rei Mee for a D300. Will get back soon
Ron

[Danudin]

The camera and Lenses arrived safely, to my eyes they all look to be in good shape cosmetically at least, with only a few finger smudges on the lens which wiped off readily. I have taken eight photos using the new camera (NC) and old camera (OC). and interer-changed the lenses which are:
Old - Nikon 18-70mm 3.5 - 4.5 AF-S G ED DX
- Sigma 70-300mm 4 - 5.6 APO DG
plus a Pheonix 2X Teleconverter hence 70-300 X 2 and;
New - Nikon 18-55mm 3.5 - 5.6 AF-S G DX VR
- Nikon 55-200mm 4 - 5.6 AF-S G ED DX

There posted under my gallery using titles such as Nc18-55 etc by the way to my eye this is the closest to true to life colour of all the photos, but there were scudding clouds and intermitent bright sunlight. All shots were taken in auto mode with af on. Thanks


The photos were hand held with changeable cloud cover (light cover only) and have been named to represent the camera a lens used. I don't know how to do multiple uploads to pixentral so will post the eight photos to my gallery and would appreciate any comments.

Thanks Ron:confused:

[genevh]

Looks like you have a good camera there. Looking at the photos on line, it appears to me that the colors in the photos taken with the new camera are richer than the ones from the old camera. I think you will have fun with that one once you learn the ins and outs of it! :D

[Danudin]

Thanks Gene, I hadn't noticed but see your point will set-up both cameras the same and have a look,

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum!!

As I was checking the settings I happened to notice that the Main Command dial on the new camera effected the Shutter Speed indicator in the main readout and the sub command dial effected the aperture indicator. Well I was dumbfounded and thought "I've bought a pup" but before contacting the seller, I did the unthinkable _ I referred to the MANUAL.
Now I know that just isn't done I have no shame! Turns out the new one works as per the manual and my old one doesn't. I don't know of any drawbacks except having to check in the viewfinder that I am correcting the right setting, as I have got used to doing it the other way round. Just proves that you are never too old to learn, and don't worry as penitence I promise not to look at the manual for a month (Not)
Ron

[Not4wood]

You can go into the Menu and reverse these if you choose. I left mine on standard, but on my D80 I do have that as an option in one of the Menu's to change which knob does what to the Shutter Speed and Aperature.

[Not4wood]

I just came back from your Gallery and looked at the images. It might just be the color space you had used. I bet if you look one might be sRGB and the other might be either aRGB or have Vivid (Saturation), and might even have Focus on more then the other as well.

Doesn't really matter though they both look good and your ready to go with both cameras.

[genevh]

I probably should have said that I like the looks of the ones from the new camera a bit better. That wasn't a criticism of the shots. But, if the camera settings were different and you want to do a truly fair comparison, then you would want to set them the same and try again. They both look good, though.

And I reversed the dials on my camera. Works out perfectly fine for me. And heck, I read the manual and bought the "Nikon D70 Digital Field Guide" by David D. Busch and read it also. I think my manhood is still intact! :D
(But that happened two years ago, so maybe I've recovered and have forgotten the whole sordid event.)

[Danudin]

Thanks Mark and Gene, your inputs are of real value, I adjusted the dials (didn't know that was possible). I understand the difference between criticism and critique. It all helps me remember to dot all the "T's" and cross all the "Eye's" if I want to get it right. Should get some time in the coming week, to check all of the comparative settings and I will take a photo using the 18-55mm lens which I yhink gives superb results for you to compare for me. And Gene we all see things only through our own eyes, so if your opinion of the next two shots differ from mine, You will remain the friend your help has proven to be, only Mark has given me more help over a whole heap of topics. Without you I learn nothing, with you all I am advancing and am very HAPPY
Ron