I have been thinking of going digital. Looking at the Nikon d70. I get mixed reviews about pic quality so have been debating. Since everyone here has the same passion of taking the best lighthouse pic. I figured your opinion would make up my mind. I also need advise on what to buy in accessories. So if you have any thoughts let me have it, Please. Know very little about digital cameras. Thanks
Fran

The D70 has excellent image quality and sharpness. Its also an excellent buy for the money. I use the D100, the older bigger brother of the D70. I know a number of others who use the D70 produce excellent images with it. They love it.

As for accessories, the first item you need is a good quality lens. One that suits your needs. Might I suggest the Nikkor AF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5D IF. It is a very good all around zoom lens (about $350). Or maybe something more simple like a Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8D. It is one if the least expensive (about $100) but ranks as one of the sharpest ever made.

Take a look a Nikonians.org In their forum they have an entire section just on the D70. Lots of good info there.

I hope this helps.

On the lower end of the scale. I received a Kodax DX 7590 for Christmas. I'm still getting used to it. I really like the fact of the 10 power optical zoom and the 3X Digital zoom and the fact that it has 5.0 megapixels. So far it seems very easy to work. Loads of wonderful features included. Some of my photos are posted on the Lighthouse Photography forum so you can see the results of some of the pictures I've taken so far.

Buying a camera these days is great as there is so much to choose from. Good luck on choosing and let us know what you've decided on.

Bert

Fran,

Perhaps the question to be asked is "how much camera do you want or need?". The D-70 is a great camera and takes excellent pictures. Tons and tons of features and allows for interchangeable lenses.

Bert also makes a good point about the availability of compact digital cameras that pack incredible amounts of features into a small package. The Kodaks are great, especially if you want the convenience of the docking station.

In addition to a D-70 I also have a Panasonic Lumix FZ1 which features a 12x optical zoom and built in image stabilization. It has been superseeded a couple times by newer cameras with more megapixels and features. Cost is also half the cost of a D-70.

If you look at compact digitals, ignore the digital zoom any advertise - it is not very effective. You want optical zoom, and as much as you can get for shooting lighthouses a ways down the road (or across the water).

Folks here in the Forums use cameras of many different types. Many, I am sure, have brand loyalty to what they have experience with. As you use a digital camera you will develop likes and dislikes, you will see other's cameras that have features you want (or they will want features your camera has). I had an Olympus C-700 that was a great camera right up until it croaked. I would have purchased another Olympus, but their new versions were still not here and I wanted a camera now, so I ended up with the Panasonic which I have been very happy with (and still do use at times even though I also have a great D-70).

Another good, albeit not SLR, digicam I would reccomend is what I shoot on, a Canon Powershot S1 IS. It's got 10x optical, which has afforded me some GREAT offshore shots. I think it's the equivalent to a 380mm 35mm lens when at the full 10x. Keep in mind, to get an SLR lens that can do that will cost you.

The only downside to the S1, depending on what you use it for, is the 3.2 megapixels. It would be nice if it was more, but for a camera that you can get for $350 now, with all the features it has, I think it's worth it. Plus, the biggest prints I ever make are 8 x 10s.

Hi Fran:

I'm working with a couple of outmoded Nikon Coolpix cameras and still love them for the features. I miss the SLR and I complain about the slow-to-react shutter, but I work around that.

If you already have Nikon SLRs and a set of lenses, then the D70 would be a natural for you. If you are working with some other brand of 35mm camera and have big bucks invested in lenses, then you have to decide whether to ebay those lenses and buy all new glass or not.

But you will LOVE digital photography. I stopped taking any 35mm images just before the 2001 Reunion. For my purposes and abilities, digital works fine. For more advanced photographers and those wanting to make 16x20 or larger prints, then they do what they must.

Hope all this input helps and doesn't muddy your decision.

Thanks for all the input. I do have a few lens for nikon. I argued with myself about coolpix which had the lens most used one. I guess I still like the option of different lens. Joe thanks for the Nikon page. What do you think of the package with the 18-70 lens or is the 28-105 better. You know sometimes you just can't take that couple of steps back needed to get the lighthouse.
John: Im one of your sticker people. Hi. Thanks for your input.
Thanks everyone please keep it coming

Fran, remember you will get the "digital SLR bonus" on your lenses. With the D-70 there is a 1.5 factor; the 28 - 105 is effectively a 42 - 157 lens. The Nikon "kit" lens is effectively a 27 - 105. Getting a really true wide angle on a digital SLR is a costly thing. The Nikon kit lens does a good job, and I have been pleased with it. I sometimes swap in my 28 - 200 lens (so it is effectively a 42 - 300) to get longer shots.

Sorry, I'm not much help with Nikon equipment, as I'm a Canon D-SLR shooter.

I debated for a couple of months on which camera to buy. I even ordered the Canon D-20 with extra lenses.(this was going to set me back $2500)

BUT...and this is a big but...I started thinking about how my usage of the camera would be. I would say that 90% of the time I use my camera is when I am on a trip. That means I am flying and having to pack my camera with me. I have enough trouble trying to get my suitcase to not be overweight let alone having a lot of camera gear to pack around. The airlines are getting very picky and some are down to ONE carry-on bag.

Anyway...to make a long story short...I cancelled the order for the Canon D-20 and switched to the new Nikon Coolpix 8800 with the built-in image stabilizer. You can add some lenses to this camera. I bought a wide-angle lens to go with it. I really like the size of this camera and it was a good choice for me because it easier to pack around. If I did most of my traveling by car then I would have thought differently about the digital SLR and kept the Canon D-20.

Lorie I have had the same debate with the coolpix. It sounded like the perfect camera for travel. Have you blown any pics up. When you developed the first digital picture where you just as happy with it as a picture from 35mm.
Thanks to everyone who has answered me
Fran

Thanks Dave I now understand the lens ratio better. So if I bought the used 20mm wide angle I was looking at, it would really be a 30mm. Any suggestions on memroy cards. Do I go for 1GB or two 512. I'm getting there.

When I was looking at my camera, someone (Jen?) told me that it was better to shoot on multiple, smaller cards than one big one. That way, if your card is lost (physically or technologically), you only lost half your shots.

Go for the two 512s. I shoot on a 512, and I have never filled it up, even with 800 shots (don't forget, that would be less with a higher MP camera).

I have 2 - 256's and a fast 1 gig card. If you pay attention to ads, you can pick up 256 cards for $30 or less. Watch the office stores and rebates. Also all sorts available on-line. These cards won't be the fast or "write accelerated" ones, but I have had no issue with them in normal use. I did splurge and buy a write accelerated 1 gig card - appreciated it earlier this week when I went to a swim meet and was shooting in burst mode.

On my D-70, at I get about 140 images on a 256 card, shooting JPEG normal setting (creates a file of about 1.5 meg). JPEG fine setting cuts this in half.

Fran, I also have a D 70 and I love it too, as Dave points out the digital bonus 1.5 factor is nice. The drawback (if there is one) is losing the width on the closer end, I have a Nikon 24-120mm which is now a 36-180 on the D 70, so I now want to get a Nikon 12-24 f4 DX which is made specifically for digital, which is kinda pricey at $900 or a similar Sigma at $670.

Lexar had a $30 rebate on the 2gb 80x speed memory card until the end of the year (last year). I was able to pick it up for $165.00 I don't know if there is a minimum speed (for the memory card) for the camera to operate at it's full potential in continuous shooting mode. The 2gb card holds about 680 large, fine pictures.

The D 70 has a boatload of features, but it can be easily used, I used my sisters Nikon coolpix 4500 in the past but it was not as user friendly as the D 70

I would definitely recommend it!

Mark

Also, I would recomend the ML-L3 remote control transmiter to help keep down any camera movement. Only $16.95, it is the same remote the Nikon N65 uses

Lot of Canon and Nikon camera fans in the group. I'm just getting used to my new Olympus Evolt E-300. Lots of clarity with 8 megapixels. According to Olympus, 20 x30 prints come out great. Many bell and whistles with this camera. This is my third Olympus Digital and I've been happy with all of them.

Bob

Thank you all so much. Im leaving for California next week.Going to every lighthouse we can. When I get back B & H Photo here I come. Nikon D70 is in my future. When I get back my next topic will probably be how do I do that.
THANKS SOOOOO MUCH.
Fran

Fran,

Need to get that new D-70 BEFORE you go to California! Have fun visiting the lights, and come back prepared to share pictures.

Dave

Greg, that was me - my own little philosophy about shooting on multiple cards. The other reason I shoot smaller cards is because I use a stand alone CD burner as my backup for dumping the images off the cards and since a CD only holds 700 MB, I need to keep my cards at 512 or 256.

Fran,

I have the 28-105mm. Its a workhorse. Its sharp and light. I have not used the 18-70mm DX, but from what I have heard its a good lens too. It comes down to what you think you need more of... wide or tele. I have a 18-35mm as well, I use it very little. But thats just me. Jen and others may feel different about their wide angles.

Definitely get it BEFORE you leave for California. You won't be sorry.