Is the D70S the new improved model of the D70 or is it jus..

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Bob" <FlintsTone@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:q5eka1p6ot5dld4akvj7qcc3snvkedrqev@4ax.com...
>
> Should I think of upgrading some day or is it just marketing?
>
Same camera with a 2" LCD vs 1.8" and a wired cable release socket, plus new
firmware and a price increase.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In article <VrydneWpo-Ce0TffRVn-jg@comcast.com>,
Sheldon <sheldon@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
>
>"Darrell" <spam@this.eh> wrote in message
>news:_OOdnV0ymp-loTffRVn-uw@rogers.com...
>>
>> "Bob" <FlintsTone@nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:q5eka1p6ot5dld4akvj7qcc3snvkedrqev@4ax.com...
>>>
>>> Should I think of upgrading some day or is it just marketing?
>>>
>> Same camera with a 2" LCD vs 1.8" and a wired cable release socket, plus
>> new firmware and a price increase.

And, apparently, a modified eyepiece.

>And you can upload the new S firmware to your D70. Free download from
>Nikon.

Well ... I suspect that it is not the D70s firmware, but just
the firmware for the D70 which does everything that the D70s does
entirely in firmware (new autofocus algorithms, slightly different menu
format, plus a few extra menu entries. I'm reasonably sure that there
are also firmware differences for both the remote connector (unless it
is just plain wired in parallel with the normal shutter release button),
and probably also different parameters for the larger display -- unless
the pixel count in both is identical, (with just larger pixels in the new
larger display.)

I do have the updated firmware (V2.0) installed in my D70, and I
can at least testify that it did not appear to break anything, and that
the menu looks somewhat different. :-)

Enjoy,
DoN.
--
Email: <dnichols@d-and-d.com> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In article <0vrka1h86gice627ogah2ilc615gs5q0bi@4ax.com>,
Bob <FlintsTone@nospam.com> wrote:
>On 11 Jun 2005 00:08:05 -0400, dnichols@d-and-d.com (DoN. Nichols) wrote:
>

[ ... ]

>> Well ... I suspect that it is not the D70s firmware, but just

[ ... ]

>> I do have the updated firmware (V2.0) installed in my D70, and I
>>can at least testify that it did not appear to break anything, and that
>>the menu looks somewhat different. :-)
>>
>> Enjoy,
>> DoN.
>
>OK thanks guys!
>
>I downloaded the new software, have yet to install it...

O.K. Remember that you do have to do it with a real CF card,
not a micro-drive, just in case you happen to have the latter. But an
ancient 8MB one is quite sufficient for the task.

>The viewer on the back has no interest for me, I only glance at it to make sure
>I got some kind of picture... the reason I bought the SLR is so I don't have to
>squint at displays! Without my reading glasses I can't see it anyway!

Hmm ... does the eyepiece focus adjustment cover a sufficient
range to allow you to use that without the glasses? I find that the
best way to adjust it is to turn on the grid lines and the AF area
indicator, and aim the camera at something totally plain. That way, you
are adjusting so your eye focuses right on the screen, and it is not
being pulled by some image on the screen, which may or may not be
properly in focus.

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Email: <dnichols@d-and-d.com> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

DoN. Nichols <dnichols@d-and-d.com> wrote:

> I do have the updated firmware (V2.0) installed in my D70, and I
>can at least testify that it did not appear to break anything, and that
>the menu looks somewhat different. :-)

Anyone notice any improvement in the autofocus? It's not great
sometimes, especially in low light..

--
Ken Tough

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Pete D <no@email.com> wrote:

>"Ken Tough" <ken@objectech.co.uk> wrote
>> DoN. Nichols <dnichols@d-and-d.com> wrote:
>>> I do have the updated firmware (V2.0) installed in my D70, and I
>>>can at least testify that it did not appear to break anything, and that
>>>the menu looks somewhat different. :-)

>> Anyone notice any improvement in the autofocus? It's not great
>> sometimes, especially in low light..

>Don't worry it is not the only camera to suffer from that, just use manual
>focus in low light.

Yeah, the only problem there is that the focussing screen is not
very good for manual focus. It could use a split ring or similar;
just the ground glass alone is a bit hit & miss.

--
Ken Tough

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In article <XJ4medAwGTrCFwZW@objectech.co.uk>,
Ken Tough <ken@objectech.co.uk> wrote:
>Pete D <no@email.com> wrote:
>
>>"Ken Tough" <ken@objectech.co.uk> wrote
>>> DoN. Nichols <dnichols@d-and-d.com> wrote:
>>>> I do have the updated firmware (V2.0) installed in my D70, and I
>>>>can at least testify that it did not appear to break anything, and that
>>>>the menu looks somewhat different. :-)
>
>>> Anyone notice any improvement in the autofocus? It's not great
>>> sometimes, especially in low light..
>
>>Don't worry it is not the only camera to suffer from that, just use manual
>>focus in low light.
>
>Yeah, the only problem there is that the focussing screen is not
>very good for manual focus. It could use a split ring or similar;
>just the ground glass alone is a bit hit & miss.

It is a bit more than just a ground glass. Defocus enough and
you can tell that it is a microprism focusing screen.

I'm not sure, but I suspect that a split-image center focusing
screen would disrupt either the autofocus or the auto-exposure systems --
especially the spot metering part.

The autofocus seems to work quite well in low light with the
50mm f1.4, but then you would expect that. :-)

Enjoy,
DoN.
--
Email: <dnichols@d-and-d.com> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 01:03:44 -0400, Bob <FlintsTone@nospam.com> wrote:

>On 11 Jun 2005 00:08:05 -0400, dnichols@d-and-d.com (DoN. Nichols) wrote:
>
>>In article <VrydneWpo-Ce0TffRVn-jg@comcast.com>,
>>Sheldon <sheldon@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>"Darrell" <spam@this.eh> wrote in message
>>>news:_OOdnV0ymp-loTffRVn-uw@rogers.com...
>>>>
>>>> "Bob" <FlintsTone@nospam.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:q5eka1p6ot5dld4akvj7qcc3snvkedrqev@4ax.com...
>>>>>
>>>>> Should I think of upgrading some day or is it just marketing?
>>>>>
>>>> Same camera with a 2" LCD vs 1.8" and a wired cable release socket, plus
>>>> new firmware and a price increase.
>>
>> And, apparently, a modified eyepiece.
>>
>>>And you can upload the new S firmware to your D70. Free download from
>>>Nikon.
>>
>> Well ... I suspect that it is not the D70s firmware, but just
>>the firmware for the D70 which does everything that the D70s does
>>entirely in firmware (new autofocus algorithms, slightly different menu
>>format, plus a few extra menu entries. I'm reasonably sure that there
>>are also firmware differences for both the remote connector (unless it
>>is just plain wired in parallel with the normal shutter release button),
>>and probably also different parameters for the larger display -- unless
>>the pixel count in both is identical, (with just larger pixels in the new
>>larger display.)
>>
>> I do have the updated firmware (V2.0) installed in my D70, and I
>>can at least testify that it did not appear to break anything, and that
>>the menu looks somewhat different. :-)
>>
>> Enjoy,
>> DoN.
>
>OK thanks guys!
>
>I downloaded the new software, have yet to install it...

It's easy to do.
I copied the update to the root directory of the CF card in the card
reader, stuck it in the camera, selected the firmware version in the
menu, update, yes, and that was it. It only took a few seconds.

>
>The viewer on the back has no interest for me, I only glance at it to make sure

I rarely ever turn the LCD on. It, like all LCD viewers I've seen is
far too small to show if the image is sharp or now, although you can
check composition.

>I got some kind of picture... the reason I bought the SLR is so I don't have to
>squint at displays! Without my reading glasses I can't see it anyway!

I found the diopter adjustment to work very well. I let the camera
focus on something with contrast and then set the diopter, but I much
prefer the diopter adjustment of the F4S. It's far easier to adjust.

Near as I can tell the D7 and D7s use the same firm ware, but I could
have missed something.

The added wired remote is enough for me to purchase the body to use in
conjunction with the one I have now. OTOH I sure with they'd given it
the ability to shoot with the mirror locked up. On a 1200 or 2500 mm
lens (Meade 10" telescope) even that little mirror creates noticeable
shake that takes up to 10 seconds to dampen out.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In article <nu1ta1hashai76nv6efhv1h7m2tb1q1s07@4ax.com>,
Roger <Delete-Invallid.stuff.groups@tm.net> wrote:
>On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 01:03:44 -0400, Bob <FlintsTone@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>>On 11 Jun 2005 00:08:05 -0400, dnichols@d-and-d.com (DoN. Nichols) wrote:
>>
>>>In article <VrydneWpo-Ce0TffRVn-jg@comcast.com>,
>>>Sheldon <sheldon@XXXXXXXXsopris.net> wrote:

[ ... ]

>>>>And you can upload the new S firmware to your D70. Free download from
>>>>Nikon.
>>>
>>> Well ... I suspect that it is not the D70s firmware, but just
>>>the firmware for the D70 which does everything that the D70s does
>>>entirely in firmware

[ ... ]

>>>the pixel count in both is identical, (with just larger pixels in the new
>>>larger display.)
>>>
>>> I do have the updated firmware (V2.0) installed in my D70, and I
>>>can at least testify that it did not appear to break anything, and that
>>>the menu looks somewhat different. :-)

[ ... ]

>>OK thanks guys!
>>
>>I downloaded the new software, have yet to install it...
>
>It's easy to do.
>I copied the update to the root directory of the CF card in the card
>reader, stuck it in the camera, selected the firmware version in the
>menu, update, yes, and that was it. It only took a few seconds.

Except remember that you have to do it twice -- once for the 'A'
part and once for the 'B' part.

I even did it without a Windows or a Mac involved (the only two
for which they post instructions). :-)

>>
>>The viewer on the back has no interest for me, I only glance at it to make sure
>
>I rarely ever turn the LCD on. It, like all LCD viewers I've seen is
>far too small to show if the image is sharp or now, although you can
>check composition.

Hit the "ENTER/Qual" button and you get an enlarged center
section. Hit the ISO button while the enlarged center is displaying and
you can use the thumbwheel to enlarge or shrink the zone displayed, and
the "tiling poker chip" to walk the zone viewed around on the screen.
That is enough to show whether you are seriously out of focus, at least.

And remember -- you can also judge exposure (including having
blown highlights flagged by blinking black/white alternation), and you
can use the poker chip to walk over to a display of the histogram, if
you want another way to judge the exposure.

>>I got some kind of picture... the reason I bought the SLR is so I don't have to
>>squint at displays! Without my reading glasses I can't see it anyway!
>
>I found the diopter adjustment to work very well. I let the camera
>focus on something with contrast and then set the diopter, but I much
>prefer the diopter adjustment of the F4S. It's far easier to adjust.

I've no experience with the F4S, so I can't compare them. But I
prefer to adjust the exposure against a fully out-of-focus plain
background, but with the grid and the autofocus region indicators on, so
I'm sure that my eye focus isn't being pulled by something almost in
focus but not quite (which could make it a more tiring thing to use).

>Near as I can tell the D7 and D7s use the same firm ware, but I could
>have missed something.

D70 and D70s you mean? I suspect that there are detail parts of
the two which differ. Ones related to the display size (number of
pixels), and those (perhaps) related to the wired remote, if it is not
the same wires as are going to the camera-top shutter release.

>The added wired remote is enough for me to purchase the body to use in
>conjunction with the one I have now. OTOH I sure with they'd given it
>the ability to shoot with the mirror locked up. On a 1200 or 2500 mm
>lens (Meade 10" telescope) even that little mirror creates noticeable
>shake that takes up to 10 seconds to dampen out.

Hmm ... can you add a gentle solenoid shutter between the camera
body and the telescope? That would allow you to wait for the vibrations
to damp out before opening this secondary shutter for the actual
exposure? Perhaps even a Pockles (sp?) cell or other electro-optical
shutter so there would be *no* vibration.

Enjoy,
DoN.
--
Email: <dnichols@d-and-d.com> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

In article <l3fKhMBtg9rCFw9N@objectech.co.uk>,
Ken Tough <ken@objectech.co.uk> wrote:
>DoN. Nichols <dnichols@d-and-d.com> wrote:
>
>> No, I'm afraid that I can't. I don't have the f1.8. But so
>>far, on the f1.4 I haven't had to go to manual focus, unlike the
>>28-105mm f3.5-4.5 D which is my other autofocus lens. In certain
>>conditions, especially on something with little contrast, It will sweep
>>back and forth between closest focus and infinity and not hit the proper
>>focus. I usually either re-compose to bring a more contrasty part
>>into the focus zone (I often forget about relocating the zone), lock the
>>focus and re-compose.
>
>I find the same, and also sometimes with the 70-210 f4-5.6 (razor
>wire was a surprisingly hard thing to AF on). Okay then, would you
>say the new firmware has made any difference to the performance of
>your 28-105?

Not that I have noticed -- but I usually switch to the 50mm f1.4
for low light conditions, so it *may* have made a difference that I have
not noticed.

Sorry for the lack of details. I suspect that to notice the
difference I might have to set up a patched camera and an unpatched one
side by side and swap the lens between them.

And the improvement from the firmware might be in other areas
than the low-light autofocus. (I don't remember reading any details as
to what part of autofocus was supposed to be improved.) It might be an
improvement in the algorithm which selects which zone to use (closest
subject) or something like that.

If you have the camera, and it is not yet patched, run tests,
and then patch it and run them again. To me, whatever the change is, it
would appear to be either rather subtle, or in a part of the autofocus
which I don't use.

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Email: <dnichols@d-and-d.com> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---