SLR vs DIGITAL SLR
Discussion
advice needed:
I am going on safari and presently own a Nikon F401s SLR with variety of lenses. I am thinking of buying a Nikon digital SLR, either D100 or D70 and am enquiring if the results will be anywhere near as good as the SLR shots. I have been told the AF lenses i own should be compatible with the digital camera. Anybody made the switch?
I am going on safari and presently own a Nikon F401s SLR with variety of lenses. I am thinking of buying a Nikon digital SLR, either D100 or D70 and am enquiring if the results will be anywhere near as good as the SLR shots. I have been told the AF lenses i own should be compatible with the digital camera. Anybody made the switch?
A lot of amateurs are asking the same, I think that question can be solved by the answer to this simple one: Do you intend to make enlargements beyond A3/12"x18" size ?
If yes, then stay with film for a little while longer as you've got an old but decent camera.
If no, then you can go for the convenience of digital.
If yes, then stay with film for a little while longer as you've got an old but decent camera.
If no, then you can go for the convenience of digital.
I'll upgrade from my current F70 to a digital SLR when I can justify the cost. Like someone else said, I got an Olympus Mju300 and that gets used for most 'ordinary' stuff. The SLR hasn't been out much since I got it!
There is one thing that IMHO sets digital apart, and that's the ability to handle contrast. Digital pics seem much more like 35mm slides - partly perhaps because we usually see them by transmitted light (ie on a monitor) than by reflected light (a print). Suddenly light is captured.
There is one thing that IMHO sets digital apart, and that's the ability to handle contrast. Digital pics seem much more like 35mm slides - partly perhaps because we usually see them by transmitted light (ie on a monitor) than by reflected light (a print). Suddenly light is captured.
Although my gear is Canon, not Nikon, I am just about to get a digital camera, and cannot see why you can't have your cake and eat it. Why not bang away taking loads of digi shots, and if you take one that really stands out then replicate it on something like Kodachrome 64, then you can blow it up really big on Cibachrome if you want.
Apart from price implications (fixed cost of memory v film and processing) there is the quality angle.
I've held off partly on the grounds of two perfectly good Nikon bodies and the D100 and D70 not offering all the features.
There's another aspect to consider, though. That is that in an SLR dust and dirt will get on the sensor thus leading to extra cost and inconvenience of much more regular servicing (I don't know about you lot but my Canon bodies got serviced about once in 20 years, and so far one of my Nikons has been subject to a second service in six years (both bought secondhand and serviced on purchase)).
I've held off partly on the grounds of two perfectly good Nikon bodies and the D100 and D70 not offering all the features.
There's another aspect to consider, though. That is that in an SLR dust and dirt will get on the sensor thus leading to extra cost and inconvenience of much more regular servicing (I don't know about you lot but my Canon bodies got serviced about once in 20 years, and so far one of my Nikons has been subject to a second service in six years (both bought secondhand and serviced on purchase)).
Im toying with getting a nikon d70. The picture quality is unbelieveable. See www.fredmiranda.com for some example. Im feeling the limitations of my sony now, although for the money, i think its unbeatable.
Im toying with getting a nikon d70. The picture quality is unbelieveable. See www.fredmiranda.com for some example. Im feeling the limitations of my sony now, although for the money, i think its unbeatable.
te51cle said:
A lot of amateurs are asking the same, I think that question can be solved by the answer to this simple one: Do you intend to make enlargements beyond A3/12"x18" size ?
If yes, then stay with film for a little while longer as you've got an old but decent camera.
If no, then you can go for the convenience of digital.
That about hits it on the head I reckon. Though do note Beanno's comment about dust etc getting in & fouling the CCD.. you must be very, very particular about your moment when you change lenses with a D-SLR
Regards, Ed
pedroman said:
advice needed:
I am going on safari and presently own a Nikon F401s SLR with variety of lenses. I am thinking of buying a Nikon digital SLR, either D100 or D70 and am enquiring if the results will be anywhere near as good as the SLR shots. I have been told the AF lenses i own should be compatible with the digital camera. Anybody made the switch?
I made the switch from film to a D100 as I became convinced that finally digital had at least and if not surpassed film. I have not been disappointed with the results so far, simply superb and it means I can still keep all of my Nikorr lenses.
The only thing I have found to be a pain with the D100 is the remote release. I'd just got an electronic one for my previous Nikon and then they go back to an old cable release type. However all sprted now as I bought the additional battery pack which has the elcetonic release on and which has extended my shooting time between recharges. The D100 on its own is good, but with the extra battery it's simply amazing.
D70 looks a good buy and we will be switching Mrs CVP's F65 for one pretty soon.
Chris
Edt's spot on. If you blow up larger than A3, you'll start to notice quality degradation on digital more than on film (although even film isn't immune). Below that, digital is the way forward now, and both bodies you mention are nice.
I've not yet (touch wood) had a problem with dust on the sensor, and can't say I'm *that* careful. These cameras also have a "sensor cleaning" mode I think, which should get rid of most dust. Not used mine yet though, and didn't have to on a D30 for 2yrs of use.
I've not yet (touch wood) had a problem with dust on the sensor, and can't say I'm *that* careful. These cameras also have a "sensor cleaning" mode I think, which should get rid of most dust. Not used mine yet though, and didn't have to on a D30 for 2yrs of use.
If the sensor cleaning mode is the same as Canon it just means you can flip the mirror up so as to be able to access the sensor. Some cameras seem to be worse for dust than others. The Nikon 1DX and Canon 1ds are bloody nightmares. One tip which is supposed to prevent dust being attracted to the sensor when you change lenses, is to switch off the body so no charge is going through the chip. But in the heat of battle I always forget.
If you have a dust problem you can have a go at cleaning yourself, not for the faint hearted, step by step details here:
www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning
or you can send your camera to:
www.fixationuk.com
or take it in to them, they will do it while you wait, costs about £20.
But whatever you do don't use compressed air. There is danger the air could crack the delicate surface of the sensor or if the chip has an anti aliasing filter in front of it, most do, you can force particles between the filter and the chip, either way you will be buggered.
Personally, I use the swab method with 'Eclipse' fluid. You can buy the bits here:
www.crown-digital.co.uk/ishop/883/shopscr15.html
>> Edited by Bacardi on Thursday 15th April 21:48
If you have a dust problem you can have a go at cleaning yourself, not for the faint hearted, step by step details here:
www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning
or you can send your camera to:
www.fixationuk.com
or take it in to them, they will do it while you wait, costs about £20.
But whatever you do don't use compressed air. There is danger the air could crack the delicate surface of the sensor or if the chip has an anti aliasing filter in front of it, most do, you can force particles between the filter and the chip, either way you will be buggered.
Personally, I use the swab method with 'Eclipse' fluid. You can buy the bits here:
www.crown-digital.co.uk/ishop/883/shopscr15.html
>> Edited by Bacardi on Thursday 15th April 21:48
After years with Nikon film SLRs I bought a D100 earlier in the year. Can't fault it, and pictures from it have been published full page in magazines without a question.
What nobody has mentioned is that on the Nikon the smaller size of the CCD sensor compared to the film area of a 35mm SLR means that your lenses give you a narrower angle of view - effectively the focal length is 1.5x longer. So my 180 f/2.8 Nikkor is now effectively a 270
but my lovely 19mm Vivitar is now only a 28.5 
By the way, I searched around for the best price and ended up buying from a Nikon dealer, AJ Purdy
>> Edited by Andrew Noakes on Friday 16th April 18:07
What nobody has mentioned is that on the Nikon the smaller size of the CCD sensor compared to the film area of a 35mm SLR means that your lenses give you a narrower angle of view - effectively the focal length is 1.5x longer. So my 180 f/2.8 Nikkor is now effectively a 270
but my lovely 19mm Vivitar is now only a 28.5 By the way, I searched around for the best price and ended up buying from a Nikon dealer, AJ Purdy
>> Edited by Andrew Noakes on Friday 16th April 18:07
thanks much for replies. I have checked the prices of the Nikon D100 and best price is around £1000 for the body, which was in Hong Kong. I have heard that the D70 is almost as good and bit cheaper also lighter. Think this compares favourably with UK although not sure that the packages are identical.
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