NIKON 70-300 1:4-5.6 G LENS 2nd Go

[pug406]

OK, been out with the D70 again and took a few of Peterborough Cathederal to show the 70-300 in a better light. These were taken as RAW / NEF pics, opened in PSCS and saved as JPEGS





These 2 are of the local back to show the zoom





Dont be too cruel with me.

[_Dobbo_]

That's what I wanted to see, nice and sharp on full zoom considering that the lens is available for 88 squids!

I'll order one based on this I think!

By the way, I think your images come out of the camera much like mine - a little dull in colour. Apparently this is common with the D70, and someone posted the other day about increasing the "colour temp" in the camera, or something along those lines.

I've tried to find this setting and can't (including RTFM), so end up doing stuff in photoshop to fix images. I would much rather they came out of the camera a bit more saturated - does anyone know if it's possible?

[_Dobbo_]

A little bit of unsharp mask, a tiny bit of saturation and a little higer contrast on the last one gives this:



I've done this for my own benefit really - I think this sort of change improves most images - any comments?

Sorry if this is a bit of a thread hijack!

[pug406]

I don't mind what people do to them, there are plenty of people who know photoshop and photography better than I. I bow to their superior knowledge

[_Dobbo_]

I wouldn't claim to know photoshop or photography better than anyone! I've only had my D70 for a month!

What I lack in knowledge I make up for in enthusiasm! At least I like to think I do!

[.Adam.]

A play with the levels helps as well.

[simpo two]

I think I see a bit of chromatic aberration on the first shot (coloured lines on each side of the cathedral) but overall that looks pretty good.

Just wondering - can one really judge/compare lenses in this way? eg 800x600 pixels...?

[pug406]

I have the full size NEF files if you want them 3008x2000

>> Edited by pug406 on Thursday 17th February 22:28

[maxf]

Thats amazing! Youve managed to make something in Peterborough look nice!

Ferry Meadows early tomorrow for me I think - hoping its bright and nice enough to get my kite out for some action (read: danger) shots.

[pug406]

maxf said:

Ferry Meadows early tomorrow for me I think - hoping its bright and nice enough to get my kite out for some action (read: danger) shots.

Ferry Meadows mmmmmmmmm!

[NHyde]

No David Bailey , and yes it is another sunset . Taken between Martinique and St. Lucia , with a 70-300 G in November



>> Edited by NHyde on Friday 18th February 22:23

[bernie_eccle]

OK I had almost made up my mind that the D70 was the way to go, particularly with the £100 cash back offer. I have seen the D70 + 18-70mm kit for £702 (inc VAT before CB) at Costco. However 2 things are now bugging me.

1. I have read about problems with images being too gloomy straight from the camera. No offence, but I think the pics earlier in the thread are feeding my fears on this front. I really don't want to have to run all the photos through PS. Is this a justified fear?

2. The other spanner in my recent thinking is that Canon have anounced a new camera - 350XT. Initial reviews sound promising.
I rather suspect that it may be a couple of hundred more than the D70 (after CB) which would be more than I would want to pay anyway.
I don't have a system at the moment and no real loyalty to either brand.
I would welcome your thoughts particularly if you think my concerns regarding gloomy pictures are legitimate.
Cheers

[simpo two]

bernie_eccle said:

1. I have read about problems with images being too gloomy straight from the camera. No offence, but I think the pics earlier in the thread are feeding my fears on this front. I really don't want to have to run all the photos through PS. Is this a justified fear?

The D70 does tend to underexposure, but the rationale behind this is that it's better to be under than over. DSLRs at this level don't have great exposure latitude - abiltity to handle extremes of contrast - and pitching a little underexposed helps to prevent highlights burning out. You can recover detail from shadows, but not from highlights.

However, if you don't like the default results it's a simple matter to use +EV to taste. Some examples at www.blokewithacamera.co.uk

[pug406]

bernie_eccle said:

1. I have read about problems with images being too gloomy straight from the camera.

The pics I posted were straight out of the box without any alteration, to show how things really are. Bear in mind that it was a fairly dull day which would not have helped. I could have used CS to lighten them and get all the levels correct by that would have defeated the object.

HTH

Dave

[_Dobbo_]

bernie_eccle said:

1. I have read about problems with images being too gloomy straight from the camera. No offence, but I think the pics earlier in the thread are feeding my fears on this front. I really don't want to have to run all the photos through PS. Is this a justified fear? 2. The other spanner in my recent thinking is that Canon have anounced a new camera - 350XT. Initial reviews sound promising. I rather suspect that it may be a couple of hundred more than the D70 (after CB) which would be more than I would want to pay anyway. I don't have a system at the moment and no real loyalty to either brand. I would welcome your thoughts particularly if you think my concerns regarding gloomy pictures are legitimate. Cheers

It's fairly easy to batch process your photos if you want a quick and easy fix for the dullness of the image. Or you can load a custom curve to change the camera behaviour. Details here about a D100 but the principles are the same.


for 2.) you will find that the canon will probably be a couple of hundred more without a lens - I'd be surprised of the canon comes in at much under £1k with a lens.

[Bee_Jay]

Looks like the 350D is going to be a little bit more than the current 300D if not the same price it is now, with a lens, making it well under £1k. Canon brought this out as a D70 killer and I am sure they will price accordingly...

Hell, you can buy the 20D kit for about £1k now if you shop around...

[simpo two]

[pug406]

They kept that quiet

[V6GTO]

simpo two said:

bernie_eccle said: 1. I have read about problems with images being too gloomy straight from the camera. No offence, but I think the pics earlier in the thread are feeding my fears on this front. I really don't want to have to run all the photos through PS. Is this a justified fear? The D70 does tend to underexposure, but the rationale behind this is that it's better to be under than over. DSLRs at this level don't have great exposure latitude - abiltity to handle extremes of contrast - and pitching a little underexposed helps to prevent highlights burning out. You can recover detail from shadows, but not from highlights. However, if you don't like the default results it's a simple matter to use +EV to taste. Some examples at www.blokewithacamera.co.uk

I want to say that Simpo is spot on. I use my D20 with a bit of underexposure dialed in all the time.
At this level you can't buy a bad camera, but you can pay too much for one. Enjoy!

Martin.

[_Dobbo_]

Bee_Jay said:

Looks like the 350D is going to be a little bit more than the current 300D if not the same price it is now, with a lens, making it well under £1k. Canon brought this out as a D70 killer and I am sure they will price accordingly... Hell, you can buy the 20D kit for about £1k now if you shop around...

Not sure about that, from what I can tell the RRP in the UK is going to be £750 for body only...