My D70S repair - FYI

[T4R]

I finally got around to sending my D70s back to Nikon UK for service a couple of weeks ago, and I thought other owners, who may possibly suffer the same problem in future, may be interested.

The autofocus had failed and, as my own autofocus isn't too good these days, the resulting images were quite dreadful. There was no error message; simply a whirring of cogs attached to nothing in particular.

According to the estimate the total bill is £107.88, of which £4.88 is the failed AF driving base plate unit, whatever that is. The remainder is labour, £5:00 carriage and Gordons wedge. They're also going to give the CCD a clean, give the camera a good "once over" and clean the 70-300 ED lens I returned, as a gesture of goodwill.

As it has taken a couple of weeks to get the estimate, you may wish to plan your equipment failures in future or buy that extra body you've been promising yourself.

Regards..

p.s.

I had been wondering about a D200, but... what are Canons like ?

[Rednut05]

Simply put, Canons rule.

[_dobbo_]

Surely the camera is nowhere near old enough for you to be paying for repairs?

I'd be using such terms as 'fit for purpose' and requesting they reconsider the bill...

[T4R]

I'm not having a moan at Nikon, per se, as the reason for the post was to similarly equipped people an idea of what to expect should they have a problem.

The warranty has expired and I could have taken out an extended warranty (insurance) but I chose not to, and I have no gripe about paying for the cost of the repair. They are throwing in some cleaning of the whole body and the lens gratis, which is good of them.

I do wonder if Canons may be a little more robust and offer the same types of features ? The Taiwanese made 28-80mm Nikkor that came with the camera is very badly constructed, although I can't say the same for the Japanese made 70-300 ED lens I have as well.

I am seriously considering going for a D200, but as I've not yet "bought" in the Nikon system as yet, I perhaps should consider Canon also. Would anyone have any suggestions of what to go for in the Canon line up ? I have no special demands on cameras but prefer something of a more robust construction.

[nick_bbb]

T4R said:

....I perhaps should consider Canon also...prefer something of a more robust construction.

Anthing with a 1D on it it will be as strong as they come

[SGirl]

T4R said:

I am seriously considering going for a D200, but as I've not yet "bought" in the Nikon system as yet, I perhaps should consider Canon also. Would anyone have any suggestions of what to go for in the Canon line up ? I have no special demands on cameras but prefer something of a more robust construction.

The D200 is a fabulous bit of kit, night and day compared to the D70s. It's very robust. I dropped mine (tripod fell over... ) and it's not had any problems at all.

[beano500]

Seconding that.

D200 could be the way to go.

I listed all the "issues" I have with the D70 and discussed them yesterday with a D200 user and it sounds like almost every one would be answered.

It was only ten points, but they thought I had a lot!!!

[T4R]

Hi Beano, would you mind sharing the "issues" you raised with D200 user.

I've had very little experience of using digital SLRs and wonder if I am experiencing the same kinds of problems, or whether it is down to a faulty user.

I started getting interested in photography many moons ago; my first camera was a Pentax MX which I bought in 1977 or thereabouts, and which I still have somewhere. I haven't tried much photography for something like 20 years and I'm only really starting to get back into it, or was until my D70s had to go back.

Thanks in advance..

[beano500]

T4R said:

Hi Beano, would you mind sharing the "issues" you raised with D200 user.

Well I hope this won't bore you but:

- viewfinder is very poor (especially wearing spectacles)
- lack of vertical grip
- lack of mirror lock up
- switch for AF/M focusing no longer has AF-C and AF-S controls; they're buried in the menu somewhere
- single rather than separate AF and AE lock
- inability to use aperture ring on lens barrel
- minimum 200 ASA
- P/A/S/M dial does not lock into position (and don't know what all the other "squiggles" are for )
- does not meter at all with manual lenses
- some functions reset with power off, some don't - most annoying is using remote plip and turning off to change lenses you have to reset mode
- noise levels


Are my most frequent gripes.

Don't get me wrong the D70 has some great attributes. But even in comparison to earlier Nikons (specifically F90X and F100) it has always felt a step backward.

[_dobbo_]

Yo T4R, I went from a D70 (not S) to a D200, and it really is a huge improvement. The screen is miles better (the zoom feature in particular), the body is much more robust and has much better weather sealing, more of the important controls are on the body instead of buried in a menu.

Metering, and focusing are more accurate, the viewfinder is better, I could go on but I wont.



edit to add...

I wouldn't be too surprised if Nikon announced something new in the near future - however if you always wait for the next thing you'll never buy a camera at all!

Edited by _dobbo_ on Thursday 1st March 12:08

[T4R]

Thank you very much for those comments, Beano and dobbo. I can certainly relate to the points Beano made, and if you're saying they're all "resolved" with the D200, I'd be happy to get one today. It appears that the D200 is more closely related to the D2Xs than the D70s but I'm probably quite wrong about that.

I recently moved to rural Dorset and there a some great opportunites here for great landscape, seascape and wildlife photography. I'm very keen to get to grips with digital imaging but I'm struggling to find a good source of information beyond the user manual. For example, do you prefer to use RAW rather than, say JPEG ? If so, what software do you use to manipulate the RAW images ? Could you recommend a decent book for someone more familiar with the 35mm world ?

Last question, for now, Could you recommend an online retailer(s), who provide new or nearly new equipment at a reasonable price ?

So many questions - so little time !

[SGirl]

T4R said:

It appears that the D200 is more closely related to the D2Xs than the D70s but I'm probably quite wrong about that.

No, you're absolutely correct.

[SGirl]

T4R said:

Last question, for now, Could you recommend an online retailer(s), who provide new or nearly new equipment at a reasonable price ?

Warehouse Express are always reasonably priced, and their service is normally very good. If you phone them by 1 o'clock, you can get your D200 delivered tomorrow.

[beano500]

Ah - rural Dorset - yes I see:


Raw, raw, raw, definitely raw

Currently using Raw Shooter, but probably going to Lightroom.

Raw is like a negative, copy safely away and tehn play to your heart's content...

Photoshop (full or Elements) - plenty of places on the web for learning tips. Including here!



For kit, I like:

Gray's

and

MXV

and

Camtech (tell Malcolm I sent you)

[beano500]

T4R said:

Could you recommend a decent book for someone more familiar with the 35mm world ?

....usually the name Scott Kelby comes up quite often.

See also: Photoshop TV - HERE

[T4R]

Thank you everyone. What a thoroughly helpful bunch you are and your considered responses are very much appreciated.

[elderly]

_dobbo_ said:

I wouldn't be too surprised if Nikon announced something new in the near future - however if you always wait for the next thing you'll never buy a camera at all!

Edited by _dobbo_ on Thursday 1st March 12:08

I completely agree but with the 3 new Olympus DSLRs coming out this week and with PMA next week, I would be holding off for just 10 more days.

[T4R]

elderly said:

_dobbo_ said:

I wouldn't be too surprised if Nikon announced something new in the near future - however if you always wait for the next thing you'll never buy a camera at all!

Edited by _dobbo_ on Thursday 1st March 12:08

I completely agree but with the 3 new Olympus DSLRs coming out this week and with PMA next week, I would be holding off for just 10 more days.

Good point.. The D200 was released sometime in 2005, so I suppose it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that something new is just over the horizon. Damn it !

Does anyone have any thoughts on additional features or benefits for a potential D200 replacement ?

[T4R]

Nice shot Beano.

I took this one of a few of the local girls on a hill just above the village..

[beano500]

T4R said:

... a potential D200 replacement ?

How about a Seitz?