Nikon D70s

[ARTUROARTISTA]

Hello, can anyone tell me if a Nikon D70s is a good machine to convert to infrared?

[Birna Rørslett]

It's OK, however a lack of LiveView can cause some focusing errors until you have a recalibrated system. No GPS.

The D200 is  more capable however no LV with that model either. That did not prevent me from using D200 for many years for UV/IR work. GPS is supported. No LV.

The D5300 is perhaps the currently better option. It has LV and built-in GPS - however really needs a fresh aGPS file if you move the camera around a lot, or use it sporadically.

[Thomas Stellwag]

Hello, can anyone tell me if a Nikon D70s is a good machine to convert to infrared?

I read from that, that you can get a D70s for a good price. Then forget about my answer, go for it.

In case you are starting at zero, I recommend not to take a Nikon F camera, because of its long register.
F.e. the Sony Nex or 6x00 series with its short register, gives you a cheap possiblility to enter IR or full spectrum, with multiple (used) adaptors for all kind of (old) lenses.

[ARTUROARTISTA]

It's OK, however a lack of LiveView can cause some focusing errors until you have a recalibrated system. No GPS.

The D200 is  more capable however no LV with that model either. That did not prevent me from using D200 for many years for UV/IR work. GPS is supported. No LV.

The D5300 is perhaps the currently better option. It has LV and built-in GPS - however really needs a fresh aGPS file if you move the camera around a lot, or use it sporadically.

Thanks Birna, I'll take note. But what is GPS used for?

[ARTUROARTISTA]

I read from that, that you can get a D70s for a good price. Then forget about my answer, go for it.

In case you are starting at zero, I recommend not to take a Nikon F camera, because of its long register.
F.e. the Sony Nex or 6x00 series with its short register, gives you a cheap possiblility to enter IR or full spectrum, with multiple (used) adaptors for all kind of (old) lenses.

Hi, do you think the Nikon D70s is a good camera?

They sell a well-maintained one for 100 euros.

[Birna Rørslett]

Thanks Birna, I'll take note. But what is GPS used for?

I aim to have 100% of my photos with geographic coordinates and go to great steps to accomplish this. There are lots of reasons for this, mainly because many of my photos also are documentary and the location (and date) may hold special interest. I also use map searching as a routine when planning photo trips.

The above may not apply in general, thus many photographers wouldn't need the feature like I do.

[ARTUROARTISTA]

I aim to have 100% of my photos with geographic coordinates and go to great steps to accomplish this. There are lots of reasons for this, mainly because many of my photos also are documentary and the location (and date) may hold special interest. I also use map searching as a routine when planning photo trips.

The above may not apply in general, thus many photographers wouldn't need the feature like I do.

Very interesting Birna, I understand perfectly, knowing your opinion is very useful to me, thank you.

[Birna Rørslett]

Just showing a simple example_ I'm planning a trip to visit the wetlands around Øyeren, a natur preserve in south-eastern Norway.

1. Click up the map of the area,

2. Search for any images.

3. Go through the thumbnails to see what I did there earlier -- are there any leads which should be followed up, or aspects I haven't explored?

I could combine the geospatial  search with date range, or theme, or whatever is of particular interest at the time.

[Birna Rørslett]

Returning to the question of the D70, I looked at some IR images in the archive base and saw they all were taken with unmodified camera .... Shutter speeds were long, but not excessive, typically around 1/8 to 2 sec. Some times even shorter, at ISO 400 or so. I shot  many of them with a hand-held D70.

Here is an exampe, under very dull and rainy clouds. EXIF says f/7.1 with a¨Nikkor 105, 1 sec, ISO 200. Thus likely done from a tripod.

[ARTUROARTISTA]

Just showing a simple example_ I'm planning a trip to visit the wetlands around Øyeren, a natur preserve in south-eastern Norway.

1. Click up the map of the area,

2. Search for any images.

3. Go through the thumbnails to see what I did there earlier -- are there any leads which should be followed up, or aspects I haven't explored?

I could combine the geospatial  search with date range, or theme, or whatever is of particular interest at the time.

Your work is important, congratulations. It's scientific and you try to deploy it like a network to capture a complete and powerful image.

[ARTUROARTISTA]

Returning to the question of the D70, I looked at some IR images in the archive base and saw they all were taken with unmodified camera .... Shutter speeds were long, but not excessive, typically around 1/8 to 2 sec. Some times even shorter, at ISO 400 or so. I shot  many of them with a hand-held D70.

Here is an exampe, under very dull and rainy clouds. EXIF says f/7.1 with a¨Nikkor 105, 1 sec, ISO 200. Thus likely done from a tripod.

Well, I really like that photo. If it's with a D70, it might be enough of a camera for someone like me. Besides, I don't think I need the GPS.

[Øivind Tøien]

Just showing a simple example_ I'm planning a trip to visit the wetlands around Øyeren, a natur preserve in south-eastern Norway.

1. Click up the map of the area,

2. Search for any images.

3. Go through the thumbnails to see what I did there earlier -- are there any leads which should be followed up, or aspects I haven't explored?

I could combine the geospatial  search with date range, or theme, or whatever is of particular interest at the time.

Where can one find that mapping application? A google search for "ShowMapEx" did not bring up anything relevant.


BTW the advice above to go for converting a camera with live view, or better a mirrorless with viewfinder seems well founded. I have an IR converted D40x that provides excellent IR captures considering the age of the sensor, but I just get inspired to use it too seldom as manual focus is a hit and miss guessing on a small manual correction, and the AF with some limited lenses might not always be right on.

[Birna Rørslett]

Where can one find that mapping application? A google search for "ShowMapEx" did not bring up anything relevant.


BTW the advice above to go for converting a camera with live view, or better a mirrorless with viewfinder seems well founded. I have an IR converted D40x that provides excellent IR captures considering the age of the sensor, but I just get inspired to use it too seldom as manual focus is a hit and miss guessing on a small manual correction, and the AF with some limited lenses might not always be right on.

'ShowMapEX': It's integrated in my DB. Basically does an area/shape based SQL search on the (Lat,lon) coordinates pulled from the image records. Find the bounding box first, then scan points inside with a 2D ray-casting routine (Jordan curve theorem). Presentation is via WebView2/Google Map API.

D40X is in fact excellent for IR (or UV) if modified and the lack of Liveview can be dealt with.  It's preferable to have the filtration inside so the peep-hole finder can be used.

[Thomas Stellwag]

Hi, do you think the Nikon D70s is a good camera?

They sell a well-maintained one for 100 euros.

as I said, if you get one for a low price, go for it. You always can change later for another camera with live view, that gives you more options.
Don´t wait too long, it is now the best time of the year for doing IR

[Øivind Tøien]

'ShowMapEX': It's integrated in my DB. Basically does an area/shape based SQL search on the (Lat,lon) coordinates pulled from the image records. Find the bounding box first, then scan points inside with a 2D ray-casting routine (Jordan curve theorem). Presentation is via WebView2/Google Map API.

D40X is in fact excellent for IR (or UV) if modified and the lack of Liveview can be dealt with.  It's preferable to have the filtration inside so the peep-hole finder can be used.

Thanks for the clarification, Birna, I had a feeling it could be a custom application.

Yes, except for the lacking live view, my D40x with the 720nm conversion works quite well, considering the age. It is just the uncertainly of that little extra post-focus manual focus twist that bothers me.