Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has
a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not
brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light.
The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
Both the wide angle shot and the zoom shot of these still life photos were
captured using the AF-S Nikkor 18 to 70mm F3.5/4.5 G ED lens that is part
of the D70 kit. The camera's pop-up flash was used for fill light.
Photo
Information
Format:
NEF
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60
Resolution:
3008
x 2000
Flash:
On
Quality:
RAW
ISO:
200
File Size:
5.06 MB
Focal Length:
27 mm (35mm Eq.)
In addition, the RAW format was used
to ensure it would contain the greatest level of detail. The
RAW image was the converted to TIFF format using Nikon View,
and no additional sharpening was applied.
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent
is to test the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum
setting. The camera remains at the same distance as with the
preceding photo.
Zoomed in, the D70's Auto white balance recorded the backdrop cloth as
slightly whiter than it did with the wide angle shot, and not as accurately.
It is also worth noting that with both the wide angle and telephoto shots
presented here, the Program mode elected the widest aperture possible when
the flash was used, resulting in a limited depth of field.
A 60mm AF Micro Nikkor lens was used for this image, as
the 18 to 70mm offers only limited close-up possibilities.
The 60mm AF-D Micro Nikkor can yield a 1:1 reproduction ratio, and is recognized
as one of the best macro lenses. It allowed us to capture the insects shown
here, with the Fine JPEG mode, as they were backlit by the sun and milling
about on a tiny wild poppy.
Each of these insects measures approximately
3mm (2/16 inch) in length including their folded wings. (Yes,
we actually measured them with a ruler!)
BUILDING PHOTO
This image is our outdoor test. The architecture
of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately
show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also
often reveal the quality of the exposure.
Our standard building shot was captured using the D70's RAW image format
(NEF), and the Program mode along with Matrix metering are used for both
images.
Photo
Information
Format:
NEF
Aperture:
f10
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/400
Resolution:
3008
x 2000
Flash:
Off
Quality:
RAW
ISO:
200
File Size:
5.47 MB
Focal Length:
27 mm (35mm Equiv.)
The RAW format made it possible to
add +0.7EV to the exposure prior to re-saving it as a TIFF file,
as the image was a bit underexposed. This was probably because
of the influence of the bright foreground and sky on the metering,
major components of the frame.
ZOOM PHOTO
This image on the other hand, did not require any compensation.
These 2 images highlight the value of a RAW format. The RAW data can be
tweaked very precisely after the image has been captured.
With this shot, exposure was perfect, and details are visible in both the
low and highlights of the subject.
Photo
Information
Format:
NEF
Aperture:
f8
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/200
Resolution:
3008
x 2000
Flash:
Off
Quality:
RAW
ISO:
200
File Size:
5.79 MB
Focal Length:
105 mm (35mm
Eqv.)
NIGHT PHOTO
Since this camera is capable of long exposures,
a photo taken at night is included here.
Aperture: f3.5; speed:
8 sec, 200 ISO.
The Nikon D70 has an unlimited Bulb
exposure mode which is probably ideal for astronomical photos.
For a night photo such as the one shown here however, an exposure
of 8 seconds at 200 ISO is more than sufficient to capture a
very bright image.
As most other cameras capable of long exposures, the D70 makes a second
exposure of the same duration as the first to identify noise and delete
it from the final image.
For this shot a 28mm manual focus Nikkor lens
was used. When the cropping effect of the smaller than 35mm film
frame of the D70's CCD is taken into account, the field of view
the 28mm lens provides is comparable to a 42mm lens.
Single focal length lenses tend to produce a sharper image than is possible
with a zoom lens, and this is obvious with this photo.
Compare Prices for Nikon Not Applicable 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera - mm Lens
Test Photos
