| OVERVIEW
From
a very critical user perspective, I will list below what I consider
the more important strengths and weaknesses for each of the
three compared bodies.
|
Nikon
i-TTL SB-800 Speedlight®
- |
Nikon
D1H
STRENGTHS
Extremely
solid build. Ergonomics and handling very good. Weatherpproof.
Very fast at 5fps. With a buffer as large as for 40 jpef fine
files. Strong and fast autofocus, with the Multi-CAM1300 system.
The best viewfinder among the three bodies. Flash sync up
to 1/500 sec.
WEAKNESSES
Most
importantly, the battery technology. D-TTL flash control is
bad and unreliable for me. Automatic white balance useless.
The LCD screen is obsolete and useless for picture quality
checking.
Nikon
D100
STRENGTHS
The
possibility to mount a Nikon vertical grip. The AF-S/AF-C
button on the camera body. Mirror lock-up. And some would
say that the metal chassis is an advantage over the composite
build of the D70, but without the vertical grip, 105 grams
/ 3.7 ounces make no big difference in weight feel.
WEAKNESSES
Bad for me D-TTL flash control. Slower than the D70 and the
D1H in every aspect. Only 1/180 sec flash synchronization
is not always appropriate for fill-flash under several bright
light situations. Most important weakness is speed. The slower
and smaller buffer with only 6 frames capacity, compared to
the 12 frames buffer capacity of the one in the D70, makes
a big difference for me, more so when it can take up to 144
consecutive frames when with selected CF cards.
Nikon
D70
STRENGTHS
Low
price. Fantastic i-TTL flash technology with very reliable
results and the possibility of using Commander Mode. Flash
synchronization at 1/500 sec. Fastest shutter speed of 1/8000
sec. Better Auto ISO. Better handling in menus and the buttons.
Until now the best ever battery technology. 3D color matrix
metering from the Nikon D2H. Zero startup time and shutterlag.
Big enough buffer to use it for press and sports photography.
Lots of settings for internal picture processing.
WEAKNESSES
Missing
AF-S/AF-C button. You have to switch modes from within the
menu. No original equipment manufacturer vertical grip.
| CONCLUSIONS
The Nikon D70 is a fantastic camera, and currently
the one with the best price to value ratio.
The
Nikon D100 is an excellent camera too, capable of fantastic
pictures, but it has been overtaken by the D70 in almost
every aspect. If you don’t need the vertical grip or mirror
lock-up, I see absolutely no reason to buy a new D100. |
|
|
The
Nikon D1H is still a fantastic camera, build like a tank and
very very fast. Outmoded in certain areas, but for sports and
press photography still among the very best.
My personal conclusion is that if I could clone the image sensor,
the battery system and the i-TTL flash control from the D70
over into the D1H, I would be a very happy man  |
