Complicating D70s issues

[mich_2103]

Hey Folks!
My Dad couldn't resist the temptation anymore and finally bought the Nikon D70s over the weekend! Yah!!

But while fiddling with the camera and trying out its functions, the WB part was quite a huge headache for me. Thus now seeking the experienced CSnappers for some suggestions and advice. Here are the questions: -

1. I used the PRE set WB, which is like I gotta take the WB if I change my location. But my pictures has a blue hue/tinge when I take photos indoors, however, with sunlight coming in from the windows. Photoshop aside, how do I correct this?

2. This is for my Dad - our previous consumer digital camera was a Sony F505V. F505V doesn't have a viewfinder so you take all the photos using the monitor/LCD as the guide. My father prefers this method of taking photos than using the viewfinder. So the question is, can I set my D70s in such a way that I have a choice using the LCD to take photos?

3. I don't have a card reader! How much does a card reader cost?

Thanks a million! Pardon me for asking silly questions but digital is really so much complicated than my FM2. Still a newbie in digital technology.

Cheers,
-Michelle-

[i_yagami2]

Hi, let me try to answer your qns...

1.) U can try the auto white balance, it works quite well. If it doesn't work that well for you, u can use the preset modes. However, do remember to change the settings when the lighting conditions change

2) No, a you can't use the LCD as the viewfinder

3) A card reader will probably cost about 30 bucks, and at most $60... get a usb2.0 high speed one

Ok, others pls correct me if i'm wrong somehow, hee hee

[Lenscapes]

Originally Posted by mich_2103 3. I don't have a card reader! How much does a card reader cost? Thanks a million! Pardon me for asking silly questions but digital is really so much complicated than my FM2. Still a newbie in digital technology. Cheers, -Michelle-

can't answer for the rest of the stuffs but i recently bought a USB 2.0 6-1 card reader from SLS for $12. i think there is a promo going on and it could be even lower now.

[rebbot]

Hi Michelle,

Maybe this should be in the newbies section or the Nikon sub forum to get more replies.

Anyway, to help a little:

1. For the WB, mebbe you can play around with the hue and saturation parameters to get the desired effects you wanna?

2. For SLR cameras, LCD screens are only used for reviewing pictures. You have to use the viewfinder to compose pictures. However, there are products such as digital viewfinders that uses a screen for taking shots. IMHO, i think they are only useful when taking shots at awkward angles.

3. A nice card reader would cost you about ~$12 or so. I saw one by imation in SLS the other day.

Cheers~

[ellery]

1. WB
If you are not fussy set to Auto WB that is what your previous consumer digicam was working on. If you want to do some tailor of the WB u could use these are guide lines as listed in the manual - its quite clear.

2. card readers - there is a price range from 10+++ to 70+++ depending on brands. Only thing to note is to get a full USB 2 spec model - hopefully your computers USB ports are full USB 2 as well if not there are add on cards to upgrade the USB ports to USB 2. These cards should be from 15 to 25 bucks - again price varies with chip set and location purchase. Was advise to use the Fujistu chip set over the Via.

[billpepsi]

Originally Posted by mich_2103 Hey Folks! My Dad couldn't resist the temptation anymore and finally bought the Nikon D70s over the weekend! Yah!! But while fiddling with the camera and trying out its functions, the WB part was quite a huge headache for me. Thus now seeking the experienced CSnappers for some suggestions and advice. Here are the questions: - 1. I used the PRE set WB, which is like I gotta take the WB if I change my location. But my pictures has a blue hue/tinge when I take photos indoors, however, with sunlight coming in from the windows. Photoshop aside, how do I correct this?

Regarding preset WB, a few things to take note:
1. Was the preset done on a 18% grey card or other white surface? if the preset was done on a white porcelin plate (eg: inside a restaurant), was the surface reflective?

Note: I usually do it on a white piece of paper or napkin. Works for me.


2. Was the flash light activated during preset WB?

Note: I prefer without the flash.


3. Were there mixture of artificial lights inside the room.

Note: Some ppl use colour gels for their flash to blend the colour temperature with the surroundings.


As for me, I usually try to use Auto-WB first and fine tune it with +1 or -1, or 2 or 3, else could also switch to cloud or shade. This is what I usually do when shooting in a concert while dealing with multiple colour spot light.

[espn]

Originally Posted by mich_2103 1. I used the PRE set WB, which is like I gotta take the WB if I change my location. But my pictures has a blue hue/tinge when I take photos indoors, however, with sunlight coming in from the windows. Photoshop aside, how do I correct this?

PREset WB works only for that location/time where you're shooting at, it won't work if you changed the shooting location/lighting.

Since you don't want to correct it in Nikon Capture or PS, then change the WB and/or re-PREset the WB accordingly with a grey card.

Originally Posted by mich_1203 2. This is for my Dad - our previous consumer digital camera was a Sony F505V. F505V doesn't have a viewfinder so you take all the photos using the monitor/LCD as the guide. My father prefers this method of taking photos than using the viewfinder. So the question is, can I set my D70s in such a way that I have a choice using the LCD to take photos?

No. SLRs' sensors/film are blocked with the shutter & mirror. The only way to see the framing is through the VF. LCDs on DSLRs are solely for preview only. Apart from 1 or two models that can allow live preview.

Originally Posted by mich_1203 3. I don't have a card reader! How much does a card reader cost?

Depends mainly on how much you want to spend. $12-$80 also have. But I don't see why you need a card reader.

[billpepsi]

Originally Posted by espn PREset WB works only for that location/time where you're shooting at, it won't work if you changed the shooting location/lighting.

Agree with ESPN on this. When there is a change in location/lighting, your Preset WB needs to be re-preset again, hence I try to use Auto-WB or flash when possible.

[Hewland]

Originally Posted by espn ...The only way to see the framing is through the VF. LCDs on DSLRs are solely for preview only...

Do you mean REview?

[Hewland]

Originally Posted by mich_2103 2. This is for my Dad - our previous consumer digital camera was a Sony F505V. F505V doesn't have a viewfinder so you take all the photos using the monitor/LCD as the guide. My father prefers this method of taking photos than using the viewfinder. So the question is, can I set my D70s in such a way that I have a choice using the LCD to take photos? Cheers, Michelle

Oh dear. Hope he doesn't get frustrated with it and decide to sell it any sooner than he had bought it. I'm sure there are some people who are pissed the LCD can't be used to preview shots and sell the camera.

[Ah Pao]

Haha, tell your dad that an optical viewfinder is better because it helps stabilises the camera, thus leading to better shots. Moreover, it's real-time and doesn't consume any batteries--so you can take more shots in between battery charges.

It's really just a matter of adjusting to the new style of shooting.

[karel]

Originally Posted by mich_2103 Hey Folks! 1. I used the PRE set WB, which is like I gotta take the WB if I change my location. But my pictures has a blue hue/tinge when I take photos indoors, however, with sunlight coming in from the windows. Photoshop aside, how do I correct this? Thanks a million! Pardon me for asking silly questions but digital is really so much complicated than my FM2. Still a newbie in digital technology. Cheers, -Michelle-

hi Michelle,
1. Do you mean a frame where there's sunlight and artificial light ? It happens because the indoor lights has different white balance than the sunlight, and since there are two white balance setting in one frame, you got funny color.. try setting the custom white balance at the area where lights from two sources meet.

[mich_2103]

Originally Posted by karel hi Michelle, 1. Do you mean a frame where there's sunlight and artificial light ? It happens because the indoor lights has different white balance than the sunlight, and since there are two white balance setting in one frame, you got funny color.. try setting the custom white balance at the area where lights from two sources meet.

Hey karel,
Yeah man, I am aware of the mixed lighting conditions.

But when I used my F505V's white balance, I never had any problems. I just point my camera to a white area, balanced the color temperature & mixed lighting or not, the camera sets it for me, which is what I like. Pardon me for asking this again but, is there an identical function like that in the D70s?

Certain folks have mentioned about the grey card. Asking another silly question but I thought the usage of grey cards is only for film? Hehehe... Sorry folks but somehow through my previous production experiences, this is the impression that I get.

So CSnappers, do you guys really carry a grey card in your bag for all your shoots? I am aware grey cards are not cheap (I just became a poor student 7 weeks ago) so what is my best alternative regarding my D70s WB?

Please advise.

Regards,
-Michelle-

[espn]

Originally Posted by mich_2103 But when I used my F505V's white balance, I never had any problems. I just point my camera to a white area, balanced the color temperature & mixed lighting or not, the camera sets it for me, which is what I like. Pardon me for asking this again but, is there an identical function like that in the D70s?

There's the Auto-WB.

Originally Posted by mich_2103 Certain folks have mentioned about the grey card. Asking another silly question but I thought the usage of grey cards is only for film? Hehehe... Sorry folks but somehow through my previous production experiences, this is the impression that I get.

Not really. Video cameras and digital cameras alike can use grey cards.

Originally Posted by mich_2103 So CSnappers, do you guys really carry a grey card in your bag for all your shoots? I am aware grey cards are not cheap (I just became a poor student 7 weeks ago) so what is my best alternative regarding my D70s WB?

Grey cards are $27 per pack of 3 (2 big 1 small) at CP. If you want the next best alternative, shoot RAW (NEF) and/or use Auto-WB.

[snowspeeder]

Going from a P&S to a DSLR is a big leap, especially if the user has little or no experience in understanding the strengths and limitations of a DSLR. Best way is to Read, Practice & Review. It will take quite a while to get the hang of it, but that's the learning curve.

For WB settings, knowing the WB characteristics of your cam will help u determine the best WB setting to utilize in any situation. Experience counts.

[Firefox]

Originally Posted by mich_2103 Certain folks have mentioned about the grey card. Asking another silly question but I thought the usage of grey cards is only for film? Hehehe... Sorry folks but somehow through my previous production experiences, this is the impression that I get. So CSnappers, do you guys really carry a grey card in your bag for all your shoots? I am aware grey cards are not cheap (I just became a poor student 7 weeks ago) so what is my best alternative regarding my D70s WB? Please advise. Regards, -Michelle-

You already have 2 grey cards with you..

Meter off the inside of your palm.. It's fairly close to medium tone unless you're of Indian or African descent..

[kthan]

Originally Posted by espn Grey cards are $27 per pack of 3 (2 big 1 small) at CP. If you want the next best alternative, shoot RAW (NEF) and/or use Auto-WB.

a number of us cheapo underwater photographers use the Pringle cap to set WB when not shooting RAW.....

[AntiFruits]

Originally Posted by kthan a number of us cheapo underwater photographers use the Pringle cap to set WB when not shooting RAW.....

haha i never thought of that one. thanks!