Nikon D70, D2X, or something else

[anthp 0]

Here are some points from the D70, D2X and Canon 20D...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

jenkinsd, he's already bought the D70. No need to try to change his mind now

[Arnon_Ayal 1]

underwater photographer have a very effective way of convincing themselves that they need something 

The problem is to convince the other part B)

One way to do it is to buy her a full set for herself...

[Viz'art 24]

Amen to that!

[talahaski 0]

If I had an "other", you think I'd be able to offord this!

 

Being single can have its advantages.

[jenkinsd 0]

The problem is to convince the other part  B)

One way to do it is to buy her a full set for herself...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Did not get time to read all responses, that will teach me.

[talahaski 0]

Ok, I've been playing around with the camera and am in the process of uploading my first set of pictures.

 

I thought this would be simple but I ran into another problem.

 

I took the pictures so far using the RAW mode. Well it appears most programs I have do not recognize this, so I am forced to install Nikon's software.

 

What should I use?

I'd like to be able to use Adobe CS2 for everything, but I think there is a issue about this where Adobe cannot work with Nikon RAW images.

I can also use the PictureProject software that came with the camera, which I assume sucks. Or I can use Nikon Capture 4, but I am not about to spend the money on that.

 

So what do? Should I take the pictures using the large jpg? I am assuming this will result in less quality and reduce the amount of photoediting I will be able to do.

 

What are most people doing right now?

[anthp 0]

Hi mate,

 

If you have a copy of CS2 - you should install Adobe Camera Raw (I've linked the PC version).

 

Don't bother with Picture Project - your assumption is correct and also don't bother shooting JPEG if you already have CS2.

[james 0]

You should have no problem opening a NEF file with CS2 - just open the file, adjust the white balance and exposure to taste, etc.

 

There is an article in the library here about how to develop RAW files.

 

Cheers

James

[kdietz 0]

If your CS2 Raw doen't work, you'll need to disable the NEF plug-in in the Adobe program file

 

Karl

[pbella29 0]

hi,

 

if you go subal for your D70 housing, you may be in for a long wait. i've just been quoted at least 6 weeks maybe more for one here in the UK. prolly better there in the states (most things are inc. the prices ;p)

[talahaski 0]

Yeah, a number of the housings appear to have fairly long delivery times.

 

 

 

Here an udate on my progress:

 

I've been playing with the camera taking topside pictures and really do like the camera. I ran into some trouble working with the raw images and have been struggling to figure out how to use Adobe CS2. I'm starting to get the hang of it. I realized that I can load about 200 pictures at once and select a large group of pictures with similar lighting and make the same adjustments to that entire group at once. This really helps cut down the time.

 

I will be running into anouther issue soon, I have been working with the trial version of CS2, and I only have 2 days left. I did not realize how expensive that software is. I'd be willing to spend the upgrade price (150), but the full version price is too high. Problem is that I don't have a previous version so the upgrade version is not going to work.

 

I'm going diving this weekend, but since I don't have a housing yet I won't have any pictures to post. I have not even ordered the housing yet, but I have a pretty good idea what I plan on buying. I just want to get more comforable taking pictures with this camera and working with the images first before I buy the housing. This also gives me a little time to save up a little more cash so I can offord everything I want.

[talahaski 0]

Oh, working with the raw images, I have found that for most pictures I need to do the following.

 

Step 1, use the white balance dropper on something in the image that is white.

Step 2, Increase the exposure. For some reason I need to do this on a lot of my images since the auto exposure setting seems to be too low.

Step 3, on a lot of my images I find that increasing the saturation between 10 to 15 helps bring out the true color.

 

I'm not sure if I should be adjusting saturation at this point but they seem to be coming out pretty good.