Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone help with experience with either of these?

I'm going to be shooting in rainforest(Costa Rica), and was told at the local camera shop, that the seals on the D70 are far superior than the EOS Rebel. They suggested, that unless I get into the Canon 20D(for quite a bit more) that I wouldn't want to take a rebel into the wet/humid environment of the rain forest.

Any thoughts or suggestions???

Thanks

Matt

Matt, I've had a D70 since August. I've used it in light rain on a handful of occasions with no problems. You might try posting your question on the Nikonians.org or DPReview.com D70 forums to get a larger sample of experiences with this camera. There's also a digiRebel forum on DPR.

Cheers,
WK

The D70 is a better camera than the Rebel 300D. However, the Rebel 350D is a pretty nice camera which would make a provide a more difficult choice.

The only DSLR that really has any substantial weatherproofing are the Olympus DLSRs. However, they are more expensive and lenses cost more. The high end Nikons and Canons also have some weatherproofing, but are several thousand dollars for the body alone.

I personally wouldn't worry about the weatherproofing too much. It is a tool and it is meant to be used. I woudn't go and change lenses outside in a dust storm or on a rainy day in the forest, but otherwise I wouldn't have a problem. As long as you are careful, you should be fine.

Now, if your choices are the D70 and the D300, I would choose the Nikon everytime. If you are considering the new Rebel XT (D350), then I might be more inclined to ponder, but would probably choose the Nikon anyway. It is a much more user friendly, yet powerful camera. The extra 2MP the 350 has are irrelevant to most herp photography. The Nikon has faster flash sync, easier to use controls and is very responsive.

Try reading some review at sites like dpreview.com.

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Chris Harrison

What impressed me with the D70, was the speed at which you can shoots---essentially immediately on power-up. And the speed of up to 8 shots/second.

Have you used the white balance settings much with, say headlamps? My concern is when we have 5-6 people with headlamps shining on a tree frog or eyelash viper, and all this different light. I think the white balance of the D70 may be able to correct for the different lights. (I hope anyway).

Thanks again.
Matt

Matt,

I have had no problems with the white balance on the Camera with mutiple spotlights.

....at a recent Australasian Herpetological conference held in a prime herp location we had an average of 15 to 20 herpers spotlighting at once. One found a threatened species of Tree Frog (Litoria cf. revelata) And I was the only one with a dslr (there was a few point and shoots) Camera (D 70) on hand...10 different spotlights on this little frog and the photographs came out well.

The were 3 main sorts of spot lights being used (xenon hids, incandescents and white leds).

I had the white balance set on automatic.

I would show the pic but I am unsure how to downsize it on my computer.

Regards,
Scott Eipper

I'll second Scott's observation. I use a spotlight or flashlight at night to focus the camera and haven't noticed the lighting being off.

I picked up the camera last night. I'm off to the Osa Peninsula, Costa RIca tomorrow to do some croc work for 5 days,and then taking a group through Corcovado for 7 days.

I'll post some shots when I get back. I took some test pics last night, to get familiar with the controls. MAN, this is a fast camera!!! I hope to use the continous mode to get some nice macaw flight sequences..

Thanks for your help.

Matt

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