REVIEW: Nikon D70 Digital Camera Training Resources

Originally posted March 3rd, 2005 by Special Features Editor, Bet-TAY Morgan. Now that you've read our REVIEW of the Nikon D70, here are some training resources for squeezing the most out of it. Although the Nikon D70 Operation Manual is extensive, I prefer beautifully illustrated and photographed color books or videos to teach me how to use something. I know, I'm spoiled and I want my own coach helping out when I can't achieve what I want to do. Therefore, my first pick is DVD, then books... but only graphically interesting, well-written books! eBooks are great because they take up no extra space when traveling. Lately, I've had to be out of my office every weekday. It's been nice to be able to open my G4/1.5GHz PowerBook and start up a learning session wherever I finding myself waiting. Broadening one's education in photography is a never ending endeavor. Finding interesting educational tools has always been one of my pursuits. The digital venue is expanding daily, but the three top sources for instant learning in how to use the Nikon D70 are: Nikon D70 Made Easy - 2 Disc DVD DSLR D70 by Peter iNova - eBook The Complete Guide to the Nikon D70 by Thom Hogan - eBook "Nikon D70 Made Easy" 2 Volume DVD Set - 60 minutes each EliteVideo.com provides three personal instructors who explain in everyday language the features of the Nikon D70. Close-up shots show detail-by-detail how to make the Nikon D70 perform no matter the situation. Whether it be white balance, flash modes, LCD displays, focus options, custom settings, or bracketing, in 2 hours I learned about everything that my camera can and should do when shooting photos. It was great to be able to repeat the sections or learn with them as the movie played. If you are a visual learner like me, you'll LOVE this educational tool. The bonus section on the Nikon Make Easy DVD finally taught me an inexpensive way to light my subjects for shooting video or portraits, subject posing, secrets for mastering depth of field settings, understanding F-stop shutter speeds versus film speed, and showing the relationship between both. This section was worth the price of the DVDs. The Nikon Made Easy DVDs are the fastest way to not only get up and running with the Nikon D70, but also to learn the complex features that can often be overlooked. The cost for the two DVDs is $69 plus shipping. DSLR D70 eBook by Peter iNova Peter iNova's eBook details the Nikon D70 Digital Single Lens Reflex camera, lenses, system accessories and many photography secrets. I always want to know the "why" with the "how-to" and this eBook answers my questions! The 2 Volume CD PDF eBook contains 446 pages with more than 1100 images and illustrations. Many of the photographs and illustrations give instant "before and after" results as you mouse over the items. This is helpful in immediately viewing the before and after to correcting a problem or seeing how an illustrated feature operates. The D70 eBook by Peter iNova includes 14 chapters: • digital photographic technologies • historical perspectives • color and optical theory • digital image manipulation • RAW image conversion • D70 system operation (camera, lenses, flash) • 45 top digital photographic problems & their solutions • a 22 exercise digital photography course • digital printing • digital special effects • 35 vexing questions (advanced problem solving) • iNovaFX Photoshop Actions for the D70 system • Interactive Appendix • Index • Gallery of D70 images from 13 photographers The CD case includes color and grayscale reference charts plus 12 special color patches that turn the D70's manual white balance feature into pure color filter effects... unlike glass color filters, these filters will never scratch! The biggest bonus is the 460 iNovaFX Photoshop Actions for solving problems, improving images and teaching exotic techniques. Highlight of actions: the amazing iBCFisheye10.5 Hyper Wide-Angle Fisheye Image Flattening Action that creates a 160° straight-line image from the Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm DX lens. Without a doubt, The DSLR D70 eBook by Peter iNova is a must have item for anyone owning the Nikon D70. The eBook costs $49. Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D70 Photographer-Writer Thom Hogan has produced a masterpiece on Nikon D70 usage. Each page offers practical knowledge for using the D70 effortlessly. Whether amateur or professional, I found valuable information in every chapter. His precise, non-technical type of writing helped me understand not only the "hows" but the "whys" of using my Nikon D70. The 510 page eBook comes in a PDF format that has a professional design and an easy-to-read page layout. Hogan includes: - a set of D70-specific Photoshop actions that are Mac compatible - a quick-reference chart - custom curves for the D70 - Excel spreadsheets for calculating depth of field, for flash and macro calculations The Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D70 costs $29.95 plus shipping and can be purchased from his website. (To see our REVIEW of the NIKON D70 Digital SLR camera, see PAGE ONE.) Has Bare Feats helped you? How about helping Bare Feats?