D70 is Nikon's entry-level DSLR. Introduced in early 2004, it was the first DSLR that met our needs in price, quality and features. It has a 6 Mp CCD sensor with FOV factor of x1.5, ISO from 200 to 1600, 5-point AF, and spot meter. Our unit backfocused as shipped; we had to send it to Nikon service for adjustment. Update: A well-aimed hit (a stumble in the field) in August 2004 cracked the top LCD; the camera remained operational but the LCD lost its function. Repaired by Nikon service.Update: Sometime during the summer of 2007 the buil-in flash stopped working; hot-shoe flash control is OK.

D40x is Nikon's 10 megapixel entry-level DSLR introduced in 2007. Much smaller than Nikon D70, simplified user interface, doesn't autofocus with non AF-S lenses.

The kit lens for D70; has FOV equivalent to 27-105 on 35 mm film SLR. An excellent all-around lens.

The Nikon's wideangle for digital; has FOV equivalent to 18-36 on 35 mm film SLR.

A "standard" 50 mm lens, our sharpest and fastest.

An excellent long portrait or short telephoto lens, used primarily for shooting indoor sports.

One of the Nikon's "big guns"; top-of-the-line tele-zoom with vibration reduction.

A 1.4x teleconverter for Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 G ED-IF AF-S VR.

A new-generation consumer zoom with VR.

An excellent, albeit slow-focusing, macro/portrait lens.

Pretty good for a third-party lens. Focuses close enough for 1:3 magnification ratio.

A powerful dedicated flash for Nikon cameras. Update: In June 2002 there was some electronic failure compounded by a leak and corrozion in the battery chamber. The repair price (gray market unit - no warranty) was ~60% of the new price. Update: Unfortunately, this flash is not 100% compatible with the Nikon's line of digital SLRs.

A taller and sturdier Manfrotto tripod with a ballhead. As with 3001Pro, one can lock the legs at 4 different angles independently; central column can be removed rapidly for a very low-to-ground setting. The ballhead is a little inconvenient for portrait orientation.

Canon's digital P&S, introduced in late 2006. Lens FOV is eqivalent to 28-105 mm, one of the few wide-angle digicams. Image stabilization works. The camera is very small, but with a proper technique can be held firmly and comfortably.

N65 is a very basic SLR. Still it has all the features an advanced beginner needs - manual, aperture and shutter priority metering modes; manual and five-point auto focus. The only feature we seriously miss is the spot-metering mode. Low-light autofocus precision and autofocus speed are not up to a professional standards too. Update: Film door latch broken in the field in August 2006. Repaired by Nikon service.

A P&S camera with 24-105 zoom lens. One of the widest at the wide end. The rest is almost identical to 105SW. Update: De facto retired as of the end of 2005.

A P&S camera with 28-105 zoom lens. One of the few in it's class with zoom starting in the wide angle area. Minimal focusing distance of 50 cm and passive autofocus are additional attractive features. Interface has some annoying features, e.g. the infinity focus mode is reset to AF after each frame is taken. Update: after about a year of use the camera developed a defect - at certain exposures a lower left corner of a frame gets some ghost reflections. As the repair estimate exceeded 75% of the original price, we decided to leave it as is. Update: De facto retired as of the end of 2005.

A really nice P&S camera with 38-120 mm zoom lens. Reasonably sharp, with focus/exposure lock and controlled flash. Lost in Action in October 2001 in Dolly Sods, WV.

A "semi-professional" lens, replacing our 28-80 zoom. Seems to be very good.

A relatively cheap telephoto zoom. Not really sharp, especially at the long end of the zoom. Update: A lens-down drop of the camera in November 2003 broke down the zoom mechanism. Repaired by PennCamera (repair cost ~40% of the new price); works now. Superseded by Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 G ED-IF AF-S VR for any serious work.

A cheap consumer zoom lens. Now superceded by Nikkor 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 D.

A very good ultra-wide angle lens.

A sturdy aluminium tripod with three-section legs and a three-way panning head with standard Manfrotto quick-release plate. It is rated for most 35 mm SLR camera combinationss with the exception of the heaviest glass, but light enough to be carried while hiking. We like its ability to lock legs at variable angles; it is good for macro shots or for setting tripod in difficult terrain (rocks etc.). It is qiuite short, although. Update: In October 2002 airline bagage handlers managed to break off a leg lock. Repair price was shocking (but still below the price of a new unit). Update: a fall on a rocky surface in July 2006 dented the top section tube, making extending/collapsing the legs very difficult. Replaced by the Manfrotto 3021Pro+488RC2 combo.