After some cleaning and firmware upgrade, it turns out that camera looked good, and was perfectly working. 
And you know what? It still takes photos.
It is easy to use, AF works as it is supposed to work, not the fastest but accurate, exposure is OK, and noise, that wasn't really an issue at the time compared to the other digital cameras, is even less of an issue today with DxO Prime noise reduction.
Of course, resolution is only 6MP, and cropping is not much of an option here, but that is more than enough for publishing on the web, or print some very nice 10x8 prints or even 13x19 prints.
If you expose your photos correctly, there is no need for crazy highlights / shadows recovery.
I enjoy shooting mostly any camera (I'm actually having fun these days with an "antique" HP 5MP point and shoot), but I really like that D70, and for the price of a little more than two packs of cigarettes, it is a great camera to have and shoot, compatible with almost all Nikon F glass.

You may also like

Shooting the Sony A77 in 2022
2021
If you have some A-mount lenses and want an APSC DSLR that can take them natively, you don’t have many options. Especially if you can’t / don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD IF Macro
2022
It took me some time to write about that A-mount lens I got NOS for 250 bucks. At that price, you will unlikely find any better F/2.8 telezoom.
Shooting the Olympus OM-D E-M1 in 2023, 2024 and later.
2023
One month ago, I was fed up with travelling with camera gear. Air travel became a miserable experience: arguing with check-in people, Unpack all that expensive shit at security, having gear damaged in the plane when frantic fellow passengers trow their hard cases in the overhead bins. I want to travel light: then a classified caught my eye: EM1, grip, charger, 2 batteries and 45-150 for 300.
Shooting the Sony Alpha 77 mk II in 2022
2021
I wrote about the A77. But what about the noticeably more expensive used A77m2? You’ll have to pay $600 to $800 to buy a used one in good condition. Is it worth it? The A77m2 came a few years after the A77. in my opinion, the improvements are mostly marketing stunts. Despite a lot more AF sensors, a so-called new AF system, better video and a bigger buffer, I keep thinking the A77m2 used isn’t a very good deal.
Fun with the DXO ONE in 2023
2023
In 2015, Dxo decided to sell a tiny camera that connected to the iPhone. They used the 1inch 20MP sensor from the Sony RX100 m3 that I really love a lot, 32mm equivalent lens that is pretty bright: F/1.8 and shoots RAW.
Nikkor Plastic 70-300 F/4-5.6 AF-D ED
2023
This Nikkor 70-300 has been one of the most poorly reviewed Nikkor lens ever.
Nikon N50 / F50 shooting Kodak UltraMax 400
2023
I didn't shoot film for years. Didn't really plan to. Not that I don't like it, because I love film, but I just didn't have an opportunity to do so. When I saw that Nikon F50 with a 35-80 for 20 bucks, I just bought it. Ordered a new battery on amazon and a couple rolls of Kodak Ultramax 400
Birding with a cheap Sigma 135-400?
2021
When it comes to birding, the common advice is to get a camera with low noise, fast AF, fast burst, big buffer and some long lens, preferably a super fast telephoto. It is indeed good advice, but you'll have to pay thousands of dollars to buy that gear, even on the used market. What if you want to shoot birds on a super tight budget? You'll still need some camera and lens. Maybe consider buying some older inexpensive gear?
Shooting the Nikon D200 in 2022
2019
The D200 is a camera I always loved. At the time it came out, it was a hell of a camera for the price Nikon asked. Shooting it in 2019 is still a pleasant experience. 2005 specs? that's outdated, nobody wants that. Photos taken with that camera will be ugly, especially compared to the Sony A9 ($4500), the Nikon D850 ($3000) or the Canon 5D mark whatever ($2700). Or will it not?
Sony RX100 m3: all you need from 24 to 70mm
2022
I got this little camera for $200 a couple years ago and didn't write about it yet.
Back to Top