Need help deciding between two cameras!

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Ok, I've narrowed down my search for a digital SLR to a Nikon D40x or a Nikon D70.

The D70 I've found at a local used store for $449 + $100 for a lens. The D40x I've found online at all sorts of places.

I like them both of them, took great shots on both, but I just can't make up my mind.

 

[ukcatfan]

Do you plan on using any of the lenses that will not autofocus on the D40 series?

Kevin

 

[Gdad]

Is the D70 used or refurbished? I had a D70 for a while- a very solid camera but does not have some of the nicer things of the newer cameras such as the large LCD. Will work with all lenses.

Also- a D80 is not too much more than the D40x- especially used or refurbished. May be another option. My wife has a D40 but also has no desire to use anything aside from her 18-135 kit lens.

 

[garate55]

You do get some MP loss on the D70 but you can get great photos frrom a 6MP camera.
But like ukcatfan said you can't use Nikon's big range of non-auto focus lenses with the D40x. This means that you can't use the lenses Nikon manufactures without the built-in AF motor on the D40x.

Just some help in your decision, ultimately it will be your decision but, I know I would, want to be informed on the many options and differences on the products you are looking at.

Obviously it sounds like I lean towards the D70 but I do have a D40(my only DSLR) and I love it.
Take a look at my trip report(photo album) and see what a D40 can do.
I know some of the pictures are blurry but some of these I was rushed on.

 

[Groucho]

I wouldn't even bother with the D40x myself, were I buying a Nikon, I'd go for the D40 or the D80. The D40s just gives you more megapixels in the same-size sensor - not worth much extra money IMHO. Maybe $25-50, no more.

Since I like to use primes and various oddball lenses, the lack of a focus motor on the D40 would be a deal-killer, so I'd have to go D80.

I'm not really familiar with the D70, but I seem to recall that it is lacking in some image quality departments compared to the latest? Like higher ISO noise? I'm sure a Nikonian could comment on that better.

 

[Gdad]

D70 IQ was fine- aside from outdated particularly with the LCD size. I think the D70s had a 2" LCD where the D70 had 1.8". Current cameras have 2.5" - 3" typically.

And the original D70 had the BGLOD (Blinking Green Light of Death) issue too- which was a warranty issue where the cameras locked up except for the blinking green light.

DPR has a nice Side-by-Side comparrison tool here.

 

[handicap18]

I would lean towards the D70. Between the D40 and D40x, I greet with what Groucho said. Its not worth the few extra features and higher MP's on the same sensor for the additional cost.

The D70 is a fine camera and always was. Its LCD is on the small size and its ISO1600 is a bit noisier than other camera, but overall its IQ is very good. Also it can auto focus with any Nikkor AF or AF-S lens. The D40 and D40x will only auto focus with AF-S lenses. Now there are about 30 or so AF-S lenses, but many are on the expensive side (ie: 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S = $1200 vs the 80-200 f/2.8 AF = $750 for one example). The AF-S tells you the lens has an auto focus motor in the lens. Also many of the excellent fast prime lenses are AF (ie: 50mm f/1.8 {$110}, 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4, 30mm f/2 and many others). This is really only going to come into play if you plan on wanting to do a lot of low light stuff. Many with dSLR's take a 50mm f/1.8 lens because of its low cost and great performance in low light situations (ie: Spectromagic, indoor rides such as PotC, IASM, GMR, Pooh and a few others).

Hope the info helps.

 

[Gdad]

I always thought the D70 got a bum rap on the noise issue. With a properly exposed image I never had a noise problem. The D70 does tend to expose for a very conservative image- and underexposes sometimes rather than blow hilights. This was taken with a D70s at ISO 1600 f2.8 1/80th Sec.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Thanks everyone! We're still trying to decide, hoping to go check things out this weekend but the oldest had an emergency appendectomy last night and it put a sudden stop to all shopping including christmas!

 

[fitzperry]

I've had my D70 for 3 years now and I still love it. I will say I'm not as convinced as Jeff is that the noise criticism is undeserved, but proper exposure does help quite a bit. The high ISO images we're seeing from the new D300 seem to be a significant improvement, but that comes at too steep a price for me at the moment. IIRC the D40/D40x did get better reviews than the D70 in that regard, but I'm not sure how much better they actually perform. And you get a lot of other features in the D70 (dual command dials; IIRC the metering system is superior but don't quote me on that; and of course the focusing motor). They're really both good options.

Hope the appendectomy patient is recovering well!

 

[Geoff_M]

I bought a D70 from the first batch that hit the US shores and it's served me well. Yes, it did suffer from "BGLOD" but Nikon repaired it for free even though it was out of warranty. Nikon treats that as a recall issue, so you don't have to worry about it if it occurs. The problem was a one-shot deal due to a less-than-sufficient connection on one of the PC boards in early units produced.

As pointed out above, if you're going to use more (or think you MIGHT use more) than consumer AF-S lenses, the D40's lack of a focus motor will haunt you. A friend of mine jumped at a D40 instead of the D50 I recommended because he wanted to save some $$$. Within a month is regretted the D40 purchase because of the motor issue and the fact that he wanted a longer lens would didn't want to spend the $$$ for AF-S models.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

We bought my Christmas present tonight! I got a Nikon D70s, a 28-80 lens, and a 4gig card. We paid less than the Nikon D40x new! Just waiting for the battery to charge then I'm going to play with it!