nikon D40 vs D70

[disneyfan2]

I was at a camera store the other day, talking with sales people and they recommended the D40 for an entry level DSLR camera. I orignally was looking at Canon Rebel, but they suggested the D40.

Now today at work someone posted for sale a D70 camera with a few extras including a flash and misc stuff.

Both would end up costing me the same price, but i would have the 2 flash with the used D70, but with the D40 i could purchase and have a warranty.

What would the main difference be between the D40 and D70. I did not look at the prices of the D70 so not sure how much more they are?

any suggestions would be great,

 

[Master Mason]

I have a canon, but if I were purchasing Nikon, at this time I could not purchase the d40, there is no focus motor in it, so you limited on the lenses that will work with full function on the camera. The lenses will work, they just won't auto focus. To me, until at least the majority of Nikon lenses are built with the motor in lens, it is a fatal flaw. Just my opinion.

 

[handicap18]

There are a lot of differences... The D40 is smaller, has no focus motor in the body and therefor can only use Nikkor lenses with the AF-S distinction. This is a limited number of lenses, probably about 20-30 ***pared to hundreds that the D70 can use. The D40 does have a cleaner high ISO. The D70 has 2 ***mand dials (really useful in Manual mode to be able to change shutter and aperture without pressing a 2nd button). The D70 also has a top status LCD along with the LCD screen on the back, though it is only 1.8" ***pared to the 2.5" one on the D40, though the D40 will use a battery quicker because you have to use the big LCD for everything (or the viewfinder).

The D70 is a great camera, though it is on the older side. The D40 does not offer as much expansion room (in that you can't use most prime lenses and many older zoom's, many of which can be found for very good prices used).

There are other differences, some with advantages to the D70 and some to the D40.

I think I still would go with the D70 over the D40.

 

[Furgus]

I would go with the D70.

Side note, ummm why am as seeing *** for c o m

Anyone?

***

 

[Master Mason]

someone is messing with the filters.

 

[Furgus]

someone is messing with the filters.

Ok so it is not me....good


Get the D70

Heck get the D200

I heard that Nikon is announcing a new camera on Tues. I will believe it when I read it. Suppose to be the D3x

 

[disneyfan2]

I would go with the D70.

***

Even as a beginner slr user, you would recommend D70. i am concerned about warranty issue. But the used price d70 is still higher then new D40 with warranty.

 

[go cowboys]

I would also say get the D70. As was mentioned the focus motor limits you so much especially when you may want to upgrade in a few years and use the "old" lenses. You are also going to want to buy a flash for the D40 eventually, plus probably want a zoom or something and although you do not get the warranty, with the money you save on the extras you could probably replace the camera were something to happen to it. I have priced speedlights and just bought two lenses and for the price of the lenses alone I could have purchased a D40.

 

[Furgus]

Even as a beginner slr user, you would recommend D70. i am concerned about warranty issue. But the used price d70 is still higher then new D40 with warranty.

Well you have to start somewhere. If I had the cash I would have started with a D2Hs, or a D2Xs, and just bought an external flash. The D70 is basic enough for you to start with and learn as you go. It has an auto mode, as well as some scene shot selections, so if you are feeling a little overwhelmed, just use those modes until you get more and more comfortable. It is what I did with my D50. Now I shoot manual a lot, and shoot only in RAW. I know how to use the light meter to get the correct exposure, and I did not know that starting out.
I am a little bit of a research freak, so I try to learn as much as I can about a product before I buy it, and once I do buy, I try to learn as much as I can in how to use it. Take some classes at your local CC, go sit in Barnes and Nobles with a notepad and take notes on some books you read. Take a lot of pictures, and look at them and ask, "how can I make that better?" Then learn how too. Once you learn proper techniques it doesn't matter what camera you have, and my reason for the D70 is the lens choses, and future purchases once you upgrade, and I say "once" cause you will.
Really either one is a great camera, and if you don't have the extra money right now go with the D40, it takes wonderful pictures, and remember it is a camera "system" not just a camera.

 

[disneyfan2]

I am a little bit of a research freak, so I try to learn as much as I can about a product before I buy it, and once I do buy, I try to learn as much as I can in how to use it. Take some classes at your local CC, go sit in Barnes and Nobles with a notepad and take notes on some books you read. Take a lot of pictures, and look at them and ask, "how can I make that better?" Then learn how too. Once you learn proper techniques it doesn't matter what camera you have, and my reason for the D70 is the lens choses, and future purchases once you upgrade, and I say "once" cause you will.
Really either one is a great camera, and if you don't have the extra money right now go with the D40, it takes wonderful pictures, and remember it is a camera "system" not just a camera.

thanks for the replies, my hubby is steering towards getting a Canon Rebel, which opens another can of worm... LOL

I notice my camera store, does not sell the D70 anymore, so i can't even go and ask to see it. But as a starter out, would i be ok with a standard everyday lens to play with and when i have more money get additional lens,. Or should i wait and save more, then get 1 good lens with the camera?>

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I think that either the D40 or the D70 will work well as beginners cameras. The only lens a beginner is likely to want that won't work on the D40 is the 50mm f/1.8. It's cheap and fast. It'll still work with the D40, but MF is a PITA.

So while it is true that there are scads and scads of old AF lenses that will only MF on the D40, most beginners are likely to only use a couple of modern zooms anyway. If you get serious, you'll probably outgrow either one.

I understand and sympathize with people annoyed by the lack of a body focus motor in the D40, but for the overwhelming majority of D40 buyers I doubt that it is ever a practical limitation. Clearly, though, my view is in the minority amongst forum posters here and elsewhere on the net, so take it with a grain of salt.