Nikon D70s

[YEKCIM]

I have bounced around all over the dSLR landscape...Pentax, K-M, Sony, Canon, et al, and have finally, I think, settled on a Nikon. Here is what I'm looking to purchase, to get started, once I scrape up the necessary funds:

Near term:

Nikon D70s with 18-70 "kit" lens
Nikon 28-200 "G" lens

Longer term:

Nikon 50/1.8 prime
SB600 or SB800 flash
Ultrawide zoom in the 12-24mm range

~YEKCIM

 

[makinorlando]

I had one of them in my hands at Circuit City last night, and funds in my checking account.... but I RESISTED the temptation for now! I am a compuslive shopper and it would not have been unlike me to pick it up. I felt good when I walked out with only a few things - 6GB "GigBank" among them.....$129.99 w/$30 rebate.

Good luck with you upcoming purchase....

 

[Furgus]

I have a D50 and I love it. Have the 18-55 kit lens and the 70-300 Tamron lens. Both are pretty good for me. Soon I hope I will have the 50mm f/1.8. Can't beat that lens for the price.
Good luck, I know you will like it.

 

[safetymom]

I have the D70 with the 18-200 VR lens. I love the camera and lens. It does a wonderful job and when I print at 13x19 they look great.

 

[YEKCIM]

Martha,

I'm resisting temptation, too, but only b/c I *don't* have the funds in my checking account! I've squirreled away about half of the cost of the camera and two lenses, and have it in a coffee can, buried in our back yard.

Safetymom,

I'd *love* to have the 18-200VR, but that is just not in the cards (or the wallet), at present, plus I believe they are scarce as hens' teeth at present, which means that they ain't gonna be discounted much. I've been told that the 18-70 kit lens is actually a pretty decent lens, and likewise the 28-200 is capable of sharp images. As you can probably tell from what I post on these boards, I'm more prone to shoot at the tele end than the w/a end, so I'm guessing the 28-200 (42-300 equivalent) will probably be my mainstay.

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

YEKCIM, you know how I am with high ISO craze. The D50 is cleaner in the high ISO department than the D70/D70s.

 

[YEKCIM]

YEKCIM, you know how I am with high ISO craze. The D50 is cleaner in the high ISO department than the D70/D70s.

Yeah, I know, and I like a number of the D50's features. I had initially considered the D50, due to (what else!) cost. The more I read, though, the more I felt like the consensus is that the 18-70 is superior to th 18-55, which is what the D50 comes with. If you buy a D50 body and 18-70 separately, though, there is relatively little difference between the D50 and D70s. Beyond that, having more control buttons and less menu-searching is very appealing to me. In addition, and I know this is nutso, I have found the grid lines in the vf on my Fuji to be a VERY useful tool. The 70s has it, the 50 does not.

However, I am still a month or so away from pulling the trigger, so I'm still open to new ideas. Hopefully some price reductions and/or rebates might sweeten the pot, as well. The field *is* getting crowded!

~YEKCIM

 

[makinorlando]

Martha,

I'm resisting temptation, too, but only b/c I *don't* have the funds in my checking account! I've squirreled away about half of the cost of the camera and two lenses, and have it in a coffee can, buried in our back yard.

~YEKCIM

I hope no pirates find that can! Buried treasure you say?

I am trying to turn over a new leaf and be more "frugal" (goodness I hate that word) and less of a spend thrift, so it is hard to justify when my other camera is less than a year old.... I will save up my "pennies" and treat myself in Feb. for my birthday, and keep practicing with what I have!!! If I could make money with it, it would be one thing!

The "funds" that are available need to be put to much better uses... .of course 1 night at the Poly for DD and I in October for the Halloween party!

I also really would not have bought it in the store, as there was no sale/rebate. The sales man in the camera dept was a "dud" as well, I was listening to him while he was selling a woman a P&S camera, and he just did not really seem knowledgeable, and she was CLUELESS.

Salesman - "You will be needing a memory card - I suggest 512mb"
Woman - "Well why do I need a memory card?"
Salesman - "Well you won't be taking many pictures if you don't buy a memory card!!!"

I wanted to jump in and tell her all the things I have learned here!

It was funny all the sample photos they had from printers, and some of the desktop backgrounds on the computers had DISNEY photos on them. Some of the printed ones looked so much like mine...

All things that helped me keep the money where it belonged! I was amazed at all the cameras on display! I had not looked at the actual cameras in a store for some time, no wonder it is a daunting task for those who have "no clue"... LIKE me BEFORE I came here!!

Okay - that's my ramblings for the morning! Sorry!

 

[YEKCIM]

...so it is hard to justify when my other camera is less than a year old.... I will save up my "pennies" and treat myself in Feb. for my birthday, and keep practicing with what I have!!! If I could make money with it, it would be one thing!

Martha, please refresh my memory on your current equipment. Your pix posted here on dis look pretty darn good w/o going to the next level. Are you a dSLR-er or, like me, using a dSLR-wannabe?

Also, I have a pro "angle" concerning the D70, and that is that the wife of me is a sometimes pro who is going to be moving from film (Maxxum) to digital (Nikon, most likely) and needs to have a backup available in case of disaster during a shoot (mostly dance school photos). The D70 would be an excellent backup to the D200 she is probably going to go for. That being the case, she might be a little more sympathetic toward me overspending the contents of my rusty can-o-money (yo ho, yo ho...).

~YEKCIM

 

[ducklite]

I have a D70, and have two pretty major complaints about it. One was somewhat resolved with the D70s.

The first is the noise at higher ISO's. Totally unacceptable, and the number one reason I'm looking to "move up." The second is the small view screen, although it is larger on the D70s.

Otherwise it's a pretty easy camera to use. I have the 28-70 kit lens, and that I find unusable almost 100% of the time, only because I do mostly low light photography, and need f/1.8-f/2.8 capabilities.

Unless you are really going to go full force into portrait type work, you'll probably find the SB600 will work for you, that will save you some cash.

Anne

 

[YEKCIM]

I have a D70, and have two pretty major complaints about it. One was somewhat resolved with the D70s.

The first is the noise at higher ISO's. Totally unacceptable, and the number one reason I'm looking to "move up." The second is the small view screen, although it is larger on the D70s.

Otherwise it's a pretty easy camera to use. I have the 28-70 kit lens, and that I find unusable almost 100% of the time, only because I do mostly low light photography, and need f/1.8-f/2.8 capabilities.

Unless you are really going to go full force into portrait type work, you'll probably find the SB600 will work for you, that will save you some cash.

Anne

Anne,

I'll have to look at the noise issue a little closer, although I try to avoid anything above ISO 400. In any case, noise is bound to be less than my current P&S cam, although it has decent 800. I would much prefer a 2.5" LCD, but have resigned myself to a 2.0", if I have to.

My thinking is still evolving on this and am considering buying the D70 body only plus the Tokina 12-24 and the Nikon 28-200 G. That puts me at about $225 over budget, but I may have some flexibility due to wife's need for a backup. If I went that route, I could eliminate the 18-70 kit lens (is that what you referred to as 28-70 or do you actually have a 28-70?) altogether, and have two lenses that would cover 12mm-200mm with a small gap between 24mm and 28mm.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'm still a few $$$ away from decision time so have the luxury of time to mull this some more. Whichever way I go, though, I think it's going to be Nikon.

~YEKCIM

 

[makinorlando]

Martha, please refresh my memory on your current equipment. Your pix posted here on dis look pretty darn good w/o going to the next level. Are you a dSLR-er or, like me, using a dSLR-wannabe?

Also, I have a pro "angle" concerning the D70, and that is that the wife of me is a sometimes pro who is going to be moving from film (Maxxum) to digital (Nikon, most likely) and needs to have a backup available in case of disaster during a shoot (mostly dance school photos). The D70 would be an excellent backup to the D200 she is probably going to go for. That being the case, she might be a little more sympathetic toward me overspending the contents of my rusty can-o-money (yo ho, yo ho...).

~YEKCIM

Thanks for the compliment and i am a WANNABE!!! I lust after a dSLR.

I have the Canon S2-IS - so not dSLR... I was "uneducated" in cameras when I purchased it - compulsively - one night in February sitting on my sofa, after seeing some photos Dan Murphy and some other had taken with it. I am TOTALLY HAPPY with this camera... but with the knowledge that so many have shared, I now know what I DON'T have without the dSLR!!! Higher ISO, no shutter lag, etc! I think I might spend a little money and the tele and wide angle converters that I believe are available, for some more shooting options.

It's just me controlling my finances (alas my problem at times) - and I can always find a way to justify a new toy if I try hard enough!

 

[fitzperry]

Yeah, I know, and I like a number of the D50's features. I had initially considered the D50, due to (what else!) cost. The more I read, though, the more I felt like the consensus is that the 18-70 is superior to th 18-55, which is what the D50 comes with. If you buy a D50 body and 18-70 separately, though, there is relatively little difference between the D50 and D70s. Beyond that, having more control buttons and less menu-searching is very appealing to me. In addition, and I know this is nutso, I have found the grid lines in the vf on my Fuji to be a VERY useful tool. The 70s has it, the 50 does not.

However, I am still a month or so away from pulling the trigger, so I'm still open to new ideas. Hopefully some price reductions and/or rebates might sweeten the pot, as well. The field *is* getting crowded!

~YEKCIM

Those grid lines come in handy! When I forget to use them, I always seem to end up with wonky horizons. Guess I'm not very level-headed.

I'm quite happy with my D70 and use the "kit lens" a lot. It's a nice portrait lens if you're not shooting in low light. I too have had my eye on the 18-200mm VR lens, but it's not in the budget right now, and from what I hear, it's taking about 6 months to get one. I do have a 55-200mm DX ED and would like to trade it in on the 70-300mm VR that was announced recently--for the extra reach and for the VR. I'll probably get the 50 mm f/1.8 first though because of the cost.

As others have mentioned, high ISO noise is a factor. But my cousin and I both took a bunch of pictures of our kids on the beach at dusk a few weeks ago, and I honestly don't think the ones taken with their digital Rebel were that much better in terms of noise. There was a difference, to be sure, but there was noise in the Canon pics too, and they both cleaned up pretty nicely with a little help from Noiseware. Also, the D70 has features like spot metering that I use a lot, which if memory serves aren't found in the Canon.

I also agree with you about the extra control buttons on the D70 vs. the D50. I was trying to help a friend with her D50 recently, and that extra command dial on the D70 and the added buttons make things much easier, IMO.

Hope you get what you want and that that money is well-hidden in the backyard!

 

[makinorlando]

wonky horizons.

That made me laugh ..... I think "WONKY" will be my word for the day - Wonky, wonky, wonky......

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks for the compliment and i am a WANNABE!!! I lust after a dSLR.

I have the Canon S2-IS - so not dSLR... I was "uneducated" in cameras when I purchased it - compulsively - one night in February sitting on my sofa, after seeing some photos Dan Murphy and some other had taken with it. I am TOTALLY HAPPY with this camera... but with the knowledge that so many have shared, I now know what I DON'T have without the dSLR!!! Higher ISO, no shutter lag, etc! I think I might spend a little money and the tele and wide angle converters that I believe are available, for some more shooting options.

It's just me controlling my finances (alas my problem at times) - and I can always find a way to justify a new toy if I try hard enough!

I'm right there with ya! I used 35mm film cam's for years, after being bitten with the photo bug at 12, when I got my first camera, a Kodak (sorry, Kelly) Instamatic 104, with which I shot slides, exclusively. In fact, I have a bunch of WDW slides from 1974-1975 that I need to scan and post somewhere on this board. My next cam's were all M42 screwmount, with the favorites being Fujica 801, 705w, and AZ-1. After that, I migrated to Minolta and then Maxxum, and finally to the Fuji S5200, which is similar in abilities to your S2-IS. It has been a very good camera to learn digital on, especially considering what I paid ($225), but like you, I'm ready to move to the next level, and after WAY too much research and analysis, I think my next (and probably last) camera will have NIKON on the prism.

~YEKCIM

 

[ducklite]

Anne,

I'll have to look at the noise issue a little closer, although I try to avoid anything above ISO 400. In any case, noise is bound to be less than my current P&S cam, although it has decent 800. I would much prefer a 2.5" LCD, but have resigned myself to a 2.0", if I have to.

If you are staying under 400 ISO you should be fine.

My thinking is still evolving on this and am considering buying the D70 body only plus the Tokina 12-24 and the Nikon 28-200 G. That puts me at about $225 over budget, but I may have some flexibility due to wife's need for a backup. If I went that route, I could eliminate the 18-70 kit lens (is that what you referred to as 28-70 or do you actually have a 28-70?) altogether, and have two lenses that would cover 12mm-200mm with a small gap between 24mm and 28mm.

My kit lens is a 28-70. No typo. Have you looked into buying used gear? I bought one of my lenses (the 80-200 f/2.8 Nikkor AF ED) used from a reputable but independently owned camera store, and got a great deal on it, plus he did warrantee it for 60 days--more than enough time to shake out any bugs.

Anne

 

[YEKCIM]

Those grid lines come in handy! When I forget to use them, I always seem to end up with wonky horizons. Guess I'm not very level-headed.

I'm quite happy with my D70 and use the "kit lens" a lot. It's a nice portrait lens if you're not shooting in low light. I too have had my eye on the 18-200mm VR lens, but it's not in the budget right now, and from what I hear, it's taking about 6 months to get one. I do have a 55-200mm DX ED and would like to trade it in on the 70-300mm VR that was announced recently--for the extra reach and for the VR. I'll probably get the 50 mm f/1.8 first though because of the cost.

As others have mentioned, high ISO noise is a factor. But my cousin and I both took a bunch of pictures of our kids on the beach at dusk a few weeks ago, and I honestly don't think the ones taken with their digital Rebel were that much better in terms of noise. There was a difference, to be sure, but there was noise in the Canon pics too, and they both cleaned up pretty nicely with a little help from Noiseware. Also, the D70 has features like spot metering that I use a lot, which if memory serves aren't found in the Canon.

I also agree with you about the extra control buttons on the D70 vs. the D50. I was trying to help a friend with her D50 recently, and that extra command dial on the D70 and the added buttons make things much easier, IMO.

Hope you get what you want and that that money is well-hidden in the backyard!

The grid is a big deal to me. I, too, have a hard time keeping my horizontal horizontal and my verical vertical. The grid on the Fuji has been so helpful, it's almost a deal maker or breaker for me on dSLR. Wish my camcorder had one, too.

I've looked pretty extensively at the specs on the 70, as well as I guess every other dSLR in the known universe. This has become *almost* as complicated as planning our first WDW visit in December 03. I spent weeks poring over The Unofficial Guide, forums, and everything else I could get my hands on, but the time was well spent; we had a very enjoyable time. I used to just recommend the UG to new WDW-goers. I still do, but just add that there are really only two cardinal rules: 1. Get to the park early 2. Be flexible.

The money is well hidden, for sure, but there were holes all over the back yard last night when I got home from work, and Mrs. YEKCIM's shoes were very muddy. I think she may be on to me. OTOH, I did buy her a brand new set of b/r furniture earlier this year. Maybe that will count for something!

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

...when I got my first camera, a Kodak (sorry, Kelly) Instamatic 104, with which I shot slides, exclusively.

We all have made stupid mistakes in the past Myself included, actually. I've bought THREE Kodaks in my life. The first one was an instamatic, can't remember the 2nd one, but the 3rd one is the Kodak dSLR with Canon mount... what a freakin' $14,000 disaster!

 

[ducklite]

Hey now, my first camera was a Kodak when I was about eight years old in 1969... I still have lots of photo's of feet and bright sun with black shapes that look like bodies in a photo album someplace...

Anne

 

[YEKCIM]

We all have made stupid mistakes in the past Myself included, actually. I've bought THREE Kodaks in my life. The first one was an instamatic, can't remember the 2nd one, but the 3rd one is the Kodak dSLR with Canon mount... what a freakin' $14,000 disaster!

Kelly,...

Say it ain't so! (Confession is good for the soul!)

~YEKCIM