Nikon D100 vs D70 vs 10D!!

[Al_in_Melbourne]

Hi all,

I'm about to jump into the DSLR market, moving away from Minolta which I have used for years in the film world, but as the future of KM is very much in doubt I think its time to step into the world of one of the big two - ie Canon or Nikon. I have recently been into a second-hand dealer here in Melbourne, and seen a Canon 10D, a Nikon D100 (with battery grip) and a Nikon D70, all for about AU$1000, which i could then supplement with some pretty good glass and still be within my price range of about AU$1600.

What I am asking of this forum is the pros and cons of the various cameras. I am concerned about:

1. Spot Metering: I've got quite used to using this on my Minolta film SLR, yet the Canon doesn't have it

2. AF-Assist: Is it better having a non-flash AF-Assist lamp like the D100 or is the 10D's version of flash assistance more useful?

3. Build: D100 feels nice and solid, D70 less so, and 10D in between, I'm going to be travelling/backpacking, so sturdiness is quite important.

4. Image Quality: Obviously I'm entering the market, and not looking to be doing commercial level stuff, but are there any real problems with any of the above cameras' image quality?

5. Lenses: Canon have so many, is the Nikon range as extensive? If I am seeing this as buying an 'entry-level' camera with quality glass, and then upgrading the body in a few years time (bearing in mind I have NO equipment for either system, as all my kit is Minolta), am I better starting afresh with Canon or Nikon?

Now I know these are all questions that will be hotly debated, but that is sort of what I want. So please, any opinions would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Al.

[coldrain]

Of those 3 camera I think I'd go for the D70, yet maybe I'd go for the 10D because it is cnaon. The D70 is faster in operation, and what i DO not like about the D70 is the artifacts it can produce in photos because of its in-camera processing.

The AF assist light is a difficult subject. The reason why Canon does not have it anymore in the body is because when you have a bit wide a lens, or the subject is too close, the light gets blocked by the lens. That is why Canon and others have moved that funcion up, to the flash light. But the flash is more attention grabbing, and because it will flash when the flash is up, it is hard to then take a photo without flash (you can do it by switching to manual and putting the flash down after focus lock).

But then again, I never need it, even at night outside, unless I use my 18-50 Sigma, but then it will not focus anyway because probably the lens just reacts too slow with its motor.

How much is the australian dollar on the moment? A 1000$ does sound a bit much for these 2nd hand models.

The EOS 350D is very comparable to the D70 in functions, and trumps it in JPEG image quality (and white balance, colour accuracy). It can't be far off a 1000$ can it? The Nikon D50 also betters the D70 in image quality. Both are smaller and lighter, nice for when backpacking (the reason i got my 350D... easy to take along because of size and weight).

Sturdiness... my 350D gets tossed about a lot and it can handle the abuse. So can a D50 or D70... don't worry too much about that.

From the 3 cameras you did look at 2nd hand. the D100 is the lesser... its image quality hardly compares. Its age shows a LOT.

As for how the Canon and Nikon lens system compares... if you want TELE stuff in future, Canon is your choice. Else, both are pretty even.
I prefer the Canon lens lineup, but you can also have a very good set of lenses from Nikon, so it is hard to say which is "best".

Any lenses in particular you have in mind to start with?

[AlexMonro]

As regard lenses, don't forget that you're not limited to just the offerings of the body manufacturer. I believe Tamron and Sigma (and probably others) make some excellent lenses that will fit the Nikons.

[coldrain]

As regard lenses, don't forget that you're not limited to just the offerings of the body manufacturer. I believe Tamron and Sigma (and probably others) make some excellent lenses that will fit the Nikons.
Tokina too (especially 12-24 f4 and soon 16-50 f2.8)
And they of course fit on Canon too.