Which Nikon DSLR will fit these lenses?

[janeqb]

Hello, I'm new here. I have a Nikon 8008 SLR with two Nikkor lenses and a flash.

AF Nikkor 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 D
AF Nikkor 75-300mm 1:45-5.6
Nikon Speedlight SB-24 (flash)

I purchased this camera around 1990 and it still works GREAT! I love it but can't afford developing. I would like to go digital and keep my lenses and flash. Which camera body will allow this, if any? I'm afraid my lenses and flash may be too old to fit the new models.

I am new to the digital world of photography when it comes to DSLRs. I have a Nikon Coolpix 5700 that has been to the shop twice already, factory defects and has broken once again for no reason. I am very disappointed with this camera and hesitate to go with Nikon again, but I am a huge fan of Nikon SLR and am hoping I just got a lemon.

Please tell me that the DSLRs are made better and I'm stepping up to better quality, should I purchase another Nikon. If there are no cameras that fit my lenses, I will not buy another point and shoot from Nikon, I will continue to use my SLR and go with a little, inexpensive digital from a diff. company. Ouch, that really hurt to say but I have had the worst experience with my Coolpix 5700.

Can someone give me some insight? I'm crossing my fingers that there is a Nikon model that produces beautiful pictures with my old lenses and flash. I'm looking in the lower price range as well.

Thanks so much!!!!

jane

[Daubs]

To my knowledge your lenses will fit and autofocus on all the current DSLR's, save the D40. You won't get autofocus with the D40, only manual, but they will mount and work fine.

Not sure about the flash

Help me if I'm wrong here people.

[janeqb]

Oh!! This makes me so happy! I hope you're right! Okay, say my lenses will work, which model should I go with??? What are the pros and cons of each? I will start viewing threads and maybe I can get my answers here. I certainly don't want to waste your time. Thank you!!

jane

[Ray Schnoor]

I would suggest the D80. Your lenses should be fully compatible. Your flash will work, but not in TTL mode. It will work only in non-TTL Auto, Manual, rear curtain sync, and repeating flash.

Ray.

[Ray Schnoor]

Unfortunately, you will not be able to use any of your CF cards in the D80. The D80 uses SD cards and not the CF cards from your 5700.

Ray.

[Daubs]

I was an old Minolta film user and had a point and shoot digital for past 5 years or so. Read a ton of reviews and opted for the D80. Love the camera, although I'm still learning lots.

If you do get the D80, I might suggest skipping the kit lens and finding yourself a 18-200mm VR II (very hard to find). When I do find one, my kit lens is heading to e-bay.

[janeqb]

Well, I'm drooling here. I did a price search and it is WAY above our means. I'm looking to spend $500.00 max on just the body alone. I will have to look around on eBay for a used one perhaps. Maybe one day I will be able to afford the D80, it looks awesome! (sigh)

jane

[Camerajunkie]

Doesn't the D70 take the CF cards? I know the D50 also takes SD cards but I thought the 70 was different.

Jane, you might be able to find the D50 closer to the budget you are looking for. I bought mine at Christmas time for $650 (with a kit lens) and they have dropped more in price since then (and without a lens would drop it even farther.) It's a nice camera and I'm beyond happy with it.

[janeqb]

Yes, a photographer friend recommended the D50 and D70 (should my lenses fit). I would probably have to go with a new flash but hopefully not. It would be nice to be able to use my CF cards as well! Money is tight.

You all are great! I'm so happy to have found this site. All are very helpful. Thank you so much.

jane

[coldrain]

Jane, a few points to consider.

The lenses you have will perform a bit less impressive on a DSLR, since in film you did not notice soft results and such so much. Both your lenses will work fine on a D70/D70s/D50/D80.

On a D40 or D40X they willnot be able to auto focus, since Nikon decided to drop the internal AF motor in the D40 to save money and other marketing reasons.

Another thing to keep into mind:
The sensor of any new Nikon DSLR is smaller than the 35mm film you are used to. This will mean that all lenses at all focal lengths will be less wide.
Your 28mm wide angle will not be so wide angle anymore: 42mm.
And 300 will "become" 450mm.

So, in order for you to keep wide angle, I suggest you try to find a Nikon D50 (discontinued but very nice camera, with internal AF motor so your lenses will work fine, and it is more complete in other senses too than a D40) with 18-55mm kitlens. This kitlens will give you the same reach as your 28-80 lens gives on your S-801 (as it is called outside of the US).

If you can not locate a D50 but come across a D70s, the D70s is also discontinued (followed up by the D80 which is outside your budget) but a very complete camera with a lot of potential. Same story, go for the D70s body with a 18-55mm kitlens.

Just avoid the D40, as it is cut down in features, and most important of all, will not offer AF with the lenses you have.

[Ray Schnoor]

As CR pointed out in the previous post, I did not suggest the D50/D70(s) because they are discontinued cameras and I did not see any available in the camera stores I frequent(bhphotovideo.com, beachcamera.com, ritzcamera.com). If you do find one, they would be fine. You will be able to use your CF cards with the D70. I, personally, would be leery of used dSLR's, but that is a personal choice.

Ray.

[janeqb]

Thank you for such valuable info. I am now researching the D50 and D70 and am trying to see the difference bet. the two other than the different memory cards. I found a D70S for as low as 380.00 with an 18-70mm lens, new. How is this camera different from the D70?

The D70 bodies alone on ebay (used) are going for over 400.00. The D50s look like they're going for around 600.00 new with 19-35mm lens. Just trying to compare cameras and prices. Now that I know my lenses won't work the same, I will most likely buy a camera with a lens and switch back and forth with my 75-300 lens.

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. ;)

jane

[janeqb]

I agree with you Ray. I won't buy one used. Too risky. How do you feel about refurbished? I found a new D50 from the factory that's refurbished for 500.00. This appears to be the best price I've found so far for the D50.

Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens

jane

[tcadwall]

jane,

I don't have a problem with used or refurbished as long as you know where you are getting them and have trust.

I chose the D70s over the D50 because the D80 was not out back then. I love the D70s. I think it is easier to use than the D50 because of the convenience of the extra wheel for adjusting shutter speed. The D70s has a wheel on the front (middle finger for me cause the index is on the trigger) for aperture, and a wheel on the back (thumb) for shutter spped. Using these in combination makes setting / adjusting the exposure very quick! The D70s has quite a few other advantages over the D50, but the D50 is still a great camera and produces great pictures.

and yes the D70s uses CF cards.

The D70s is the updated version of the D70. There are several new features, and some new processing. I believe part of the upgrade is remote control of the SB-600 or SB-800 (CLS iTTL flash)... The D50 is missing this feature also.

Here is a link that covers the D70 (http://www.bythom.com/D70REVIEW.HTM) and includes an update for the D70s. There are a bunch of Nikon reviews on this site. And after you purchase a body, I strongly recommend his books for learning the camera inside-out.

oh - and yes... They are much more rugged/robust than a point n shoot. For point and shoots, I like the fuji cameras more than either Nikon or Canon

[Ray Schnoor]

The D70s is the updated version of the D70. There are several new features, and some new processing. I believe part of the upgrade is remote control of the SB-600 or SB-800 (CLS iTTL flash)... The D50 is missing this feature also.
I'm not sure what the upgrades are in the D70s over the D70, but the D70 has the capability of remotely controling the SB-600/800.

Ray.

[tcadwall]

the D70 has the capability of remotely controling the SB-600/800.I got lazy - should have checked.:o

[Kellie]

I found a D70S for as low as 380.00 with an 18-70mm, new.

I would be leery of a site that offers this price. The 18-70 lens alone is $310 new at BHphoto.com. Here is that setup used at B&H http://tinyurl.com/2qs3op and the D70s body alone for $524.95 http://tinyurl.com/2jzcwp. I would definitely trust B&H's used department.

[janeqb]

I would be leery of a site that offers this price. The 18-70 lens alone is $310 new at BHphoto.com. Here is that setup used at B&H http://tinyurl.com/2qs3op and the D70s body alone for $524.95 http://tinyurl.com/2jzcwp. I would definitely trust B&H's used department.

Ooops, you're right! I went back and it is in used condition. My mistake. Thanks for the links.

Great review on the D70 and D70s. Thank you tcadwall.

So much info out there! This is more difficult than I had anticipated! At least I've narrowed it down to two cameras. :) D50 or D70s.

Thanks again!

jane

[fionndruinne]

I highly doubt you will find the D70 inside of your budget, but the D50 is a good bet. It's getting much harder to find new, though. I see a body only for $409 refurbished on Amazon, available from Cameta Camera "Mint. Direct From The Factory. 100% Up To MFR Specs. Full 1 YR Cameta Camera Warranty. A real deal from a real camera store."

Looks like a good deal. And I doubt that low, low price for the D70 was legitimate, truth be told.

[janeqb]

Thank you. Yes, I saw that camera on amazon and it said in stock. When I checked Cameta Camera's website, it had no D50 cameras in stock so maybe I'll give them a call. After reading some of their feedback, it seems to be a common complaint, that they don't have cameras in stock as advertised and even send the wrong camera! Maybe dealing through amazon is different, I don't know. I found a refurbished D50 body for $400.00 on adorama.com. I read a lot of good feedback. I'm thinking about going with them. Anyone know anything about them, good and bad?

I made a mistake with that D70s price. It was for a very used one. Ooops, sorry for the confusion.

I've decided to go with the D50 after hours of exhausting research. It's so similar to the D70s and I like the improved noise reduction with higher ISOs. That's important to me. It suits my needs just fine. My only concern is the size and weight of the D50 vs the D70s. Although a very small difference, the D50 is lighter and smaller in size. Will my big and heavy SLR lenses be too cumbersome to use with the D50? The last thing I want is a top heavy camera and awkwardness due to using heavy lenses on such a light weight and smaller camera. The D70s is bulkier and heavier, which is what I'm used to. I love the solid and heavy feel, however, the D50 suits my all around needs and is more in my price range. So, my question is, will the D50 be too small when using my heavy lenses? I plan on buying the body only and waiting until Christmas to buy a digital lens. Money doesn't permit me to buy a kit right now.

Thanks again for all of your wonderful advice and valuable information. It has made my search much easier! You are all great!!

jane

[tcadwall]

Adorama is one of the top three in my opinion. Bhphotovideo, beachcamera, and adorama. (last two tied for 2nd place).

---added---

Obviously we would "normally" say that you definitely need to get both cameras in your hands, ESPECIALLY if you have size / weight expectations. We obviously can't make that choice for you... Though I must say that played into my decision - but was less minor than the dual wheel and off-camera iTTL that I already mentioned.

So, since you can't get them both in your hands try the D80- it is QUITE close in size to the D50

Nikon D50: 5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0 in. | 62.4 cu in. | 540 g
Nikon D70s: 5.5 x 4.4 x 3.1 in. | 75 cu in. | 600 g
Nikon D80: 5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in. | 64 cu in. | 585 g

The above chart is taken from the D80 review on the parent site to this forum.

[janeqb]

Thank you all so much for your help!! I chose the Nikon D50 and feel very comfortable with my decision. You all have been so wonderful! I couldn't have done it without you!! It is not as small as I thought it would be. Solid construction and fits nicely in my hands. I LOVE IT! The larger lens is not too heavy, actually, it feels much better than it does on my heavy SLR. I'm pleasantly surprised and very happy!

I bought it from Adorama and man, they were awesome! The salesman was great and very personable. He promised it to arrive on Friday (today) through UPS and it did!! The camera is in mint condition, I bought it refurbished for $399.99. Wow!

I'm so excited. Waiting for the batteries to charge. I can't wait! Again, thanks so much for your help! I really appreciate it!!!!!

jane