d70,d70s

i dont know the big differences, but theres a mint d70 on ebay for really cheap, body only.

i want to scoop it up, so im not just stuck with my af-s only lenses with my d40.

should i grab it?

I dont know the difference between the D70 and D70s besides the S model is newer. The D70 is an old camera but can still get some good pics, if you can afford it without hurting your pocket I dont see why you shouldnt pick it up.

Thom Hogan has a review that shows the differences between the 70 and D70s.

Link here.

The D70s is better in a few areas. It id a bit better nosie wise, it has a bit more accurate colour balance (still a bit cool), it sharpens less (a bit les moire and other artifacts, yet still worse than other DSLRs).

If the price difference between a D70 and a D70s is not too big, then I would go for the D70s.
Depending on what lenses youw ant to use it most certianly may be worth it, a D70s next to your D40.

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Originally Posted by dxrocnxj

i dont know the big differences, but theres a mint d70 on ebay for really cheap, body only.

i want to scoop it up, so im not just stuck with my af-s only lenses with my d40.

should i grab it?

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The 'AF-S only' lens dilemma that you mention is the very same reason that I bought the D70 instead of the D40 (see my other thread). I did the same thing - saw a great buy on ebay and scooped it up.

I think that the D70 2.0 firmware update essentially turns the D70 into a D70s - except of course for the 2.0" vs. 1.8" LCD (and the name badge ;)). Read Thom Hagan's comparison from K1W1's link - it was one of the things I read before I made my purchase.

However, unless there's a similar great deal on a D70s, why would you bother comparing these two cameras? A great deal is a great deal - there are always going to be better cameras out there. Pull the trigger and don't look back.

That being said, I have to say that part of the reason I bought the D70 is because of the OUTSTANDING kit lens (the 18-70mm) that usually comes with it. Seriously - this is not an ordinary kit lens and represents a substantial value when considering a D70 purchase. The ebay 'buy-it-now' price for this lens is currently hovering around the $160 range - so you really should consider this when comparing D70 body-only deals with D70 full-kit deals. I know you already have lenses, but you should still plug that $160 into your calculations because you could resell it (but I think you would keep it and sell your D40 lens!).

Anyway - good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

I was wrong.

The D70 kit lens is worth even more than I thought. :D Check here.

Again, much of the 'value' in buying a D70 today is in the kit lens. The body-only sales I've seen have not been reduced by the actual value of the lens you would be giving up - so you are essentially paying more for the body (without the lens).

For example, if I bought a D70+lens kit on ebay for $500, but didn't want/need the lens, so resold the lens on ebay for $200, that means I paid $300 for the D70 body in the end.

I have not seen ANY D70 body-only auctions for $300 (or less).

Just something to think about.

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Originally Posted by cvicisso

I think that the D70 2.0 firmware update essentially turns the D70 into a D70s - except of course for the 2.0" vs. 1.8" LCD (and the name badge ;)).

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I forgot about the cable release. The D70s has a connector for a wired remote - the D70 does not. This may sound silly, and it has been covered in other threads, but it actually may be a factor if you plan on doing tripod work outdoors where you can't bounce the IR remote off the walls (sensor is in front of the camera) and need to trip the shutter remotely and can't stand in front of the camera.

There are, of course, rigs to get around this D70 shortfall, but that all means extra $$.

I just put my hand in front of the camera with the remote turned around, no need to bounce the signal.

The D70/D70s is a great camera and still very worthwhile. I'd keep my D70s if I didn't want to recoup some of my D200 purchase money.

The D40 kit lens is very good too, better than the older 18-55mm model. Don't know how the 18-70mm would compare, but seeing as they overlap pretty substantially, I'd focus on lensing with other benefits (macro/wide angle/large aperture).

Seriously, I don't see the D40 lens selection as limited. Unless you want primes, and with the quality of modern zooms, it's almost a waste of money to buy a prime unless you really need the wider aperture (wider than f/2.8). You just have to think third-party (Sigma) a little.

dxrocnxj, what kind of lenses do you feel you're missing out on?

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Originally Posted by fionndruinne

Seriously, I don't see the D40 lens selection as limited. Unless you want primes, and with the quality of modern zooms, it's almost a waste of money to buy a prime unless you really need the wider aperture (wider than f/2.8). You just have to think third-party (Sigma) a little.

dxrocnxj, what kind of lenses do you feel you're missing out on?

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Good question. I did a Google search, and found this excellent database (link here)

Not sure how up to date it is, but it looks pretty good. I did a quick web-query import to MS Excel so I could count and categorize, and came up with 83 Nikon AF lenses and 34 AF-S lenses. So that's 34 lenses that can be used with the D40/X and 117 for all other Nikon dslr bodies. I threw out the manual focus lenses.

Now, 34 lenses is actually not too shabby. But, if you throw out the primes as you suggest (and I tend to agree that modern zooms are probably all most of us need), that leaves 19 zooms for the D40/X and 61 for the other Nikon dslrs. Seven of those 19 AF-S zooms go to f/2.8 (but are expensive). So, the D70 has over three times as many Nikkor autofocus zooms available to choose from as compared to the D40/X.

BUT, if those 19 AF-S zooms cover everything you think you'll need (at the price point you'll need!), then the D40 truly is an outstanding choice.