D70 or D70s?

[roid122]

I have read all the differences between the two and found that you can update the firmware in the D70 to the same as the D70s. I feel that buying a D70 and doing this should make them about the same. Here is my big concern the flash has been improved on the D70s but how much difference is there? I will use this camera for outdoor photos of fire, rescue and crash scenes and for basic indoor family shots.
I have a tameron 28mm-200mm and a tameron 200mm-400mm form my N70 that I hope to use and would like to hear if anyone uses these with their D70 and how well they work.
Also do I really need to buy the kit that comes with the 18mm-70mm or just the body? Is the kit it worth it?
Any help, comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, PR

[TheObiJuan]

get the d70 with the kit lens. save your money for other stuff.

[D70FAN]

I have read all the differences between the two and found that you can update the firmware in the D70 to the same as the D70s. I feel that buying a D70 and doing this should make them about the same. Here is my big concern the flash has been improved on the D70s but how much difference is there? I will use this camera for outdoor photos of fire, rescue and crash scenes and for basic indoor family shots.
I have a tameron 28mm-200mm and a tameron 200mm-400mm form my N70 that I hope to use and would like to hear if anyone uses these with their D70 and how well they work.
Also do I really need to buy the kit that comes with the 18mm-70mm or just the body? Is the kit it worth it?
Any help, comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, PR

The D70 with 18-70 DX is $999 after $100 rebate. This offer is only going to last until the D70's are cleared from inventory. I have been shooting with the D70, since it came out in March of 2004, and still marvel at it's features and handling. I have moved to the Sigma 18-125 DC for the extra range as my everyday lens. It is every bit as good as the kit lens for about the same price as the DX kit lens for about $270.

I am moving on to the Sigma 18-200 ($400) as it offers even more utility than the 18-125 with the same quality.

If your Tamron lenses worked well on your N70, they will work well on the D70.

[thesween]

Could someone be kind enough to list the big differences between the D70 and the D70s? Without scouring a technical manual, I'm really unclear as to what the major upgrades were. Anyone? Thanks...

[D70FAN]

Could someone be kind enough to list the big differences between the D70 and the D70s? Without scouring a technical manual, I'm really unclear as to what the major upgrades were. Anyone? Thanks...

Primarily, the 2" LCD vs. 1.8" LCD. And they make you pay for the, now optional, 3 cell, 2CR emergency battery pack. The rest is pretty much the firmware upgrade offered for the D70.

So not much different, but with the D50 having a larger LCD they needed to upgrade the D70 a little without raising the price.

[Warin]

Could someone be kind enough to list the big differences between the D70 and the D70s? Without scouring a technical manual, I'm really unclear as to what the major upgrades were. Anyone? Thanks...

In addition to the larger LCD, you also get:

a higher capacity battery
optional cable release (socket on camera) MC-DC1

[Ray Schnoor]

In addition to the larger LCD, you also get:

a higher capacity battery
optional cable release (socket on camera) MC-DC1

Although the D70s comes with the higher capacity battery, I am under the impression that this battery will also work with the D70. You could buy one as a backup on the D70. On the other hand, I have never had a problem with the battery life on the D70.
Ray.

[Warin]

Although the D70s comes with the higher capacity battery, I am under the impression that this battery will also work with the D70. You could buy one as a backup on the D70. On the other hand, I have never had a problem with the battery life on the D70.
Ray.

It certainly will work with the D70 as well. If I was buying a spare for a D70, I would buy an ENEL3a without a doubt.

[D70FAN]

In addition to the larger LCD, you also get:

a higher capacity battery
optional cable release (socket on camera) MC-DC1

Thanks Warin I forgot about the cable release. Nice feature, but I have found the IR remote to be sufficient. On the other hand it's a feature that I would use if the D70 had it.

[Warin]

I have had three customers ask me "fair" prices for their used D70's so they can upgrade to the D70s. I have told all three not to bother, since the upgrade is incremental enough as to be less than significant if they already own D70's. I usually ask if the cable release socket is needed, and list it as the only real reason to buy a 70s instead of a 70.

Of course, since there are VERY few new D70's at Canadian dealers (Nikon stopped ordering the D70 in early February, since that's when I stopped being able to get them) pretty much all of my new customers are getting 70s's