Nikon Advice

Hello!!

Have put my D100 in to be repaired and the cost quoted to get it fixed is not that cheap, was thinking of getting a D200 but after a trip to the bank that looks like a no no at the mo, so, was thinking of getting a D70 and selling the D100 for spares, what do you suggest?

I would suggest instead the D80 as the best value at the moment, it's extra megapixels & features will hold you in good stead for the future. The D70 is however still a great camera, better than the D100.

thanks, just not sure about the SD cards for the D80

Thanks again

I'm not sure about those SD cards either. I don't think they're too expensive though, and perhaps the investment in a few of those would be worth it for the improvement in the D80 over the D70. I had the D70 and liked it, but when I upgraded to the D200 I realized some problems with the D70, such as the white balance always seeming to be off, and for some reason my images with the D200 seem to be sharper. (Maybe that's my imagination! ) Anyway, I would probably go for the D80 due to the 10.2 sensor.

perhaps ill have to save up for the d200!!!!! thanks

If at all possible I'd sure get the 80 rather than the 70. It's so good that my wife is having a very difficult time deciding between it and the 200. Does she really need MLU if she got the 80, or could she live without TIFFs if she got the 200---- those sorts of questions.

As for the SD cards, we're new users for that format, but now we're kinda wondering what all our hesitation is about. They're great! No hesitation now.

cheers hank

will take all that on board, only thing have to consider is cost, can get a D70 for about half the D80, oh decisions decisions!!!

I think you'd be much happier with the D80. I know prices are difficult, but maybe you could get something on a trade in for the D100 (if you're not keeping it as a 2nd body). Even better if you can swing the D200, which is hardier. All IMO and easy for me to say; it's not my money!

my d100 is broken and been quoted £324 to get it fixed, using my second camera of a D1H at mo

Andy, Here's my 2-cents.

I bought a D100 the summer of 2003 and soon learned how quickly the sensor collects dust. I was horrified when those little black specs started showing up on my photos.

Recently as my interest in photography increased, I realized I had a problem. The D100 did not quite meet my needs. I too considered the D80 as an alternative but after doing some research, I rejected it as a possibility.

Then I collected a list all of the web sites that offered the camera for about 570 +; next I called all of them. I rapidly learned about the "gray" market with no battery, no warrantee, no charger, etc. Finally I checked the ritz web site and found they were offering the D200 for 1399 and no tax, no shipping. When I went to the local ritz store they matched the price and gave me a gift certificate which paid for about half the tax.

You can pick it up for slightly less from many recognized New York stores but I wanted to deal locally.

I've been shooting with it for a little less than a month and I'm very, very pleased.

Go for it.

Caroljavascript: x()

thanks carol

I have the D70...which I dropped once. It is being held together by some photographic equipment repair devices (rubber bands) and it works fine for now. I have seen other D70's for about $400, but for me, the upgrade to the D80 looks more like what I want. The flash sync speed is not as good as on the D70, but the upgrade from 6MP to 10MP looks very nice to me. New SD cards should only be about $100 - $150...but those will hold fewer photos compared to the D70 (or D100).

Nathan

I looked at the D200 closely and ended up with the D80. I use the camera every day, and it seems flawless. I even had it out for two hours the other morning when it was 20 below zero. The compact size is a plus. It uses the same sensor and meter as the D200. OTOH, buying a used D70s would free up money for a lens or tripod. I have a Canon p&s camera that takes CF cards, but it turns out the SD card thing is not a big deal. I actually think the SD cards are better--they seem more rugged. I don't regret buying the D80 at all. Any camera that can perform well in the cold like that works for me!


Kent in SD

i have all the other kit i need, tripod, 500mm lens etc so its just a body

Hello Andy,

Ive used my D70 for about 3yrs, and it does everything ive needed.

Ive been pondering getting a D200 as a back-up body {or relegating my D70 to back-up}, but i may well opt for another D70.

Its been a difficult decision for me, due to me being on a tight budget, and {as Nathan mentioned}, the high 'true' sync capability of the D70 is extremely useful for me personally {as a user of non-stabilised long teles, and an owner of un-dedicated/manual flashguns}. I find the ability to shoot with flash at up to 1/000sec shutter speed with no loss of flash power to be an extremely useful feature for avian stuff, and feel that giving up this D70 option would require me to invest yet more cash into expensive nikon flashguns, and use the high-speed-sync method {which 'may' require a higher guide number flashgun for the same reach as my present sunpak/vivitar flashguns, in certain situations}.

Given the money to invest in a D80 or D200 AND new flashguns, i would definately do it {even though i would be relegating my perfectly adequate/usable flashguns to the back of the cupboard}, but being on a tight budget, and considering the sync speeds of the D70 to be valuable, i suspect i will opt for another D70.

With regards to the D70 WB, i tend to keep this set to the flash setting 'almost' exclusively {as do many D70 owners}, and personally find this setting to give a realistic rendition under most shooting conditions.

Alan

I've got both a D70 (since Nov '04) and a D200 (since Mar '06). I use the D200 almost exclusively, but the D70 still turns out excellent images.

The D200 has a better user interface, and I miss this when I use the D70. Instant access to the spot meter (programmed the function button on the front for this). Dial in exposure compensation with the rear control dial without depressing another button (user option). Much better viewfinder. Much bigger buffer (I shoot everything in uncomressed raw on the D200, and compressed raw on the D70), and the D70 can't keep up with burst shots of birds.

The D200 also lets me use my old manual focus Nikkors and get TTL metering and aperture preferred auto exposure with them; the D70 doesn't have the mechanical coupling required so old MF lenses will mount but must be shot in manual mode by guessing exposure.