Nikon SLR advice

[law086]

Hello,

First let me say that I know next to nothing on this topic, however I'd to purchase a digital Nikon SLR for my wife.

She currently has a Nikon N80 SLR (35mm) and I'm looking for a digital model that she would not be disappointed in. From what I know, she's perfectly happy with the N80 so I'm really looking for a digital equivalent. So far, my searching and budget has taken me to the D50 or D70.

So, my questions are as follows:

1. Will the N80 lenses fit the D50 and D70?

2. Are there features of the N80 that she's be loosing with a D50 or D70?

3. Can somebody suggest a good place to get a deal on a D50 or D70?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ron

 

[gregr]

Hi Ron-
I've got to run, so I can't answer all the questions right now- but re. the lens question- yes, the lenses will work with on the new camera. If your other questions don't get answered by tonight I'll get back to you!

 

[ahullsb]

I use an N80 and my dad has the d70. If you have the money, buy the d70. I can still take great photos with the n80, I just get sick of developing film and scanning negatives onto discs. Most lenses will still work on the d70, although some of the older lenses will make you lose matrix metering and some other functions. Most of the pics on my homepage are taken with the n80. A few of the aquarium shots in the subfolder are with my dads d70. Maybe that will help you decide.

 

[law086]

Thanks guys. From what I can tell, I don't believe my wife uses the advanced settings on her N80, so, having said that, are there any major differences that an amature would notice between the D50 and D70?

Thanks again,
Ron

 

[ahullsb]

THere isn't a great deal of difference between the two from what I understand. The d70 feels sturdier and I think is built slightly more rugged. But the image quality from the pictures is supposed to be about the same. I'm not sure if you can customize the white balance on a d50, but if you shoot your shots in RAW rather than jpeg, you can change that after the shot on the computer. Either one is a great camera. I would suggest buyig the camera body alone, not with the kit lense. I would go with a d50 and a good lense rather than a d70 with some standard lense. The new nikkor ed lenses are amazing. I am using the 55-200 today and it's great.

 

[VoidRaven]

Before just pitching kit lenses....which many knock but for absolutely no good reason....what kind of shooting does your wife like to do? Family snapshots? Macros? Wildlife? This will give you a good idea as to what she might need in a system versus what she might already have.

The D50 is a nice camera from what I'm told. Smaller body than say a D200 the D50 is generally referred to as a great starter into the DSLR world. A fair amount of options in a compact body. The D70 was out prior to the D50 and could be considered in some respects as the D50's "big brother". Some more options, an additional command dial I think, so in short a little more complex than the D50. There is also the D70s which is a minor "upgrade" to the D70. Make sure you know which one you are buying.

Pretty much any AF lenses from her N80 should work fine on either one. Take that with a huge grain of salt though....there are exceptions and potential performance degredations.

Here is a side-by-side comparion of the D50, D70, D70s, and D80 so you can see the techie side of things.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...n_d50,nikon_d70,nikon_d70s,nikon_d80&show=all

Important to note....especially if she wants to upgrade the camera body later...the D50 and D80 bodies only take SD memory. No other DSLR's in Nikon's line use SD memory. The D70 and D70s use Compact Flash (CF) cards which all other Nikon DSLR's (save for the previously mentioned two) use. Just something to consider.

Also consider her hands/grip. If you're not letting her pick it out make sure you get something that is very close to her N80....and/or a great store return policy.

Oh, and if you would like to get her a lens...and you have the budget for it...the best "wide range" option for a varied set of shooting situations (except macro) is the new 18-200mm VR lens that Nikon has out (about $750). IF, that is, you can get your hands on one. They're pretty popular right now. I'm told the 24-120mm VR is another nice one and comes in around $550 I think.

 

[ahullsb]

I think we are on the same page here...I'd pitch the kit lense and try something like the 18-200, 55-200, or something along those lines. You don't have to be an expert to see the differences in your pictures if you compare some vr lenses to cheaper ones.