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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Nikon D50 or D70
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 08/05/2006 04:58:21 PM · #1
Just about to purchase my first DSLR and I've been checking out Nikons... I'd appreciate help on which one to buy, the D50, D70, or another. I take portaits and group photos of sports teams for a living so I'd obviously want something that's good for that. Any suggestions? Also, any idea what other lense(s) I should buy. I'd appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks!
 08/05/2006 05:02:02 PM · #2
Somebody's going to tell you here, "Buy a Canon." Don't listen to them :)

Just teasing.

Nikon is coming out (any time now, I believe) with the D80. Quoting Ken Rockwell, "[the D80 has] 10 MP, 4.5 FPS for $899. The D80 is a D70 body with some mechanics and the sensor and electronics from the D200. I'd not buy a new D70s until I see the D80."

Check this site: Ken Rockwell

Message edited by author 2006-08-05 17:03:06.
 08/05/2006 05:37:00 PM · #3
yes the new stuff is coming out, and it always will. no matter what we have, something will come out better, and this day in age, cheaper. I have a D50 and i love it. i wish i could afford better glass, but i make do with what i have. for me, its a D50
 08/05/2006 06:05:57 PM · #4
I have a nikon D50 and a canon 350D. The image quality on the canon 350d is to me far better. I use the nikon d50 mainly for infrared but as my canon is away for repair i`ve been using just my D50. The pics are fine full screen but when you zoom in a bit they appear quite mushy compared to my canon.
The D50 camera itself is a joy to use and handles better than the 350D and hopefully will not need £152 of repair after just 14 months.
Whatever you but get extended warrenty.
 08/05/2006 06:10:56 PM · #5
Originally posted by marbo:
I have a nikon D50 and a canon 350D. The image quality on the canon 350d is to me far better. I use the nikon d50 mainly for infrared but as my canon is away for repair i`ve been using just my D50. The pics are fine full screen but when you zoom in a bit they appear quite mushy compared to my canon.
The D50 camera itself is a joy to use and handles better than the 350D and hopefully will not need £152 of repair after just 14 months.
Whatever you but get extended warrenty.


I think that your comparison is more about the nikon optics vs canon optics. Obviously you'll think your nikon sucks if you use the 18-55 lens on it. Put on a 17-55 2.8 Nikon lens, and your D50 will kick ass.
 08/05/2006 06:18:42 PM · #6
Originally posted by labuda:
Originally posted by marbo:
I have a nikon D50 and a canon 350D. The image quality on the canon 350d is to me far better. I use the nikon d50 mainly for infrared but as my canon is away for repair i`ve been using just my D50. The pics are fine full screen but when you zoom in a bit they appear quite mushy compared to my canon.
The D50 camera itself is a joy to use and handles better than the 350D and hopefully will not need £152 of repair after just 14 months.
Whatever you but get extended warrenty.


I think that your comparison is more about the nikon optics vs canon optics. Obviously you'll think your nikon sucks if you use the 18-55 lens on it. Put on a 17-55 2.8 Nikon lens, and your D50 will kick ass.


Maybe, but i can put my cheap lenses on my 350D and get better images.
I used a canon 18-55 kit lens for quite a while with no problems.
Maybe if you bought both cameras you could see for yourself.
 08/05/2006 06:59:14 PM · #7
Hannah,

I have the D50 and here's why. It's all about the glass. In 3 years the newest and greatest body will be out, but the lenses change more gradually. I figured I can affoord the D50 right now and gather good lenses, then upgrade the body later to whatever suits me and my shooting style when the time comes.

In the meantime I'm learning about the limits of my camera and the limits of my lenses.
 08/05/2006 07:15:56 PM · #8
I use the D50 and am very happy with it. I agree with eug that when you buy a DSLR you are really buying into the lenses that you are going to invest in over the longterm than anything else. I am very happy with the D50 and I only have one lens that is higher quality than the kit lens, 50 mm 1.8D and the sharpness I get with that lens is excellent IMO. if you are deciding between the D50 and a D70 or D70s for portraits or group photos I would say the most limiting factor of the the D50 is the fact that there is no commander mode for external flashes. Commander mode allows you to control Nikon external flashes without having to fire a flash from the camera. This I think is worth the extra money between the two options. I believe the D50 and D70's use the same image sensor so technically the quality should be the same. my two cents.
joe
 08/05/2006 07:42:56 PM · #9
Originally posted by ursula:
Somebody's going to tell you here, "Buy a Canon." Don't listen to them :)

Just teasing.

Nikon is coming out (any time now, I believe) with the D80. Quoting Ken Rockwell, "[the D80 has] 10 MP, 4.5 FPS for $899. The D80 is a D70 body with some mechanics and the sensor and electronics from the D200. I'd not buy a new D70s until I see the D80."

Check this site: Ken Rockwell


I'm gettin the idea that the D80 is to the D200 what the D50 is to D70/D70S....SD cards.
 08/05/2006 07:53:51 PM · #10
I have the D70(s), and I choose it over the D50 for several reasons:

- size: the D70 just fits better into my hand.
- handling: I like the front/back dials on the D70, on the D50 you have to push a button while turning the front dial to get the functionality of the back dial, I don't like that.
- memory: the D70 takes CF cards, I already had a bunch of those.

You might want to wait for the D80, but then, it may take a (long) while before that camera is actually in the stores, so you might be better off just getting a D50 or D70.

Hope this helps.
 08/05/2006 07:55:16 PM · #11
What do you mean about the SD cards? I know the D50 takes those (right?) which others do... because I'd perfer one that did.
 08/05/2006 07:58:25 PM · #12
Originally posted by Shea927:
What do you mean about the SD cards? I know the D50 takes those (right?) which others do... because I'd perfer one that did.


The New D80 is supposed to take SD cards like the D50.
 08/05/2006 08:05:07 PM · #13
Nikon is not the only camera worth considering. However, I am a diehard Nikonite. Still using Nikkor lenses I purchased 20 years ago on my D70. I will most assuredly use them also on my D200 or D2x should I ever acquire one.

A camera system is all about the "system". Body, glass, speedlights etc.

Good luck in your choice.

Message edited by author 2006-08-05 20:05:55.
 08/06/2006 08:20:16 AM · #14
I have looked in to other camers, the Olympus Evolt and also come Canons, but I decided to go with a Nikon. Thanks all for the help! And if anyone has any suggestions on what lenses to purchase I'd appreciate the advice! :)
 08/06/2006 08:37:55 AM · #15
For Nikon, the 18-70mm kit lens that comes with the D70 is quite nice (although I just sold my copy to get the 18-200mm :-). You definitely have to get the Nikon 50mm f/1.8, it's less than $100 and it's a GREAT little lens. For wide angle, I have the Tokina 12-24mm f/4, which is comparable in quality to the Nikon 12-24mm at half the price. I also have the Sigma 105mm macro, but I'm still not sure whether I'll keep it or not. I'm not too fond of the AF/MF mechanism of the Sigma, and I'm not impressed by the quality, but that could be because it's a lens that needs getting used to. So I'm still thinking about selling the Sigma and getting the Nikon 105mm micro instead. Maybe after I get the 18-200mm (back-ordered everywhere)...

Message edited by author 2006-08-06 08:38:22.
 08/06/2006 09:01:51 AM · #16
Hi.
Yes, wait for the new D80 and see what you get for your money.
When you have decided what to get, you might want to make a deal and go for another lense instead of the 18-70. It's not a bad lense, but if you have a few bucks extra, I think you should try to invest in something better right away.
Your lens is at least as important as the body, if not more important.
I have a 50mm 1.4 now and a 24-85mm, both from Nikon and I took some giant steps there. Had the kit lens and a Sigma 28-300. A good lens is without any doubt the best investment you make when buying camera gear.
You will be happy with a Nikon and they do make the best lenses, any Canon-owner can tell you that ;-)
 08/06/2006 09:17:22 AM · #17
In my opinon I like the feel of the D70 better. But like everyone else I would wait for the D80. The D50 sort of feels cheap to me.
 08/06/2006 09:19:45 AM · #18
Check around for a 2nd hand D70.

I saw one the other day for a hundred bucks less than a new D50.

I've never been big on the D50 for quality, and while it is totally irrelevant to this discussion, I've always been of the opinion that it feels like a cheap peice of crap, but that's just my hands... the D70 on the other hand is a very decent peice of work.

Choose lenses carefully. Nikon's a bit more expensive than Canon. If it were me, I'd go for a D70 and a good couple of lenses, then in 6 months to a year, let the D70 go and upgrade to a D80... Regardless of the initial price, if you buy right away, you will almost guaranteed find that you will have paid for having the new toy...

The D80 could be cool, but like I said, if you can find a D70 for $300 ish, you should be fine.

The one I saw was 285 USD equiv. Saw another one a week and a half later for 320 USD equiv.

Both companies have excellent lenses and there are 3rd party lenses that are excellent as well to really even the playing field.

I'd be quite surprised if you actually did find that a D70 actually put out significantly worse images with equivalent glass...

Message edited by author 2006-08-06 09:22:31.
 08/06/2006 12:09:10 PM · #19
A lens that I find myself defaulting to the most is my Nikkor 24-85 f/2.8-4. 1st, it is practical as a lens to have affixed to the body when you can only have ONE. 2nd, it exactly mirrors the focal lengths on the SB600 speedlight, meaning that the zoom ranges match up between the lens and the speedlight. This is very convient for many social shooting situations. The 24-85 is decent glass at a decent price. A solid performer in the "walk around" category. The focal length match with the SB600 is an added bonus.

A single focal 50mm is a good choice. I have both the f/1.8 and f/1.4. I cannot tell the difference with my style of shooting.

A wide angle is important sometimes, however a few steps back with the 24-85 and you have effectively opened up your view angle. I use a Nikkor 17-35 f/2.8. It is an excellant lens, however not necessary for one just starting out.

For any wildlife shooting, you will need a longer range lens. 300mm is the MINIMUM for animals. Something in the 400-500 range will make you happier. I choose the Sigma 50-500 EX, due to its cost and tremendous 10x zoom range. I have taken some very nice pics with that lens. I like the advantage of being able to put 3 lenses in a bag and be able to shoot almost anything.

Good luck.
 08/06/2006 12:27:26 PM · #20
I have to be the one in this thread to say it, but...

Buy a Canon.

Of course, I only say this because I'm bitter I can't afford a Nikon... ;)
 08/06/2006 12:28:10 PM · #21
Originally posted by Shea927:
What do you mean about the SD cards? I know the D50 takes those (right?) which others do... because I'd perfer one that did.


Not sure anyone answered this for you. Most DSLR's use CF (compact flash) cards which are larger and more sturdy than the alternatives. Some of the lower end DSLR's are now coming out with SD (secure digital) card slots which are smaller and some think less durable. I believe the companies are swithcing to them because of space.

The D50 is a much smaller camera than the D70(s) and feels a bit flimsy but should perform well with good glass. The better choice for how you describe you will shoot is probalby the D70(s) as it has better build, better controls (easier to use) and as stated here commander mode for flash (which you will eventually find very appealing).

Now if money is no object I would look at the D200. I handled one this weekend and it is only slightly heavier than the D70, better build and has many more control functions available as buttons on the outside, larger screens and more pixels. But then again it is $1,700 (US).

BTW - if you do look used be careful of what you get. Make sure you run a check on the number of activations and also look for sensor damage from cleaning. But if you are careful you can pick up a good used body with low activiations for around $500.

Good luck.

Message edited by author 2006-08-06 12:29:43.
 08/06/2006 12:58:37 PM · #22
Hold out for the D-80 with out a doubt. I have been in email contact with a guy in Japan who has had a hands on look at the D-80 at an electronics show in Tokyo He said it is a very solid camera inside and out and definately will be worth every penny.

I was going to get a D-200 but now I am waiting.


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