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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> d70s vs. d50
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01/12/2006 07:22:02 PM · #1
I'm interested in buying a dSLR camera and Nikon would probably be my choice cause I already have several lenses from analogue one. D70 is in my budget so I was checking out it's characteristics. And then I compared it to D50. I found out that the difference between them is that d50 doesn't have a Multiple Point Focusing and maximum shutter speed is 4000 1/f. There are no other obvious differences. The price difference is almost 200$ d70>>d50(and it means a lot to me). Are these two crucial things I can't do without(in other words are they worth 200 bucks)? I guess I'll be using s.speed faster than 4000 0.1% of the time.

side-by-side comparison
Nikon owners, help me out...

Message edited by author 2006-01-12 19:22:40.
01/12/2006 07:32:00 PM · #2
I work in a camera store and we sell both cameras, and I have shot with both also. I own a D70 and took the D50 on vacation to shoot with once (perks of the job) Both are great cameras. The chip is actually the same. The main difference I think is the SD card vs CF card. You own a sony now, so you will be having to get different memory anyway. The only other thing is that the D70 shoots 3 frames per second and the D50 2.5...not a big difference as far as I am concerned. The main thing is in the quality of the two lenses that come with it as kit. the 18-70 is a better lens, but the 18-55 with the D50 for what it is, is a good lens...not great, but pretty good. It really is all about the glass you put on the camera. We have a picture in our store blown up to about 2foot by 3 foot shot with the D50 that would blow you away, but it was taken with an 85 1.4 lens. If money is an issue, the D50 is a great camera at a really great price. You really can't go wrong either way. And by the way...they have come out with a DK21-M which is a magnifying eyepiece that they made for the D200...However!!!.....it works with the D70,D50 AND we also tested on all of the Canon Cameras and it fits on those too. It has about a 1.2 magnifyer in the eyepeice and makes the viewing area larger. Very cool
01/12/2006 07:33:41 PM · #3
Other than some of the more obvious differences the D70 uses CF cards vs sd card. I have a good friend who has a D50 and he just loves it but I think my D70 has a more solid feel.
01/12/2006 07:33:47 PM · #4
If you can spend the extra cash go for the d70s. A few reasons:

D50 uses sd cards. If you plan in evolution (a second body or changing to another better one). There are only few cameras dslr that uses this. CF are more difused in pro/semi-pro cameras. So when cahnging bodyes you have to cahnge cards also - extra cash in the future.

One thing that anoyes me is to have only one command dial in the d50. I'm very used to having one in the front and one in the back. You don't have to think just turn it.

And about lenses? What do you want to get? Try to get the 18-70DX, it is worth it. Or just buy the body and add a sigma 24-70mm.
01/12/2006 07:43:33 PM · #5
Before switching my primary cameras from Nikon to Olympus I owned a couple of D100s and several D70s, and functionally the I really miss the dual dials. Shooting manually with the D70 you can use one dial for shutter speed the other for aperature. The D50 has only one dial (like my Olympuses) which adds button pushes which slows down the process. This coupled with depth of field preview, iTTL compander mode, and CF flash supports makes the D70 the clear winner.
01/12/2006 07:48:32 PM · #6
Thanks for the tips...
I'm still a "potentional" buyer, I'm new to photography so I'm just considering a dSLR as an option in the future.
One more question:I have a couple of Beston lenses that fit on the anolouge one, does anybody know will they fit on digital?
thanks
01/12/2006 09:20:17 PM · #7
Originally posted by Nuno:

One thing that anoyes me is to have only one command dial in the d50. I'm very used to having one in the front and one in the back. You don't have to think just turn it.


This would drive me nuts. I don't think I could deal with having to press a button in order to switch the wheel to controling aperture. Not only would it be anoying and require too much thought, but it would also be time consuming.
01/12/2006 09:21:45 PM · #8
Originally posted by Zigomar:

Thanks for the tips...
I'm still a "potentional" buyer, I'm new to photography so I'm just considering a dSLR as an option in the future.
One more question:I have a couple of Beston lenses that fit on the anolouge one, does anybody know will they fit on digital?
thanks


If you're refering to a Nikon film SLR then they most likely would unless they're really old. Nikon hasn't changes it's lens mount in quite a long time.
01/13/2006 02:08:34 AM · #9
Originally posted by hyperfocal:

This coupled with depth of field preview, iTTL compander mode, and CF flash supports makes the D70 the clear winner.

im not meaning to hijack this thread but im currently in the same dilema (for the future). just a quick question- i have read a lot about 'depth of field preview', but could somebody please enlighten me as to how it works? i have no experience of dSLR's, but is DOF something that you cannot see through the viewfinder under normal circumstances? i understand DOF but not how a certain function has to be performed to preview it before taking the shot (or am i way off track?). thanks for any help
01/13/2006 03:35:49 AM · #10
Originally posted by andersbs:

Originally posted by hyperfocal:

This coupled with depth of field preview, iTTL compander mode, and CF flash supports makes the D70 the clear winner.

im not meaning to hijack this thread but im currently in the same dilema (for the future). just a quick question- i have read a lot about 'depth of field preview', but could somebody please enlighten me as to how it works? i have no experience of dSLR's, but is DOF something that you cannot see through the viewfinder under normal circumstances? i understand DOF but not how a certain function has to be performed to preview it before taking the shot (or am i way off track?). thanks for any help


The camera focusses with the lens aperture at its widest, to let more light in and, I believe, to create a smaller DOF, so that focussing is more accurate. The aperture is only closed down to the selected value when the shutter is triggered. At this time, of course, the mirror is up, so the photographer cannot see through the lens. DOF preview causes the aperture to be closed down to the selected value as long as the button remains pressed. As the aperture is closed down, then the viewfinder image becomes quite a bit darker.
01/13/2006 04:29:44 AM · #11
Originally posted by AJAger:

The camera focusses with the lens aperture at its widest, to let more light in and, I believe, to create a smaller DOF, so that focussing is more accurate. The aperture is only closed down to the selected value when the shutter is triggered. At this time, of course, the mirror is up, so the photographer cannot see through the lens. DOF preview causes the aperture to be closed down to the selected value as long as the button remains pressed. As the aperture is closed down, then the viewfinder image becomes quite a bit darker.


thankyou so much! all is now clear- thankyou for your in depth explanation, much appreciated :)
01/13/2006 08:12:03 AM · #12
not sure if it has been said yet, but I can't read through the whole thread...

d70 has a lightted top LCD, d50 doesn't (that is reason enough for me)...d50 doesn't use CF cards, d70 does (if you plan to upgrade EVER, that will save you your $200 right then and there)...d50 is a little bit smaller and won't feel right in most hands (it's like right between the d70 and the rebel xt in size).
01/13/2006 08:18:36 AM · #13
Originally posted by hyperfocal:

... This coupled with depth of field preview, iTTL compander mode, and CF flash supports makes the D70 the clear winner...

I'm sorry to say but I don't know what iTTL compander mode is and what's it function? Somebody please help!
01/13/2006 08:22:28 AM · #14
I actually actively reccomend the D50 to my customers. Why? Simple, more money for lenses.

You will be making a body switch in about 2 years. On the flip side, the lenses will last you a lifetime. Great camera, and unless you need a cable release or additonal ISO settings, I say D50.
01/13/2006 08:26:57 AM · #15
Originally posted by Zigomar:

Originally posted by hyperfocal:

... This coupled with depth of field preview, iTTL compander mode, and CF flash supports makes the D70 the clear winner...

I'm sorry to say but I don't know what iTTL compander mode is and what's it function? Somebody please help!


with the d70, you can control sb600's and sb-800's, remotely, with the on-camera flash.
01/13/2006 08:35:43 AM · #16
If I'm not mistaken, the D50 doesn't have custom White Balance. You could shoot RAW and tweak the WB later, but it's always nice to get it correct in the camera first.

-danny
01/13/2006 09:04:52 AM · #17
Originally posted by blemt:

I actually actively reccomend the D50 to my customers. Why? Simple, more money for lenses.

You will be making a body switch in about 2 years. On the flip side, the lenses will last you a lifetime. Great camera, and unless you need a cable release or additonal ISO settings, I say D50.


Other drawbacks. I bought a D50 for my son and some things you would expect as standard and that are often vital to getting the shot are missing.
Depth of Field Preview. Illuminated LED. Probably more, but those are enough.

BTW, he still love the camera.
01/13/2006 09:24:10 AM · #18
I've owned the D50 for about six months now, and the only thing I've really missed is the illuminated LED display. I don't need DOF Preview. I don't need iTTL. D50 does have custom WB. I agree with blemt, D50 just gives you more money to spend on lenses. Some of you compared the kit lenses - if I could travel back in time I would order my D50 with Tamron 28-75. Love it. I feel one command dial is well enough, it doesn't take a thought to press the button to change aperture. And remember, this is only required in manual mode. I find myself mostly using the aperture priority mode, so I seldom need to use "the button".

Although, if you feel you'll use iTTL (for wireless flash control) or that D50 doesn't suit you, go for the D70. You better be comfortable with you camera when you finally make the investment.
01/13/2006 09:32:03 AM · #19
Originally posted by crabappl3:

If I'm not mistaken, the D50 doesn't have custom White Balance. You could shoot RAW and tweak the WB later, but it's always nice to get it correct in the camera first.

-danny


The D50 supports custom WB modes.

d50 manual (page 79)


01/13/2006 09:49:11 AM · #20
Originally posted by blemt:

I actually actively reccomend the D50 to my customers. Why? Simple, more money for lenses.

You will be making a body switch in about 2 years. On the flip side, the lenses will last you a lifetime. Great camera, and unless you need a cable release or additonal ISO settings, I say D50.

My thoughts exactly. I did my research, and evaluated my priorities, and I just couldn't justify spending the extra money for the only D70 feature I felt I would really benefit from--the backlit top display! The two command dial setup does seem a little nicer, and if that's what I was used to I'm sure it would be difficult to do without, but I don't find the single command dial a hindrance. More money for lenses...

Message edited by author 2006-01-13 09:50:06.
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