Another D70 as backup or upgrade to D200?

05/02/2006 11:38:16 PM · #1

I am starting to get a few more clients lined up for wedding photography, as well as family portraits, so I am looking at getting a backup body. Right now I have a D70 and use the kit lens most of the time, especially for portrait work. I am looking for opinions as to which way I should put my money...

Option 1: Get another D70 or D70s and spend more money on new glass.....

or Option 2: Get a D200 and a 50mm normal lens, which is what many photographers recommend for portraits anyway.

Just looking for opinions/advice, any comments would be appreciated

kenskid

05/02/2006 11:40:53 PM · #2

I want a d200 also and had about $800 to spend. I would have sold my d70 ...took the sale money put it with my $800....added a few more bucks and picked up a d200 BUT....I thought about it...then took the $800 and purchased the new 18-200mm VR....and I'm a happy dude...

Originally posted by carisakD70:

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

05/02/2006 11:41:25 PM · #3

If I had the dough I would get the D200 and this 85mm 1.8

That lens took this image!

05/02/2006 11:43:19 PM · #4

Depends on what your needs are.

Do you find yourself wishing to go wider?

Find yourself wishing for more sharpness? Larger apeture? Longer walkaround range?

If not, get the D200. If so, get a used D70 (several on fredmiranda.com right now, I just bought one) and spend more money on glass.

At least get a 50mm 1.8 and revel in the glory of indoor photography without a flash at 1/100s, and pics so sharp they make the pixels bleed.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/02/2006 11:44:39 PM · #5

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

If I had the dough I would get the D200 and this 85mm 1.8

That lens took this image!

Drool, oh, what a lens.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

05/02/2006 11:47:09 PM · #6

Originally posted by wavelength:

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:
If I had the dough I would get the D200 and this 85mm 1.8

That lens took this image!

Drool, oh, what a lens.

Very talented lens. ;o)

Tim

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

05/02/2006 11:50:30 PM · #7

I'm in the same position as you - I'm getting great results with the D70 so I've decided to spend the money on better glass. I find the kit lens quite restrictive in small churches, reception areas.
I love natural lighting for wedding photos so I've got an old 50mm f1.4.
I would also love a few sb600's to do the slave flash thing

kenskid

05/02/2006 11:52:01 PM · #8

I have 1 SB 800 and use it as a slave to my on cam flash...pretty good if you get it set to the right angles for your shot...

Originally posted by dr_timbo:

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

05/02/2006 11:57:14 PM · #9

I have a 600 it's very nice but I wish I would have spent the extra cash on the 800. I think that's my next purchase but I pine for the 85mm.

Oi Glass Envy!

:-)

Message edited by author 2006-05-02 23:57:33.

05/02/2006 11:59:03 PM · #10

Originally posted by dr_timbo:

I'm not sure how a slave flash setup would work in a church or photojournalistic wedding experience, if that what you mean. I'd rather find power outlets for my strobes if it's a set up shot.

I've been using my SB-800 bounced and it's been great as long as the ceiling are of low to medium-high height and lightly colored, and the Lightsphere if that's not an option. Remember to push EV on the flash for higher ceilings, and lower it for low ceiling (pretty obvious if you play around a bit anyways, but I thought I say) Make sure to use walls and ceiling corners if they're around. You paid for the swivel, use it.

05/03/2006 09:27:55 AM · #11

wazoo---That is an amazing picture.

I am definitely going to get the 50mm lens, for the price I just don't think I can go wrong.

I think my biggest concerns are sharpness and speed. Also, I tend to crop a lot post processing so the extra pixels of the D200 would be nice as well. But I can't see any of my clients ordering anything larger than an 11x14.

I like my kit lens, but I am getting to the point where it is starting to let me down a bit, I feel like I should have a backup just in case something happens. I don't want to have to send my assistant (hubby) to bestbuy at the last minute to grab another D70!

So I could do a D70 and a 50mm and an 85mm lens for around the same as just the D200.

Is there anyone that has both the D70 and the D200 that can give reasons why they like one or the other better?

05/03/2006 09:42:03 AM · #12

Originally posted by carisakD70:

The only one that I know for completely sure that has worked with both is Librodo, but I think most that you find with the D200 will have used the D70 before.

The differences I know of. EXTREMELY awesome low light and high ISO performance on the D200. PopPhoto rated it "excellent" on noise ratings at ISO1600. If for nothing else, get it for that. But then the focusing screen is better (more autofocus points), the MPs are better, the manual controls and more dials and buttons, 2.5 inch LCD, hardened magnesium alloy body, better seals.

It's just got so many things to drool over, but they're all good practical things too.

But then, if you're limited by your glass, you'll never get the full potential out of either of your camera, IMO.

That 18-200VR seems like it would be great for weddings, just dont try to shoot a pic with a lot of straight lines in it. ;-)

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 09:42:26.

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

05/03/2006 09:52:32 AM · #13

Originally posted by wavelength:

[quote=carisakD70]

The differences I know of. EXTREMELY awesome low light and high ISO performance on the D200. PopPhoto rated it "excellent" on noise ratings at ISO1600. If for nothing else, get it for that. But then the focusing screen is better (more autofocus points), the MPs are better, the manual controls and more dials and buttons, 2.5 inch LCD, hardened magnesium alloy body, better seals.

I might not know what I'm doing but I find the noise pretty bad above 800 ISO and I try hard never to shoot above 400 if at all possible. I believe DPC has trained me to have a complete, insane aversion to even the slightest bit of noise. Sad but true.

I'm curious where the D200 recieved and excellent rating for it's noise performance as I read the opposite in a few places.

Outside of that...it's a great camera with insanely cool features. Pretty much a pro level and for the money...you can't beat it.

Message edited by author 2006-05-03 09:54:57.

ragamuffingirl

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/03/2006 10:14:57 AM · #14

I've heard really good things about the D200. My brother, who just bought a D2X says he wishes he'd just bought the D200.

woohoopepper

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/03/2006 10:26:23 AM · #15

Speaking of backups, I recently bought a backup D70 (old dog, don't want to learn any new tricks) to my current D70. I got it on ebay from Cameta Cameras. It is supposed to be delivered today. Of course, I'm not home to receive it, so it might have to be tomorrow!

I've been very pleased with my D70. I have the kit lens (18-70mm) and also a 50mm 1.8 and a few other telephoto lenses. The new camera will have an 18-55mm lens. My husband is going to use that camera unless I need to take it somewhere "just in case." I thought the price with the lens was fairly decent on ebay (compared to trying to purchase it from a store).

Ampao64

Canon EOS-30D

05/03/2006 10:27:04 AM · #16

D200!!! lol. if I was a Nikon user, Id go for the D200. :D

talmy

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

05/03/2006 10:30:08 AM · #17

The viewfinder alone is enough reason to get the D200 over the D70. I went back to a D70 for a day and could hardly stand using it. That's after being very happy with one for a year and a half.

Noise has not been the problem I originally thought it might be. The D200 seems to have more DR than the D70 and shadow noise in practice hasn't affected image quality. (Note that shoot primarily landscapes.)

So far the biggest problem has been increased file size -- it really hurts editing speed.

Pedro

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/03/2006 11:14:16 AM · #18

I have both the D200 and a D70. I would without question recommend going with the D200 and the 50mm F1.8, and don't bother with the 85mm. I find the 85mm is even a bit long for studio work (granted my studio is only 24'x12'). here are the things i like about the D200, in no particular order, and not scientifically researched:

1. Huge viewfinder - very useful for checking sharpness etc in the field, especially at weddings when you can't reshoot a missed shot.

2. Better Resolution, with lower noise even at higher ISOs (Pawdrix do you use the high ISO noise reduction? that made a huge difference in mine, and i routinely shoot indoors with no flash at weddings and fitness shows at ISO 800)

3. WAY better ergonomics and controls. it uses a single button for the big three (quality, WB, ISO) and has a locking dial so you don't constantly switch to Manual Mode every time you put it in your bag (yeah, I do it with the D70 all the time).

4. Faster AF. It seems (just my own experience) that the same lenses focus faster on the D200 than they do on the D70. i don't even know if that's possible, but it seems to be the case.

5. Better Construction. Metal mounts that seal better from the elements. keep dust and moisture out better. A big deal if you switch glass a lot (I do).

6. Wireless TTL Speedlight Control, and soon wireless file transfer to your puter using 802.11 wireless, which is used by virtually all wireless routers and modems (available soon if not already)

I'm sure there are more things, but since i can't think of them at the moment, they're prolly not that important.

My only beef with the D200 is the relatively expensive wireless shutter setup ($25 for the D70, $300 for the D200)

I shoot most weddings with either the 50mm F1.8 or the 70-200mm F2.8 VR. With those two, the 85mm is a bit redundant, and fairly limited in it's application.

another fun aside that I've heard virtually all D200 users like Kiwi agree with, is despite using 'normal' sharpening, I NEVER sharpen with the D200 - i'ts just not necessary. this means sharper pix with lower noise. all good.

P

ps Again, this is completely unscientific and untested information, please don't anybody bitch at me if my data is 'proven' wrong elsewhere. If she wanted technical data, that's available all over the place. These are just my own personal conclusions after 30,000 or so frames with the D200.

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

05/03/2006 11:33:53 AM · #19

Originally posted by Pedro:

2. Better Resolution, with lower noise even at higher ISOs (Pawdrix do you use the high ISO noise reduction? that made a huge difference in mine, and i routinely shoot indoors with no flash at weddings and fitness shows at ISO 800)

Don't get me wrong...I love the camera and everything you said is spot on...

I use Normal settings across the board and my only real complaint...is that I seem to get reddish tones at higher ISO's...which might be normal for most DSLR's and my noise issues are actually not that bad...up to 800.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/03/2006 12:01:17 PM · #20

Pedro...you are right, I was looking for practial info, not tech specifications. I think I will be looking for a good deal on a D200. Now if only I could get the 18-200 VR lens too:) Gotta have something to dream about I guess!

Thanks to everyone for there input! Any recommendations on the best place to get a D200?

Pedro

Nikon D200

05/03/2006 01:13:12 PM · #21

Originally posted by carisakD70:

I don't know much about the 18-200, but in my experience you'll be happier with a fixed aperture lens like the 70-200 (Sigma makes a non-VR one that's awesome for about 40% less than the Nikkor version). Variable aperture lenses are much less expensive, but as in all things, you get what you pay for.

The best place fora D200? The place that will provide you good service and warranty, even if it's not the cheapest. ;) Where do you live?

05/04/2006 08:06:05 PM · #22

Pedro, I live in Iowa...probably would have to go down to Des Moines to get one. I just bought a 50mm 1.8 today, should have it tomorrow. I will see how that helps the sharpness on my D70. What do you think of buying the Mack warranties. That's what I did for my D70, but know on wood nothing has gone wrong with it.

cbeller