New D50 or Used D70? Budget=$600

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/10/2007 08:00:04 PM · #1

Its been years playing with this point and shoot and now its time to move up to DSLR. I've decided on Nikon, and I have a budget of $600. I'm looking at ebay, "cametaauctions" seems to have the best deals, but is the quality there? Reliability? Where else should I look for the best deal. Should I go used d70 or new d50? pro's and con's? Make no mistake this is about money, I am on a tight budget and even the $600 is a splurge. I know I can not get all I need with the $600, but this is what I have at the moment to spend. I will be mainly using this for indoor sports photography (high school/college wrestling). My personal interests are macro's and landscapes.

I know that I will need: the camera, the short lens that comes with the camera kit, memory, an additional lens with at least 200mm range (but prefer 300mm for wrestling), a macro lens?, additional flash, nikon bag, and studio lighting. I dont expect to get the flash or lighting right now, but I do need the flash sooner than later for wrestling. IN a perfect world I would like to get the long lens, bag & memory when I buy the camera, as maybe a package deal or kit. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I've been in a rut the past year, havent submitted anything because I just feel my camera and my photoshop skills are not good enough to post here anymore, my membership is about to expire and I promised myself last year I would not rejoin unless I had a new camera, I have 20 days lol. This site has progessed to another level in the past few years and I just feel I need to step up. I've been putting off the dslr so I can save $$ for my kids musical equipment, but they have enough instruments for a band, so its now time for Mama.. ANY help is appreciated.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

01/10/2007 08:18:19 PM · #2

Buy from a reputable dealer like B&H they have the D50 kit with a 28-70 for 499.99 that would leave you with enough to get the 50mm 1.8 which is a must have. B&H also has the D50 kit with the 18-55mm lens. I have not used either lens but the 18-55 is wider so it depends on what you will be shooting. Can't wait to hear what you got.

My $.02

Erick

Message edited by author 2007-01-10 20:20:36.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/10/2007 08:25:26 PM · #3

I don't know anything about lenses. The only lenses I have ever used are my wide angle and telephoto that I got for my point and shoot. I have no idea what AF, mm, or any of that is.. guess I need to do some reading..

I need a lens to take close up photos of the wrestlers from the side of the mat. 15-30 feet away? and I also would like to take macro's, like upclose bug shots, but that can wait..

Message edited by author 2007-01-10 20:26:19.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

01/10/2007 08:38:29 PM · #4

Go to your local camera store and play with the lenses so you get an idea of focal length (mm). But for what you describe you will want a zoom(which both the 18-55 and 28-70 are) and a macro for the close up. I think you would be happy with the 28-70 to start. Its not a macro but you can get pretty close up with it.

John Pahl

Nikon Coolpix AW 100

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

01/10/2007 08:45:57 PM · #5

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

That sounds like a good deal.
I got my pentax for $400 with the kit lens, then just about right away I got the 50mm f1.4 so I could take indoor shots without flash at my sons basketball games.

Make no mistake this is about money, I am on a tight budget and even the $600 is a splurge.

Well then...

an additional lens with at least 200mm range (but prefer 300mm for wrestling), a macro lens?, additional flash, nikon bag, and studio lighting.

$600 will just be the start of it. :)

I am also looking at buying something around the 200mm with a F/2.8 this spring for soccer and baseball photos.

I am guessing that I will be spending $800-$1000 for a lens.

I think nikon lens run more. ;)

Message edited by author 2007-01-10 20:47:29.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

01/10/2007 10:17:19 PM · #6

so I read up on lenses a little. guess its something I'll have to read a lot about to understand... I do wonder, what is wrong with this, the seller has unbelievable amount of feedback, you get two Tamron lenses (good?) which should give me a good amount of zoom?, plus I sell on ebay and we all arent bad.. it comes with the original warranty card and the seller offers a one year warranty:

D50 Kit

No one else get their camera on ebay? Can anyone match that price for camera, 2 lenses, & memory on any websites? Its exactly the amount I have to spend, and when I sell my camera outfit I might can get a nice nikon bag with the profits LOL thanks!

John Pahl

Nikon Coolpix AW 100

01/10/2007 10:24:49 PM · #7

Originally posted by aerogurl:

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6

28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

If your going to shoot indoor sports without a flash then I would be looking for something with a f/2.8

The 70-300 that is listed will have a f/5.6 at the 300mm end.

John Pahl

Nikon Coolpix AW 100

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

01/10/2007 10:26:57 PM · #8

Not saying that the ebay one you listed has anything wrong with it.
I have not priced the camera or them lens, but it does not look bad if you would find them lens usefull

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/10/2007 10:37:14 PM · #9

I do plan to use a flash. It will just be a few weeks before I buy an additional external flash. I saw the newspaper guy using a Nikon with the on-body flash at the wrestling match.. so many choices.. wrestling season is almost over, i wanna get it fast :)

TJinGuy

Nikon Coolpix 2100

01/10/2007 11:15:43 PM · #10

My two bits about Cameta Camera. I won an auction for a brand new Nikon Coolpix 5700 back in Dec. 2005 and although the checkout was a bit different, it went great. They require you to call their NY store to confirm order and pay over the phone. The guy I talked to was really nice and besides offering me extended warranties and such, he was very helpful. Oh and with me being from NM, his strong NY accent was fun.

So when a friend was looking at a D70, I pointed him to Cameta. Like me he was a bit skeptical but also like me, his experience was great. He even went back and bought a flash from them.

rlinn3

Nikon D100

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

01/10/2007 11:32:14 PM · #11

I've bought cameras, lens and other things from Cameta and I love them. I always check with them before I buy. The only problem I have ever had is they don't always have what i am looking for. Just my 2Â¢.

digitalknight

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/10/2007 11:40:58 PM · #12

my son shoots with a D50, and I like it a lot.

Those lenses aren't the best you can buy - surprised? But you have to start somewhere.

Just realize that inside even with a f/2.8 is tough at times. So go higher ISO and do what you can.

You're still going to love it!

I started with f/4-5.6 lenses - they were great because I finally had a DSLR! I outgrew them and bought some nicer lenses.

I haven't dealt with these particular guys, but looks like several have. I'm excited for you.

Oh, I have three Nikon flashes - so just drop by on the way to the wrestling matches and borrow one, then drop it by on the way home - easy!

Message edited by author 2007-01-10 23:42:29.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/11/2007 12:41:49 AM · #13

Originally posted by digitalknight:

Just realize that inside even with a f/2.8 is tough at times. So go higher ISO and do what you can.

I'm excited for you.

THANKS! :) What do you mean about "tough at times", wont a higher iso cause more noise? I understand about the shutter but I know NOTHING about metering or the F/Stop stuff. I just read online about f/stop and shutter speed being like pouring water into a bucket, f/stop is the size of the stream and the shutter is how fast you are pouring it. So that is where I am.. LOL I guess the lower the F/stop the better it is, no mater the length?

I currently have one of those adapters so I could get some more light in my photos,

but I realize now that I know nothing about metering those flashes so my photos are usually too bright or too dark. I bought both adapter, flash, and a hood for my telephoto at b&h, but to be honest they are really crappy quality and the shipping was way to high, one of the reasons I dont want to deal with them. (my current wrestling photos with my S5000: wrestling photos) I wonder if this flash would work on a D50 until I get a digital flash?

Anyway, Thanks for helping guys.. I'll probably end up buying that kit.

So everyone agrees, New or Factory Refurb D50 with warranty over Used D70?

Message edited by author 2007-01-11 00:47:21.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

01/11/2007 12:55:19 AM · #14

I'd say used D70, but that's just because I've seen them for around 350-400 bucks and it's generally a better camera than the D50 IMHO.

you can upgrade the firmware and it's essentially the same as a D70s too if it's not already done.

I would second the recommendation for either the Tamron or the Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6.

The Tamron might be a bit sharper in some parts of the range, but the Sigma isn't bad and gives a decent 'macro' mode... Either would be just fine...

Read some basic photography tutorials too if you like.

There's a pretty big difference between shooting indoors at f/2.8 and shooting indoors at f/5.6, but until you have the cash, either of the above mentioned 'budget' lenses will do you quite well.

I doubt you could get much use out of a flash at 300mm at a wrestling match.

additional: if you wanted to get really funky and had permission, you could get an off-camera flash that could be controlled wirelessly with the D70. I don't think the D50 can do that. Not tooooo sure about this though.

Message edited by author 2007-01-11 00:56:44.

ben4345

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/11/2007 02:15:41 AM · #15

D50... a better choice for learning, cleaner picture...plus it really nice if your into taking infrared pictures. Good for astromy photos too.. I can list so much more but I need to go to bed. :)

jdannels

Nikon D300s

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

01/11/2007 03:04:06 AM · #16

You should look on Fredmiranda.com in there Buy/sell forum. I have bought from there before, and you will see great deals on used gear. You need to register first and the email addresses they accept are picky,(can't be free email hosting most of the time). But if you go to myway.com and start an email account it should be accepted. Its a good place to look.
Oh and the D50 doesn't have the commander function like the D70.

digitalknight

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/11/2007 02:05:58 PM · #17

Originally posted by aerogurl:

THANKS! :) What do you mean about "tough at times", wont a higher iso cause more noise?

Yes it will, but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. For example: I was shooting my kids Bball games last saturday. First gym I could shoot at f/4 at 1/250 if I was at ISO 800.

Second gym I had to go to 1/125 and f/2.8 (really narrow DOF at f/2.8) but I could keep it at ISO 800.

Third gym at ISO 1600 (ridiculous grain) I could only get 1/60 with f/2.8. Blur city even when the team was in a huddle. I just put my camera away and yelled at the refs for my fun. :-)

So even with my expensive lenses, I couldn't get the shots I needed in that third gym - so it's still "tough at times" to get the shots.

Originally posted by aerogurl:

So everyone agrees, New or Factory Refurb D50 with warranty over Used D70?

I love my D70, and like it a lot more than my kids D50. But with a limited budget (like we all have had at times - ) I would go with less camera and a wider range of lenses to get an idea of what kind of shots I like to shoot, what an f/stop is, in short - until I learned my way around an SLR.

Then when you have some more money in the future, you'll know - "gee I wish I had faster lenses" or "if i had a D80 I'd be able to do ______" and you can make your decision based on experience.

Good luck, it's a fun new world you're entering to be sure!

option

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

01/11/2007 02:15:18 PM · #18

No love for the D40? Its no more than 50 bucks more than a D50, and new stuff is always cooler than last years junk...

digitalknight

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/11/2007 02:27:29 PM · #19

from fredmiranda:

D70s Body - $539

Nikon D70 with all accessories and Kingston 1GB Elite Pro CF card, in like new condition. Low actuations. Includes the en-el3a battery (higher capacity) and mh-18a charger (faster charging) $450 OBO shipped 2-3 day USPS Priority w/ delivery confirmation

Sigma 15-30 has scuffs on the hood and a tiny, PURELY COSMETIC scratch on the lens coating that does not affect pictures. $195 OBOshipped 2-3 day USPS Priority w/ delivery confirmation

So jdanniels was right on - there's some stuff here to check out. I've got a lead on a D200. Thanks jd!

jdannels

Nikon D300s

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

01/11/2007 02:30:08 PM · #20

Originally posted by digitalknight:

So jdanniels was right on - there's some stuff here to check out. I've got a lead on a D200. Thanks jd!

Oh man be careful, that place is dangerous! I had to ban myself from going there because I was going broke! Lots of great deals to be had.

01/11/2007 07:13:49 PM · #21

Originally posted by option:

No love for the D40? Its no more than 50 bucks more than a D50, and new stuff is always cooler than last years junk...

I researched all Nikons before making my decision based on my money, my needs & my skill level. Tbe D40 will not support the 50mm 1.8 lens that I would want, also it doenst have the lcd status screen anymore.

I'm leaning toward the D50 because it is new and I can get a warranty.. and I'm looking everywhere, b&h has body and short lens for $500, newegg has body only for $437, ebay has body, 2 lens & 2gb for $619. still looking..

I found out around Christmas time that Staples had a sale where you got the D50 and lens for $370something plus tax. I hate I missed that.

Message edited by author 2007-01-11 19:14:48.

01/11/2007 10:47:53 PM · #22

Last Post... plan to buy tomorrow from Cametta Camera on ebay, I didnt even realize this is where I bought the camera I have now LOL

My last question is, which is the better lens and why:

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens

photo linked to amazon for more info

or

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Zoom Lens

photo linked to amazon for more info

remember I know nothing about lenses.. so a few pros and cons would be great :) My only financial pro and con is that the sigma is slightly more expensive but has better reviews on amazon. Is there really much difference?

Message edited by author 2007-01-11 23:02:52.