buying a new camera - advice please

09/09/2005 03:39:27 AM · #1

I'm dearly awaiting the Nikon D200 but...

We (wife and I) joined a local photographic society last night, to be able to take serious pics and print out 10x8's we need to upgrade my wife's 2mp Panasonic FZ2. The original plan was to wait for the D200 and for her to have my D70, but as we will be lucky to see the D200 before Christmas and we need something now then the plan has to change.

Should I...

a) Buy a D50 and then maybe get the D200 in a year or so's time (when I feel I 'need' it)

b) Buy a D70s and forget about the D200 (when I'm making enough from my photography get a D2X)

There is no concern with the D50 using SD as I already use it in my D70

Also is the Epson R800 the best choice for a 10x8 printer? I do like my dye-sub (Oly P-10) but this only does 6x4.

Thanks

Darren

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

09/09/2005 06:02:38 AM · #2

bump

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/09/2005 06:31:53 AM · #3

Patience is unrewarding when the suppliers have moveable delivery times.

What does your wife want?

If she wants a D70, rather than a D50, then the minor upgrade to D70s & D70 combo becomes worthwhile. If she wants (or would be happy with) the D50, then you could stick with a D70 & D50 combo and make a saving which can be used towards anything when appropriate. Whether that be an exchange for a D200, D2X, or financing a move to Canon... ;)

As for printers, I really recommend using a decent local photo printer - I don't think that the small ink jet can compete with a six figure printer (though admittedly priced in part for volume capacity). Only issue is cost: get friendly with the guys at the lab and negotiate a discount on the larger prints. I have a feeling that this may not be the cheapest option for large prints, however.

I would be interested to see if others disagree with me on the printer front. It may be that I am behind the times with print technology - all I know is that my Epson 750 photo 1200 DPI photo printer is a million miles away from the local lab in print quality and durability. (though I have heard good things about the dye-subs).

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

09/09/2005 07:52:12 AM · #4

My wife has handled the D50 and likes it, so I'm leaning this way at the moment.

I used to own an Epson Photo 700 and remember the amount of ink and paper wasted in ensuring all heads were clean. I went for a dye-sub as my 6x4 printer for this very reason (I only print a few images every month). I cannot imagine printing more than a few pages per month on the inkjet so maybe using a service is the sensible option.

Apple iPhone

09/09/2005 08:07:25 AM · #5

Step into the D70s and let her use yours, then like you said when the time comes fer your professional camera :)

Message edited by author 2005-09-09 08:09:43.

Klifton

Nikon D50

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

09/09/2005 08:09:18 AM · #6

Just get a D70 and don't look back.

By the rumor specs of the D200, I'd *still* buy a D70 over a D200. :)

Bebe

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/09/2005 08:16:15 AM · #7

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

As for printers, I really recommend using a decent local photo printer - I don't think that the small ink jet can compete with a six figure printer (though admittedly priced in part for volume capacity). Only issue is cost: get friendly with the guys at the lab and negotiate a discount on the larger prints. I have a feeling that this may not be the cheapest option for large prints, however.

I would be interested to see if others disagree with me on the printer front.

I finally gave up on self-printing for larger prints & am doing the same thing as you - printing locally. I tried renting print studio space until I discovered that printing is as much of an art and requires as much technical skill as taking the pictures, in my experience at least. I'd rather let the pro at the local, independent shop do my prints with an amazing printer & great paper. However, I don't print that much - if I did perhaps it would be worth the investment of time & money.