 Kitty Cross |
Nikon DSLR Hi I was all set to purchase a Nikon D50 when a friend of mine says spend the extra to get a D70. I shoot with an FM3A and am only considering a DSLR because of the digital convenience. I need ease of operation in manual modes for both aperture and shutter speed. (read--I don't want to be mucking about with a hard to read menu when I want to change the aperture in a hurry) Can anyone explain why my friend might be so vehemently against the D50? The only feature it seems to be missing that I care about is a DOF preview control. Am I missing something? I just saw a d50 body for UNDER $400! Thanks for your help
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Jon Close |
You'd have to ask your friend. Re: "I just saw a d50 body for UNDER $400!" Not from a legitimate outlet you didn't. Anyone offering the D50 for <$500 (new, body only) is a bait & switch ripoff artist. Check out the seller at http://www.resellerratings.com/ and don't do business with any rated below the average.
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Jon Close |
P.S. If you are planning on using your current manual focus lenses with the D50 or D70, be aware that neither camera can meter with non-CPU (AI) lenses (can be used in manual exposure only).
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Kitty Cross |
Let me rephrase the question. Since my friend's english is not very strong, he had a difficult time telling me what he meant (or I'd be asking him) This is not someone I'm in regular contact with--about once a year actually when we pass by this port. Anyway, he indicated that the D70 was easier to operate when it came to manual functions than the D50 but he didn't explain clearly what that was specifically. Has anyone experience with both of these cameras? I thought that because my friend had owned the d70 for a while he might not have given the d50 a fair try. Mose specifically has anyone experience that the d50 is a pain in the butt? I've breifly looked at both (the d50 online only) but I can't see that it's less user friendly--that is due in part I'm sure to my lack of experience with digital SLR. The difference in cost is worth me considering if the d50 is in the running. Thanks for your help.
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robert G. Fately |
Kitty, beyond what Jon points out, I have found the D50 viewfinder to be much smaller and darker than the D70's - to save costs the D50 uses a set of mirrors rather than a glass pentaprism. And entry level DSLRs all have smaller viewfinder windows than the film cameras, so you need to see for yourself what it looks like. The point is - you really should handle both cameras personally to see the subtle differences. The viewfinder thing may make no difference to you whatsoever - there's no way to know until you hold the camera. As Jon correctly points out, you are 'leading with the nose' to buy from some of these disreputable rip-off operations over the web. If a company is selling mainstream gear for much less than B&H's price I would heartily suspect it. Of course, if you live close to the 'store", you caould go and buy in person - to ensure that the batteries, straps, lenscaps and other geegaws are not missing and available at extra cost. Some of the sleazier operations claim that when they sell the "body only" it is just that, the body itself. By removing and then upselling you the other gear that comes in the "body only" package ffrom the manufacturer, they make back that wonderful-seeming discount.
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Kitty Cross |
Thanks both. I didn't know that about the metering Jon. I have an AF Tamron from another project with a early generation autofocus Nikon. I kinda figured the price was a little low (best I'd seen til then was 569)and you're right about the bait and switch. Most likely I'll buy it from a shop in Hong Kong or singapore. We'll be there in a month I think. The big one there is to look in the box you walk out of the shop with to make sure it isn't a brick....especially if you're sailing at 1800 and the shop knows that. Thanks again
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Pete H |
Kitty; You'll see the D-50 amoung other things is also physically smaller than the D-70..Good for some..not so good for others. Pete
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Kitty Cross |
Yeah I noticed that in some comparison charts. I really need to see one up close and personal. Being small handed, I would imagine the smaller size is useful, but if it means the controls/buttons are fiddly, that will end up just being annoying. As a general rule for me the lighter the better because of how I travel (my tent is the lightest, my sleeping bag is the lightest, my tripod is the lightest....) The tradeoff is often ruggedness although I don't imagine that's much of a difference with these two cameras.
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