View Full Version : D70 vs D50 Features
Froggie
08-31-2005, 1:59 AM
I'm on the cusp of picking up my first DSLR. After spending some time with both the Nikon D70 and the Canon Rebel XT. I'm heavily, heavily leaning towards the former.
I've done some searching online, as well as locally, to see if I could find the D70 at a reduced price now that the D70s is out, but have been unable to find anything. I'm Canadian so ordering out of the US is "iffy" as I might get hit with a rather hefty duty surcharge.
The D50 has caught my eye as it's a fair bit more affordable to me ($1179) as compared to the D70s ($1599). I primarily will want to take macro and fish-shots with this camera. Is the difference between the two cameras enough that it would significantly influence my ability to take a great fish pic? I've gone over the feature list and saw a few things that I thought may make a slight difference, but nothing serious enough to justify the added cost. At least not if I were to invest in a good lens for the price difference.
Thoughts?
tough one. well, the one of the most important things IME with fish photography is lighting. commander mode on the d70 is a godsend for using the flash over the tank. the d50 has no commander mode. another thing that would bother me about the d50 is that it only has 1 command dial. also sd cards for d50, no idea why. personally i would go with a d70 just for commander mode.
phishphorphun
08-31-2005, 11:18 AM
I would have to echo Hir0's words on this one.
Particularly for fish photography. Using overhead flash is imperative for better pix of your fish. Commander mode is a dream when you use the SB800 wireless remote with the D70. And there is a big difference inmemory cards comparing the sd to compact flash of the D70.
I think you might regret not getting the D70 or D70s over the D50 when you find out from experience what you are missing.
Save up a little longer and have no regrets.
Ditto on what has already been said.
BTW, what's the amount of the tax for the camera if the base price is $1,036? That's what the D70 with kit lens is going for at the moment with the 18-70mm lens. It's one of the only places that has the D70. Although, it's the older D70, but there's not a significant difference between the D70 and D70s. The kit lens that it comes with is very versatile and great for all around usage.
If you do opt for the D70s, the body is $898 from Buydig also, which is just for the body only. Which lens you decide to go with will be dependent on your preferences, but the 50mm f/1.8D is a good place to start.
Link to buydig:
http://www.buydig.com/shop/SearchResults.aspx?kwd=d70
Froggie
08-31-2005, 1:41 PM
Sales tax amounts to 13% on the camera, however I'm not sure about the duty. I'm sure it'd be at least 20%.
One thing that has me hesistant about importing the camera also is that I'm not sure if the Warrenty would still be valid.
After reading your responses it does seem that waiting another few months and purchasing the D70 may be the more prudent investment. Now, I do want to mention that I find it unlikely that I would be purchasing a slave flash to use. Does that shift things much? (aside from the memory card)
Just trying to figure out what the best camera for my needs would be as much as anything I suppose.
The funny thing about Nikon warranty is that it's a 5 year one if bought in the United States, but if you bought the camera in Canada, then it's a one year. If you happen to buy the camera in the United States and export it, then it goes to the one year warranty. It doesn't work the other way around however (i.e. Nikon Canada will repair U.S. purchased equipment, but Nikon USA won't touch anything that's imported). So in this case, the one year warranty will still be valid in Canada.
20% on top of $1,036 amounts to $1243.20 for the D70 with 18-70mm kit lens. 20% on top of the $898 for the D70s body amounts to $1,077.60 for the body. Both of those figures look pretty good compared to the $1,599 that you're looking at. Tax (and all other charges) would have to be 54.34% on the $1,036 before it hits the $1,599 mark.
Froggie
08-31-2005, 2:23 PM
20% on top of $1,036 amounts to $1243.20 for the D70 with 18-70mm kit lens. 20% on top of the $898 for the D70s body amounts to $1,077.60 for the body. Both of those figures look pretty good compared to the $1,599 that you're looking at. Tax (and all other charges) would have to be 54.34% on the $1,036 before it hits the $1,599 mark.
Wouldn't put it past my government to try to hit me with 54.34% duty these days *laughs* They've already just started charging duty on fish imports.
And you're forgetting conversion! $1,036 USD is $1,227.13 CAD off the start.
LOL.
Ah, so those prices that you quoted are Canadian in the beginning. Sorry, didn't see that in your original post. That means that they only have to hit you with a 30.30% tax, haha.
Froggie
08-31-2005, 2:40 PM
LOL.
Ah, so those prices that you quoted are Canadian in the beginning. Sorry, didn't see that in your original post. That means that they only have to hit you with a 30.30% tax, haha.
You know you're in trouble when your government starts targeting you with a 30-30!
Froggie
09-02-2005, 10:36 PM
Well, after some soul searching and slight intervention at the hands of the significant other, I went ahead and purchased the D50. I think that for now at least it'll suit my needs. I got a good deal on it locally, cheaper then the price I quoted earlier.
I want to thank everyone for the advice though.
I posted some of my first pictures in another thread and hope you can give me some suggestions: http://www.aquatic-photography.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4531
phishphorphun
09-02-2005, 10:43 PM
What flash setup did you use for this series?
Froggie
09-02-2005, 10:57 PM
What flash setup did you use for this series?
Just the cameras flash, no external flash or additional lighting.
Andy C
10-09-2005, 5:56 PM
Sorry to hijack the thread, but am trying to make up my mind between the D50 & D70 also.
Can someone explain what "commander mode" is to this newbie please?
cheers,
Andy C
phishphorphun
10-09-2005, 7:01 PM
Sorry to hijack the thread, but am trying to make up my mind between the D50 & D70 also.
Can someone explain what "commander mode" is to this newbie please?
cheers,
Andy C
In very simple explanation. Commander Mode allows you to use an external flash wireless in a variety of ways. You can use the camera settings and send the information to the flash to produce the correct output desired. It can be accomplished in manual or TTL settings. In manual you can adjust the output power of the flash. In TTL the settings on the D70 will calibrate the power of the flash. Depending on the whether you are using teh SB800 or SB600 speedflash, the commands are precisely what you are expectng.
It's a dream come true if you are attempting to get just the right flash effect for your intentions.
JerseyJay
10-09-2005, 10:48 PM
Andy,
If you are thinking about becoming more serious with aquatic photography and you decided to go with Nikon, Commander is a "must have". If you are going to be shooting aquatics very rarely and buying a camera for "Pro type" work, I would NOT spend the money just b/c of the Commander Mode. I would never do another wedding or other ceremony with flash in Commander / Remote mode. TTL cable would be a must for those type of situations.
Good luck with your decision.
Andy C
10-10-2005, 4:08 AM
Thanks for the replies.
Purely for aquatic photography - so looks like it's a must have.
PhotoByMark
10-11-2005, 1:54 AM
Andy,
I just got my first SB800 and while I have nothing to post yet. I was just playing around with my D70s in Commander Mode and the SB800. And all I can say it is very cool! I cannot wait to get at least 1 more or maybe a SB600. For aquatic photography it is just awesome. I will try to post some post at least a couple of pics later this week. You will love it!
Mark.
Ok, not a fish pic (or a great pic) but photo is just after I figured out how to use "Commander Mode" - I can see how one can very creative with such a nifty device. Flash was sitting on the table and so was the cat!
http://static.flickr.com/33/51090024_3762fbdd2d_o.jpg