D40 v D70

Stratman

Stratman

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I'm tentatively looking around for a used DSLR, and the D40 and D70 both seem to very highly regarded. I'm puzzled that the D40, without in-body AF seems to fetch more on ebay than the AF equipped, and it would seem better metering equipped D70, about £160ish for the D70, £190ish for the D40

Is there a good reason for this?
 
Most people will probably prefer the larger LCD of the D40 and pay a little extra due to it being a "newer" model than the D70. If you're on a budget try and find a D70s (slighty bigger screen) and get yourself a 50mm f1.8d and you'll be laughing, £230-250ish for a half decent setup.
 
the D70 is a much better camera

1. autofocus
2. flash sync speed (yes you can push 1/500) And that's why I won get rid of my old one

The D70S is preferred for the viewfinder, but in the right hands, the D40, D70 & D70s can produce superb images
 
Richard King said:
the D70 is a much better camera

1. autofocus
2. flash sync speed (yes you can push 1/500) And that's why I won get rid of my old one

The D70S is preferred for the viewfinder, but in the right hands, the D40, D70 & D70s can produce superb images
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The D40 has 1/500 flash synch :)
 
Thanks for the advice one and all. I keep looking at review sites, ebay and the like at likeky contenders but always gravitate towards the D70. Is the 18-55 kit lens halfway decent? What about the 55-200 that Dixon's are selling in airports for a penny shy of £100?
 
I was looking for a D40 a few months ago as a entry level DSLR for myself (used numerous p&s cameras before.
Prices on ebay were pretty much what you quoted above. I eventually found a Nikon refurb at Carmarthen Cameras for £249 with the kit lens. (they had 3 at the time and said they go pretty quickly when they get them in) It came with a 6 month warranty too. Only had a few hundred activations on it. Spotless and they threw in a free Nikon 4gb card too. I know it's a discontinued model and eventually the refurbs will no longer be needed. Seen a few of the about though.
I'm very happy with it. It's way past my abilities at the moment.
 
Stratman,

The D70 and D40 are largely the same camera from the same generation. The biggest real difference is the in built focus motor and the size. The display is bigger on the 40, though the 70s is the same as the 40 I think. If you can find a 70s for the same price as the 40 then go for it. If you find a D40 refurb at a good price, then go for that.

The 18-55 and 55-200 kit lenses are very competent. Plenty sharp (especially for the 6 MP cameras) and otherwise good optics. No manual overide for focus (gotta flip a switch) and the manual focus is a bit loose. They are also a bit plastic-y (more the 18 than the 200) though there isn't a scratch on either of mine in a year plus of hard use. Only major negative? The standard aperture range of all kit lenses. They just aren't good enough for low light.

Thanks
Rick
 
Richard King said:
The one I picked up and used in anger couldn't go over 1/200.. and that was "just 1/200" too

It might have been a D40x?
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I regularly used my D40 with an SB600 at 1/500s - it's one of the cameras redeeming features. 1/200 is probably the limit with the onboard flash.
 
Bristolian said:
I regularly used my D40 with an SB600 at 1/500s - it's one of the cameras redeeming features. 1/200 is probably the limit with the onboard flash.
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1/500 with the onboard as well.
If you use a non-dedicated flash you can use 1/4000 :)

The main advantage of the D70 is the built in focusing motor.
Look at the prices for AF-S lenses (needed for auto focusing by the D40) compared with non AF-S which will auto focus on the D70.
 
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Another reason why the D70 has remained popular is people buying bodies for conversion to IR. Apparently the D70's sensor has better IR contrast than other models.
 
The fast flash sync on the d70 makes it a keeper, I still use a non AFS 50mm so an autofocus screw is a must too.

I can use off camera flash on my D3 up to 1/400 if its only fill, just cheat the sync by putting the in-flashed part of the sensor somewhere where it doesn't matter.
 
lensflair said:
The fast flash sync on the d70 makes it a keeper, I still use a non AFS 50mm so an autofocus screw is a must too.

I can use off camera flash on my D3 up to 1/400 if its only fill, just cheat the sync by putting the in-flashed part of the sensor somewhere where it doesn't matter.
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BTW that made up term was supposed to read UN-flashed. ;)
 
If possible I would get the D70S and a 18-70mm. The D70S for the larger LCD, in body focus motor (just in case), better Auto Focus in general, bigger body (more comfortable for my hands) and use of CF cards. And the 18-70mm because it is a very good quality lens.

I think the price differences can be put down to the D40 being newer, and having a larger LCD, especially compared to the D70 in particular.

The D70 has a 1.8" LCD, the D70S a 2" and the D40 a 2.5". They are all quite low resolution compared to the latest LCDs. Not surprising as the cameras are 5-7 years old. :shrug: I was happy with the LCD when I had the D70, but it seems tiny whenever I see one now. :eek:
 
Wow, I'm really grateful for all the help I've received here. I've also learnt something, namely the D40 is a newer camera than the D70. I naively assumed the converse purely because of the numbering. Like I said, naive.

One more question: is the 18-70 lens redhed17 refers to this one:- AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED
 
Stratman said:
Wow, I'm really grateful for all the help I've received here. I've also learnt something, namely the D40 is a newer camera than the D70. I naively assumed the converse purely because of the numbering. Like I said, naive.

One more question: is the 18-70 lens redhed17 refers to this one:- AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED
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Ha, that's a mistake many people make. Nikon's numbering system is somewhat confusing (to say the least) :D

Yes, that's the lens redhed17 was referring to. It came as the kit lens with the D70, I think, and is generally accepted to be a good 'un :)
 
swordjo said:
Most people will probably prefer the larger LCD of the D40 and pay a little extra due to it being a "newer" model than the D70. If you're on a budget try and find a D70s (slighty bigger screen) and get yourself a 50mm f1.8d and you'll be laughing, £230-250ish for a half decent setup.
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Just did a thread on how confusing camera model numbers are, How on earth can the D40 be newer than the D70? You would think the higher the number the newer it is.
 
Suvv said:
1/500 with the onboard as well.
If you use a non-dedicated flash you can use 1/4000 :)

The main advantage of the D70 is the built in focusing motor.
Look at the prices for AF-S lenses (needed for auto focusing by the D40) compared with non AF-S which will auto focus on the D70.
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Please prove me wrong. Which 'modern' lens apart from 50mm f1.8 you know of which hasn't got the AF-S?
 
pm79 said:
Please prove me wrong. Which 'modern' lens apart from 50mm f1.8 you know of which hasn't got the AF-S?
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85mm f1.8, 35mm f2.0, 28mm f2.8, 24mm f2.8, 20mm f2.8, 14mm f2:8, 18mm f2.8, 16mm f2.8 fisheye, 105mm f2, 180mm f2, 300mm f2.8, 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 zoom, 35-70mm f2.8 zoom, 35-105mm zoom, 80-200mm f2.8 zoom.

Depends what you call modern, these are all post 1986 and usually much cheaper that the newest equilivents, and still very good.
 
I have owned a D40 and thats a quality camera although if you wanted to go for hat the D40x might be a better choice. Although the lack of lens compatibility can be annoying and limiting. The D70s would be your best choice, its a quality camera with great build quality too :)
 
pm79 said:
Please prove me wrong. Which 'modern' lens apart from 50mm f1.8 you know of which hasn't got the AF-S?
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Most modern lenses may have AF-S but I, like a lot of people, buy second hand and a non AF-S secondhand lens is a lot cheaper than a AF-S secondhand lens. :)
 
Suvv said:
Most modern lenses may have AF-S but I, like a lot of people, buy second hand and a non AF-S secondhand lens is a lot cheaper than a AF-S secondhand lens. :)
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Yep. I have an 85mm 1.8 non-afs that produces stunning results, I use it on a d3 and d300s. I actually picked up a second hand d3 (factory 2nd) rather than a d700, one of the reasons is the in body autofocus motor is bigger and quicker than the d700. Other reason was dual card slots, that's one thing the d700 is lacking and backup is important to me too. But I'm off topic now, my point is that even in that case the bodies abilities in running non-afs lenses was important. It gives you access to much cheaper alternatives, and that can become even more important if you need to carry backups.
 
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Bristolian said:
I regularly used my D40 with an SB600 at 1/500s - it's one of the cameras redeeming features. 1/200 is probably the limit with the onboard flash.
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The D40 has a 1/500 sync whether onboard or add-on. The D40X is 1/200 regardless of the flash. neither offers high speed synch.

Thanks
Rick
 
casts_by_fly said:
The D40 has a 1/500 sync whether onboard or add-on. The D40X is 1/200 regardless of the flash. neither offers high speed synch.

Thanks
Rick
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They may not have high speed synch. but if you use a non-dedicated flash, or tape over the extra contacts, you can use flash at any shutter speed.
 
Another vote for the D70, had mine for going on 5 years, only just got rid of it last week to get a D7000.

Its a awesome little camera, never let me down, i've mainly been using the kit 18-70mm lens it came with and have got some very nice shots out of them both (if i do say so myself)

Only complaint i had against it was the amount of noise you get once you go past 200 ISO.
 
Yet another vote for the D70. Had mine since 2004. Just started thinking about upgrading to a D7000.
 
lensflair said:
85mm f1.8, 35mm f2.0, 28mm f2.8, 24mm f2.8, 20mm f2.8, 14mm f2:8, 18mm f2.8, 16mm f2.8 fisheye, 105mm f2, 180mm f2, 300mm f2.8, 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 zoom, 35-70mm f2.8 zoom, 35-105mm zoom, 80-200mm f2.8 zoom.

Depends what you call modern, these are all post 1986 and usually much cheaper that the newest equilivents, and still very good.
Click to expand...

Well that was quite informative. Thanks:).

Sent from my iPad using TP Forums
 
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