Is the Nikon D70s still good or is the D200 much better?

miurasv

miurasv

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I have taken quite a few photographs over the years with my Sony DSC F707 that I bought new in 2002 mainly for my watch hobby. The Sony is always in Auto Focus mode. Now however I have decided to learn properly about photography and have considered (and still am considering) getting a used D300, D700 or D3 if I can find one at a price that makes sense not to buy a new one (which I can't afford). On reflection I was thinking perhaps I'd better learn to walk before I can run and get a D70S to learn or is the D200 a much better camera? Thanks in advance for any replies I may get.
 
The D200 is a newer camera (it is the pro version of the D80) which is the replacement for the D70. The D200 will give you more control over your shots and allow you to change settings quickly without going into menus. It is also made out of metal with full weather protection. The D300 is to the D200 what the D80 is to the D70s ie the next step. In my opinion it is not that big a step. The D300 has a slightly higher resolution (makes little difference unless you are cropping like mad or printing MASSIVE pictures, it has much better high ISO handling (ie it takes less grainy shots when it gets darker) and there are a few extra bits and pieces like liveview. All in all a worthwhile upgrade if if was not for the fact that the D300 will cost you virtually TWICE what the D200 will.

The D700 is basically a full frame version of the D300 and will cost you around £1700 new or £1500 second hand !! A D3 is basically a D700 with a bigger body (incorporating the grip) and costing a LOT more money ie more 2nd hand than the D700 is new!
 
The D200 feels a lot nicer than the D70 and has a few extra features.

Prices are around £400 or less for a mint D200 and around £200 for a mint D70 - it depends if you want to pay the extra (I went from a D40x to the D200 and it was a HUGE difference). Though the D70 will still teach you plenty and when you come to sell it you won't be losing that much...

Decisions, decisions :D
 
get better lenses and a d70 rather than a d200 and cack lenses, the d70 is very capable and the d70s even better :)
 
I would still go for the D200 but if you do go down the D70 route then all the features added by the S model can be retro added to the normal D70 by a firmware upgrade other than the half inch larger screen! So don't discount a cheaper D70.
 
i'd buy a d3 and learn on that ,,,
 
I've got a D200 and use it as my main camera as a magazine photographer. It's good up to ISO 1000 (the noise starts to really kick in in shadow areas above that) and handles great. Good button layout (miles better than anything Canon does) and it starts up in an instant, has a good image buffer (for shooting sequential RAW images) and is weather sealed. The AF is realy reliabvle too. I really rate mine, although I am looking at the D300 to supercede it (but not replace it), simply because of the better high ISO noise handling. As a used buy for around £450 it's a great piece of kit.
 
Like FitP above, I had a 70 and a 200. When I bought the D700 it was the D200 that got sold.

IMO the D200 is the better camera but I prefer using the D70 (and the D700 is even nicer to use!). Images from the D70 also seem to need less PP than those from the D200.
 
cowasaki said:
I would still go for the D200 but if you do go down the D70 route then all the features added by the S model can be retro added to the normal D70 by a firmware upgrade other than the half inch larger screen! So don't discount a cheaper D70.
Click to expand...

And the Dreaded BGLOD (Blinking green light of death).Was a big problem with the standard D70 which was solved with the D70s upgrade. My dad got it and had to send off to Nikon for repair. He was without a camera for 4 months. Probably better to get a D70s for the little extra price.

Edit: If you can afford it go for the D200. I had it before my D300 and feel it is much nicer than the D70 or D70s. Easier to access the settings and is made of metal so is weather sealed.
 
I'm really not an expert on these things but I have had a play with a few of the Nikons and I just think that the D200 feels better in my hands (note MY). I really do like the D200 and would keep it even now other that the fact that Mrs C deserves an upgrade so she is having mine and I am replacing it. I was going to buy another D200 (or just buy one for her) but I am getting a D300 so that they can share the grip and for the better ISO performance. The poor ISO is the ONLY thing that detracts from the D200 for me.

I have learned a lot from the members of this forum in the last couple of years but the BIG one is. Bodies are NOT as important as GLASS anyway.
 
That reads that the grip from the 200 to the 300 is interchangeable,it isn`t.

Though i`m sure you mean the 300 to 700 grip is.Maybe I just read it wrong......:shrug:
 
I have owned all of these, the d70 was my first DSLR, this was good. I moved on to the D70s which was just about the same as the 70.
I got the D200 and grip, wow what a difference, without doubt I would get a 200, spend the extra now. The 200 feels much like my D3 with the grip fitted.
 
fracster said:
That reads that the grip from the 200 to the 300 is interchangeable,it isn`t.

Though i`m sure you mean the 300 to 700 grip is.Maybe I just read it wrong......:shrug:
Click to expand...

Does it? I've just re-read it and it doesn't to me! :)
 
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