Thinking of buying the Nikon D70

Peace

I've had a good read through the board and the link to 7dayshop and technikdirekt are sweet.

Now my question is this... will the price of the D70/D70s drop with the release of the D50. AFAIK it will be released in the next couple of months.

Right now 7dayshop are flogging the D70 for 670stg. (975euro) and technikdirekt Nikon D 70 s incl. 1GB CF for 889euro.

I was thinking of buying without the stock lens as a lot of people don't rate it that highly. I would also want the extra memory that technikdirekt are selling.

D70 v's D70s... i did a google and found that there is a firmware upgrade that will bring the d70 just about level with the d70s. Does anyone have any further comments on that?

One last thing, do you get stung for VAT/Duty when ordering from 7dayshop / technikdirekt ?

acquiescefc

Whats the difference between 's' and not 's' ?

Have you tried Pixmania? Theyre spot on customer service wise. And they gave me a voucher for 20 Photos in 11x15 format (delivery costs included) totally out of the blue.

Delivered to Ireland in 2 days

code DPUSER0505 (if used in May) or 0605 ( or June) gets a tenner off.

rymus

I didn't get ridden for duty with the 20D I got from technik... if that helps to ease your mind a bit. afaik you pay VAT at the rate of the originating country. In my case, Germany.

Aren't technik the cheaper of the three? (Nomatica, Pixmania & technik) That voucher was a nice touch though.. 20 11x15's would take a fair chunk out of the ol' wallet.

impr0v

You won't get charged any import duty when buying from the EU, and VAT will be included in the price they charge you, though some sites will not charge VAT upon receipt of valid VAT registration details.

formatman

7 day shop offer a UK warrany where I think technik only offer a German warranty , might get stung with the grey import issue if you have a problem

was going for the 20D myself but now undecided with the D70S launch

I found the Nikon ordinary SLRs to be better on focusing and tracking focusing about 5 yrs ago but haven't done a current comparison

NordicDiver

Peace wrote:

Now my question is this... will the price of the D70/D70s drop with the release of the D50.

No, the price of the D70S wil be higher than the D50, the D50 is a stripped down D70S.

Peace wrote:

I was thinking of buying without the stock lens as a lot of people don't rate it that highly.

The 18-70mm AF-S DX ED is a great lens, alternatives are the 17-55mm Dx lens and or the 12-24mm DX both are priced higher than the D70S body.
Read a review here http://www.bythom.com/1870lens.htm

Peace wrote:

D70 v's D70s... i did a google and found that there is a firmware upgrade that will bring the d70 just about level with the d70s. Does anyone have any further comments on that?

With the new firmware you bring the D70 up to D70S, faster autofocus, new menu etc. I upgraded my D70 and it felt like i got a "new " camera. The D70S is the same camera as the D70 just with a bigger LCD 2" vs 1.8" (the numbers of pixels are the same, they are just larger) and a remote socket. Since it's so similar I'd just get the current D70 and hope for a lowered price. If you need a camera today just buy a D70 and don't look back.

mpkelly

Couldn't agree more with NordicDiver.

If you're looking for a top notch 'keen amateur' Digi SLR, then don't even think twice about purchasing the D70 - as previously mentioned, try and get a good deal on a D70 and just upgrade the firmware. It is EXACTLY the same as the D70s in its photographic capabilities so don't bother spending your extra hard earned cash on the D70s.

Get the D70 and you won't be disappointed. Trust me!

Happy shooting!

MojoMaker

Not wishing to drag this offtopic but what are people's opinions between the D70 and the 350D? Similar money and similar features I know, do either of them have a particular unique selling point?

I would be coming from a strictly amateur background and I've heard a lot of people singing the praises of the Nikon but also others that never touch anything but Canon and the 350D is getting a lot of good press recently.

DotOrg

both are really good cameras. i just got a 350D as a backup for my 20D and the quality of the images it produces are the same as the 20D and slightly better than the D70

the body is the smallest element of the end product, the picture
most important is the photographers eye
second most important is the quality of light
third is the lens, glass quality, sharpness, speed, contrast
fourth and last is the camera body

OBrien

New to this forum, but as I've recently asked myself exactly the same question you're trying to answer, I'll throw my tuppence worth in. I researched the Canon 300/350D v. the Nikon D70. They're both great cameras for the price, so you won't go wrong either way. I chose the D70 in the end because when I went into the shop, picked them up, played with them, looked through the viewfinder, it felt better and seemed to have a far better build quality than the Canon. It is also bigger and heavier, which might not be to everyone's taste, but I liked. Secondly, the 18-70 ED lens supplied with the Nikon is a very high-quality lens, streets ahead of the Canon kit lens which is a cheap consumer model. You'll find people have very strong views on Nikon/Canon, the rivalry is a bit like Everton/Liverpool. Nikon, like Everton, is clearly the superior offering.

This is a comprehensive D70 review which includes a direct Canon comparison

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70.htm

Hope this helps. Would be curious to hear what you decide.

rymus

OBrien wrote:

Nikon, like Everton, is clearly the superior offering.

rofl that's classic comedy!

.. oh wait, you were serious... oh dear