DSLR advice

bryanc

Hello all.

I know that there is some serious expertise around here regarding digital photography. I'm not completely clueless myself, but I'd like to solicit the advice of my fellow EhMac'ers on a purchasing decision.

My wife is a serious amateur photographer currently using a Nikon F90 with a couple of reasonably good lenses and a variety of flashes, adapters, etc. She is currently shooting mostly slide film and scanning the best shots with a Nikon coolscan IV ED film scanner. She has, with some reservations, made the decision to add a good digital SLR to her arsenal. My job is to pick the right one for her (I'm her tech, WRT all things digital... she's very good with photoshop and has no difficulties with computers, especially since we've switched to Macs, but she likes me to do the analysis of the various pros and cons of technical things, and provide her with recommendations... and in this case, I want to surprise her with a new camera for xmas).

The decision has come down to a Nikon D70s with a 18-35 lens, or the newly released Nikon D200 body (making due with our current 35-70 and 105 macro lenses until we can afford a wide angle zoom.)

If you think I'm missing out on a good alternative body choice, I'd like to hear about why you think I should be considering a non-Nikon DSLR (given our investment in Nikon glass, and accessories that speak Nikonese).

I'd be interested in what those of you serious about digital photography think about the new D200, and if you think it's worth the extra cash to buy a new body, rather than an established prosumer DSLR with a good lens that complements our existing repertoire.

I'd be especially interested in any serious 'issues' I may not be aware of WRT either of these cameras. This represents a fairly significant investment for us, so I don't want to make a bad mistake.

Thanks in advance for all advice, comments, and other input.

Cheers

stillmot

The d200 isnt actually released yet but barring any huge bugs, it is the unit to go for. If your considering Canon and other brands, then there will be more debate, but if you want to stick with Nikon, the d200 is the best value and an awesoem unit. On the other hand, if she doesn't need the extra resolution, she could get great prices on a D70 used. Is 1300 worth the resolution bump? There are many other advantages and improvements but the D70 is very capable and 6.1 is very sufficient for most things.

Pelao

bryanc - can you advise what sort of photography your wife enjoys?

If she has Nikon lenses, stick with that brand.

If she likes outdoor stuff the D200 has a key advantage: it is weather sealed. now, truth be told, a camera like the D70 or an EOS20D is fairly weather resistant, but weather sealing can really help some people - especially if you have similarly sealed lenses.

If she likes large prints, then the extra resolution may come in useful, but is not a crucial factor.

The D200 has not been seriously reviewed yet, but will most certainly be a top-notch beast. If you are going around getting that for your lady then you are seriously cool.

One other thing: the D200 has some additional features that are ither not on the D70, or are easier to activate on the D200 - it's closer to a pro camera. if she's seriou about her photography she would want those features, either to use now, or to grow in to.

You have probably read this preview - very informative:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/nikond200/

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kps

Your lenses and accessories will speak Nikonese up to a point, also any 35mm focal length is increased by 1.5 so a 50mm non-digital lens is the 35mm equivalent of a 75mm lens in a DSLR. Your other lenses must be CPU lenses to work with all features otherwise will work only in 'manual' mode (which [looking at her images] shouldn't be a problem for your wife). There is a list of accessories and lenses which do not work with Nikon DSLRs at all. Older Speedlights like my SB800 work very well, but do have limitations with DSLRs when compared to newer Speedlights.

In any case I have the D70 and I'm very pleased. If you have the time you could wait for the D200 or spend less for a new or used D70 (D70s)

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ArtistSeries

Given that she does have Nikon lenses, I would go with the D200 Body.
Another review can be found here http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d200.htm

scootsandludes

I'm a former F90X user myself (still use it for b+w work), and I got into the D70 last year, no complaints, but if you can get D200, I'd say go for it. going from a F90 to D70 was sort of like stepping back for me, basically because all the extra functions I never use, but good for a new user would use is more highlighted. For myself I only use 3 settings, manual, AP and SP, all those others are wasted. The new D200 takes that into account and to get into the beginner modes, I think you actually have to look for it. It's definetly not a camera for beginners, so if she know what's she doing, she'd probably prefer the D200 over the D70.

I also use the 35-70 on my D70. You will definetly need to find something a bit wider if she likes wide. I'm thinking of getting the Tokina 12-24 on ebay it seems like a good price there (no Cdn. distr. in Canada).

Also if she likes using Nikon, and has the glass, I wouldn't bother with the others, though they are nice, but if you're comfortable with Nikon, no others will do. Plus you would have to reinvest to get new glass to go with a different body.

vince

mguertin

a really great resource for this stuff (also run by a Torontonian) is http://luminous-landscape.com/

The discussion forums there have a TON of info for this stuff.

capitalK

I almost bought a D70, but bought Canon instead. The D200 was not available when I bought in February. I used to shoot with a Nikon F4 back in the day, but when I went to buy a DSLR my widest was a 35-70, which on a 1.5x crop camera (which is all Nikon offers) it was equivilent to a 52mm. Also the D70 did not offer a vertical grip so I "switched" and bought a Digital Rebel XT. It has a 1.6x crop, but Canaon also offers 1.3x crops (1D, 1D Mk II) and full-frame cameras (1Ds, 1Ds Mk II, 5D). Also Canon tend to have less noise at high ISO.

It broke my heart to switch, but I wanted something with a vertical grip, good low-light performance and a body that can be upgraded to a full-frame camera and still use the same lenses. Also I have friends with Canon equipment who I can borrow bodies and lenses from which helps a lot.

I'm not trying to start a Nikon vs Canon war, just giving my 2¢

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ArtistSeries

But really a moot point without direct comparisons...

capitalK

Not moot when all the camera dealers, online reviews and personal testimonials were telling me the same thing. ISO 800 and above... the current Canon cameras are less noisy.

Also the Canon cameras came with a RAW converter (which was extra on a D70) and my Rebel XT was 8 MP vs 6.

Edit: I should say "most" instead of "all" in this last post.

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