From my limited experience with the camera I would suggest you go and get one,like most modern DSLR's it can be as automatic or manual as you require, your D70 lens should fit OK and most Nikon lens will fit onto the camera but some of the more advanced metering and flash functions may be lost, I am sure you will always get these to work in the old way i.e. manual metering and auto flash where you set a matching aperture on flash and camera and work within the distance the flash gun indicates. Care must be taken with pre autofocus lens and accessories as the contacts on the camera body could ( I am not totally sure ) be damaged by manual focus lens mount not having space for the contacts. The image quality from the D200 is excellent and the camera body just feels ' right ' in the hand, all I can say in conclusion is that I am very satisfied with my purchase.