Hi all,

I've been considering going DSLR for a while now and I'm seriously looking at the Nikon D50 kit with the 18-55 and 55-200 DX lenses. I'm also looking at the D70s with 18-70 DX lense but I wouldn't initially be able to afford any additional 'glass' if I went that route.

I've been a Nikon fan for many years and I was very happy with my F70 35mm body and various Nikkor lenses I used for several years. A lot of my photography buddies are suggesting Canon though so I'd like some opinions and suggestions from the community, as well as your thoughts on the D70s versus the D50.

My photography is mostly nature/wildlife/landscape but I also shoot a lot of other stuff when the chance presents itself.

Wayne

i have the Nikon D50 y 18-55mm / 70-210mm / 75-300mm... I'm vey happy with this one and i don't have problem.... he have a lot option for to make the capture and you can to use this one like a professional.

I know a very good page web where you see the diferency between the D50 and the D70s : http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/

I'm really very happy with this camera.. Well I don't know very good the other...

hugs and good day my friend ;)

If I had a choice again I would probably choose the D50 kit over the D70.
Most features on the  D70 that are extra  are not noticed much.
The main thing is, It appears sometimes that the D50 takes much clearer shots than a D70.
 If you have a look in valouchufy's gallery
There is some very good  sharp images taken with the D50 in her gallery.

Interesting comparision there. You might want to wait just a little longer too, I notice someone mention Nikon releasing a new DSLR soon, and prices on the D50 could drop.

I have the D70s, so I can tell you what I would miss the most, if I were to start using the D50.

The D70s has two command dials, D50 just one. I shoot almost entirely in manual mode, so to me it's easier to adjust aperature and shutter speed using both dials, as opposed to having to switch back and forth using the same dial.

D70s has Depth of Field preview, D50 does not. With the click of a button, you can see the shot just as the sensor would see it, DOF and all. This works well if there's a lot of light coming through the lens. If you have your apperature set small, or the scene is really dark,  it's pretty much useless, since the viewfinder shows a very dark scene.

D70s uses compact flash storage, while D50 uses SD cards. If you were to move up from the D50 to an even better camera, you would probably have to buy new storage cards.

It looks like the D50 doesn't have a grid on the viewfinder? If this means that it has just a plain glass with no grid markings at all?... then I would miss that. The D70s as marks for thirds, as well as focus areas too.

I can't really comment on the D50 kit lens vs the D70s kit since, I've never used the D50 lens. However, this will be the best advice anyone will ever give you.. cough cough... get the D70s body and the 18-200 VR lens. Beg, borrow, sell, whatever you can do to get that. It would suit your style perfectly.

Good luck, and yes.. consider Canon. Top quality there too.

D50 also doesn't support wireless flash control on the sb-600/800.

Wait until the D80, 10MP is announced tomorrow...your decision will be even more difficult.

Lots of advice has already been given here ( fuzzyshadows has wrapped it up nicely)...be wary of "kit" lenses...they are not always of the best quality...build or optics.  Most have a plastic barrel construction...some even have plastic lens mounts.   Have a good look at the lens build and also look at the technical optical reviews at the various online sites.

Also, don't forget you will probably want to buy a decent flash, a few filters and memory cards as well.

If you already have Nikon lenses....wait  for the D80...or go D200.  I also suspect that the D70s may be phased out...so, you may be able to get some deals on it shortly. 

Also, have a look at Canon...either the 30D or the 5D( full frame...one sweet cam!) if you can swing it.

PS;

A few things to add re:DSLR's that you should be aware of;

1)Dust...eventually you will need to deal with it...or go Oly or Sony alpha

2)Size...they are big and heavy

3)Crop issue....you lose the wide angle unless you go to extremely co$tly lenses

4)DOF...you lose the extreme DOF in comparison to point and shoots

5)They are a money pit as there are tons of add-ons to buy!!!

Have fun...let us know what you decide.

The way I see it, is that if you are not one obsessed with major add ons, and getting everything that comes out new, a D50 is a great way to be in the DSLR world on a not so big budget.
 If you already have experienced a D70 or higher, then no...I am sure  many factors mentioned here would be dissapointing.
I knew I was upgrading eventually. I was not shown a D50 or that would have been my choice.
Many people I run into out in the field use one and are very happy.
I now use the D200  for almost all my shots, but do enjoy having the D70 for a "not have to change lenses  much back up"
It  could easily be a D50.

On another note.
 I was in the Nikon repair depot, and they had heard nothing of  D80, saying there is always specualtion and sham images of what people speculate.
Perhaps Nikon reps are told to keep hush about it, but it will be interesting to see if they do announce it tomorrow.
They do have to have  upgraded DSLR's for  consumer use, and not labelled Pro. Customers  want more than a 1 year warranty.

Gradients 5 examples are  very good offereings.

Wayne? After reading all this informations, i'm curious to know your opinion...

hugs

Sorry for the delay in responding. Thanks to all who have offered their advice and opinions!

After reading the responses and opinions here and reviews on the 'net I was leaning towards the D70s and just making do with consumer grade lenses for a while. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on how my bank manager feels about it! :o] ) I then read about the D80!

It's going to cost more than my budget initially allowed for but I figure I should rather wait a little longer and get the features I really want rather than buying a slightly 'lesser' camera and making do.

I made the mistake many years ago of ignoring recommendations to go for Nikon and bought into Pentax 35mm. I ended up with 3 bodies and several lenses catering for all my needs. When I eventually realised that I should have gone Nikon to start with it cost me an arm, a leg and various other body parts just to get myself to the same level with Nikon gear. I know this is not quite the same but that experience has stuck with me so I guess I learned to wait a little longer for what I want instead of settling for less.

I have a Panasonic FZ7 'prosumer' I bought a few months back which will keep me going until I can afford the D80. The FZ7 is going to my wife when I upgrade so she is a little dissappointed but agrees with my reasoning.

@Valou - Thanks for the link. I should have checked DP Review first. :o)

@dB/Fuzzy/TwoPynts/Gradient - Thanks guys. You make some excellent points!

Wayne

The bad news is that you may have to wait until late October at the earliest, to get your hands on a D80.  Also, be aware that the kit lens announced with the D80 has a plastic mount.

I got a D70(not the D70s) a couple of years ago. I love that camera.   It will do what I want it to and that is the problem...in the photographer and not the camera.  Now, I have the D70 and a D200. The D200 is very sweet!   Still, the carry cam is now the D70.   Lenses can be used on either camera and a wide angle prime is a good idea(I have a nice Sigma f/1.4 30mm) if you don't plan to get a fairly decent zoom.  Many of the zooms start about 18mm or so, giving a crop of the image size of a 27mm lens....still, abberation at such short focal lengths can be a problem with some image scenes.

I will not even think of the D80, having spent more than I have to spend on the D200.   A D70 or better still, the "s" model will do fine, as will the D50..having seen proof of that here on the site and from the D50 my coworker has.  The D50 does not have some features but has all you really need for doing great shots, unless you were raised on film and insist on a depth of field preview or want more file size in the final print.       So, there is 1 cent worth from me.  I don't know how one cent compares to one Euro.         TomDart.

Try to wait for Photokina in September. Cool stuff is gonna be shown there. Gradient, dust isn't just a problem in DSLR's--my KM Dimage Z5 got dust in the lens (between the lens elements) even though I sealed it with a extension tube and UV filter.

Yes, agree with radlafx...Photokina is just around the corner...and there WILL be new goodies announced!...esp from Canon as Sony and Nikon have already pre-announced their DSLR's

@radlafx...have heard of dust occasionally in the "sealed" cams as well...although it doesn't seem to be widespread. If you actually have particles in between the lens elements themselves...It's likely a production issue ( either poor QC or poor sealing)...have you tried to go back to Konica regarding this?

As some consolation, foreign matter (if its small) in the lens may not necessarily produce noticeable image degradation...the closer it gets to the sensor, the more likely it will show in your images.

Also have to agree with Tom....now will be the time to get good deal on a Canon 20D as the 30D is now out...or a D70s once the D80 hits the shelves.  Both, although older models, are xlt, xlt cams for a lot less money.

BTW Tom, congrats on getting the D200....I am still looking, waiting and hoping for the price to come down.

Yes, and I think the same, But i like more Nikon and canon DSLR...