Information is generally a good thing. The better informed we are, the decisions we tend to make are expected to make more sense. An overload of inconclusive information is however a pain.
I am hoping to make the switch to a DSLR soon (my P&S is only 6 months old and am feeling guilty about that, but I really think I will utilize an SLR) and am not able to choose between Nikon D50 and D70s.
They seem very similar and the price difference is too big (approx. SGD 400) to just go for the fancier model (The differce will probably go a long way towards buying a good used lens). I have read almost every single review on the net (some more than a dozen times). I have no idea if the differences matter to me.
Do I need the 2 dials in manual mode (do I need the manual mode, well yes I like using my friend's Nikon FM10 and manually focussing a shot makes me take my time and look at the scene and compose better, I tend to get trigger happy with autofocus), do I need the DOF preview button (the screen seems to go dark and I see very little) but everone keeps talking about it as if its the holy grail. The D70s kit lens is better (but what about the cost savings and I could probably use that to get a good lens).
I am confused and would love to hear from some one who has actually tested these two side by side (I would love to test them, though I dont know anyone using the D50 personally).
Any and all opinions welcome (including nikon sucks, move to yada yada yada).
Update: 1 Dec 2005 3:46 PM
I bought my Nikon D50 today. Need to take it out for a spin, to read the manual and generally shoot like crazy. Got it from Cathay in Peninsular Plaza for SGD 1300 with 1GB of memory and a nice camera bag (with enough compartments to hold 2 bodies with lenses mounted and a spare lens. I also have the option of buying the AF DX 255-200mm lens from Nikon for $199. I dont think I will exercise this option as I want to have a telephoto lens I can use on a film body as well (looking at a used F80). If anyone wants to buy the 55-200 lens please let me know, you can use my offer and buy it.
First impressions:
The kit lens is ok. I prefer the 50mm f/1.8 that I have been using with the FM10 (AF D lens and hence can be used with the D50).
The camera handling is great. I haven't yet tried putting it in manual mode and I have not had the time to do outdoor shots. Will publish a detailed analysis after I have handled the camera for a while. Some of my internal shots shook (I need to first find the buttons to control ISO, or how to invoke the flash), need to take a better look at the images on the computer.
I am planning to go take photos of the marathon this weekend. If anyone is going please give me a buzz and I shall join you.
Will put up snaps soon.
"Nikon D50 vs D70s - The more informed you are the more confused you are" by nmkI am hoping to make the switch to a DSLR soon (my P&S is only 6 months old and am feeling guilty about that, but I really think I will utilize an SLR) and am not able to choose between Nikon D50 and D70s.
They seem very similar and the price difference is too big (approx. SGD 400) to just go for the fancier model (The differce will probably go a long way towards buying a good used lens). I have read almost every single review on the net (some more than a dozen times). I have no idea if the differences matter to me.
Do I need the 2 dials in manual mode (do I need the manual mode, well yes I like using my friend's Nikon FM10 and manually focussing a shot makes me take my time and look at the scene and compose better, I tend to get trigger happy with autofocus), do I need the DOF preview button (the screen seems to go dark and I see very little) but everone keeps talking about it as if its the holy grail. The D70s kit lens is better (but what about the cost savings and I could probably use that to get a good lens).
I am confused and would love to hear from some one who has actually tested these two side by side (I would love to test them, though I dont know anyone using the D50 personally).
Any and all opinions welcome (including nikon sucks, move to yada yada yada).
Update: 1 Dec 2005 3:46 PM
I bought my Nikon D50 today. Need to take it out for a spin, to read the manual and generally shoot like crazy. Got it from Cathay in Peninsular Plaza for SGD 1300 with 1GB of memory and a nice camera bag (with enough compartments to hold 2 bodies with lenses mounted and a spare lens. I also have the option of buying the AF DX 255-200mm lens from Nikon for $199. I dont think I will exercise this option as I want to have a telephoto lens I can use on a film body as well (looking at a used F80). If anyone wants to buy the 55-200 lens please let me know, you can use my offer and buy it.
First impressions:
The kit lens is ok. I prefer the 50mm f/1.8 that I have been using with the FM10 (AF D lens and hence can be used with the D50).
The camera handling is great. I haven't yet tried putting it in manual mode and I have not had the time to do outdoor shots. Will publish a detailed analysis after I have handled the camera for a while. Some of my internal shots shook (I need to first find the buttons to control ISO, or how to invoke the flash), need to take a better look at the images on the computer.
I am planning to go take photos of the marathon this weekend. If anyone is going please give me a buzz and I shall join you.
Will put up snaps soon.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Comments
the dials in the manual mode are pretty c00l. :) I would love to have the 20D series of Canon for that reason alone. heh
That said, I would say go for the D50. The kit lens is not all that bad. With the savings, you can always go for a better prime (50mm f/1.8 would be my suggestion). And currently, Nikon has a promotion where for a mere 200$ top-up you get a 55-200 lens? That is well worth it. Remember it depends on the photographer, and a friend I know uses the D50 to take some very good Macros.
In the end, all of them scuk. there is only one true God, no make that two. Hassy and Leica. :) # posted by
: 10:38 AM
That said, I would say go for the D50. The kit lens is not all that bad. With the savings, you can always go for a better prime (50mm f/1.8 would be my suggestion). And currently, Nikon has a promotion where for a mere 200$ top-up you get a 55-200 lens? That is well worth it. Remember it depends on the photographer, and a friend I know uses the D50 to take some very good Macros.
In the end, all of them scuk. there is only one true God, no make that two. Hassy and Leica. :) # posted by
: 10:38 AM
Thanks for the clarity. I was inching in that direction.
Where do you normally get your slides/photos developed and mounted. Is there a cheap place.
Alternatively is there a good place to get B&W photos printed by the original silver glyceride process (most labs either use just the colour process to develop B&Ws or charge you something like $2 for a 4R B&W print).
PS: I bought the 50mm f1.8 about 3 weeks back for use with the FM10 that I had borrowed (bought the AF D version to be usable on the manual and AF cameras) # posted by
nmk : 1:53 PM
Where do you normally get your slides/photos developed and mounted. Is there a cheap place.
Alternatively is there a good place to get B&W photos printed by the original silver glyceride process (most labs either use just the colour process to develop B&Ws or charge you something like $2 for a 4R B&W print).
PS: I bought the 50mm f1.8 about 3 weeks back for use with the FM10 that I had borrowed (bought the AF D version to be usable on the manual and AF cameras) # posted by
nmk : 1:53 PM
hey.. randomly saw your blog on the nikon D50. thought i'd tell you that i bought the D50 today :) let me know if you want to take a look or something :)
# posted by zipadee : 1:58 AM
zipadee : 1:58 AM
a) are you thinking of selling your current camera? aunt gifted a new canon but with the pricetag mater is not going to let me carry it around. :)
b) another thing you might want to look at: the camera we got (will look up model and specifications for you later) comes with "professional" photo taking lesson(s). now i have no idea what exactly they will teach or if it'd be useful to you, but it's something to look out for all the same. :) # posted by Chypre et Chocolat : 12:06 AM
b) another thing you might want to look at: the camera we got (will look up model and specifications for you later) comes with "professional" photo taking lesson(s). now i have no idea what exactly they will teach or if it'd be useful to you, but it's something to look out for all the same. :) # posted by
Chypre et Chocolat : 12:06 AM
Hey chewie:
I am trying to sell mine and move to a Digital SLR. Looking to the D50. Waiting for my firm to give me more cash before I just in to th ebig leagues. # posted by nmk : 9:52 AM
I am trying to sell mine and move to a Digital SLR. Looking to the D50. Waiting for my firm to give me more cash before I just in to th ebig leagues. # posted by
nmk : 9:52 AM
well bonus season is nearly upon us..decisions, decisions..
what is your current camera like and how much are you asking for it? am thinking of getting something small and portable to try out whether i can properly compose somthing.
re watches and cameras from conversation awhile back: you enjoy your camera and lenses as a passion, and for some people, expensive watches are the same. on the other hand, watches can signal status in a way that cameras cannot, so yes, there is a particular value to dropping 20k on a big-name watch. # posted by Chypre et Chocolat : 3:45 PM
what is your current camera like and how much are you asking for it? am thinking of getting something small and portable to try out whether i can properly compose somthing.
re watches and cameras from conversation awhile back: you enjoy your camera and lenses as a passion, and for some people, expensive watches are the same. on the other hand, watches can signal status in a way that cameras cannot, so yes, there is a particular value to dropping 20k on a big-name watch. # posted by
Chypre et Chocolat : 3:45 PM
Chewie:
I would not recommend that you buy my current camera (I know I have just lost any possibility of seeling it, cos this blog is linked to from www.clubsnap.com.sg where I have posted a classified), it gives great results and has a million options to tweak with but for someone who is not bent on fiddling with these options it has a few key drawbacks:
1) Its noise levels are high and hence night shots and indoor shots dont always come out well.
2) Not really compact.
3) Small LCD screen.
It does have great advantages:
1) Very good zoom and in daytime good clarity even at the end of the zoom range.
2) The ability to mess with all the controls and treat it as a SLR like camera. Nice camera to learn on.
3) Great battery life with 4AA batteries.
If you plan to use it as a learning camera, then please go ahead.
IF you want to use it just as a normal point and shoot, you are probably better off adding $150 to the 300 I am asking and buy a good nikon coolpix or sony cybershot or canon powershot. # posted by nmk : 3:52 PM
I would not recommend that you buy my current camera (I know I have just lost any possibility of seeling it, cos this blog is linked to from www.clubsnap.com.sg where I have posted a classified), it gives great results and has a million options to tweak with but for someone who is not bent on fiddling with these options it has a few key drawbacks:
1) Its noise levels are high and hence night shots and indoor shots dont always come out well.
2) Not really compact.
3) Small LCD screen.
It does have great advantages:
1) Very good zoom and in daytime good clarity even at the end of the zoom range.
2) The ability to mess with all the controls and treat it as a SLR like camera. Nice camera to learn on.
3) Great battery life with 4AA batteries.
If you plan to use it as a learning camera, then please go ahead.
IF you want to use it just as a normal point and shoot, you are probably better off adding $150 to the 300 I am asking and buy a good nikon coolpix or sony cybershot or canon powershot. # posted by
nmk : 3:52 PM
Forgot to mention one other advantage of the camera great 3fps continuous shooting (for the filks from clubsnap :-) )
# posted by nmk : 3:56 PM
nmk : 3:56 PM
Hey:
IF anyone has lens recommendations for the D50 please let me know.
Currently I am using
1) AF 50mm f/1.8 D
2) AF DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G
I would love to swap the 18-55 for the 18-70 (with a top up) but I dont think I am going to find a willing swap counterpart.
I am going to stick to these lenses for now and buy a decent telephoto zoom and a wide lens after a while.
My! this is an expensive hobby (without including my lens buying plans). # posted by nmk : 4:28 PM
IF anyone has lens recommendations for the D50 please let me know.
Currently I am using
1) AF 50mm f/1.8 D
2) AF DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G
I would love to swap the 18-55 for the 18-70 (with a top up) but I dont think I am going to find a willing swap counterpart.
I am going to stick to these lenses for now and buy a decent telephoto zoom and a wide lens after a while.
My! this is an expensive hobby (without including my lens buying plans). # posted by
nmk : 4:28 PM
If you really need a good and cheap (comparatively) long lens, the 180mm f2.8 is always the best choice. I use it on my film camera and the quality it gives is nothing worse than any of the expensive 80-200 f2.8. If it is too long the 85 f2.8 is also a non-expensive choice. I love prime as they are smaller, cheaper and most important of all, they help to improve you framing technique.
# posted by : 11:06 AM
: 11:06 AM
Hey anonymous:
Thanks for the lens suggestion. I am trying to find a good telephoto prime (none available right now in the used market for the right price).
Alternatively thinking of getting a 70-210 (discontinued by nikon, but is supposed to have been very well made), am going down this weekend to check one out. Will post an update after that.
I am going to stop buying equipment and lenses after getting the telephoto. I really think I need to shoot a whole lot and learn more about composition and technique before I buy anything else. I also need to understand how post processing works. I am slowly learning the ropes with GIMP and ufraw on Ubuntu, but my processed images seem to look worse than the ones I started out with so I definitely have a lot of work to do.
In the meanwhile I shall keep posting and all comments and criticisms are most welcome.
gdnite.
nmk # posted by nmk : 2:01 AM
Post a CommentThanks for the lens suggestion. I am trying to find a good telephoto prime (none available right now in the used market for the right price).
Alternatively thinking of getting a 70-210 (discontinued by nikon, but is supposed to have been very well made), am going down this weekend to check one out. Will post an update after that.
I am going to stop buying equipment and lenses after getting the telephoto. I really think I need to shoot a whole lot and learn more about composition and technique before I buy anything else. I also need to understand how post processing works. I am slowly learning the ropes with GIMP and ufraw on Ubuntu, but my processed images seem to look worse than the ones I started out with so I definitely have a lot of work to do.
In the meanwhile I shall keep posting and all comments and criticisms are most welcome.
gdnite.
nmk # posted by
nmk : 2:01 AM
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