D70s - Over the hill?

[photophorous]

How long do you think before the D70s is replaced? I saw another member posted a question about the D50. I know the D70s was released at the same time, but since it's just a slight improvement over the D70, it's really older than the D50.

I doubt anyone has a definite answer to this question, but I'd appreciate hearing your opinions or rumors if you know any. I'm considering getting a DSLR in the next 6-9 months, but I don't want to buy one that's about to be replaced, if I can wait and get a newer version.

Thanks!
Paul

[Franglais]

How long do you think before the D70s is replaced? I saw another member posted a question about the D50. I know the D70s was released at the same time, but since it's just a slight improvement over the D70, it's really older than the D50.

I doubt anyone has a definite answer to this question, but I'd appreciate hearing your opinions or rumors if you know any. I'm considering getting a DSLR in the next 6-9 months, but I don't want to buy one that's about to be replaced, if I can wait and get a newer version.

Thanks!
Paul

I have a D70 and a (recently acquired) D200 and I have several friends who have D50's. My impressions:

The D50 and the D70/D70s are very similar. Same sensor, same viewfinder, focussing system. The D50 has a simplified metering system, flash control system, SD card instead of CF - maybe a few other features which I forget. The D50 is aimed to satisfy entry-level DSLR buyers at something close to 500$ and it does this very well.

Results from the D200 are very similar to the D70 at first sight but looking closely the high ISO performance is much better and the whole image is more subtle.

If I was Nikon I would introduce a D70s replacement (for Photokina in September?) with the existing body much as it is but with the 6Mpix sensor replaced by the 10Mpix sensor out of the D200, at a price lower than the Canon 30D. I would leave the D50 as it is for another year at least.

Charles

[photophorous]

Hi Charles,

What you're saying seems plausible, and it would please me very much if it happened. I wish the D70s had more than 6mp, but I'm not ready to spend $1700 on a D200. High ISO performance is another concern.

I noticed you're from Paris. I'll be visiting there for the first time, in Oct. I'm just starting to make plans, but I'm already excited. Maybe I'll have this new fictitious camera by then.

Thanks for your comment.

Paul

[another view]

The D70s isn't old, my Fuji S2 is! Nobody can answer how soon a D70s replacement will be announced until it happens. Another question is how soon after the announcement can you actually get one in your hands! As far as resolution goes, you'd be really surprised at the image quality from a 6mp DSLR. My large prints look like 645 medium format. High ISO is the one area I'd really like to see Nikon improve in general.

[photophorous]

Hi AV,

When you say your "large prints look like 645 medium format," how large are you talking?

I'm just curious, mostly.

Thanks,
Paul

[Harry Hing]

Why do we insist on declaring products "over the hill"?

The D70 is a fine camera, and for 98% of people that ever picked up any camera - it would be one of the finest camera they will have used. Yes there are better cameras, but what people need to do is concentrate more on taking great photographs, and less on finding the ultimate piece of equipement to do it

[another view]

When you say your "large prints look like 645 medium format," how large are you talking?

16x24 looks great, even highly detailed stuff. 24x36 is pretty good - 35mm couldn't touch it, and if I were shooting film I'd probably be thinking at least 6x7, probably 4x5 if I had the choice.

BTW - the D70s had an official price drop as of yesterday, April 2nd. It's an even better deal now. KEH and Calumet have very good prices on the body and kits but I'm not sure that B&H has really updated the price, at least as of earlier today.

I'm still using my Fuji S2 and really don't have any plans to upgrade it at the moment. It's so old that it doesn't even use Nikon's DX flash system, let alone iTTL. You can't set curves with it and it focuses in low light like Stevie Wonder would. Three years ago, it was something but today it ain't. Still takes great shots - it's me that needs the work!

[Anbesol]

Yes there are better cameras, but what people need to do is concentrate more on taking great photographs, and less on finding the ultimate piece of equipement to do it

*BRAVO*!!! *STANDING OVATION*!

Truer words have not been said....

[Loupey]

Yes there are better cameras, but what people need to do is concentrate more on taking great photographs, and less on finding the ultimate piece of equipement to do it

My sentiments exactly! I've been blasted on these forums before for not recommending the latest and greatest cameras. Like everyone is going to instantly reap the benefits of every feature in the latest gear!

Last week, I landed a large corporate account using only the results of my lowly Canon 10D (I know, wrong forum). The final product is what matters - always has been and always will be.

[RP Racing]

My 2004 D70 better not be considered "over the hill". I got it to replace my 1983 model Canon AE1P. For what I paid for it, it better last more than 10 yrs.

[photophorous]

Why do we insist on declaring products "over the hill"?

The D70 is a fine camera, and for 98% of people that ever picked up any camera - it would be one of the finest camera they will have used. Yes there are better cameras, but what people need to do is concentrate more on taking great photographs, and less on finding the ultimate piece of equipement to do it

I agree with what you're saying, but I don't know what it has to do with my question. I didn't ask how I could be a better photographer, or why the D70 sucks. I know the D70 is a great camera, and I'm not making excuses for my photography. I'm just a film user trying to prepare for the inevitable purchase of my first DSLR. It seems logical, based on previous product releases, that the D70s might be replaced before long. I want to buy the best one available in my price range, when the time comes. What's wrong with that?

Paul

[Stillsky]

I don't know much about photography, but one thing I know is that the digital age has warped some people into thinking that "new and improved" means "forget the old model, it's crap." Not saying you fall into that category though. What I am saying is that if a new release does come, the D70s will still be a great camera and will be worth the price if you go and try one out and happen to enjoy it.

As for rumors about the replacement, I haven't heard anything. I'll keep my ears open though.

[photophorous]

[QUOTE=another view]BTW - the D70s had an official price drop as of yesterday, April 2nd. It's an even better deal now. KEH and Calumet have very good prices on the body and kits but I'm not sure that B&H has really updated the price, at least as of earlier today.
QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip, AV!

I just checked B&H, and it seems the price has dropped a lot! Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but it looks like it's down by about $200. I don't know how long I can wait with this kind of deal. But, then again, maybe the price drop is an indicator of a new product on it's way?

Paul

[another view]

B&H did update their price, so now it looks lower than the other places I checked yesterday. The D70s was introduced on 4/20/05 replacing the D70 which was introduced on 1/28/04.

There may be a replacement coming out this fall at the big show in Germany, but nobody will really know until then. Rumors will start but regardless of what the people spreading them say, they don't really know. If they did know something, then they're sworn to secrecy (legally) by Nikon and can't say anything until it's released. These are essentially the same camera (D70s being a slight update of the D70), and by September it will have been out for two and a half years. At some point there will be a replacement, but it may not be announced any time soon - that's the only thing anybody can tell you with any certainty!

[photophorous]

At some point there will be a replacement, but it may not be announced any time soon - that's the only thing anybody can tell you with any certainty!

I know. I'm just dreaming, speculating, and trying to prepare myself for the massive change to digital.

Thanks,
Paul

[racingpinarello]

I really like the D70s when I reviewed it, and in my opinion it will not be over the hill for some time. Just like the Fuji S2, it was on the market for a long time and it still provides awesome results.

The Nikon D70s will not be over the hill, unless you want more resolution. Unless you're making prints greater than 16x20 I would think that this camera would be a great fit for several years.

Loren

[photophorous]

I really like the D70s when I reviewed it, and in my opinion it will not be over the hill for some time. Just like the Fuji S2, it was on the market for a long time and it still provides awesome results.

The Nikon D70s will not be over the hill, unless you want more resolution. Unless you're making prints greater than 16x20 I would think that this camera would be a great fit for several years.

Loren

Hi Loren,

Thanks for the comment. The D70s is looking better and better, with this price drop.
What to do, what to do.

Paul

[xsport652]

I just bought a D70s about a month ago and looooove it. You'll love the high iso signature. It is a lot like film with more of a grain than randomly colored spots. Don't sweat the newest camera out there. I was in a stage like you for probably 6 months and found the only thing that will really make the difference is the photographer not the camera. Someone might've already said that but I wanna sound intelligent too lol.

[h2oman]

Hi !

Just tu add my own tought, better get a D70s at a great price and invest in a better lenses. The camera is important and D70s is a very very good camera but the lenses are at least as important as the camera. BTW, a very good camera with a superior lenses won't be able to correct a bad photographer.

[photophorous]

Xsport & Waterman,

Thanks for your comments and the encouragement, but after a few days to think things over, I've decided to stick to my original plan and wait. I'm still enjoying the darkroom. I don't need a new camera at the moment. Either Nikon will come out with a sweet replacement, or the price will be even lower on the D70s. Either way, I'll be happy.

Paul

[Ronnoco]

How long do you think before the D70s is replaced? I saw another member posted a question about the D50. I know the D70s was released at the same time, but since it's just a slight improvement over the D70, it's really older than the D50.

I doubt anyone has a definite answer to this question, but I'd appreciate hearing your opinions or rumors if you know any. I'm considering getting a DSLR in the next 6-9 months, but I don't want to buy one that's about to be replaced, if I can wait and get a newer version.

Thanks!
Paul

In that time period, I would consider a Nikon D200 or wait for OLEDs to change viewfinders and panels.

Ronnoco

[PhotoRon286]

I agree with what you're saying, but I don't know what it has to do with my question. I didn't ask how I could be a better photographer, or why the D70 sucks. I know the D70 is a great camera, and I'm not making excuses for my photography. I'm just a film user trying to prepare for the inevitable purchase of my first DSLR. It seems logical, based on previous product releases, that the D70s might be replaced before long. I want to buy the best one available in my price range, when the time comes. What's wrong with that?

Paul

I am in the same boat. I am looking to make the move from film to digital. The difference for me is that I plan on using the D70S until I can afford to swith over to Canon. I never thought I'd say that. It took me years to switch from Minolta to Nikon. But with as much sports as I do, in low light situations (hockey rinks), everyone I talk to says Canon is the one. By getting the D70S, I can use myn existing lenses and keep working until I can upgrade my glass, and bodies.

[another view]

My advice, if you want to go with Canon then start now. The D70s has come down in price and it would be the least expensive way for you to get into digital - but when you sell the body you'll lose a lot of money on it. That's the fact of DSLR bodies - terrible resale value. You're already going to spend a lot of money by re-purchasing everything in Canon, so don't make it any harder than necessary.

Not state of the art, but you could probably find a used Canon 10D for next to nothing, use your Nikon flash for now in non-TTL auto mode (guessing you don't use it a lot anyway) and then upgrade it later. Go for decent lenses though - you'll have them for awhile.

[PhotoRon286]

My advice, if you want to go with Canon then start now. The D70s has come down in price and it would be the least expensive way for you to get into digital - but when you sell the body you'll lose a lot of money on it. That's the fact of DSLR bodies - terrible resale value. You're already going to spend a lot of money by re-purchasing everything in Canon, so don't make it any harder than necessary.

Not state of the art, but you could probably find a used Canon 10D for next to nothing, use your Nikon flash for now in non-TTL auto mode (guessing you don't use it a lot anyway) and then upgrade it later. Go for decent lenses though - you'll have them for awhile.

At least if I get the D70 I can start shooting NOW with the Nikon glass I currntly use. I can't afford to get a Canon body, then wait to get a decent lens for it. As far as resale. as it is I'm already stuck with two Minolta Maxxum 9000 that have no resale value. I'll probably give the Nikon to my daughter who's in the Army in OK.

[Marv]

I upgraded to a D70 about a year ago. Despite my spending all that money, the composition of my phogotraphs is no better than with my old camera!