D70 replacement coming ?

[Paul]

I'm clueless about this stuff

Only joking Ken, we all love your work!

[Antsl]

The Nikon D70s and the Nikon D200 are going to be maintained in the medium term; this new camera is going to slot in between these two cameras.

Just as the D200 is a great camera for those who do not what the weight and expense of the D2X, this new camera (I'm guessing it will be called the D90) will be the camera people go for when they don't want the weight and expense of the D200 but they do want the megapixels.

The D70s is going to continue to be a great entry level camera for anyone who wants to get into DSLR photography while the D50 will be for those who do not know any better!

[DStrom]

I'll be interested to see what the view finder, lcd, AF and battery life is like.

Guess I will just have to wait and find out, though it was very nice of Nikon to announce a new camera just before my birthday

[pharmer]

The D70s is going to continue to be a great entry level camera for anyone who wants to get into DSLR photography while the D50 will be for those who do not know any better!

Despite the fact the D50 is technically a better camera (mostly) than the D70s (I know, I had both) - its lack external buttons for some functions let it down slightly

I felt the images had a different tone/colour (better) than the D70s (even when set to exactly the same colorspace, saturation, sharpness and tone settings)

Not to mention, I've got ISO 800/1600 images shot on the D50 that put the D70s and D200 to shame in the same conditions (in fact the D50 images look like Canon 20/30D quailty at 800/1600)

If you want great high ISO on Nikon - D50 or D2HS are your choices

D200 does OK (but not great) in dodgy lighting

But - they're all great cameras - its just a shame that people have to rag on the lowest model like its not worthy of consideration

[Antsl]

Hi Pharmer,

Yes, you are right... I was being a bit mean on the D50 and I have to confess, it is the only Nikon DSLR camera I have not owned or test driven yet.

My feeling is that if you are keen on learning about DSLR photography, the D70/D70s are still prefered options over the D50 simply because it does offer better overall functionality for the price.

Cheers, Ants

[rokkstar]

Well, I reckons this new camera is a successor to the 70 because of the command dial on the top. Certainly doesn't look like the command dial on my D200 - more the dial on my D70.

ANyway, if it is, would nikon offer some firmware update do you think for the d200?

[spada]

Hi
Would that be a 10.2 MP FF to combat with Canon 5D

[pharmer]

Hi Pharmer,

Yes, you are right... I was being a bit mean on the D50 and I have to confess, it is the only Nikon DSLR camera I have not owned or test driven yet.

My feeling is that if you are keen on learning about DSLR photography, the D70/D70s are still prefered options over the D50 simply because it does offer better overall functionality for the price.

Cheers, Ants

No worries - The D70s does have most of the useful stuff as seperate buttons which is far superior to digging through the menu on the D50

Cheers

[Antsl]

Well, I reckons this new camera is a successor to the 70 because of the command dial on the top. Certainly doesn't look like the command dial on my D200 - more the dial on my D70.

I think you'll find that Nikon have discovered a good, reliable camera in the D70 just as Canon seem content with the 350D for the moment. Both cameras function well and offer the enthusiast a reasonable number of megapixels in an affordable package.

I reckon it is unlikely Nikon will get rid of the D70 any time soon simply because it is proving to be a reliable earner for the company. They have no doubt recovered their R&D on it and, given the fact that the key components (namely the sensor and processing chips) are becoming more affordable all the time the return on these cameras is just going to keep increasing as well. If it works, why replace it!

Until now we have not seen any DSLR cameras that have been likely to endure on the market place in the same way that cameras like the Pentax K1000 and the Nikon FM2 endured in the film era; the Nikon D70 could be one of the first contenders in the DSLR era.

[Glen]

Ants, I would love to think you are right, but I think those days are gone for ever. Bodies will never endure in the digital age unfortunately.

I would suggest the model will probably be a D70 replacement (with appropriate new name) 10mp but not the features of the D200. That will give them the jump on canon for about 5 minutes. Which they will need, because knowing Nikon it probably wont be readily available till late 2006, maybe 2007

[Antsl]

I was talking to Maxwells this morning on an editorial matter and it was them who advised me this new camera is not actually a replacement for any existing camera but on a new level on its own. Wait and see!

Now to guess the name on it.... I'm going for D90 ... maybe its time to take a poll on it!

[Glen]

I think you could be right on the name.


They may not replace the D70s, maybe just not sell any of them, a bit like the D100. I would suggest by December 2006, D50 at $1k or lower, D70 at $1.25k, D90 at $1.5k and D200 around $2k or a little over. Hows that for a stupid prediction? That is why I think the D70 will effectively be dropped, not enough space between the D50 and D90.

[sirhc55]

Nikon D50 body out of HK $700. D70s body out of HK $920. D200 body out of HK sub $2k. D2Hs body out of HK $2,400. D2Xs body out of HK $5,760

[Glen]

[ozimax]

Nikon D50 body out of HK $700. D70s body out of HK $920. D200 body out of HK sub $2k. D2Hs body out of HK $2,400. D2Xs body out of HK $5,760

Can you actually buy a D2Hs these days? eg are they still available?

[gstark]

Nikon D50 body out of HK $700. D70s body out of HK $920. D200 body out of HK sub $2k. D2Hs body out of HK $2,400. D2Xs body out of HK $5,760

Can you actually buy a D2Hs these days? eg are they still available?

Probably at Hardly Normals. I've very recently seen Brand new D100 and D70 cameras there. Hell, I expect that they probably have a brand new D1 somewhere close by.

They're the coffee experts, you know!

[Steffen]

Nikon D50 body out of HK $700. D70s body out of HK $920. D200 body out of HK sub $2k. D2Hs body out of HK $2,400. D2Xs body out of HK $5,760

Can you actually buy a D2Hs these days? eg are they still available?

Probably at Hardly Normals. I've very recently seen Brand new D100 and D70 cameras there. Hell, I expect that they probably have a brand new D1 somewhere close by.

Well, unlike the D70, D100 or D1, the D2Hs is still a current model (not superseded by anything - probably until the D3H comes out).

Cheers
Steffen.

[ozimax]

They're the coffee experts, you know!

Just like Star-bugs and other filth selling merchants. BTW, I found a very nice coffee shop at Wynyard station last week, forget the name, just as you come up the ramp towards George St, on the left. Good stuff and $2.40 a shot.

[nito]

They're the coffee experts, you know!

When did they change their slogan from GO harvey GO harvey, harvey GO!!

[gstark]

They're the coffee experts, you know!

When did they change their slogan from GO harvey GO harvey, harvey GO!!

New ad on teev the other evening, proclaiming their new status. I was so excitedIO just had ti run into Bondi Junction and grab an new espresso machine to celebrate.

But all I could find was an old steam radio.

[daniel_r]

Probably at Hardly Normals. I've very recently seen Brand new D100 and D70 cameras there. Hell, I expect that they probably have a brand new D1 somewhere close by.

They're the coffee experts, you know!

If it's a brand new D1 you're after, G&V Imaging in George St. Earlier this month when I visited, they had a new D1 for a totally affordable $3990. And, they also have a brand new AF-S 80-200 in Light Grey for the price of a 70-200VR.

HN, the coffee Experts I had to laugh when I first spotted it. You can be an expert at being bad I suppose.

[mark]

They're the coffee experts, you know!

My wife and I are going to buy a coffee machine from them just so we can be the envy of all our friends.

[daniel_r]

They're the coffee experts, you know!

My wife and I are going to buy a coffee machine from them just so we can be the envy of all our friends.

Make sure you pick up an überwide Plasma tv too. And something else for your digital lifestyle

[gstark]

They're the coffee experts, you know!

My wife and I are going to buy a coffee machine from them just so we can be the envy of all our friends.

Make sure you pick up an überwide Plasma tv too. And something else for your digital lifestyle

An ultrawide plasma espresso machine. There ya go!

[mark]

An ultrawide plasma espresso machine. There ya go!

Darn, the salesman didn't show me that one. I got stuck with the Ultrawide Plasma hotdog machine and a free weekend at the Byron at Byron.

[ozimax]

An ultrawide plasma espresso machine. There ya go!

LG brand, of course.

[nito]

An ultrawide plasma espresso machine. There ya go!

Hopefully 3 years interest free.

[Nnnnsic]

You don't want to see the Ultrawide Plasma thing they advertise to women...

[jberth1]

Gosh - I started this thread a week ago and didn't get any bites of any real substance, but now that Nikon is in on the act I'm still wondering.....

Does anyone have any details on this new camera ?

The usual Japanese sites which get the info out early are very quiet, and if the new model really will be announced fully in less than 18 days I find it difficult to believe Nikon have controlled the 'leaks' so well.......

It would still appear to be the D70 replacement - 2.5 years after the D70 hit the shelves, and way more than 2.5 since the D70 was announced. As has been previously mentioned, the D70 effectively took the technical stats of the D100 and improved on them, so if the D80/90 took the abilities of the D200 and put them in a less 'professional' body I'd be one happy camper !!!

Waiting, waiting - and yes - still taking heaps of shots with my D70 in the meantime !!!

Cheers

Justin

[gstark]

Does anyone have any details on this new camera ?

Ok, Justin.

First of all, nobody here really cares to speculate on this. It's a load of crap: will a new camera make you a better photographer?

No way in hell!

That said, the truth is that the camera will basically be an upscaled D70. Mainly D70s features, 10.2MP ... price ....

I wonder how far off the mark I'd be if I said you should expect change from Au$1600.

[Raskill]

First of all, nobody here really cares to speculate on this. It's a load of crap: will a new camera make you a better photographer?

No way in hell!

It may not make you a better photog, but if you are being held back by 6 megapix, and three frames a second, a new body will help you to excel yourself. Me, I'll stick with my old D70 & D70s. If I choose to update a body, I'll give the wife the old one.

[gstark]

if you are being held back by 6 megapix, and three frames a second

If you're in any way a half-decent photographer, neither of those items will hold you back.

[shaunus]

Raskill wrote:
if you are being held back by 6 megapix, and three frames a second


If you're in any way a half-decent photographer, neither of those items will hold you back.

i shoot a lot of sports and would always like more fps than 3, im happy with the d70 6mp's, but im sure one day we'll be shooting with 100mp's

[kipper]

While I don't usually get involved in the whole speculation threads on new models (basically because I can't afford one at the moment ), I do fancy commenting on what somebody said in regards to this not being a replacement for the D70/D70s because of the sensor size being the same as the D200. The reasoning behind this was because it wouldn't put the D200 at an edge against this new replacement. Well sensor size doesn't really make a camera. There have been many previous models that have had same or smaller sensor sizes but have had different features that make them a cut above the rest. For instance the D2H/D2Hs, that has a smaller sensor size in respect to pixel count but the price is way more than a D70. The reason being is because it has other features such as a pro body contstruction (metal + weather seals), better AF system, faster drive, preview zooming to a deeper level, better histograms, etc etc.

So having said that, this so called new model or replacement of an existing line could well be a 10.2mp camera and still be cheaper than the D200 if it has a few crippling features. For example, polycarbonate body compared to magnesium alloy, 3fps compared to 5fps, no battery grip, smaller/duller viewfinder than the d200, smaller lcd than d200 etc.

Anyway we'll see in about 18days hey

[petermmc]

Probably cost $2.50 less than the D200 to produce but will retail for $600 cheaper. And they cant keep up with demand for D200's. At least we know we're being had.

Peter Mc

[kipper]

Of course PeterMMC. They're all probably produced for a total cost of $50 anyway

[Dug]

As long as it comes with an 18 to 70 f2.8 ED lens I will be happy

[nito]

http://www.nikon-euro.com/DoesNotDisappoint/

Stare at this long enough and you see a D70.

[Raskill]

if you are being held back by 6 megapix, and three frames a second

If you're in any way a half-decent photographer, neither of those items will hold you back.

I have to disagree, if you happen to be fortunate enough to photograph a car roll over (or a Caparossi coming off his bike) then the more frames a second and a bigger cache will help you more than 3 frames and a small buffer.

[gstark]

if you are being held back by 6 megapix, and three frames a second

If you're in any way a half-decent photographer, neither of those items will hold you back.

I have to disagree, if you happen to be fortunate enough to photograph a car roll over (or a Caparossi coming off his bike) then the more frames a second and a bigger cache will help you more than 3 frames and a small buffer.

At 3 frames/sec, any sort of a roll, any sort of following of Caparossi coming off, or anything else - you still need to be able to frame, acquire focus and compose and shoot. Regardless of the frame rate, a half decent photographer will still be able to bring home those images. Perhaps not quite as many money shots to choose from, but your skill should dictate that you have something.

If you're not that good, you'll have out of focus images of the dust where Caparossi passed by a second ago.

[Raskill]

if you are being held back by 6 megapix, and three frames a second

If you're in any way a half-decent photographer, neither of those items will hold you back.

I have to disagree, if you happen to be fortunate enough to photograph a car roll over (or a Caparossi coming off his bike) then the more frames a second and a bigger cache will help you more than 3 frames and a small buffer.

At 3 frames/sec, any sort of a roll, any sort of following of Caparossi coming off, or anything else - you still need to be able to frame, acquire focus and compose and shoot. Regardless of the frame rate, a half decent photographer will still be able to bring home those images. Perhaps not quite as many money shots to choose from, but your skill should dictate that you have something.

If you're not that good, you'll have out of focus images of the dust where Caparossi passed by a second ago.

You'll get no argument there. You need the skill to use the thing properly in the first place.

[Yi-P]

If it is 10.2MP, over 5 point AF, 10 or more RAW shot buffer (3fps is fine), and a bigger screen (2.5in), then selling for same or slightly higher price than D70s when annouced, I will be happy to upgrade my D70.

[Nnnnsic]

I think I'll wait until they iron out the banding, BGLOD, CF slot issues, and other irritating first release bugs like price.

[Yi-P]

.... and other irritating first release bugs like price.

Thats a mission impossible

[Ivanerrol]

matrix,centrewieght and spot metering on AIS lenses - one can hope

[jberth1]

I think I'll wait until they iron out the banding, BGLOD, CF slot issues, and other irritating first release bugs like price.

Oh, believe me - I'm with you on this one....but I'm still interested in the D80/90.....

Cheers

Justin

[Onyx]

I don't get Nikon's current marketing strategy: why pre-announce a new model (which they've never done before), and artificially limit demand for their existing lineup?! Despite the 'buy what's available now, forget about upcoming models' mantra; if there are potential new DSLR buyers out there at this point in time, it's prudent for them to hold off and wait in 13 days or whatever until this great big mystery is revealed/released. This may be the case for some potential D200 buyers (those who've already bought will have to console and justify to themselves they made the right decision). What a stupid thing to do, especially only recently having the supplies of the D200 steadying - only to stunt its demand by having this 'new model coming soon' bullcrap sprout up.

IMO it gives too much credit to the Sony Alpha, which should rightfully carve a niche out in the sidelines, but will now probably take on Canon on centrecourt as the two big consumer electronic giants fight it out for market share with the old 'has been' Nikon being relegated to the benches.

Then again, making 10.2MP more accessible to the masses will create a perceived need from the consumer base to upgrade to better glass, and increased sales of high end, high profit margin accessories will impact Nikon's bottom line. I hope this carries over to the second hand market, as I'm hoping to ride that tide of high resale values for glass.

[jberth1]

Looks like AIS lense usage is available, but the switch for AF-S to AF-C is not included.....

SD cards ??? Any other changes anyone can spot ?

I've placed my order !!!

Thanks to Glen for these images.....

Cheers

Justin