Differences between D70, D70s and D80?

[chet]

Hiya, looking at getting a DSLR in a few months' time, and I'm considering the following:

Nikon D70
Nikon D70s
Nikon D80
or maybe Canon 30D

I have a few questions:

Would I be missing out on much by going for a D70 or D70s as opposed to a D80?

Is there much difference between D70 and D70s?

Is there much difference between the mentioned Nikons and the Canon 30D?

thanks.

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[DStrom]

There isn't a huge difference between the d70 and d70s but you might want to check <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/articles/nikond80/">this</a> comparison of the d70s and d80

if you are thinking about a canon 30d you might also want to check out a nikon d200 ....

[Yi-P]

If this is your first ever DSLR or SLR type camera, best go with the D80.

If not, and considering the 30D on Canon's side, why not a D200 as mentioned above.


D70S may become obsolette and out-dated by the time you get used to the camera.

This may come down to be D80 or D200.

Depending on your shooting styles, Nikon and Canon both has their own specialty in glasses (lenses) and body design on specific tasks.

My vote goes to D200 if you have the cash to spend. And D80 if you are just starting and learning.

[chet]

Hey thanks for the responses, and links. I was looking for a side-by-side comparison.

Hmmm, just checked out prices, and it's not really that much more to buy a D200

Now I have some more research to do!

[gstark]

Chet,

When are you thinking of buying?

[chet]

Hopefully in December, if not, in Janurary 07.

[gstark]

Ok ..

By then you should have access to our bargains section. I wouldn't sweat too much your choice of camera then for now.

The D80 hits the streets next week for less than AU$1400 body only, and the D200 is less than AU$!900 right now. The 400D will be available by then too. There's three different 10MP bodies that you'll be able to chopose from, aqnd they will halp you produce great images.

What you need to do in the meantime is get into the stores and try each of these bodies, and see which one handles best for you. That should be the primary basis for your decision making processes.

[Nogshale]

Ok ..

By then you should have access to our bargains section. I wouldn't sweat too much your choice of camera then for now.

The D80 hits the streets next week for less than AU$1400 body only, and the D200 is less than AU$!900 right now. The 400D will be available by then too.

Damn such sweet deals, so cant wait till i can get to the bargins section just to drool....

[Kyle]

Ok ..

By then you should have access to our bargains section. I wouldn't sweat too much your choice of camera then for now.

The D80 hits the streets next week for less than AU$1400 body only, and the D200 is less than AU$!900 right now. The 400D will be available by then too.

Damn such sweet deals, so cant wait till i can get to the bargins section just to drool....

Thats what I said, now i have access, i have no spare money

D200 is the pick of the litter here i think

[chet]

oooh I look forward to access to the bargains section

Can I save much?

[gstark]

Chet,

It depends.

There are a number of items that come in from HK and the savings can be massive when compared with the retail price you'll see in the stores on Elizabeth St. Approaching 50% in some cases, and delivered to your door.

You do need to be aware of a couple of things though, and we make no bones about these.

You always need to make an allowance for GST in calculating your total costs. Always. GST is something that is entirely out of our contraol, and may be imposed by the government at the point of importation. That said, very few items seem to get picked these days, and most of our members buying goods recently have not been hit with this impost.

The goods are coming from HK, so you need to know from whom you're purchasing. With eBay, this is sometimes a bit of a lottery, and risks abound. Do you feel lucky, pubk? We deal with Poon, whom we count as a personal friend, and who is a member here. We have had probably thousands of shipments from Poon now, with not even one complaint.

Because the stock is coming from HK, manufacturers' Australian warranties may not apply. This is especially true in the case of camera bodies, but often an aftermarket warranty can be purchased for little extra cost. Thus, if you save something like Au$800 on the body cost, then spend $50 or $100 on an aftermarket warranty, you still end up getting the same body for a significant saving.

It's up to you to decide if the savings are worthwhile, and of course it's up to you to decide from whom you purchase. Purchasing through the forum's resources helps to defray the costs of running the forums, however, and that might (or might not) be something that you wish to take into account.

Please see the FAQ regarding how you gain access to our bargains section, and please too bear in mind that our most important crtieria is community involvement: it's the quality of what you do, rather than the quantity.

[chet]

thanks for that comprehensive explanation gstark

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. I was going to ask "what about ebay", but yeah it IS risky and I guess I wouldn't know if I'm even getting the genuine article.

GST is an understandable risk, I've had to pay it before on a p&s camera I bought thru ebay. But like you say, I may or may not have to pay it.

Would it be possible to speak to other people who've bought thru this system to learn of their experience? BTW, is this what's referred to as a "grey import"? I see that term from time to time when browsing here.

[sirhc55]

chet - anything imported outside of the official importer/distributor is deemed ”grey”.

[gstark]

Would it be possible to speak to other people who've bought thru this system to learn of their experience? BTW, is this what's referred to as a "grey import"? I see that term from time to time when browsing here.

Chet,

As Chris says, anything that comes in other than through the oficial importer if termed "grey". They all come from the same factory, though.

I have no problems at all with others posting their experiences with importing goods, or purchasing through this site, as a part of this thread.

What may also be of benefit for you might be for you to look at the Trader Opinion section here.

[chet]

gotcha, thanks.

edit: just had a look @ the trader opinions section, can't find any info on poon How would I find out who has bought from him without access to the bargains section?

[Yi-P]

just had a look @ the trader opinions section, can't find any info on poon How would I find out who has bought from him without access to the bargains section?

Im very sure that everybody who bought from him can guarantee you its a very good, reputable and reliable supplier.

I just bought a cream machine from him... Package arrived quick and safe, now trying to pour some cream out from it...

[gstark]

For Poon, look for the HK Supplies thread.

We actually started the relationship with him when one member reported a satisfactory experience with him through his eBay trades.

Then another member reported the same.

And another. And another ....



It just grew from there.

Poon actually referred other prospective customers to us as a reference for his reputation, and in the meantime, we have been able to build up a very strong relationship with him, both at a business, and a personal, level.

He has visited with us for some our events, such as our Christmas dinner, and I'm hopeful that he will have time to visit with us again before the end of the year.

You can, of course, buy directly from him through his eBay shop, but why would you when (a) those prices are more expensive than the prices he offers us, and (b) the (already cheaper) prices he offers us include shipping, whereas the prices he offers others do not.

[chet]

edit: double post

(I can't delete it, can I?)

[chet]

very

I do like the sound of this, glad you pointed me in this direction. Will check out the HK thread.

Back to the topic, I think I have a bit of research / testing of the different options available to do in the meantime.

[sirhc55]

I have purchased a Gitzo tripod and Sigma 70-200mm through Poon and was extremely satisfied

[gstark]

Back to the topic, I think I have a bit of research / testing of the different options available to do in the meantime.

Yes, you do.

The most important point is how you find each camera fits and feels in your hands.

Some - myself included - prefer the Nikon ergonomics to those of Canon. Caon users of course have a different opinion, and that's fine. None of that actually matters: what's important is how they feel to you.

And the D80 will be different from the D70, which is a bit different from the D200.

They're all very different from the Canon range, and the 350D is very different from the 20D/30D.

The one underlying point though is that they're very capable cameras, and any one of them will be able to help you make good images.

Get a body that fits comfortably in your hands, invest in some good glass, and you won't be disappointed.

[chet]

excellent points there Gary.

I wonder if a 2nd-hand D70s would suit me? Or would I feel short-changed, especially with what the D80 / D200 have to offer?

I'll go and check out the feel of some bodies next week and report back.

[gooseberry]

...As Chris says, anything that comes in other than through the oficial importer if termed "grey". They all come from the same factory, though.

Hi Gary,

Just wanted to clarify something on your use of the term "grey".... with the lens and accessories purchases from the bargains section. Lenses and accessories (flash etc) in general have international warranty - do these items purchases through the bargains section come with the international warranty certificate and official HK supplies receipt ?

Usually "grey" items are ones where the goods are imported no through the official importer, and do not come with the international warranty card.

If they do come with the international warranty card and official receipt, the warranty be valid with all official Nikon service centers.

[the foto fanatic]

If they do come with the international warranty card and official receipt, the warranty be valid with all official Nikon service centers.

Not in Australia. The Australian agent for Nikon, Maxwell, refuses to perform no-cost warranty work on any product not purchased here in Australia.

I've been buying camera in Hong Kong since 1980, and Maxwell's viewpoint is still unchanged from back in those prehistoric times.

[the foto fanatic]

If they do come with the international warranty card and official receipt, the warranty be valid with all official Nikon service centers.

Not in Australia. The Australian agent for Nikon, Maxwell, refuses to perform no-cost warranty work on any product not purchased here in Australia.

I've been buying cameras in Hong Kong since 1980, and Maxwell's viewpoint is still unchanged from back in those prehistoric times.

[gstark]

If they do come with the international warranty card and official receipt, the warranty be valid with all official Nikon service centers.

Not in Australia. The Australian agent for Nikon, Maxwell, refuses to perform no-cost warranty work on any product not purchased here in Australia.

I've been buying camera in Hong Kong since 1980, and Maxwell's viewpoint is still unchanged from back in those prehistoric times.

What Trevor says is correct.

However, if you happen to be a tourist visiting Oz, or you may have purchased while living OS and now returned here to live, and your camera has a problem, Maxwell's will address the problem under the international warranty.

You might have to jump up and down a bit, Maxwell being Maxwell, but I have been assured by a senior member of their staff that this is the case.

To answer the other questions raised, yes, you get the Nikon International Warranty, and yes, you get a receipt from HKS.

[gooseberry]

I see... thanks all for the clarification. That sucks that the aussie distributor doesn't honour international warranty - if they don't, why the hell are they listed on the international warranty certificate then...

[gstark]

I see... thanks all for the clarification. That sucks that the aussie distributor doesn't honour international warranty - if they don't, why the hell are they listed on the international warranty certificate then...

That would be a good question to direct at them in the first instance, and then at the Dept of Fair Trading, if Maxwell's answer is not deemed to be satisfactory.

[chet]

back to my original question, I found this link, which outlines the differences between D50, D70s, D80 and D200.

There don't seem to be too many differences between the D80 and D200. Can someone please explain why I would bother buying a D200?

[Mr Darcy]

back to my original question,
There don't seem to be too many differences between the D80 and D200. Can someone please explain why I would bother buying a D200?

Ken Rockwell has a direct comparison between the D80 and D200 which may be useful to you.

[ozczecho]

Thanks for the link Mr. Darcy...Not a bad overview in typical K. Rockwell style .

[Razor]

I had to make a very similar decision not too long ago, here's my 2cent. Unless you really need any of the D200 features or are a seasoned photographer take it off the equation. Its quite a bit more expensive than both the Nikon D80 and the Canon 30D.

Comparing these two I thought that I get a better deal with the D80 as it offers 10MP vs 8MP while it still has all the goodies like spot metering, etc. Comparing Oz prices I found the D80 (body) to be about $400 cheaper than the Canon 30D. Plus points for the Canon would be the metal body and higher frame rate.

The D70s is a great camera and one reason why I went for Nikon. It'll make awesome photos for many more years and you can now grab it for clerance prices. I was happy to pay a bit more for the D80...

Personally I wouldn't bother purchasing anything from Hong Kong if the total value exceeds AU$1000. There is a very high chance that customs picks up your parcel and adds 10% GST and their processing fee. In that case you havn't saved anything and have the hassle of returning items overseas if there is a warranty case.....

[gstark]

Personally I wouldn't bother purchasing anything from Hong Kong if the total value exceeds AU$1000. There is a very high chance that customs picks up your parcel and adds 10% GST and their processing fee. In that case you havn't saved anything and have the hassle of returning items overseas if there is a warranty case.....

While it's always prudent to make provision for this in your cost calculations, I have yet to see this happen this year with any of the items that have been brought in through our facilities.

[Yi-P]

As said and mentioned from many website and people here, the D80 and D200 has not really much difference in the image quality they produce.

Either one will produce amazing quality in the final pictures if you put a nice glass in the front and a good eye on the back.

The point choosing between D80 and D200 is mostly where and how you going to use the camera. A D80 is responsive enough for most enthusiastics, whereas D200 has more of those nifty little extra features to help you get a shot under certain harsh conditions.

If you are just starting photography or SLR in general, I dont really see a good reason not to buy the D80 to start off with. Even tho if you do get a D200, for what I know, you wont be using even half of the D200's features. It will only drag your learning curve even longer and more confusing/difficult. Until the time you get the hang of everything related about taking photos and SLR, you will be worried about getting glasses and all that will be within several yeas. By that time, a much better digital body will be in the market from this exaggerated boom/race against new digital technologies.

[vikin70]

so... any decision yet? go for the d80 man... u'll love it