Why Is Everyone So Pushy About Upgrading...Aaargh!!

Okay, a bit of a vent, but it's become nearly impossible to read a post from someone who is perfectly happy with their D70, or whatever they currently use, without someone chiming in with a "Dude, you have get a D80...it's way more gnarly than the D70." (My apologies to surfer dudes if my characterization offends you.) Several months ago it was the D50 bandwagon. Is there an unwritten rule that precludes someone from being perfectly happy with whatever they are currently using? Is there a group social conscience that needs to remind us all that we are clearly neanderthals (my apologies to any surviving neaderthals if my remark offends you) if we are a version or two back in the technology spiral. Here's a cautionary note to all new (and clearly proud) D80 owners and owner-wannabees--the D80 is already obsolete. Whatever will replace it was already on the drawing board by the time the D80 was released into the product line. So don't get used to it...you'll only have to give it up in a couple of years. Okay...I feel better now and can go back to my D70s and enjoy everything about it.

I'm perfectly happy with it and I ain't buying a D80 or any other body until the D50 breaks or I actually believe that I can take better photos than the camera is capable of.
My money is going into lenses not bodies.

The D70s has been supplanted by 3 newer models now. There's nothing new to explore with its feature, only to gripe about what it doesn't have.

But you're right, if Phil didn't have to support all these different brands of cameras, he could have a separate forum just for the D80'ers like the Nikonians do.

And, it's good to emphasize at this point that new camera gear will not automatically increase your photographic abilities. I see plenty of D2x people roaming around Time Square, and they seem pretty clueless and bewildered by how to shoot it.

The thing about the D80 is that it provides an opportunity to upgrade from the old D70s for $700 less than the last released model.
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Bill K.

There are a number of compelling reasons that cause me to look at the D80. The viewfinder being one of them, along with the larger LCD, and the option of the battery grip.

I am however perfectly happy with the D70s that I own, and will stick with it, most likely even when I buy a D80. They're both good cameras, and, in all seriousness, it's not like you have to upgrade.

Don't forget - there are still people who use (shock, Horror!!!) FILM!!!

thee are actually ony 3 REAL people on this forum. ( you know who you are! )

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Covenant
blog: http://covenantsworld.blogspot.com
galleries: http://www.pbase.com/covenant

kit: Nikon D70, Nikon 50mm 1.8D, Sigma 70-300 APO II, Nikon 28-80G, Sigma 10-20mm EX HSM

Here's a throw-away shot from Tuesday night. Nothing to special about it, but it was shot 16,897 from my D50. I do Night photography, Macro stuff, Infrared, etc., all with my D50. It does absolutely everything I would ever want. When it finally busts, I plan on going back in and buying another D50.

Most of the features of the D80 are simple ergonomics and ease of use type things. I have perfect vision, so I don't need the D80's viewfinder. I can control my composition, so I don't need the extra pixels for cropping. I don't mind scrolling through the menu's instead of using the control wheel, as I have the extra 2 seconds it takes to do. I've seen all the pictures posted here from the D80, but I have yet to see one that looks any better than what a D50, D70s, or D200 can do.

I do a lot of high ISO shooting, and a D80 OWNER even said his camera couldn't touch the D50 for that!

I'm perfectly happy with my D50, and I'll bet most of the people who own D70s's and D200's are pleased with their cameras too. They are all just tools, and it's the photographer that counts. I won a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 in a photo contest with a picture I took using a 3.1mp HP P&S camera that cost me $74.00. There were quite a few photographers with better equipment than I had.

Let's just all be happy with what we got, and leave it at that. There doesn't need to be competition here all the time. The Canon/Nikon debate fills that role well enough. Good day.



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Wanting my work to stand out because of my Photography skills, NOT because of my Computer skills.

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/free/gallery.asp?memberID=162336

http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=ddiver537&AID=3843065&Pres=Y

...as far as high ISO is concerned. Each generation provides better features (that's the point).

I would pick up a D50 to serve as a backup for the D80 since they both us SD cards. Even with the different controls, I think it'd be worth having.

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Bill K.

I think for many people who have use film SLRs in the past, the D80 will be the closest so far. I've used a D70 for a few years and have been very happy with it - except the viewfinder which really is awful compared to film SLRs. To me, the D80 is what I wanted the D80 to be all the time. Many people seem to not care about the viewfinder size and that's good for them. To me, however, the viewfinder is my workspace and hence needs to be as comfortable as possible. I have good sight too, but it's still much nicer to have a large vf than a small, tunnel one.

i cant agree more, i'm sure that lets say between the 70 and the 200 there is marked improvement, but from 70 to the 50 or 70s to the 80, i cant be that much, i also think that alot of people change coz they want to have the latest thing, sure i'd like to get rid of my D2X for the S version, but is there that much of an advantage for the extra grand it'll cost me, no, instead of thinking that the next cam can make me take betting pics, then think again, coz it cant and that is a fact, if you cant see the shot, then the camera cant, fACT, so learn to use what you have, if you think it cant do something, think again, coz it can you've just not learnt or worked how it can be done, stop this siily "should i get this, should i get that" the answer is i dont know, and frankly i dont care, i'm still using one of the first D70 units that came out, it takes great shots and makes me modest amount or money to invest in other things, like lenses, strobes and such like, if you dont know if why you want the next camera or what for, then dont ask.

Thats my rant over.
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I'll buy a D80 body. Just waiting for the studio shots on this site, as I can't seem to find good comparisons in identical conditions in any posts, and can't be bothered deciphering japanese sites.

I get the feeling it won't seem cr@p though 6MP suits me just fine to be honest.

I prefer the size and feel of my D70s. If the D80 is based on the D50 size and feel - i probably will hate it!

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'Procrastinate now, don't put it off.'

really don't know much about photography, and definitely don't know how to really utilize all of the controls and features of a DSLR. Chances are, they rarely take pictures, and prefer to spend all of their time posting to DPReview expounding on their ignorance.
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'Work is for people who don't know how to surf'

even if I would not have to think about the money I would keep my D70s until something really new comes out or if my D70 breaks down or get stolen (hopefully not soon)

D80/D200 or whatever similar simply does not give me that benefit making me sell my D70 and get a newer model.

I am happy with my D70 and I fully agree to Brad W. in one of his earlier posts here.

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visit my albums at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fliegertiger/

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Leon
http://homepage.mac.com/leonwittwer/landscapes.htm

Camera bodies have become like home computers...except for one thing - the newer version doesn't only get to the end product quicker and more conveniently (an old DOS machine would produce a good document so will the latest Pentium gizmo, but the second will do it in a flash with may convenience features, but there is not much to choose between the output), but actually better (although only an incremental difference, not revolutionary),

so the debate really is, should one:

1) Run one camera till it breaks down or is completely obsolete - lets say 6-8 years
OR

2) upgrade every 18 months or so whilst there is a market for the older model, so can be sold at a meaningful price.

After all it is the 'cost per year' which is more important than the absolute cost of a camera body.

Just my tuppence worth......

Som
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Som Prasad
WSSA member #65

I spend most of my time now in the D1/D2/D2h fourm and so I see less of those postings.. I'm still happy with my D70 and I'm Happy with my D1, in some ways it's better then the D70, Focus Motor for sure, and Better AF.
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Mike L.

I used to shoot analog with Nikon SLRs before and I was disappointed about non consistent picture quality due to film and developing.

(here in Austria we do not even have a lab any more, the rolls have to be carried to Germany)

since I shoot digital with may D70s (since half a year now) I am not only happy about the possibilities provided through this new technology. NOW i really learn photography techniques beacaus I can try things now which I could not afford before with the $ per roll counter in my head.

I do not think I could make better fotos right now no matter how much I would spend (if I could).

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visit my albums at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fliegertiger/

You have a certain number of people who have to have the latest and greatest, whatever the magazines tout as the best. I actually like those people, they put perfectly good used equipment up for sale at a fraction of the original full retail price.

The second thing that is happening with middle aged people is their eyes are getting worse. You either hold the newspaper further away from your eyes or you buy new glasses. For these people the larger viewfinder and screen aren't such goodies, they are neccessities. I wouldn't be surprised if the trend towards larger LCDs continues.
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Aris!

PD70 said:

I think for many people who have use film SLRs in the past, the D80
will be the closest so far. I've used a D70 for a few years and
have been very happy with it - except the viewfinder which really
is awful compared to film SLRs. To me, the D80 is what I wanted the
D80 to be all the time. Many people seem to not care about the
viewfinder size and that's good for them. To me, however, the
viewfinder is my workspace and hence needs to be as comfortable as
possible. I have good sight too, but it's still much nicer to have
a large vf than a small, tunnel one.

Click to expand...

Get the DK-17M magnifier and a Katz Eye or Haoda split focusing screen and you'll have a viewfinder better than a D80. The problem with all of Nikon's DSLRs is the low viewfinder magnification AND the almost clear focusing screens. The former can be solved with the DK-17M and the latter can be remedied with an aftermarket screen. Even if you buy a D80, you're going to still be left with a crappy screen with no "tooth" and no aid for manual focusing. The D200 and D2x have larger screens but are still next to useless for manual focus without the likes of a Katz Eye or Haoda split screen. Also, none of the so-called "brite-screens" can show a true representation of DOF with wide aperture lenses; they just don't scatter enough light.

I do understand the frustration because obviously there are alot of the same threads being posted about the D80. However, don't assume that everyone who want's to upgrade is doing it because they need the lastest and think the camera will increase their own photography skills.

I want to upgrade because I would like a more professional camera. I do think that I have potential (not to toot a horn or anything), but I am far from a pro. I've said many times that I've seen pictures from D200 users that looked like a snapshot.

Are we honestly saying that the D50 is better than the D200?? Because if it was better, all around, then why are people paying over $1500 when they could just use the D50 for $600??

I originally wanted the D70 when I was trying to decide on my first dslr. However, the choice was taken away from me when the D50 was given as a birthday present.

I have been very happy with my camera, as an entry level dslr. But for those who shoot strictly manual, are you honestly saying that the D50/D70 is better all around than the D200? Because if I'm not mistaken, the D80 is the D200 in a D50 body.

I don't know why posts like this make me so defensive, but if I want a new camera, it has absolutely NOTHING with wanting the 'newest'.

Lisa
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