Choice of Nikon digital camera

I am looking to get a Nikon digital camera body to use with the auto-focus Nikon lenses I already have. The lenses will not work with the D40 so I have narrowed the search down to the D80, D70, D70s or the D50. A good used camera body would be my choice in order to keep cost down.

Currently I am using a digital Sony R1 (fixed zoom lens of 24 - 120) which is great but is difficult to focus in poor light and too slow recording to get any great action shots. I plan to use the Nikon for action and sequence shooting and, of course for the longer distances since I do have a 2.8 (80 - 200) lens.

I shoot for my own enjoyment and have been satisfied with the N80 I currently have; but I want to go digital.

Largest print I would make would be an 8x12.

Any thoughts on choice of body or advantages of one over the other would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any assistance.

I don't have any experience with the D50, but between the D80 and D70/s, I would recommend the D80. I own a D80 and occasionally use a D70s at work. The smaller, darker viewfinder on the D70/s would be a deal breaker for me. The larger LCD on the D80 is also nice, but I could live with the smaller one.

The obvious choice at the moment is the D80 you will not outgrow it for a while.

For the features the D80 new or used is a bargain.

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Inspector Kluso

If you can push your budget, get a D200. It'll last you years.
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DSLR - Nikon D40 with 18-70 and 70-300VR lenses
P&S - Fuji V10

As you are considering used, the sky's the limit. Even the older pro models are available for really reasonable prices. I still use a D1H and it is fantastic. It's speed and responsiveness will leave a D40, 50, 70, 80 in the dust and results are super. They are available for in the $400 range. The only downside is the nickel metal hydride batteries which will self discharge if not used after charging so if you charge them and let them set for a few weeks they will be down. The D1X uses the same batteries, but is also available for low dollars. The D2H is getting down in the $700-$800 range and is even faster and uses lithium batteries. The D2X is getting down in the $1700 range. With these models, if you don't want to take pictures, you can use them to hammer nails and build a house. If you haven't heard of them, check out KEH, they have a good selection of all models and offer fantastic service with an absolute no hassle return policy and a warranty. Their prices are normally lower than what you see on e-bay on anything I ever checked with the added security of dealing with a super company.

I shoot mostly landscapes (wide and also picking out certain artifacts in a scene). I started with the D50 and moved to the D80 when I damaged the D50. I cannot see me moving off the D80 anytime soon. Meaning that I'm suppressing any urge to get the "next best thing" until I honestly believe I can't live without some feature. I do not see that now. I would still be on the D50 if it was not damaged and there isn't really any feature on the D80 that is a must-have for my style of shooting.

My 2 cents - for what it's worth.

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http://ronmiller.smugmug.com

Good advice if speed and reliability are relevant. D80 is a great body too, but D200 is basically a compact pro dslr, unmatched in built quality and metering/focus accuracy. And a bargain now.

Best.

ScottBT said:

If you can push your budget, get a D200. It'll last you years.
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DSLR - Nikon D40 with 18-70 and 70-300VR lenses
P&S - Fuji V10

Click to expand...

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Regards, RHLPedrosa

FWIW I would look at the D50, D80 or maybe the D200.

I have both the D50 and D80. Either will work very well with your 80-200 f/2.8 (Which I also have - a D ED) I think you will likely get more mileage out of a D80 but it might come down to to what you can find used or reconditioned going for a good price. The D80 certainly has a better VF which I really value in low light.

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Chris Elliott

Nikon D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile

http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/

I have both the D50 and D80. The D80 has so many more features and more convenient buttons that I recommend this dslr above the D50. The images of the D50 are just awesome, but the D80 has so much more convenient features that you will not outgrow this one easily. You might outgrow the features of the D50 soon (but not the image quality) and that's why I still would opt for the D80.

However, if you can get the D200 for a bargain, go for this one as it still has so much more to offer.

Luc
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http://lucdejaeger.smugmug.com/