Nikon D70 - thoughts?

[Nick1911]

I have an opportunity to buy a used, but flawless Nikon D70 from someone at work fro $400.  Is this a good deal?  What do you think about this camera in general?

Thanks!

[Bogie]

Is the chip clean? Otherwise, sounds like a good deal.
 

[Nick1911]

The whole thing is immaculate.

I've sent email that I'll take it.  We'll see - it may already be gone.  Good deals usually are.

[mtnbkr]

B&H shows a used D70 at $439, so $400 is a good price IMO.  I'm not a fan of digital cameras, but the D70 was the first one to make me briefly consider the format.  The D80 is even better, but it runs about $900ish right now.

If you need/want the camera and it is as clean as you say, I'd go for it.

Chris

[Brad Johnson]

If it's in that kind of shape it's a good deal.  If it has any lenses or accessories, all the better!

Brad

[jamz]

Whole camera, or just the body?

I have one, and love it, except for the fact that it's defective, had to go back for repair once when it was new, and is now doing the same thing again, so has to back for repair or replacement.

But if it works, it's a really great camera.

[Nick1911]

Here is the description:

This camera has been with me for three years, it delivers great results each and every time. Both camera and lens are in excellent condition; no scratches or damages of any kind. I will also include a Contax UV filter which was put on the lens since the very first day. Also included is a Sandisk 512MB ExtremeII CF card, battery charger, cables, and a 5 year transferable extended waranty (2 years left).

It comes with a 18-70mm Zoom Lens, 512 MB CF card, battery and charger.

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[TarpleyG]

Is it a D70S or a D70?  If it's an "S", I'd say that's a pretty good deal.  If not, it's still okay but nothing exceptional.

Greg

[Nick1911]

Is it a D70S or a D70?  If it's an "S", I'd say that's a pretty good deal.  If not, it's still okay but nothing exceptional.

I think it's a D70.  What's the difference between a D70 and D70S?  Looking at Dpreview, it looks like the LCD screen is 0.2 inches larger, but the technical details are the same.  Is it smaller?

[never_retreat]

I have a d80 and love it. But 400 doesn't sound bad.

[nico]

For $400, it doesn't sound bad if it's really in perfect condition.  The D70 is better than any new $400 camera.  It has the same light meter as the D200, which is (supposedly) much better than that of the D40 or D80, but also has a black and white histogram, which is a bad thing if you do much editing on the camera.   

Here's a good comparison of the various Nikon dSLRs
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/d200-d80-d70-d50-d40-5d-xti.htm

[TarpleyG]

Is it a D70S or a D70?  If it's an "S", I'd say that's a pretty good deal.  If not, it's still okay but nothing exceptional.

I think it's a D70.  What's the difference between a D70 and D70S?  Looking at Dpreview, it looks like the LCD screen is 0.2 inches larger, but the technical details are the same.  Is it smaller?

You can use a remote cord with it, newer battery technology, plus the larger LCD like you noted.  Believe me, you want all the real estate you can get.  That said, the price is a good one now that I compare it to what KEH is selling.  For a D70 body with cables, battery, and charger, they are asking $500.  You're getting all that plus a kit lens and a CF card.

Greg

[Bogie]

I shot with one, and a D100, for a year. Nice fast response, and the shots are what you expect, after you do your compensation for the exposure (don't trust your TTL flash stuff... Do test shots before doing real stuff).
 
That lens made the deal, as far as I'm concerned... It's eq to about a 28, but hey...
 
Score a copy of Nikon Capture somewhere.
 

[Nick1911]

Having no formal photography training or experience, I'm rather impressed.  I shot mostly on automatic mode, in the early evening.  The manual for the camera is in Spanish, so I'll have to dig up an English pdf online.

Here are some of tonights shots, with no color correction or alterations:











I'm rather thrilled to learn and grow into the capabilities of this camera. 

Edited to add:

I like the lens it came with; it's very versatile.  I would however like something that could give me very good macro, and I would also like to have more zoom.  (I'm rather partial to the 200mm lens I have for my old Cannon film camera...)  Nikkor len's are expensive, but it looks like you get what you pay for with photography!

[Brad Johnson]

I like the lens it came with; it's very versatile.  I would however like something that could give me very good macro, and I would also like to have more zoom.  (I'm rather partial to the 200mm lens I have for my old Cannon film camera...)  Nikkor len's are expensive, but it looks like you get what you pay for with photography!

You'll never regret buying good glass.   

Brad