I am still dreaming of that...

[Patricia Joyce]

I still want to buy a Nikon D70 with lens and was wondering if anyone could help me find a good used one. I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks

[Marvin Mattelson]

Hi Patty,

The D70 is very long in the tooth by today's standards. You would be so much better off buying a new Nikon with a kit lens. The latest entry level Nikon is the D3100 and has 14 megapixels. It's predecessor the D3000, is still available, has 10 mega pixels and goes for $200 less ($500 with lens) than the D70. Both these cameras have better color (more accurate) and better low light capabilities. More megapixels mean you can crop and blow up images with more detail.

Whatever $ you pay out for a D70 would be better utilized putting it towards a technologically far superior camera. You'll be able to take much better reference photo which means an easier time doing the work with better end result. It will pay for itself very quickly.

Try B&H photo in NYC. They have a very good 10 day return policy if, by rare chance, there are any problems out of the box.

Just one man's opinion.

[Mike McCarty]

I agree with Marvin.

My D70 needs an orthodontist.

[Natalie Hunsaker]

I'll agree, too. I bought a used D70 and some good lenses (80-200mm f/2.8 as well as a 50mm f/1.4) off of Craig's List and have regretted it often. The lenses are great, but the color on my D70 is terrible.

So Marvin, the D3100 has good color??? I thought the numbers in the 1000s were a lower grade camera than the ones in the 10s (like the D70); and then that their numbers in the 100s were the professional grade. I was saving to buy a D300, used, but has the 3100 been just as good in your opinion? How is the color on that?

[Marvin Mattelson]

Natalie,

One of the reasons I like Nikon is because as they develop new technological innovations they incorporate them into their newest cameras, regardless of whether the camera is higher or lower in the pecking order.

I have a D700 so I don't really have the wherewithal to test each of Nikon's new models. I use DPReview.com to see what each new model brings to the table. They are very objective and seem to agree with my assessments on the models I'm familiar with.

One of the main differences between model levels is sensor size. The D700, the D3S and the D3X are all FX sized sensors which is approximately the size of a 35mm film frame. The other SLRs are DX, which means they are considerably smaller. Larger sensors means larger photo-sites which in turn gives better low light capability and more color bit depth.

Within the DX realm, the more money you spend, the more bells and whistles you get. Whether you need them or not is another story. You get more megapixels, higher capacity focusing systems, jazzier processing logarithms, more frames per second, etc, for your dough.

The bottom line is that the 3100 takes better quality pictures than the D2X which sold for $5000 5 years ago. The D2X was built better, had a faster frame rate but todays technology is far superior. I can't say for sure but it's probably just as good as the D300, at least quality wise (not feature wise). BTW, the D300 is due to be replaced quickly and, rest assured, that camera will be better than the D3100. Save up for that one. Or you may want to consider the D7000 now.

Lenses like the ones you got are less prone to get outdated. Better to get a lesser camera and better lenses.

[Natalie Hunsaker]

Great information, Marvin. Thanks so much. I'll be sure to read up on DPreview before buying anything. I really appreciate your insight!

[Patricia Joyce]

Thank you for the information. I will steer away from the D70 and keep saving my money for the better camera. Have printed this out so I have the information when I am looking on the internet. Am going to B&H now!

[Julie Deane]

If you ever want to see a detailed rating on a camera, check this site out:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/default.asp?view=rating

Ooops. I see it already mentioned....well, it's like the Bible of camera ratings.

[Patricia Joyce]

Thanks, Julie, I will check it out.