Former D70s users that bought D300...

I am asking all former D70s users that bought the D300 as an upgrade. Is this a

good upgrade to get? Right now i have the D70s camera, and eventually would

like to upgrade to the D300. What are your thoughts / comments on this camera?

So far i've read many good reviews on the D300. Also, did you sell you D70 or

use it as a backup? Whats the average price for a used D70? Thanks for any answers.

 

Cory

IMO, the D300 has important improvements over the D2X in many areas except for build quality. Therefore, it is a huge upgrade from the D70 and D70s, which is a 4-year-old design by now. You should find the D300 being a much much better camera than the D70s in just about any aspect, although the D70s has a faster flash sync speed.

 

Are you happy or unhappy with the D70s so far? What do you think its main drawbacks are? If you can specify that, it is easier for us to tell you whether the D300 is better in those aspects.

Cory,

 

I had the D70 and upgraded to D200 then D300.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes it is a very good upgrade. D300 build, Speed, autofocus and low light performance

are very superior o D70s. If you need the upgrade, get it.

2. I used my D70 for back up a while and when I got a little $$ sold it and purchased

D200 for back up. I currently have 2 D300 bodies. Take it one step at a time and let your

pocket breathe. I enjoy photography, it should not be financial burden. I took many great

images with the D70.

3. For average price Check Adorama, B&H photo or Ebay.

I am glad I bought both of my D70 cameras and I got a lot of use from them, I learned a lot having them and would buy them again if I were returned to 2005. However, I now have two D200 bodies that will be IR converted over the next several months, my D70 cameras are collecting dust and I will probably just give them away after we get another D300.

Cory, I also am considering going from D70 to D300, and thank you for asking the question. I am strictly an enthusiastic amateur, and try to consider how best to allocate my limited funds to achieve the greatest gain. Build quality is often mentioned, but it does not directly translate into image quality, and I have never considered the D70 to flimsy. Low light capability is improved, but how did one address this in the film area? flash? By speed, I am assuming this to mean frames per second--essential for a sports photographer and a few other applicaions. Autofocus? I have not found the D70 to be deficient in my typical applications. Will the advances of the D300 translate into better portraits, landscapes, architecture, macro, and/or candid people photography? Or would I be better off putting the investment into lenses, especially wide angle lenses to make up for the crop factor?

Kerry, can you also answer the questions I asked Cory, namely whether you are happy or unhappy with the D70. Everybody's demand and shooting style is different. If you are very happy with the D70, there is no point to upgrade.

I was pretty satisfied with my D70s, then I got bit by the bug before a big trip to Japan and

decided to upgrade to the D80. With hindsight being 20/20, I probably should have kept the

D70s though I enjoyed the larger viewfinder and LCD screen on the D80, image quality wise

it didn't beat the D70s by much, slightly higher resolution is all. Now that I have the D300, I

am very VERY pleased and really plan to keep this one for many years. Just as there are folks

out there still shooting with the D100, I plan to still be shooting with the D300 six years

from now and maybe more!

A year and a half ago I got rid of my two F2 bodies and manual index lenses for a D70s and

AF lens to take the big dip into digital. I could have gone D80 or even D200, but with the

D70s price at the time being $650 US, I went for it (and shortly after bought another). Am I

glad I did because sometime late this year, I'm going for D300. If I went with either of the

others, I would not consider upgrading, but now knowing my needs (and admittedly my

wants), the D300 is a much better choice for me and will carry me years longer than the

D80 or D200.

Cory, to answer your original question, the biggest gain in moving up to the D300 is the AF system. The AF system in the D300 is a huge improvement, about like going from a Model T to a Ferarri. However, the learning curve for the D300 is HUGE and after more than a month of having one, I am still a bit intimidated.

 

As for it's image quality, with most lenses you'll only see about a 15 to 20% improvement. Mainly because most lenses will show some defects that are hidden by the D70's lower resolution. However, even with an "average" lens, you'll see many more perfectly focused images because the AF areas in the D300 are 1/2 the size of those in the D70 which just about eliminates "Distance conflicts" that are a problem with the D70.

 

Now for some tips. The D300 uses a feature called Picture Controls. Which contain Tone Curves in addition to several other options. The default Picture Control in the D300 is "Standard" and it mimics the tonal balance of the D40. Which will look overexposed compared to the D70's rather dark baseline mid tone balance. Changing to the "Neutral" Picture control will yield a more balanced looking exposure but the contrast will seem a bit flat. You could boost the contrast for this picture control or use another picture control that is available from Nikon. That is the D2x mode 1 picture control and to my eyes it's just about perfect. Another tip is to turn off the "Demo mode" that allows you to take pictures without having the CF card plugged into the camera. Also, be careful about that AF Lock On feature. It's not required for most situations and can cause the AF system to slow down and hesitate at times.

 

Now is it worth it, a big YES here. The improvement in the AF alone makes it worth it. Along with that you get a better viewfinder, a rear screen that actually lets you check focus in the field, and a host of new controls that allow you to dial in the camera to fit like a glove.

 

PS, I am keeping my D70 because it can still take great pictures and it's not "junk".

Good lord. I see people maxing out their credit cards everyday to upgrade to D300s,

Canon 40Ds, etc. I see very few pros upgrading unless they need a specific feature. And

never would a pro toss out a perfectly good camera as "junk".

The D300 is a great upgrade, if you can afford it. But it won't make you a better

photographer. Take a class at a community college. Definitely AVOID camera clubs.

Take a look at what kind of photographs people are making. Take note of the ones you

envy.

When you're ready and can afford it, buy the D300. But don't feel insecure just because

your D70 is old.

Good God, look at what Cartier-Bresson did with a primitive rangefinder and no meter....

The D300 is a pretty huge leap from the D70, and is a very worthy upgrade for the

reasons already mentioned. I've sold my F3HP (having sworn that I never would sell it) and

my D80 to finance the D300 purchase. The D80 wasn't junk, but I didn't want to leave it

home and let it collect dust as the value goes down. And shooting slide film just isn't as

fun as it used to be now that I can look at my photos on the computer screen the same

day I shot them. Having a camera that inspires you is important. People upgraded often

way before digital came around. I had an FE2 in college but I remember seeing a guy with

an F3 and just drooling over it then, of course I couldn't afford it and I knew my FE2 was a

great camera then too. I upgraded from my N70 to an F100 and was pretty blown away by

how much nicer the F100 was over the N70. It's similar here, the D70 to the D300, it's a

big jump in quality and features/usability, that's all.

My D70s was my first Digital. and I got it to see how I would like the digital format, I like my D70s alot and I still have it for a backup, but the upgrade is a huge one, more than I expected and I found the learning curve from the 70 to the 300 not bad at all.

I went through the same thing back and forth, Did I need the D300? No, Im not a pro but I do make some money here and there with it, But Im glad I did upgrade.

Good luck

I kept my D70s when I upgraded to a D200 because it does such nice infrared images (using a tripod, of course) :)<div></div>

My D70 is still going strong. I might upgrade when they replace the D80 with a new model... Only thing I want is more AF points. Higher ISO would be nice too. Other than that the D70 is fine for my needs.

I just received an online quote of $517 for my near perfect D200 body w/ charger, manual, cf card. I would guess the D70 would be worth about $125 ????

 

Good luck.

Michael, are you trying to sell your used D200 to a used camera dealer, such as KEH or B&H used department? If so, they typically pay around 50% of the value they can sell an item for. For example, if they can sell a used D200 for $1000, they would typically pay $500 for it.

Yes, KEH quote. Just checking for typical market price. Keep hearing that D200 is worth 1,000 but I don't think so ... not anymore.

 

Sadly. costs 1600 two years ago. quite a drop even if worth 1,000.

 

thanks,

 

michael.

Ebay is showing today (1/2/2008) actual D200 sales prices for about 675 to 850.00.

 

I see a Nikon D70 with 1 day of bidding left for $152

 

 

But you can never really tell until the bidding stops. Some Buy it Now are for $399.00 (Used).

 

 

michael.

I just bought a mint lightly used D200 with extra battery from a friend for $800. I had wanted the D300 but a number of things broke down around here and I just could not do it. I to am coming from a D70 Which I have been very happy with but I wanted to make a large jump to the D300. But I have found the D200 to be a pretty nice camera and a real improvement over the D70. It has faster auto focus with my 80-400VR lens, which that lens needs and has a bit more resolution. The larger rear screen is a treat and the controls are well placed, coming from the D70 learning the D 200 has been easy. Plus I can shoot at iso 1600 with NR on in camera with real good results. So I am pleased and will up grade when a D400 comes down the track.

Hi Cory, I literally picked up my D300 two days ago. I love my D70 - my first d-SLR, which has given sterling service over the last 4 years. However, to say that I am blown away with the D300 would be something of an understatement. The D70 will be kept as a my all important back-up, after all it's still a great camera in it's own right.

 

I could never say the D300 is an essential buy - no camera is (apart, perhaps, from your first!)- but there are some fabulous benefits with the D300, that can not be ignored (low noise, Live view, fabulous LCD...). If you've got the cash spare and want to re-invigorate your interest, you won't be disappointed!

Well everything has already been well said about the clear advantages of this upgrade. So, I just want to add that I've recently upgraded from my beloved D70s to a D300 and coundn't be happier! This is a fantastic camera that I'm truly in love with! I could survive not upgrading to the D80 and it was very hard to let the D200 go. So I jumped directly to the D300 and I can guarantee you that if you can afford it, you will never regret it!

Saulo (Brazil)

I almost sold my D70s on eBay a few days ago -- got an offer of $350 -- but I gave it to my son instead. I've also upgraded to the D300 and love it so far. There is a lot to learn and I'm hoping that Thom Hogan comes out with one of his CD books sometime soon.

I just want to thank everyone for commenting on my question regarding to upgrade to the nikon D300. My D70s is working pretty good, but I know that a D300 would be an upgrade and im willing to learn a new camera. I am saving my money for this camera($1,100.00 saved so far, and i wont go in credit card debt). I think i'll have to sell my D70s to help pay towards the D300. Thanks again for all you tips and comments. I will let everyone one know when i do finally purchase the D300.

Cory...I bought the D80 one year ago and I am very impressed. I waited a long time before choosing and sat with two AE1 Canon's and two Nikon F1's before making the jump. I can't wait to find the funds to get into the D300 and dreaming that if I had the money I would definetly get a D3. When I do move into the next camera..I will keep my D80 for a backup. I use a 70-300 lens and wondering also if anyone has tried working with a 2x teleconverter, and if so what is the opinion on this.

 

Scott<div></div>