Nikon D70 or Powerbook 12"

[slackerjock]

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Option 1.
12" Powerbook 1600 (-$200 educational discount)+260 20gb ipod. rebate $200. Sell ipod for 250 on ebay.
Total price: 1600-200+260-200-250= $1210 for a $1600 dollar computer.

Option 2.
Nikon D70 6megapix digital SLR. $999. $150 memory. $75 50mm 1.8f lens.
Total price: $1250.


photo= my hobby
computer = would be nice for work/school, but current desktop would suffice well enough

what to get?

 

[Treg]

Get a 14" notebook from Dell for $800. Get a nice 5 MP camera on ebay for $450.

🙂

Treg

 

[turtleracer]

You can't get Nikon D70's anywhere, but you can get the digital rebel for around $800 with a decent lens. Even though it feels a bit cheaper, it's smaller and has smoother colors.

Aren't you going to need a decent computer though to view the photos?

 

[slackerjock]

You can't get Nikon D70's anywhere, but you can get the digital rebel for around $800 with a decent lens. Even though it feels a bit cheaper, it's smaller and has smoother colors.

Aren't you going to need a decent computer though to view the photos?

I have a desktop that works fine. I just want a laptop for portability.

I dont like the canon, it just doesnt feel right in my hands. but yeah, the d70 is sold out everwhere. i guess i could wait...

5megapix is fine, but not if itse a point/shoot.

 

[fullefect1]

Go with the camera, and stick with your desktop.

 

[Wahooonnikon]

Nikonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn For Life!

 

[pushkin]

I have a Nikon F100 which uses the same lenses as the D100, so eventually I can have both. My life would be nothing without this camera. Nikon rules. All computers pale in comparison, and they depreciate much faster. Get the camera of your dreams, plus a kicka$$ lens and you'll never regret it. I don't know much about non-Nikon digital cameras, but if you're considering spending a thousand on a camera, don't go halfway and buy something cut rate. From what I understand a lot of digital cameras out there are made with the snapshot taker in mind.

If it were me I'd get the D100...

Ok, additional question since I just reread your post. Why would you get a $75 lens for a $900+ camera? The lens is as or more important than the camera. The 1.8 is good but who's it made by and what kind of glass is it using? Is it used and if so what condition is it in? Also, a 50mm is good for plenty of things but wouldn't you rather have a zoom?

 

[slackerjock]

I have a Nikon F100 which uses the same lenses as the D100, so eventually I can have both. My life would be nothing without this camera. Nikon rules. All computers pale in comparison, and they depreciate much faster. Get the camera of your dreams, plus a kicka$$ lens and you'll never regret it. I don't know much about non-Nikon digital cameras, but if you're considering spending a thousand on a camera, don't go halfway and buy something cut rate. From what I understand a lot of digital cameras out there are made with the snapshot taker in mind.

If it were me I'd get the D100...

Ok, additional question since I just reread your post. Why would you get a $75 lens for a $900+ camera? The lens is as or more important than the camera. The 1.8 is good but who's it made by and what kind of glass is it using? Is it used and if so what condition is it in? Also, a 50mm is good for plenty of things but wouldn't you rather have a zoom?

The D70 is the newer, cheaper version of the D100. It also shoots pix faster.

D70

The Nikon 50mm f1.8 is pound-4-pound one of the finest lenses out there. I recommend everyone have it as a cheap bright multitasking lens. In time i'd get a 85mm 1.8 (~$200) and a 28mm 2.8 (~150). I've carefully bought used glass from ebay and have had really good success. I usually stick with prime lenses unless we're talking f2.8 zooms, which are $$$$$$$$$$.

Nikon 50mm 1.8

Nikon 50mm 1.8 #2

I forgot option #3. Labor day Trip to Miami with my gf?

 

[pushkin]

I agree with your views on prime lenses, slackerjock. Ok I see you've done your homework on that lens and it's a good one. Plus you are going to round out your collection with a portrait and a wide angle lens. I happen to have a f2.8 Nikkor zoom, the best one in the universe, which is why I'm such an advocate. The only drawback is that it's as big as a can of Folgers.

I meant no offense toward the D70. I know the F70 is a fine camera. It's just the compatability of lenses between the film and digital that's great with the F and D100.

For heaven's sake don't go to Miami, just buy a camera and tell us what you got.

 

[yancantcook]

get the powerbook!

i was using a regular old dell when i got the 15'' powerbook. best thing i ever got!

 

[yodaf]

Skip the powerbook, at least the 12", the screen is just too small for a hardcore user. If you insist on the Mac laptop save the money and get the 12" ibook there is only a marginal difference and you will save some money, which you can apply to the D70.

I personally think the D70 is a smokin' camera. My only issue is that it is no good for casual use, size. The most common reason for missing that perfect picture is having not brought your camera because it's just too damn big. That being said if your a a lug it around photographer you can not go wrong with the D70. Don't spend the extra bucks on the D100 probably not worth it.

On the other had check this deal out-
Canon EOS 10D Digital SLR 6.3M digicam for $1,140 shipped 5:00 am
OneCall.com offers the Canon EOS 10D Digital SLR 6.3-megapixel digital camera for $1,139.77 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we've seen by $16. Features include a 1.8-inch LCD screen, 3 fps shooting speed, USB connectivity, and CompactFlash slot. Offer ends August 7

The Canon 10D is an awesome camera, the only problem is if you have a stockpile of Nikon glass. I personally have a bunch of Nikon lenses and would be hesitant to go with a Canon for that reason alone. If money for new lenses wasn't an issue the 10D is an awesome camera.

It's a really tough choice, I've personally decided to hold off on a digital SLR until they are sub $600, that should happen within a year. There are lot of excellent and quality 4-5mp point and shoots made by Canon and Olympus that will probably do the job in most cases for under $500. My favorites are the Olympus C class ultrazooms, great zoom functionality, excellent picture quality. Then a year from now you can buy a digital SLR and have two very different and flexible camera's for the price of one. 🙂

 

[linuxizer]

Get the D70. Nonsense about compatibility between film and digital being any different between the D100 and the D70...neither can use MF non-chipped lenses, both can use all modern (and many not-so-modern) Nikon lenses. The D70 is available at places, you just have to look around and catch it when it's in stock. Try KEH.com, as they are a bit lower-volume on the new stuff. The B&H waiting list is at least a few months long last time I checked.
Definitely go with the 50/1.8 . It's a classic, and at least as sharp as the $200 more expensive 50/1.4 . Or you might want to consider the kit lens if you can afford it. It's well-built, sharp, and fairly distortion-free. 2 1/3 stops of light is hard to give up on, though.

Good luck,
Ari

 

[franklinthedog]

you probably know this, but go to www.dpreview.com

The D70 is an awesome camera. I agree with you about the point and shoot, they aren't ideal. First, the point and shoot cameras decide what to focus on, not you. Also, they are very slow to take action shots, and I just mean of someone walking or moving briskly, we're not even talking sports. I would love to have the D70. The only thing I've ever heard is that the D70 has slightly more noise at ISO 100 than the digital rebel. The moire pattern problem I think is nonsense for the most part. The D70 is going to be a timeless camera, you can't go wrong. I debated between this camera and the digital rebel (I have the manual 35mm rebel) and I like the Nikon better. I just don't have the $1300 to shell out. I got neither, so now I'm stuck with and outdated 35mm rebel and a sony dsc-v1 point and shoot. Not happy with either really, the 35 mm is great but taking your film to the camera store is no fun when you have a printer and adobe photoshop.

Good luck!

 

[pushkin]

Get the D70. Nonsense about compatibility between film and digital being any different between the D100 and the D70...neither can use MF non-chipped lenses, both can use all modern (and many not-so-modern) Nikon lenses. The D70 is available at places, you just have to look around and catch it when it's in stock. Try KEH.com, as they are a bit lower-volume on the new stuff. The B&H waiting list is at least a few months long last time I checked.
Definitely go with the 50/1.8 . It's a classic, and at least as sharp as the $200 more expensive 50/1.4 . Or you might want to consider the kit lens if you can afford it. It's well-built, sharp, and fairly distortion-free. 2 1/3 stops of light is hard to give up on, though.

Good luck,
Ari

Is the D70 compatible with film lenses? I was under the impression that if I wanted a digital SLR for my lenses, I'd have to get the D100. The F100 certainly takes MF lenses, doesn't the D100 as well? Or does the D100 only use AF lenses? (What does non-chipped mean by the way? I've used some really old manual lenses and never come across this term.) If slackerjock doesn't want to shell out for the D100 then of course he shouldn't; I'm just saying it's a nice line of cameras. I have no doubt the D70 is lovely as well.

Oh well it doesn't matter to me that much since I just bought an enlarger and am setting up my darkroom this week. Not to hijack the thread here, but any money spent on photography equipment has always seemed well spent to me, so go for it! Computers are great too but they lose their luster a lot quicker.

 

[rudi]

how do you get a $200 rebate on an ipod?

 

[Wahooonnikon]

Wow, love the nikon love on here. Must be a sign of smarts and good taste.

 

[linuxizer]

Both the D70 and the D100 can use any AF Nikon lens, as well as the 'chipped' (as in, have the little computer chip inside that commicates with the camera) MF lenses. These are usually designated as P-series (I think the only one currently in production is the 45mm that is the kit lens for the FM3a, but there used to be an amazing 500/4 that was chipped as well, and you can also find MF lenses that had the conversion done by a garage mechanic). NB: they can all physically mount older lenses (except for some really old and esoteric ones which protrude too far into the camera to be mounted--one example that comes to mind is the 6mm fisheye!), but you lose metering entirely. If you're willing to go with a manual meter, you can use just about anything made since 1950.
The F100 does take MF lenses, but its functionality is limited with them (e.g. no Matrix metering). The only AF cameras that have full functionality with MF lenses IIRC are the F4 and D2h.
--Ari

Is the D70 compatible with film lenses? I was under the impression that if I wanted a digital SLR for my lenses, I'd have to get the D100. The F100 certainly takes MF lenses, doesn't the D100 as well? Or does the D100 only use AF lenses? (What does non-chipped mean by the way? I've used some really old manual lenses and never come across this term.) If slackerjock doesn't want to shell out for the D100 then of course he shouldn't; I'm just saying it's a nice line of cameras. I have no doubt the D70 is lovely as well.

Oh well it doesn't matter to me that much since I just bought an enlarger and am setting up my darkroom this week. Not to hijack the thread here, but any money spent on photography equipment has always seemed well spent to me, so go for it! Computers are great too but they lose their luster a lot quicker.

 

[Pooh Chong]

get the camera.

maybe you can find a used laptop that isn't so new...but would work very well for web browsing and microsoft office. If you already have a desktop, then I assume you won't be using the laptop for heavy use.

 

[Yogi Bear]

were's the moderators when we need them? this thread's been here for a day and still hasnt' been moved to the tech forum?
😉

 

[911Med]

Follow cookbook below:

1. Buy both the camera and the computer on a credit card.
2. Commence with your discount Powerbook plan.
3. Use the camera to take nude photographs of your classmates.
4. Find some obscure "artsy" website to post and sell them on.
5. Skip that - just sell them to staright porn sites.
6. Use profits to pay off camera and computer.
7. Change last name to Flynt or Hefner.

Done.

See also financing a house.