Opinions - D70s vs 400d vs D40??

[ahockley]

Another ‘what camera’ thread I’m afraid from a long time lurker in these parts…

I’m upgrading from a point-and-shoot to a DSLR. My budget is sadly lacking, so a D80 is out of reach, but I can find about £500. This gets me either a Canon 400d or D70s. Having read many reviews and comparisons, they seem fairly inseparable, perhaps the D70s slightly on top.

However, is it worth the money to get one of these above a D40? – it has the same kit lens as the D70, but what will I miss from the camera itself? Bear in mind this will be the first DSLR I have owned, but I have a (fairly) good knowledge of photography having worked for a publishing company and used their Canon 1Ds mkII.

Cheers,

Alastair.

[Furyous]

S'Bout where I am at the mo, see this thread here

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=339292&f=109&h=0

or search under D70S.

Im convinced the Nikon is the way forward tho.

F

[ahockley]

Yeah.. I must confess a slight preference for the d70 - I like things which are well put together (unlike my car ), and Nikon seem be the best on that front in this price range.

Thanks for the link.

Edited by ahockley on Friday 29th December 23:16

[DC53]

I have no expeience with the others, but my D70s is an excellent intro' to photography.

[GetCarter]

I'm a Nikon bod and they are very well screwed together. The only thing I'd say re the D40 is that it's a lot newer than the D70... so the difference may not be as much as you think

Check out www.DPReview.com - they usually talk sense and have reviewed both


these are all nikon shots - mostly with the 17-55ED DX >>> www.stevecarter.com/2005/2005-0.htm

Good luck

Steve

[greg964]

i like nikon, and they generally have a few more features on the camera than in the menus (format,reset etc).....but the 400D is very very nice...i think i might be swayed towards it, if i couldn't reach the D80.

[DC53]

The full 'D40' review is in this months 'Digital Camera' magazine, if you're interested.

[ahockley]

Thanks for all your replies - having read various reviews and comparisons, I'm becoming quite sold on the D40. It's the cheapest of the lot, yet shares many components with the D80 (Kit lens, LCD screen, processor)and D70 (sensor) whilst being considerably smaller. The few features that the D40 does miss out on appear to be either irrelevant to me or features I would not use. The Canon sadly felt a bit to toylike for me, as it appears a good camera.

So... unless I have a major change of heart it looks like Mssrs. Nikon will be receiving a smaller portion of the change I found down the sofa than I initially thought

[jonny_bravo]

I bought the D40 yesterday afternoon, my first foray into SLR territory - delighted so far (head currently stuck in manual )

[Furyous]

D40 feels small, cheap and plasticky in comparison to the D70.I know there is a price difference, but Im lookin got buy something to kepp for a while, and Im not sure the 40 is a long term proposition.

Went and had a good play with a few yesterday, and have decided the 70s is the one for me.

Its just finding the other £370 for the 70-300 vr I need (want)

F

[Marc W]

All the reviews I've read so far have put the 400D (just) ahead of the D70. I brought a 400D in November and I've been very happy with it. I have to say though I didn't even consider another make as I already had a Canon 300D and going for a Nikon would have meant shelling out for al new lenses etc. it would probably be worth trying them both out in a shop and seeing which one you like the feel of.

Edited by Marc W on Thursday 4th January 23:14

[renny]

Has anyone used/considered the Pentax K100D?

It is in the same price range as the D40 now and has "Shake reduction" built into the body. I'm considering it as the KA lenses I have for my P30T will fit.

[GetCarter]

renny said:

...has "Shake reduction" built into the body. I'm considering it...

Wish my Landie had that.