New Nikon DSLR - but which one?

[iain_cam]

The most memorable amongst you should remember that I acquired a D50 a wee while ago, after some recommendations from some of you guys here. But now I have another dilemma - a camera for my pops, who has become rather annoyingly attached to my D50.

The plan is to interchange lenses between us, and so building up a decent grouping of lenses which would be difficult for us to achieve individually. The best way (I believe) to do this is for him to get a Nikon DSLR, in body-only format, and get a lens or two at the same time.

But which Nikon? I've narrowed it down to the D70, which is hopefully at its rock-bottom price due to the arrival of the D80. However, the appearance of the D40 has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons - it's cheaper, and has a fairly decent specification for the enthusiastic amateurs that we are.

What I'd like to know is the story behind the D40's lens system - are my lenses compatible on it and are its lenses compatible on the D50? In what way does it differ (lens-wise) from the D50?

Comments appreciated,
Iain

[jonny_bravo]

Hi Mate,.Ive got the D40,. the body itself does not contain the motor drive like your D50 does, so it needs lenses from the AFS range where the motor is built into the lens. Thats one reason why Nikon manage to sell it relatively cheaper.

The D70 would give you and your Dad opportunity to share your lenses.

[iain_cam]

jonny_bravo said:

The D70 would give you and your Dad opportunity to share your lenses.

That's what I was after.

Cheers!

[VxDuncan]

I *think* the D7 can be patched upto D70s spec by uploading new firmware, but might be wrong. Personally I'd be going that route, or possibly another D50 and better lens. That said the D80 is lurvly... 8o)

ANother option might be the Fuji s3 / S3 Pro if portraits are your thing. Takes Nikon glass and great for skin tones. Price dropped to just over the £600 mark.

[-DeaDLocK-]

I own a D70, and have just played with a D80. Two things that stood out - the D80 had much more sluggish menus (lag between pressing the button and activity happening on-screen), which is quite a big turn-off, but all else being equal it took MUCH better pictures with no need for post-processing (an issue with the D70). The metering and colour settings, all at default, seemed to be absolutely spot on. Straight from camera to printer with no Photoshop in between will yield satisfaction, something I could never do with the D70.

[VxDuncan]

Interesting point about the menus on the D80. Didn't realise the D70 was quicker. However I find moving round the menus can be slow using the four-way controller, yet it's lighting quick using the thumb wheels. I think it's the four-way arrow thing that slows navigations down I think!