This time it's serious - a D70 kit for sale

[simpo two]

(posted with kind permission of Ted)

Regular readers will know that amongst other things, I'm a minor reseller for AV equipment like plasma screens etc. When I was shopping for my own D70 some months ago, I extended my supply chain into photographic as well.

Last week the rep rang up and asked how things were going. I said that I might have sold a couple of units, but that people didn't want to wait up to two months for delivery. So I now have 5 on order on a sale or return basis: if I don't find a buyer, they will be re-allocated elsewhere. Fine.

Yesterday the supplier rang and said there'd been a cancellation and did I want it? So I said yes - and it arrived today. So I currently have a Nikon D70 Kit (with 18-70mm lens) sitting right here ready to ship to the first person who wants it. I thought I'd give PH folk a chance before it goes on my main website.


I stress that this is totally brand new, UK-spec stock with full warranty, exactly as you'd get from Jessops or Dixons. If you'd like it or have any questions, please mail me.

[docevi1]

you missed the "how much it is" bit, or is Ted not letting you put that on here?

[simpo two]

docevi1 said:

you missed the "how much it is" bit, or is Ted not letting you put that on here?

Heh It retails in the high street for £999 inc VAT, and even then you may well have to wait or make do with the (inferior) 28-80 version. I know you can get iffy ones or grey imports for less on eBay that may or may not turn up, or French ones for £899, but this is a 'proper' one so I think £950 would secure it. That includes VAT but not delivery, though you're welcome to collect (North Essex) if you like.

[docevi1]

Ah, Um, Er, Yeah.

Hello there, how you doing?

[simpo two]

Yeah, sorry but this isn't a knock-down car boot sale, I have to make a margin like anyone else, it's my livelihood y'know. And it's still £50 less than High Street. And it's ready now... like puppies....

[meeja]

simpo two said:

Yeah, sorry but this isn't a knock-down car boot sale, I have to make a margin like anyone else, it's my livelihood y'know. And it's still £50 less than High Street. And it's ready now... like puppies....

I am soooooooo close to parting with my credit card number.......

Got a wife to persuade first though!

[simpo two]

meeja said:

I am soooooooo close to parting with my credit card number....... Got a wife to persuade first though!

I'll give you £10 off if you do a bank transfer instead... that'll get her two bottles of nice dry white wine

[Mad Dave]

meeja said:

simpo two said: Yeah, sorry but this isn't a knock-down car boot sale, I have to make a margin like anyone else, it's my livelihood y'know. And it's still £50 less than High Street. And it's ready now... like puppies.... I am soooooooo close to parting with my credit card number....... Got a wife to persuade first though!

Im very tempted too, almost handed over my credit card in Dixons over the weekend. I think I should probably sort out my motorbike situation first (ie repair or replace my bent one!!)

[GregE240]

I'm tempted.

Its a great price too, and would knock my missus' socks off.

HOWEVER: she has a Canon EOS SLR camera upstairs with 3 lenses for it, so a Canon 300D looks likely, I'm afraid.

Best of luck with your sale.

Greg

[Mad Dave]

7dayshop.com were advertising a 300D in their clearance section last week.

Lens compatibility is the reason I want a D70 - I already have a Nikon 35mm SLR with a few lenses.

[docevi1]

simpo two said:

Yeah, sorry but this isn't a knock-down car boot sale, I have to make a margin like anyone else, it's my livelihood y'know. And it's still £50 less than High Street. And it's ready now... like puppies....

Oh I'm not saying anything about your price, just that it's very steep regardless of who sells it - £1000 for a Digital Camera .

[simpo two]

docevi1 said:

Oh I'm not saying anything about your price, just that it's very steep regardless of who sells it - £1000 for a Digital Camera .

I know what you mean. Last year I was looking wistfully at the D100 or Fuji S2 (both about £1300) and realising I simply couldn't justify them. And then the D70 came along.

However, once you've taken the plunge and got one, you realise it's actually worth it. And the thing that 'pushed me out of the plane' was another PHer expressing interest in my old F70!

[Mad Dave]

With prices for the D70 falling below £1000 now, if you already have a decent range of Nikon lenses the D70 body will pay for itself in no time - cost of films and processing soon adds up and if you shoot a lot of film its definately worth considering 'going digital'. Id have a D70 tomorrow if I actually had the cash!

Simpo - as an aside, what sort of spec machine is required to use the images?

[luca brazzi]

I think the price is very reasonable. The quality of pictures you can produce with these cameras nowadays is simply astounding....both the 300D and the D70 with a quality lens produce stunning images with exceptional clarity and contrast.

Which one really depends on your preference for the controls and whether you already have some lenses that will work on the cameras.

Sometimes I think about trading in the 300D for the 20D, but the trade in value and the price to get the new one is too big to justify the extra features at present.

Fantastic cameras justify their prices.

For those who didn't see my earlier thread about the photos of Freddie. Taken on my trusty 300D (now up to 11,000 pics), with some studio flash bought from Ebay, and using a top quality lens, the 70-200 2.8L (which makes all the difference).



Shot in RAW, just tweaked the exposure, brightness and saturation...no sharpening.

In case you want to see this big...here are larger jpegs of the same photo.

3.85Mb
www.sleepyfish-images.com/images/animals/Freddie_profile.jpg

390Kb
www.sleepyfish-images.com/images/animals/Freddie_profile_2000.jpg

LB
(apologies for the length of this, got a little carried away.....they really are worth the price)

[simpo two]

Simpo - as an aside, what sort of spec machine is required to use the images?[/quote]
RAW files are about 5Mb, but I usually use JPEG 'Large Fine' as, I confess, I can't really tell the difference and RAW processing is a pain.
JPG Large Fine images are about 2.5Mb each, so any half-baked PC or Mac will handle them with no problem. I have PhotoShop but it's not essential; you can do all the basic tweaking you're likely to need with everyday image software, eg MS Picture Manager or whatever else you have tucked away. IMHO of course!

[Mad Dave]

Thanks mate. I have access to quite a fast machine at work (im a Graphic Designer) and Photoshop etc, but at home I just use an old Athlon 800mhz with 256mb RAM, which I imagine should handle it ok.

Just gotta get hold of a D70 now! Do you know of anywhere that will lend me one on a trial basis? I dont want to spend £900 without knowing that its actually what I want!

[simpo two]

Mad Dave said:

Do you know of anywhere that will lend me one on a trial basis? I dont want to spend £900 without knowing that its actually what I want!

Sorry, I don't: you could come and play with mine (fnaar) but Wiltshire to Essex is a bit of a drag.

[Mad Dave]

Thanks for the offer, but you're right, its a bit far! Ideally i'd like to rent one for a weekend, just to see if I can get used to using it and downloading the images etc.

[beano500]

RAP in Camberley used to loan out stuff. If you wanted to then purchase, they just knocked the loan cost off the price...

[Mad Dave]

thanks mate, ill look into it.