OK...the +1 seems to have narrowed down his choice to the Nikon D70S...I think Patty (Kyras) and Jim (S1997) have this one. Now the question is what lenses to get and where to buy it. Lots of peeps seem to recommend (if you purchase online) bhphoto.com. Any other online sources?

 

A good way to get an idea of comparative prices is in Photography Magazine. Then if you can get a comparable price at a camera store near you, it is preferable, because of the convenience and service. I would also get the extended warranty. A lot of the deals that are offered by camera outlets now have a standard zoom lens included with the camera. Also make sure that you are getting the D70S, not the D70. The D70 is a fine camera, and can be updated with D70S software, but the later model has a larger monitor display. Just don't pay the D70S price for a D70.

I can use the AF lenses that fit my Nikon film camera on the D70S body, but I prefer to use a single lens that covers a range of needs. I ordered the Nikkor VR 24-120 mm zoom lens with the camera. The VR is for vibration reduction and is especially good with the longer focal lengths to insure sharpness. You'll probably want a UV filter and maybe a polaroid filter to boot.

You will like the camera, I think. You'll need to study the manual though. The camera can do a million things in addition to taking digital photos.

 

Supposed to be a very good camera,problem is,(I don't want to seem arrogant,here, )but you have to know how to use this thing.
I have an older model (D5700,or something..)and have to carry the manual around,all the time.

 

 

Yep, that's the one I have. I bought mine online on May 22, 2006 from Cardinal Camera & Video. On line they are H1Photo.com. Phone is 888-797-8878. I got the D70s Outift, which included the 18-70mm zoom lens. I paid $894.95 and with shipping of $18.95 it was a total of $913.90.

You don't really have to know much to use it. I usually just have it on auto and it does a great job. I should learn more about it so I can take the photos I used to know how to with my non digital Nikon 8008s, but I just haven't gotten around to it.

I also bought a spare battery and battery charger from 1800emart.com. This camera doesn't eat batteries at all, but since the Nikon Coolpix 5700 I had did, I got the batteries before the camera even came. Also my Coolpix battery charger died within a month, and they wouldn't warranty it (electrical) so that was why I bought the back up charger. I didn't really need either, but the 2 batteries and the charger were only $44.92, so I'm not complaining.

What ever he does, if Vito buys online, make sure the camera has the USA warranty. You can get low ball prices but then they'll try to tack on more for the USA warranty. Shady operators.

 

Thanks...lot of useful info here already.

 

Deb, I'm trying to find a deal on that exact model myself. I've been surfing ebay and found this package.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I don't know how good a deal it is....yet.

I'd be interested to know what others think as well.


steve

 

Yeah, that's an issue...whether to buy on ebay, an online dedicated camera site, or a camera store.

 

Steve,
This looks like a good deal to me. The Tamron lenses are good and you get two of them. The 4 gig Compact Flash card is super. Shipping is not outrageous and would be a lot cheaper than sales tax in many states.

The only possible thing I see is that it is described as USA factory demo -- whatever that is. And like Patricia, I would want to know for sure that the guarantee is the US version.

It might also be better to find a package that has a single Nikkor zoom lens instead of two Tamrons. But that's not a deal breaker for me.

It's a great camera. Don't be influenced by the 6.1 megapixel number. There are so many variables that contribute to quality in this camera that megapixel numbers should not be a factor.

I think you can probably find an offering for a new camera in an unopened box for close to the same price now. It's worth looking further.

Good luck!

 

The manual for my D200 is over 200 pages. LOL.