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D70s or D80?

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Krevlin

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I own both the D90 and D60.

I have my Tokina 16-50 mounted to my D90 and my Nikon 55-200VR mounted to my D60 and this has basically allowed me to not have to switch lenses which works for me.

However lately the limitations of the D60 are starting to annoy me and as much as I love it I think I want to sell it to maybe fund a purchase of a D70s or D80 and a longer/better telephoto.

I plan to sell my D60, 18-55VR, 55-200VR, 35 f/1.8 and SB600 and getting around $900-1000$

Now I am spit balling here but been was browsing all over eBay, Adorama and other places and I think I can get a D80 for around $500 as well as the 70-300VR for around $400. (Unless the G or ED non-VR version is fine)

It'd be nice to save some money and really I want a Tokina 100-300 f/4 for around $400 but having little luck finding it.

Anyways back to my question, I know going from the D60 to D70s could be a semi-downgrade but really I'm looking for the AF motor and I mean, how bad is the D70s really?

I know the D80 is pretty awesome and would basically be almost a direct upgrade but again if I can save money that would be cool.

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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You can get a D200 for around $500 if I'm not mistaken. Don't get the D80—it's not my favorite camera Nikon makes. The D200 is better in a lot of ways (AF, metering, build, ergonomics).

Posted 2 years ago #
PB PM

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The D80 is an okay camera, as long as you don't use matrix metering. Paying $500 for a D80 is way too much, $400 max. The D60 has better metering, than the D80, and is has ADL if you need to shoot jpgs. I'd take the D80 over a D70s, unless you need the fast 1/500s flash sync. The D200 is a good camera, but if you do go that route, be careful because they suffer from the pealing rubber syndrome, like all of Nikon's semi-pro/pro models. Just something to watch for, since you cannot get them new anymore.

Posted 2 years ago #
Krevlin

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I was actually looking at the D200 but I was thinking it was too pro level to be a back up.

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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The peeling grip is a really easy fix, though. Just use something like Duco cement to paste it back on. It's just a cosmetic problem (not to excuse Nikon for it—it happened to my D300 and I've heard of it happening on the D700, which is a shame).

Posted 2 years ago #
poster

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I got my D200 for $400. Works like brand new. I sold my D70s for $275, and just yesterday I saw an ad on craigslist for D90 for $450.

I don't have any peeling rubber problems. I would suggest you to check craigslist more often. Great deals pop up often over there. Well at least here in NYC.

You buy in person and you get to at least test/inspect the camera. fleabay is good for occasional deals, but I stopped buying from there. Last thing that I got from there was my nikon 80-200 2.8 ED for $800. Not a great deal after all. but we live to learn.

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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No, k, I love the D200 and I've used it as a backup to my D90 at weddings before. The real issue there is that the D200 goes through batteries about twice as fast as the D90 (no exaggeration), so you better get one that has an extra battery.

Posted 2 years ago #
kyoshinikon

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jonnyapple said:
You can get a D200 for around $500 if I'm not mistaken. Don't get the D80—it's not my favorite camera Nikon makes. The D200 is better in a lot of ways (AF, metering, build, ergonomics).

Bashing on the D80? As long as metering, WB presets, and ISO aren't a big deal get the D80. On the other hand the suggestion of the D200 was a good one (except for the ISO issue). I use both the D80 and D90 side by side and can comfortably shoot ISO 1250 on my D90 while I already see a problem after ISO 500 on the D80. A D200 I've shot with just barely pushed ISO 800

Still I find the D80 fantastic for my needs (except the ISO issue) and would recommend it...

Posted 2 years ago #
Krevlin

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My only real fear with the D200 is that it's build quality will make me want to upgrade my D90 to the D300s.

I need to stop spending money... which ugh I can't. I always have to keep buying stuff.

This is a pure hobby for me so I don't even make money with what it :(

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Well, not bashing exactly. I meant what I said—that it's not my favorite Nikon. I just don't think it beats the other options in the price range. Like Rob said, the matrix metering had issues and the flash metering does, too, at least on my brother's. Then you also get the D200's bigger viewfinder, better AF options, and like you said slightly better low light performance. I think if the D80 and D200 are similar prices it's a no brainer.

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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krevlingoodspeed said:
My only real fear with the D200 is that it's build quality will make me want to upgrade my D90 to the D300s.

I need to stop spending money... which ugh I can't. I always have to keep buying stuff.

This is a pure hobby for me so I don't even make money with what it :(

Look at it this way, krevlin: you can have your D90 for most stuff (incl. video) and use the D200 for times when the weather or whatever makes you hesitant to take the D90 out in it. You won't notice a difference in image quality between the D90 and D300s, so I don't think you'll be so tempted. I had a D300 that got stolen, replaced it with a D90 and haven't really looked back to be honest (as you can probably tell if you've read much that I've written on the forum).

Posted 2 years ago #
Krevlin

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jonnyapple said:
No, k, I love the D200 and I've used it as a backup to my D90 at weddings before. The real issue there is that the D200 goes through batteries about twice as fast as the D90 (no exaggeration), so you better get one that has an extra battery.

This explains why I saw one listed for sale with 3 extra batteries.

Posted 2 years ago #
Krevlin

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jonnyapple said:
Look at it this way, krevlin: you can have your D90 for most stuff (incl. video) and use the D200 for times when the weather or whatever makes you hesitant to take the D90 out in it. You won't notice a difference in image quality between the D90 and D300s, so I don't think you'll be so tempted. I had a D300 that got stolen, replaced it with a D90 and haven't really looked back to be honest (as you can probably tell if you've read much that I've written on the forum).

Interesting. Well now I must think more.

I swear by the end of this all I'll probably make a post saying how I am going to sell all my current Nikon gear and get a D700 or what not.

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Now there's an idea! ;-)

Posted 2 years ago #
Maaku

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If you get the D200 you can use manual focus lenses in the future
If youre diligent you can buy them for almost nothing.
Why duplicate what you have . The D200 will give you some extra capabilities

Posted 2 years ago #
safyre

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Get a used D50 for 200 bucks, best value out of all the Nikons out there.

Posted 2 years ago #
heartyfisher

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Just sell your gear now and wait for the D90 replacement. then have your D90 as a back up for the new Camera ! :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
Krevlin

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heartyfisher said:
Just sell your gear now and wait for the D90 replacement. then have your D90 as a back up for the new Camera ! :-)

Sigh, that thought crossed my mind.

Posted 2 years ago #
jbl

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heartyfisher said:
Just sell your gear now and wait for the D90 replacement. then have your D90 as a back up for the new Camera ! :-)

+1

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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+2

Do you do a lot of paid shoots? Why do you need a backup? I'd think you should just invest in glass.

Posted 2 years ago #
kyoshinikon

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heartyfisher said:
Just sell your gear now and wait for the D90 replacement. then have your D90 as a back up for the new Camera ! :-)

+3, Third times the charm...

On a second note, I still don't regret buying a D80 as a backup to my D90, and love using it (although a certain D700 tainted my opinion of it)

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I don't know, to me it's kind of like buying a D70S as backup for my D70. Or the D40X to back the D60 up. Or the D3000 as backup for the D5000 etc. You don't really gain much but a smaller bank account.

Posted 2 years ago #
heartyfisher

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Awww ... I feel so .... so ..... plussed :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
PB PM

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Meh, sometimes we care way too much about specs. You think having a D80 as a backup to a D90 is strange, I'm using a F90x and D40x as a backup to a D300.

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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Actually, you bring up a good point.

So the correct answer is, the body that gives you the shot that you need. :D

Posted 2 years ago #

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D70s or D80?

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