A camera question for Henry and others

[jlpskydive]

I recently had all my still camera equipment stolen and as usual the insurance gave me about half of what I had in it. I had the Nikon D70s and several lenses. Now here's the question. I have the money to buy a D80 and the basic kit lens or the D40 (very similar to the 70) and a higher end lens. I'm a professional video guy and know how important good glass is and realize that good glass last much longer the changing technology of the Digital bodys. What would you buy and why? And don't tell me to buy a Canon :rolleyes: I really like the Nikons. Thanks for the help as always!

J.

[Optimus Prime]

I like nikons alot too, better glass I think. If the D40 is closer to what you're used and lets you get better glass, that's what I'd go with.

[Simon]

I personally would stick with the D80 (body only) and either wait for a lens or look for used equipment. I know there are differences between the D80 and the D40 aside from the obvious megapixel difference, but I'm blanking on them at the moment.

I've dealt with both of these companies, though I've only gotten used equipment from B&H at the moment.
http://www.adorama.com/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
Hell if you wanted to you could see if they had a used D80 and lens or even a D200 in your range.

You are definitely right about the good glass, so I'd skip the kit lenses. I held one in a shop a while back and it felt cheesy.

edit: B&H has a "B" grade (refurb?) D80 body for $800, and Adorama has them new (body only) for about $900. I've only seen them in stores starting at $1000. Also Adorama has the D40X bundled with a nice zoom lens (18-135) for $900. It's not my favorite of my lenses, but I do like the one I have.

[dpoe]

Both Henry and I have D70Ss and personally I love it ( I'm positive he likes his too) and it produces photos as well as any cameras out there (save the D2X bc its amazing) and its only around 400 bucks now or so for the body, however if you get some money from loss of your camera, go with the d200. It's just a tiny step down from Nikon's pro stuff (D2X), a good sized step up from the d80/70 and is worth every penny.

The d80 is great but I am not a fan of the SD card. Don't even bother with the d40, in actuality its pretty inferior to the D70.

haha case in point: D70s or D200.

[jlpskydive]

Thanks, I haven't been able to find any D70S's that's what I would really like to have back. Do you know where there are any new ones left over?

[dpoe]

http://cgi.ebay.com/nikon-d70s-with-18-55-lens-in-xlint-cond_W0QQitemZ280142134874QQihZ018QQcategoryZ43456 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

try eBay or adorama or bphotovideo.com

[Player]

haha case in point: D70s or D200.

david summed it up. D70s or D200 (ok, or D2x.. ohhh myyyyyyyyy)



but yeah, the D80's are nice, but for the price the D70s bodies are going for now, it's hard to pay a few extra benjamins for them
ebay has loads of nikon stuff, dave and i are both nikon fans too.
i remember when D70s's used to be $800 for body only, and then a few months ago i bought mine for $500 w/ a 50mm 1.8

now you could probably get the same deal for $400 if you're lucky?