Selling my D70 for a D40x?

[BostonRott]

I like to take snaps of my daughter around the house, without flash. Neither the D70 nor the D200 does great at higher ISO's (i.e. 560 and up) in my opinion, in terms of noise.

Was thinking of selling the D70 and picking up a D40x, mostly for high ISO work.

Does this seem reasonable? Is my 12-24mm the only lens I have which won't work on the D40x? (see list below) I usually use the 35/2 or the 50/1.8 in the house.

Thanks! :smile:

 

[allen_a_george]

It's the other way around. Looking at your list, the 35, 50, 105 (assuming it's not the VR) and 70-300 all won't work on the D40(x) because they're screw-driven. While the 105 and 70-300 have AF-S versions, the primes do not.

From what I've seen the high ISO JPEG output of the D40(x) is markedly better than the D70's.

 

[Gr8Tr1x]

Consider a used D50.

 

[DrewC]

oh those sample shots at 1600 look nice dont they? i was thinking the same thing 'bout trading in the d70s for a d40x... lens issue and size bug me too much though, lets hope for a surprise announcement of a d50x? er... uh, what would it REALLY be? a d80x?

 

[BostonRott]

It's the other way around. Looking at your list, the 35, 50, 105 (assuming it's not the VR) and 70-300 all won't work on the D40(x) because they're screw-driven. While the 105 and 70-300 have AF-S versions, the primes do not.

From what I've seen the high ISO JPEG output of the D40(x) is markedly better than the D70's.

O yikes!! Well, that kills that. Thank you Alan! :smile:

 

[BostonRott]

Consider a used D50.

I may do just that. Is the D50 CF and not SD?

oh those sample shots at 1600 look nice dont they?

Yes, a very impressive difference.

 

[stickbowguy67]

The D50 is SD

 

[BostonRott]

Thank you Mike!

 

[mag-tek]

Hi

I'm a total novice to to DSLR cameras. I read and studied everything I could find before I bought my D-50.

I'm on a tight budget and think I got a good deal. I bought a package deal from Wolf Camera, D-50,kit lens,Picture Mate printer all for $550 and received a instant $50 gift card that I added $100 to to get my cheep zoom lens. You might look at Wolf Camera from time to time for good package deals.

The D-50 has a lens motor in it, the D-40 does not.

Good luck

 

[Nuteshack]

you'll love the d50, Gretchen....1a, -1 saturation works good for inside higher iso shooting, enjoy ....;-))

 

[Pa]

I have also considered a D50 to replace my wife's D70s for two reasons: better high-iso performance, and smaller size.

My concerns are:

1) Will the ML-L3 infrared remote work with the D50?

2) How well does it balance with the 18-200VR?

Can anyone comment knowledgeably on these?

Thanks.

 

[Tosh]

Jim,

The little Ml-l3 remote works fine with the D50.

The D50 and D70 aren't too different in size/weight; I wouldn't expect there to be any balance issues.

And since it's Easter . . .

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D50/18-200vr shot.

 

[BostonRott]

Jim,

Great questions!

Glenn,
Thanks for the answers and LOVE those Easter eggs! :smile:

 

[Gale]

Just need to get your exposures correct:>))))

 

[Tosh]

Exposure is important, but sometimes conditions are such that even dead on exposure can't salvage the situation.
Equipment capability does vary and does matter; otherwise we'd all be sporting point'n shoots.:wink:

 

[jonlee]

I have also considered a D50 to replace my wife's D70s for two reasons: better high-iso performance, and smaller size.

My concerns are:

1) Will the ML-L3 infrared remote work with the D50?

2) How well does it balance with the 18-200VR?

Can anyone comment knowledgeably on these?

Thanks.

The 18-200VR is quite light and relatively compact, so I think that would be quite a nice, simple setup. In fact, a D50 and 18-200VR would be a great travel setup given the overall compact size and weight, tremendous battery life, excellent image quality, and high-ISO capabilities of the D50.

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

If I were starting fresh with no lenses holding me back I'd go with the D40x... but with a decent collection of glass, all but one of which lacks any type of internal focusing, I can't consider the D40x as an option (though I've been VERY impressed w/ the ISO1600 and even ISO3200).

If starting fresh w/ a D40x and trying to match the lenses I have now I'd probably end up with a Sigma 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6 HSM, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 AFS, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM, and Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX HSM.

Being a value-oriented amateur enthusiast I can't afford or justify the Nikkor 17-55 or 28-70mm... unfortunately neither Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina make anything in the fast (f/2.8) wide/normal or normal zoom range w/ an internal focus motor (though the Tamron 17-50 and 28-75 have it in Canon mount for some reason).

 

[goodrich62]

Gretchen,
Remember it's not a question of wont work. It will just not auto focus. I shoot a lot of macro in manual focus on my D70 and D200, it takes a little getting used to but the focus light comes on to help.
Auto focus is a big help but not a killer as far as I'm concerned. But my first SLR was manual focus and the meter was a little arrow on the side of the view finder.
The D50 is a great high ISO camera but if you feel the need for 10M I would not walk away from the D40x for lack of Auto Focus on all your lenses.
Rich

 

[AndyE]

If you intend to use the camera for snapshots, the D40X and the 18-200 VR is a great combination.
1) The 18-200mm is about the same size as the 55-200mm VR lens
2) ISO noise is significantly better than the D50, D70 and D200. Out-cam JPEGS are better than the D80, about the same when shooting RAW.
3) The support "infrastructure" on trips is smaller (batteries, charger)

From my experience it's a hard to beat package.

Andy

Size comparison of AFS 18-55mm, AFS 18-200mm VR and AFS 55-200mm VR

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Just for fun - it is very easy to use MF lenses - Here the D40X with the AiS 85mm/1.4
View attachment 88957

High ISO noise performance - D40X, AFS 105mm VR, ISO 1600
View attachment 88958