Nikon D70 good enough for weddings?

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M

Mongoo

Member
Sep 20, 2004
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I could get a good deal on a Nikon D70. New, with a one of the better lens for like $800 through a distributer at Ritz camera.

That seems like a pretty good deal, but if the camera isn't good enough that thats enough of that thought, you know.


I need a camera for shooting weddings. I'm new to this and just gettting started so I'm not looking to invest in a really really expensive camera. So I've been mainly looking at the Nikon D70 and the Cannon D20.

I've heard that the D20 is a better camera, but the body starts at $1,500 not to mention a good lens will easily make that $2,000.

I'll spend the extra money if I have to but In all honesty if The D70 fits the bill It will work for now and I can always upgrade as better camera's hit the market at resonable prices.


I'm in real need of advice here because I might have to decide soon. Like I say, It will primarily be used for shooting weddings. Is the Cannon worth $1,000 more? Can the Nikon D70 cut it?


Thank you for your time.

Mongoo


P.S. If anyone knows of a good reliable Digital Photograhpy forum, I'ld appreciate the info.
 
G

guidot

Junior Member
Jan 29, 2004
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My boss at work bought the D70 and he does weddings and such and he says it is one of the best cameras he has used. Fast, accurate and easy to use.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
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Originally posted by: Mongoo
I need a camera for shooting weddings. I'm new to this and just gettting started so I'm not looking to invest in a really really expensive camera. So I've been mainly looking at the Nikon D70 and the Cannon D20.

I've heard that the D20 is a better camera, but the body starts at $1,500 not to mention a good lens will easily make that $2,000.

P.S. If anyone knows of a good reliable Digital Photograhpy forum, I'ld appreciate the info.
Click to expand...


well it takes money to make money...if you want to get out cheapest go something like a Canon A-1 SLR and a nice lens package.

D70 is good, but like anything depends on you clientele....obviously if 90% of the party are sporting cars in the 6 figure range you are going to need a crazy arsenal. If Boones is the 'champagne' of the evening, a P&S camera may suit you well ;)

not forums but great links:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

http://www.dcresource.com/

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/DIGCAM01.HTM
 
J

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
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81
Don't underestimate the D70, it's a bad ass camera! I prefer the 20D, but the D70 should do VERY nicely. You'll just need to get the skills to take good shots and buy the extras like lighting and lenses. Other than that, I'd recommend the D70. It's a sweet ass camera! Check out dpreview.com, they really liked it.
 
W

wallsfd949

Golden Member
Apr 14, 2003
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If you are going to invest the $$ in one or the other, I strongly suggest you go down to a Ritz/Wolf camera type store and spend some time with both. I own a Digital Rebel and am very pleased with the camera, but if I had to pick between canon's 20d and nikon's d70, I would choose the 20d.

I've had a chance to play with both, go with the 20d and take some classes on basic photography (if you are new to this) and how to use your camera.

No matter which camera you buy, plan on investing 2-3x's what you spend on the camera in glass, flash and accessories.
 
vshah

vshah

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
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81
you can't really go wrong with either. if price is an issue then D70. i have one and i love it. do you have any lenses for one/another brand already? that could also affect your decision.
 
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,865
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yeah I have a friend with a D70 who shoots weddings. nice camera. my friend's mom also has one, great pics.
 
M

Mongoo

Member
Sep 20, 2004
135
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I don't have any lenses right now. But I was thinking, Cannon lenses can only be used on canon camera's right? And Nikon lenses can be used on Nikon, Kodak, and Fujifilm camera's.


So down the road when all of the new camera's are out I will have the option to upgrade between 3 different (w/ nikon lenses) bodies or have no option at all (cannon lenses).

This is probably the biggest reason I have my reserves about cannon.

Is this a valid reason you think to hesitate on cannon camera's?

....

....... in general, what is the D70 not good at?

Who do you think makes better lenses comparing like a $500 cannon lense to a $500 nikon lense what about a $1,000 lens?

Thanks.
 
Anubis

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
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tbqhwy.com
yes
Read over at DpReview in the D70 FORUM,

Plenty more of us there can answer your questions seeing as a bunch of us use it for weddings
its flash metering is THAT much better then the 20Ds that i wouldent think of useing a 20D for a wedding

#dslr on EFnet if you use IRC
 
M

Mongoo

Member
Sep 20, 2004
135
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Oh, And I know its not out yet, but what about the Fujifilm S3? Will that be alot better than the D70? Anyone know when it's arriving? Again It might not be worth twice as much though from a value standpoint, but who knows.

Thanks
 
Anubis

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
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tbqhwy.com
its out someplace cause peopel have the S3, look on dpreview, it might be worth it for weddings where burst speed isnt needed, it is supposed to have more DR then other cameras so that woudl also be a plus
 
M

Mongoo

Member
Sep 20, 2004
135
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What are the good lens options in the $500 - $1,000 range? Are these considered good or Great, or mediocer?

What are the usual uses for different types of lenses? Like weddings would be...., Nature photography would be...., etc.

Thanks
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: Mongoo
What are the good lens options in the $500 - $1,000 range? Are these considered good or Great, or mediocer?
Click to expand...

Not enough information, there are some lenses at $1000 that suck and some at $500 that are extraordinary....with a lens it's a multidimensional qualification. You need to decide what kind of shots you are going to take then hunt for the weapon.

What are the usual uses for different types of lenses? Like weddings would be...., Nature photography would be...., etc.

Thanks
Click to expand...

For a wedding you'd want more than likely a good general lens. Then a macro and zoom on the side.

Nature photography again is too general....macros of insects/flowers/etc or zooming in on eagle's in their nests/bear's fishing, or just walking through the woods catching raccoons playing and deer.

 
M

Mongoo

Member
Sep 20, 2004
135
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Okay, what can you reccomend as a good and great general lens and zoom lens? How much do these cost?


For the D70 that is.

Thanks
 
L

lrmat

Member
Aug 17, 2004
157
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0
i have the d70 and it's a great camera. i have three lenses. the kit lens (18mm-70mm) a nikon 50mm 1.8 fixed lens and a sigma 80-300mm zoom with macro. i am a novice photo enthusiast and i have everything i need with this setup.

why not rent the cameras and get a feel for them and if you plan on making money on wedding photos you should be able to write off the costs of either camera.
 
A

Antisocial Virge

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 1999
6,578
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D70 with kit lens, no flash the first night I got it.
Full size pic of a pug taken by the pug owner Gives you the idea the size of the pics
Pic of the cat the first night with the camera
Messing around with night shooting. Its not a great picture but its impossible for me to go under 1/6 a sec on the shudder speed without blurring the pic. Would have been easy to take a great pic with a tripod though.

Only other lens I'll be needing is gonna be a 80-300 I figure. The one thing about having such huge pictures is that you can crop the snot out of a picture and still have a good size final picture. It can make a terrible picture not bad after cropping.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
not ready for the DSLR jump due to my photog habits being compact + manual ability right now.

I have an A70, and it's really a great camera except at night. If I am totally still, the shots come out usually well if they are lit, but the lens is so small anything lacking light is terrible. I have been taking more night shots than day lately.

Now that the G series (G6) is about an inch smaller (close to the A70 in size) I am thinking about it again...I almost bought a G4 when I got my A70, but the $100 rebate including the i960 I was going to buy anyway + store rebate on 3MP+ camera + my old A50 selling at $150 at the time, netted a free camera pretty much :)

Anyone have a G5 and move to a real DSLR at the sub $1500 level?
 
Anubis

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
Originally posted by: Mongoo
Okay, what can you reccomend as a good and great general lens and zoom lens? How much do these cost?


For the D70 that is.

Thanks
Click to expand...

get the kit lens, it covers 18-70 very nicely and is well worth the money, you wont find a better lend for less
id also get a 70-300, then you woudl have 18-300 covered pretty well
 
J

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
Originally posted by: alkemyst
not ready for the DSLR jump due to my photog habits being compact + manual ability right now.

I have an A70, and it's really a great camera except at night. If I am totally still, the shots come out usually well if they are lit, but the lens is so small anything lacking light is terrible. I have been taking more night shots than day lately.

Now that the G series (G6) is about an inch smaller (close to the A70 in size) I am thinking about it again...I almost bought a G4 when I got my A70, but the $100 rebate including the i960 I was going to buy anyway + store rebate on 3MP+ camera + my old A50 selling at $150 at the time, netted a free camera pretty much :)

Anyone have a G5 and move to a real DSLR at the sub $1500 level?
Click to expand...
Come on man, that little A70 can takes some great night shots, you just gotta know how to work it. I have an A80 and took this shot at night. ;)

In all honesty, my shot was taken with a tripod. If you don't use a tripod, night shots look like crap. I'm looking to get a 20D with an IS len, so I can take night shots without the tripod.
 
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