Just picked up my first digital SLR. After doing tons of research I narrowed it down to a few of the more "entry" level cameras, but when I actually hit the stores and put them in my hands, I was pretty disappointed with most of them. Most likely due to the fact that I was comparing them to the more advanced, higher $$$ ones I was playing with at the same time. So after a day wasted, I headed home to do more research and find out what a little more cash could get me. So yesterday I headed back out again and had made up my mind that I was going to drop another $150 to get a new in the box closeout Nikon D70s. I know it's only 6.1 megapixels, but realistically, I don't plan on printing any posters and 6.1 will crop nicely in photoshop. The D70s is loaded with features compared to the entry level cameras plus this was a kit that came with the Nikkor 17-70mm f3.5/-4.5 AF lense which is around $400 in itself. So, I found that the only new ones in the area were in mid-town, so off I went. Well, to make a long story short, when the salesman rang the kit up it actaully rang up $650, $150 lower than they advertised, and this is what the entry levels are priced at. Not to mention this kit is still $778 online plus shipping. :thumbs:


Now I just gotta figure out how to use it!!! :doh: Anyone with a D70 or similar, let me know what the best settings you have found are. I plan on getting a Marco lense, but it may be few months.


I'll try to get some pics up soon.




Big D

Great choice Big D. We have the D50 and love it. We usually use the stock lens and put it on manual focus to get in close. We JUST got our Macro lens the other day so I really haven't had time to play with it yet.

I have a D50 with 3 lenses and absolutely love it! I just picked up a nikon 28-200 lens

650 for a d70 is pretty good im currently thinking about getting a d80. But most people say its better to buy better lenses then the camera body because the body will one last you a few years while good lenses will last much longer. Where did you find the d70. I may have to go get one of those instead.

Hard to believe, but it was at Wolf Camera... Had to go to the store in Peachtree Corners to find a new (not Demo) one. The sign in their display case actually reads $999 for the kit.


Big D

big d,

buy an sb600 and a diffuser... d70s has wireless commander, it can fire the sb 600 remotely w/ all the i-ttl info.

you set the sb 600 above the tank w/ diffuser and shoot away at iso 200 and f8-11... :)

Thanks Matt... Just checked into the flash, it'll probably be a few weeks but I'll definitely get one. Does the type of diffuser matter? Looks like there are a lot of different styles including inflatable.

Here's a few shots I just took, they are far from good, it's going to take some learning for sure! :roll:


Yellow Milli

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h46/244268/180%20Gal/YellowMilli.jpg

Frogspawn

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h46/244268/180%20Gal/Frogspawn2.jpg

Birdsnest

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h46/244268/180%20Gal/BirdsNest.jpg

Bandit

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h46/244268/180%20Gal/Bandit.jpg

A Little Snack

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h46/244268/180%20Gal/Alittlesnack.jpg

Baby Smurf


http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h46/244268/180%20Gal/Smurf.jpg



Most of the fish names are courtesy of my 3 little ones as you can most likely tell :)



Big D

I went to wolf camera today and they quoted me the price of 999 for the d70 kit

That's what they had posted on the sign in the downtown store. I told them the Newnan store had it posted for $799, they said they would match their price (which they very well should since they're not franchised) but when the sales guy rang it up he looked at the manager and they both kinda shrugged their shoulders and said the price must have dropped again. It rang up $649.99 + tax. Total was $701.99. The sales associate on my receipt is Travis, maybe that'll help you out. I actually had to go back yesterday and exchange mine. I didn't open the box until I got home and then found out I had bought a demo that had been reboxed, so make sure you open it before you leave. I told them I would be referring some folks down there to get one and they didn't say anything about uping the price. I don't think they can anyway, looked like they sell at what ever their system shows it at. The only other store in this area that had brand new ones in the box was Macon I believe.


Also, make sure you ask for the D70s, not the older D70. I was actually quoted a higher price for the older version from the Douglasville store. :confused2:




Big D

hmm... thanks ill have to go back again and tell them to check the system price

Sorry... I hate paying $5 for 30 mins worth of parking... Had to do it twice.



Big D

Thanks Matt... Just checked into the flash, it'll probably be a few weeks but I'll definitely get one. Does the type of diffuser matter? Looks like there are a lot of different styles including inflatable.

the type of diffuser i would get is the Gary Fong Lightsphere II. $49.99 but well worth it. Great for more than just tank photography too. :)

All your pictures look great, even on my crappy work monitor, but that frogspawn is the best.

So basically dropping a few grand on aquarium equipment isn't going to cut it, I have to rush out and replace my aging Canon G3 as well?

Cheers,
Chuck

Big D,

make sure you read the camera manual front to back! no joke, Nikon produces a pretty good manual... additionally, you should check this guy out... Thom Hogan (http://www.bythom.com) for all things Nikon.

hth,

matt

edit: nice pics btw!

Thanks Swarf, it only took about 200 shots to get those 6. :roll:


Thanks again Matt for all the help... man this manual is thick!!! I'll be all :confused2: in a few hours for sure!


David