Should I purchase a Nikon DSLR second hand

[JohnF]

I have been offered to make an offer on a Nikon D70 DSLR camera, with a 18-70 zoom. Should I make an offer on such a old camera. what is wrong with this model, if anything.

[Chucaro]

There is nothing wrong in purchasing a used camera providing that is in very good condition.
The Nikon D70 is a good camera, have a bit of ISO noise and I would go for the D80 as the first option (http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Digital-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-DN0299908844304?r=FE).
You can get form www.keh.com a D70 (http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Digital-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-DN029990836350?r=FE) in excellent condition for U$A 265.00
KEH is a very reputable dealer and I woul not hesitate in purchasing photographic equipment from them.

[Basil135]

I have a D70 and love it, which I bought second hand from a professional photographer. It was a good price, and had done next to no work.

Occasionally, I look at the newer models, and drool, but the D70 does everything I need it to do, and plenty more.

If you are buying from a camera store, then I doubt that there would be too many issues. Just last week, I had a quote from Nikon of $150 to do a full clean & service. Might be worth budgeting this into the cost if you want to be certain.

[Cap]

I bought my D80 second hand and had no problems with it at all... its like new, no scuffs or anything to show it was used to start with. I recon as long as its been treated right theres no probs. Lenses on the other hand can be more difficult due to scratches etc.

[weeds]

i brought a well looked after D60 second hand and em happy

[werdan]

I have been offered to make an offer on a Nikon D70 DSLR camera, with a 18-70 zoom. Should I make an offer on such a old camera. what is wrong with this model, if anything.


Do you know how many shots has it taken?

nikon d70 | Camera Shutter Life Database (http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/nikon_d70.htm)

[JohnF]

It is a private purchase from Leo, a man who I lent money to [$483] to register a camper van he had just purchased. He gave this camera to me as security on the loan, then asked if I want to buy the camera. He mainly takes pictures on his mobile phone now days. But do not yet know previous history, but will ask.

[Chucaro]

John, one of the serious problems with cameras and lens is humidity and mould.
make sure that the camera does not have any of it.
Cheers

[big guy]

I had a D70 and was rock solid.
They are/were very solidly made and will handle quite a few knocks.
Its 6mp but don't let that fool you, will take pics in raw and only real downfall is its not as fast to load on card as newer cameras.
Buy a good qualty card though, that will help.
The metering is o.k, the aperture priority was my fav program so I can use centre of lens, the auto is O.K too and for the money you are laughing.
I sold mine 12 months ago for $500 and its going very strong with a student that is a bit clumsy and I know has dropped it a few times.

In other words, pick it up, shoot a heap of pics, load onto your computer and see what you think.
Use different settings and use the zoom so you know it moves smoothly.
Sand is not their friend.

Cheers

[dmdigital]

D70 is a good camera and the 18-70 DX lens would have probably been the kit lens with the camera. It's a good lens and would perform well on any new DX camera too.

Both are probably 4-6 years old. Watch the lens for fungal growth, scratches and dust ingress. The same goes for the camera as the sensor may well need a good clean to remove dust. Also the battery could be on the way out. The shutter life on a D70 is in the range 50,000 - 100,000 so if it hasn't seen a lot of use it has a lot left in it (the EXIF data of a JPEG does have this information in it if you know where to look)

A common use for the D70 is to convert them to infrared as they can be picked up reasonably cheaply. They certainly don't compare image wise to the D90 but the build is potentially more solid.

Nikon D70 and D70s Review by Thom Hogan (http://www.bythom.com/D70REVIEW.HTM)

[JohnF]

D70 is a good camera and the 18-70 DX lens would have probably been the kit lens with the camera. It's a good lens and would perform well on any new DX camera too.

Both are probably 4-6 years old. Watch the lens for fungal growth, scratches and dust ingress. The same goes for the camera as the sensor may well need a good clean to remove dust. Also the battery could be on the way out. The shutter life on a D70 is in the range 50,000 - 100,000 so if it hasn't seen a lot of use it has a lot left in it (the EXIF data of a JPEG does have this information in it if you know where to look)

A common use for the D70 is to convert them to infrared as they can be picked up reasonably cheaply. They certainly don't compare image wise to the D90 but the build is potentially more solid.

Nikon D70 and D70s Review by Thom Hogan (http://www.bythom.com/D70REVIEW.HTM)

Took it into cash converters today for a valuation, as if I was going to sell it. They said they would only offer less than $100-- due to its condition, if I could show it working. Leo lost his charger. I said How much less, and he said if I buy a charger $50--.

The rubber is sticky. I spoke to a pro photographer yesterday who told me that his rubber had come off. The flip up flash has to be taped down [not a problem for me] and their if a bit broken out of the lens surround where a filter would normally screw in.

The lens appears free of fungus. And I had a lens on my Olympus OM2 years ago with fungus so know what to look for.

One worry is focusing ring keeps going after infinity, but it appears to focus okay.

I think I need to find someone with one and borrow his battery to ensure it works okay.

I think he may let me have it for any offer.

And I need a digital camera, see next post on my plans.

[JohnF]

I have an Olympus OM40 SLR 35 ml camera and some non working OM!/OM2's, plus lenses, and was discouraged when I realized I could not sell the Olympus for much [say them with 3-4 lenses for under $100]. And as far as I could find no digital was compatible with my Olympus OM system.

Also I stopped taking 35 mm a few years back as I saw digital was the way of the future

Hence this Nikon is now mine once I get it going, because I could probably get a Nikon adapter for my Sigma 500 mm mirror lens, and could make a Nikon adapter for my Olympus bellows for macro.

Leo only wants $50- for it. He has lost his charger, so I have to find one I can borrow, or batteries I can borrow, to see it works okay. If it works it is mine and I will buy a new/second battery plus charger.

I also have a Metz 60CT2 flash gun with remote heads, and this would also work with this Nikon D70.

And have a large range of filters, etc., some big enough for the Nikon lens I think.

[Cap]

Mate for that price take it for sure. You will get much more than $50 use of it for sure ;)

[bblaze]

I have an Olympus OM40 SLR 35 ml camera and some non working OM!/OM2's, plus lenses, and was discouraged when I realized I could not sell the Olympus for much [say them with 3-4 lenses for under $100]. And as far as I could find no digital was compatible with my Olympus OM system.

Also I stopped taking 35 mm a few years back as I saw digital was the way of the future

Hence this Nikon is now mine once I get it going, because I could probably get a Nikon adapter for my Sigma 500 mm mirror lens, and could make a Nikon adapter for my Olympus bellows for macro.

Leo only wants $50- for it. He has lost his charger, so I have to find one I can borrow, or batteries I can borrow, to see it works okay. If it works it is mine and I will buy a new/second battery plus charger.

I also have a Metz 60CT2 flash gun with remote heads, and this would also work with this Nikon D70.

And have a large range of filters, etc., some big enough for the Nikon lens I think.

Hi John
I have a charger from a Nikon D40 that I lost, if its the same and will do the job its yours
cheers
blaze

[dmdigital]

Won't fit. The D40 takes the EN-EL9 battery and uses the MH-23 charger.

The D70 takes the EN-EL3 battery and uses the MH-18 charger.

Now you need to be careful here as there was also the D70s at the end of the life of the D70 which was slightly upgraded. This takes the EN-EL3a battery and MH-18a charger. There is also a dual battery MH-19 charger.

Not to worry though as they will all work on both camera models. As will the EN-EL3e battery.

This is the same battery charger combo for D50/70/70s/80/90/200/300/300s/700 models

There's nothing wrong with aftermarket batteries but make sure you get one of similar capacity as they can be a lower capacity unit. A new battery and charger will cost more than the camera buy the looks of it.

[Chucaro]

There is some good links about the D70 HERE (http://www.noendpress.com/pvachier/cameras/nikon_D70.php)

[abaddonxi]

Cheap, not necesarily good.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.9113

Their after market batteries are about $15 and work okay.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2497
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20700

[flagg]

Cheap, not necesarily good.
DealExtreme: $5.11 AC Battery Charger Cradle for Nikon EL3E Digital Camera (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.9113)

Their after market batteries are about $15 and work okay.
DealExtreme: $18.81 NIKON EL3e+ Compatible Battery (7.4V 1400mAh Li-Ion) (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2497)
DealExtreme: $13.70 Nikon EN-EL3E Compatible 7.4V 1400mAh Replacement Li-Ion Battery Pack for Nikon D200/D300/D80 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.20700)

I use this type for a second charger and battery and have found them to be great. Seems to last as long as the original battery (thousands of shots) and have had no issues with the charger at all (I guess it takes the same time to charge as the OEM one).

For the price you can't go wrong.

I got my d70 when it was first released. Its had a very hard life (dropped, wet, muddy, extreme hot and cold etc) and it has never missed a beat. (worst that happened was that the shutter suck when a tripod was knocked over doing a night shot)

The only negatives that I have for it is the relatively poor low light performance - but don't forget this is a 6yo sensor.

With a swag of good glass you simply can't go wrong with a D70. I'm waiting for a D700 body with the ultra low light sensor of the D3s in it. That is the only way I could justify upgrading it - nothing else has been worth the money.

With good glass and a bit of technical know how you can get professional results with a D70 that compare to a camera now that costs 10x as much. (as in second hand D70 vs new other camera). You just need to learn its strengths and weaknesses.

[JohnF]

Eastmon Camera store at Lismore is closing down. Got a aftermarket dual voltage charger for $10.95 reduced from $79.95, and a aftermarket battery for $7:95, reduced from $79.95. Purchased a lens cap plus cleaning kit also, $19.90. Am very happy :) though hope it works now when I've charged the battery.