Thread: Looking to upgrade D70. Stick w/Nikon and my current lenses or switch to Canon?

I currently own a D70, a 50mm 1.8, a 55 - 200 VR lens and the 18 - 70 kit lens.

I'd like to upgrade to something newer mostly for the ability to shoot video. I'm leaning towards the T2i. Whether I purchase used or use the Canon loyalty deal, it looks like I can pick up one of those for about $500 with the kit lens. I guess that would leave me still wanting to get a prime lens and maybe something wide angle (I don't own one now but would like to).

Is there a Nikon body that I should be checking out that would work with my existing lenses and give me similar video capability as the T2i?

I would think a D3100 would fit the bill, maybe even the D5100. Neither will autofocus with the 50/1.8 though, but you can get a 50/1.8g lens for a couple hundred bucks and you should be able to sell the current 50/1.8 for between $50-$100. Should still work out cheaper overall than switching to Canon and replacing all your lenses.

No 60fps on the Nikons so if you want to do any slow motion I would bounce to Canon.

With Canon being the go to choice for video shooters who are using a DSLR, there are many more options of after market addons for Canon than there are for Nikon.

Canons don't have autofocus in video mode like the Nikons but I wouldn't use that anyway. From what I have seen the function doesn't seem to track very good anyway.

The Nikons are smaller than the Canons which for video is not a good thing. Small and light is not ideal for video.

I guess taking those points into consideration it is all up to you. I am biased personally but it's not like you have 10 lenses or anything.

^^^ Makes some good points. If video is really important to you then Canon definitely seems to have the lead in that area right now.

AF while shooting video on my D7000 sucks and no 60fps option is a bummer.

I like my Nikon cameras but it seems like Nikon is really dropping the ball these days in certain areas. They were the first to offer video in a DSLR but they've let Canon overtake them. The D3100/5100 are nice cameras but the D700 is getting really long in the tooth while Canon continues to release new offerings in that area.

I went Nikon when I went digital because I'd been shooting with Nikon film bodies and had a couple lenses. I frequently find myself wishing I'd gone Canon instead. I also frequently find myself wishing Nikon would get the lead out. I wonder how badly the earthquake and floods in Thailand are affecting them?

You could try a Panasonic GH2 too if all you're really interested in is video. I'm not really the one to explain why though.

I'm not looking for just video, I'll be taking pics with it too but video is something I see myself messing around with more.

Well here you go.

D3100 vs t2i.

d3100 has better low iso performance while t2i has better +800 performance.
t2i video is better
both are plasticy
t2i has faster still burst mode
d3100 has better AF
t2i has more MP and uses same sensor has the 7D.

Honestly, If I didn't want the faster burst of the 7D, better high ISO performance and the more burly construction, I would have never sold my t2i. I really can't speak highly enough about that camera. And for ~$500 with a kit lens I really don't see how you could go wrong.

Basically I would see what is more important to you and go with that choice. Neither are bad cameras.

D70 and 3 lenses are for sale if anyone is interested. The 60fps thing is probably a deal breaker.

I really like my 7D but I had no idea t2is were that cheap now.

Any durability issues to be concerned about with the "plasticky" t2i? My D70 has been bulletproof and I'd like to retain that.

I never had issue with mine. But it isn't weather sealed. I took good care of it while out in rain or snow. I have a D70 sitting a few feet away from me and it 'feels' more durable than my t2i did. But again, I never had any durability issue with the lower end Canons. You drop it and who knows, but it was solid enough. I will say I feel more comfortable with the magnesium alloy bodies of the 'pro' level cameras that is for sure.

I'd go to Best Buy, a camera shop or something and fondle one if it is any concern to you.

If you're going to buy one of the T's, do yourself a favor and get the T3i.

Originally Posted by Gregger

If you're going to buy one of the T's, do yourself a favor and get the T3i.

If you're going to make a bold statement like that, mind backing it up with facts as to why?

Articulating screen isn't worth $130 more dollars in my opinion. You're gonna Magic Lantern it anyway so forget about the audio changes in the t3i.
Digital zoom is crap.
The only other thing worth any additional money is the radio trigger but not a lot of people in this price point care about that. For a camera package just north of $500, $130 is a huge increase in cost percentage just for an articulating screen IMHO. Other than those changes the image you are going to capture with the t3i will be identical to the t2i.

That's my $.02. I'd save that $130 and put it toward some new glass personally.

But to each their own.

If you're going to reply to my reply...

The T3i is a better body in general, in my opinion. Video is painless and pretty good quality. Flip out screen for live view. They're not a ton different in the sensor/image quality department. The T3i is has a more solid feel and makes a hell of a cup of coffee.

I love my 50mm 1.4 Nikon on the GH2 and when it comes to video the GH2 leaves the others mentioned here well behind.

Can the GH2 take Nikon GED lenses?

Nikon just announced a very video capable SLR, the D4. It's pretty freaking huge though, not sure why they still can't squeeze an fx sensor into a smaller body.

Originally Posted by ml242

Nikon just announced a very video capable SLR, the D4. It's pretty freaking huge though, not sure why they still can't squeeze an fx sensor into a smaller body.

they have and they will again. it's about the $$$

Originally Posted by dfinn

Any durability issues to be concerned about with the "plasticky" t2i? My D70 has been bulletproof and I'd like to retain that.

I shoot nikon but the gf shoots with a T2i so this is secondhand input...it does feel small & plasticky, but we've also taken it backpacking into wrangell st elias, dropped it in snow, thrown around in a backpack with all of our other gear, etc...has taken a ton of abuse so far and still looks fairly new. I'm biased to Nikon just based on my history & familiarity with them but I do like playing with the T2i, especially the video function.

Originally Posted by ml242

Nikon just announced a very video capable SLR, the D4. It's pretty freaking huge though, not sure why they still can't squeeze an fx sensor into a smaller body.

D800 is supposed to be smaller & lighter than the D700...I dont know if they've formally released any of the specs on it yet though.

Hey D, the magic lantern firmware on the t cameras is frikkin badass. If you get one of those don't hesitate.

I WISH there was a 7D compatible version.

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

they have and they will again. it's about the $$$

Yeah, the D700 was announced either at the same time or very close to the same time as the D3 and there was a lot of speculation that the D700 cannabilized sales of the D3 (same sensor, smaller body). I'm betting Nikon will wait a good six months or more to release the D800 this time around.

ETA: D4 specs aren't quite what I expected. Hmmm. Wondering if the D800 will use the new sensor or the D3X sensor. And still no 60fps???

Originally Posted by kidwoo

Hey D, the magic lantern firmware on the t cameras is frikkin badass. If you get one of those don't hesitate.

I WISH there was a 7D compatible version.

Another friend had been telling me about that. Sounds like a jail break for my camera. I'd be getting that on there right away. HDR video sounds like fun to play with.

No accounting for taste I guess.