12 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
An excellent starter digital SLR
Date of Review: Nov 18, 2008
The Bottom Line: The D70 is a great choice for photographers who have some experience with SLRs but are new to digital.
I purchased the Nikon D70 about two and a half years ago, when I temporarily moved from the United States to Rome, Italy. I had long thought about getting a digital SLR, but both the price and the abandonment of film gave me pause. With an upcoming move abroad, however, I made the leap--knowing that thousands of surely-to-be-taken photos would add up to a hefty bill if I were developing film.
I chose the D70 partly because it was in my price range, and also because it gave me a good amount of freedom and options without being too much camera for someone new to digital.
That said, I have yet to use the camera to its full potential. The many options continue to offer me room to grow as a photographer, and I have as yet not felt a strong need to upgrade the camera body (though I do expect to expand my selection of lenses). Overall, the camera is easy to use if you're sticking to the basics. But reading the manual is essential if you want to make the most of the machine.
In addition, it's nearly impossible to overemphasize the importance of a good lens. The camera body is important, but ultimately your photos will only be as good as your lens.
Of course, many newer Nikon DSLRs are available now, offering tempting features and higher resolution. But particularly for someone just getting into digital, the D70 is an excellent option. Its age makes finding a good deal on it relatively easy, and its features and ease of use form a great set of training wheels.
