I agree with yakatme. Go with the D70 and the VR glass. I think you'll be happier starting with a lens that gives you more flexibility. The D70 is a terrific camera, and I still use mine frequently. Spend some time getting to know the D70, save some cash, off it later and get your D200.
I'd say go with the best body you can possibly afford. In the case of the 20D/350D it might not be worth it for some, but the D200 is a huge step up from the D70.
And don't get cheap lenses - the 50 1.8 should be great, and it'll give you a taste of what the camera can do and leave you lusting for a dedicated wide angle lens and a fast telephoto.
I've got to respectfully disagree with MadMan2k on this - if you buy a great lens today, it will remain a great lens... But they are still making improvements and breakthroughs in the sensors, battery, storage aspects of digital SLR bodies. A D50 or D70 will be great for now - save up and then when the time comes you can get the D3X70s or whatever is the hippest, coolest thing out there a year or two from now.
I just got a D200, and all I can say is i love it!!
I was going to get the 18-200vr, but decided to go above and beyond and save for the 70-200vr and 17-55 f2.8
(getting by with the tamron 28-75 f2.8 and a tokina 17mm)
The d200 is at the beginning of it's life cycle and probably won't be replaced for a few years so I thought it was a safe buy.
I played with a d70 in the store, but haven't really used one so I can't comment on that. (the d200 felt better and worked better/faster) in the store though. but to each their own.
Hmmmmmmmmm, interesting question
Great Body, with great prime or ok body with great optics and range.
Unless you can live with just having a 50mm lens, which is a short telephoto prime on a cropped sensor, I'd say get a refurbished D50 from Beachcamera for $399 with a 18-200. So that when you can, you can upgrade the body later.
If you don't mind the limits of a 50mm prime, then D200 by all means.
As a D200 owner, I would suggest going for the D70 with a better lens. You can always change the body, but you tend to hold onto to lenses as long as you stay with compatible brands. The D70 is an awesome camera in itself and you will get more enjoyment getting top results with a decent all round lens.
Except for the noise, I don't believe the D200 is such a big step up from the D70. I'm currently on a waiting list for the 18-200 lens and will only be looking at a new body when it has at least 13.5MP (1.5x resolution of the D70).
Get the VR!
The 18-200 is just way too slow imo, despite the VR.
D200 has a much larger viewfinder, combined with a fast lens it means a good clean view on your subject, even in difficult light conditions. (I've had the D200 in my hands with a 17-55 DX f/2.8, so I have compared them IRL)
50 f/1.8 is much sharper, 18-200 hasn't convinced me yet (too darn slow).
I'd start with that kit and add other lenses later.
I'd say a d200 with an 18-70 would be your best bet...second choice would be a d70 with 18-70. That lens is so versatile and useful and truly is capable of creating stunning photos.
i've got both the D70 and D200, i love both cameras, however the D200 is by far the better camera. As for the lens go with the 18-200 VR, you get an extra 4 stops and much more versitility.
Thanks for all the replies.
I already have a 50 1.8 as my only lens for my N80 (I had and sold a Sigma 28-70mm 2.8 EX).
I like the idea of just 1 lens for on the go - the 18-200.
I think I'd probably use the 50 (now an 85) indoors a lot indoors b/c of the big ap.
I'm leaning towards maybe a used D70s w/ the 18-200.
Didn't know what was the most bang for the buck, better glass or better body.
Sounds like not a helluva lotta difference w/ the D200 and D70.
My $.02 go for better glass. The D70s is a fantastic camera and I am still learning how to use it. I am going to upgrade but not for a year or so. Then it will most likley be the D2X. But the glass will stay with me forever. :-)
Sounds like a good choice to me RSwank. All the people I know that shoot D70's love them and they produce some fantastico images. I don't really think that you will experience a really big increase in picture quality from the D70 to the D200. A minor difference, probably.
From what I understand, the D200 doesn't have much of an edge on 8MP Canon offerings, if any at all, and there isn't much of a jump from 6MP D70's to 8MP either. There's a point at which increasing the pixel density doesn't actually help that much. Seeing the latest cameras that haven't increased pixel density by Canon, I'd say that we are sitting pretty close to that line right now. There's plenty of good things to say about the D70.
But in the future, you will always be able to decide what to do with your D70 if you want to upgrade later. You could keep it as a second body without much guilt because of a good price that you got on the initial buy or you could resell it for very close to what you paid for it and help pay for a D200.
go for the D200 w/ 18-200 vr lens.
learn on the camera that will be
your breadwinner. afterall you have
1-year warranty to find out the
limitations of this camera/lens.
I own both the D200 and D70, and love both cameras. Personally i would go with the D200. I will have a steeper learning curve but in the end will last you much longer than the D70. As for glass, if you can afford the 18-200 VR, i'd gor for that. If that isn't an option, go with something like the 24-120 VR. Its a great lens for just about anything.
It depends on what you like to shoot, whether the 50mm will suit you.
I can't take my 50mm all around as I find it extremely limited. In other words...forget landscapes, street scenes or anything remotely wide. It's a great in-tight lens but could give you trouble as a walk-around.
The D200 is a great camera but I'm not enjoying the noise levels above ISO 400. Also I'm finding reddish tone increases at higher ISO's...not too hard to fix but odd none the less.
I would say get the lesser body with the better lens. You will almost certainly be upgrading the body at some time in the future no matter which one you get now, but high quality glass will continue to serve you well as you upgrade through several bodies over the years ahead.
