Hi all

Superb forum - really enjoyed reading back through it:notworthy. You guys really know your stuff.

I currently don't have a DSLR camera, but would like to buy one asap.

A friend has just bought a Nikon D70S, and other friend a Nikon D50. Apart from the depth of field preview, illuminated LCD and protective cover on the preview LCD, for me (an enthusiatic amateur with young kids!) the D50 would seem to do the trick....

...however, the 6MP does seem a bit "stingy", bearing in mind the current crop of digital cameras. I've read many articles on how not to be duped by MP count, including this superb one (www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm)), but I feel that if I crop the image much, I'll end up wanting more resolution.

...anyway, the point of my post...I've read rumours of an upgrade to the D70 (D80/90??? which will have 8 or 10MP...would you, in my position, wait for this, or take the plunge now? I know the arguments about always waiting for something better!

I have to say, a D50 with lens for £465 seems tremendous value:D. I suppose I could enjoy it for a few years, then upgrade the body?

Don't be bought into the bigger the Mp count the better. In dlsr's its the lens that matters. If your cropping pis to the extent that they are becoming pixelated, you are using the wrong lens.

There is nothing wrong with a D70s I have 1 and am very happy with it. My mate still uses a D1x and thats only 4mp.

Rememeber megapixel ain't everything, lenses are.

With my D70 I can comfortably enlarge to 30x20 inches. And this applies to the 4mp D2h too. 6 MP is plenty. Yes of course more is better don't base your decision of a potentially expensive set up on MP alone.....

The D200 is the 10 (or is it 12) MP but the body is over 1k for the body so you pays your money.

Don't get confused with MP's on SLR's compared to Point & Shoots...The quality of the image from a 8mp P&S can't compete with an DSLR at whatever MP it has. Much more to do with sensor size & optics.

Also remember that the more MP to the larger the file size & computing power required to edit the images.

The D200 is 10.2mp. All being well I should be putting my name on the waitinglist in the next couple of week :D

To answer your question, take the plunge. If you wait, you might miss a great shot :)

645 - interesting user name for this forum ;)

The new Nikon you may be referring to is the D200. It's a great camera and gullible types are queuing up to pay full list for it right now.

The best value D-SLRs around today are the two Nikons you've been tempted by, and the Canon 350D. You will not be disappointed by any of them - in fact, you'll probably be amazed at the quality. The generally accepted maximum for fine photographic quality is 300ppi, which means 6m pixels will max out a 10x7in print. Personally, I can't see that kind of detail with the naked eye when viewing a print at normal distance. When you get to 6m pixels, things like sensor noise and dynamic range become far more important, which is why a D-SLR image from a larger (physical size) sensor will beat the pants of an 8mp digi-compact any day. Many people would say that even 6m pixels is more than you need, and I wouldn't argue with them.

Now is a good time to buy. There are lots of discounts and cash-back schemes about.

Good luck :)

Richard.

Great advice guys - thanks for the replies.

Hoppy - you're very perceptive!