Expert: John Oliverio - 7/11/2006

Question
Hello ! My name is Shravan Hegde. I am from Mumbai, India. Well, I’m doing a degree in Commercial Art and have taken photography as an elective this year.
I’m interested in buying a digital SLR.
Well, I have narrowed down to two choices.
•   Nikon D70s
•   Canon 350D

They both fit my budget. I wanted to know which one is a better camera?
I have a Nikon lens - tele (manual). Will it mount on a digital SLR?


Answer
Shravan,

Hello.  I hope you and your family and friends are all safe.  I am watching news of the train in Mumbai.

I faced the same choice some time ago and chose the D70s. I feel I got more for my money...  better lens, better construction and the ability to do wireless flash.  I must admit that I struggle with the high ISO noise performance sometimes.  The Canon has a better noise profile.  But I do not regret my choice.  I am going to buy a noise reduction plug-in though.  Neat Image or Noise Ninja.

If your Nikon Tele is auto-focus there is no problem.  If it is manual focus and an AIS lens (made after 1977) you can use it but will lose some computer functions.  If it is NON-AI, (before 1977) you can't use it.  Don't get rid of it  if you can't use it though.  If you ever get a higher-end camera you probably will be able to use it.