My Digital Quest
In Search of
My 2nd Digital SLR Camera

With digital ever faster taking the place of film, a second DSLR seemed to be inevitable. The D2X and other high-end Nikon DSLRs were too expensive, which left me with choices of only a second D100, D70, D70s, or the new low-priced D50. The latter, the D50 (at right), was quickly discounted. It didn't use Compact Flash cards and was limited in other features. I already had the D100, so it was pretty much ruled out also, even though it was selling for two-thirds the price I had originally bought it and was tempting.

This left the D70 or updated and improved D70s as my only serious choices, since they were both improvements over the D100 in several ways.

There wasn't a lot of difference between the D70 and the D70s. The D70s did have a few refinements, one of which was the ability to attach a remote control cable release. Therefore, even though one could find the D70 for less money, my choice at the time was the D70s, and I started saving money for it. However, what I was hoping for was a new Nikon DSLR which might have more megapixels, built better, and be at a price point I might be able to manage, in effect a sort of updated and improved D100 of around 8 megapixels - perhaps the long rumored D200, D80 or D90. But even if an affordable newer DSLR didn't come out by the time I was ready to buy, I knew I'd be very happy with the D70s.

Then, on November 1, 2005, Nikon announced the D200. It was more than I'd hoped for, including the price point. However, it could be something I might manage to afford. Instead of 8 megapixels, it came in at 10. I liked everything about it, except, of course its cost. Still, it came out at a lower price than the D100 when it was first introduced.

All reviews which followed praised the camera and its quality. I soon knew this was the camera I wanted as my second DSLR, but I also knew that I might have to settle for the D70s.

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