Ok so today I'm going to be buying my first Digital SLR. I know Jason just got the Nikon D70s. But I'm wondering do I really need the extra power of the D70s or will the D50 do me just fine.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with both. I was told that if I was to do studio shots I can hook the D70s up with the electrical output to the lights. But I don't know if I will be doing studio work. I'm not sure if I will or won't never really know these days. I mostly want it for my own personal photography and a few production shots for clients and friends etc.

Since I already have a Nikon Film and spent a butt load on lenses I'm only buying the body. Now here is the dilema.

At Ritz - the local camera place they have a great deal going on now. I can get the D50 with a 18-180 lens for $699. Or I can buy the body for the D70s for $699. Since I have film lenses I know I'll lose on the low end for my current leses so my 28-70mm would be like 35-80mm or something of the like so a new lens might be nice to have in that aspect. But I don't really need a new lens.. and losing on the low end doesn't bother me at all. So? Any opinions. Would great to get them today cause I wanted to buy one today or tomorrow.

You should also ask what quality are the lenses you have. The major stumbling block of digital cameras is the quality of lenses.

So don't buy a kit lens, use a zoom or a consumer level lens and expect corner to corner sharpness and be able to stop down to F16 to get lots of DOF without loss of detail. With the reduced frame sensor you are a little better off as you are only using the best part of the glass.

I think you would be better off with the D70 as a good base then look at getting a good fixed lens.

There is not a wide angle lens still in manufacture for any brand that will provide sharp images across the whole image or anywhere near it for a camera like mine.

i thought id be satisfied buying the lower end camera, when i bought my first dslr, however only a little while afterwards I had wished i spent the extra cahoney's on something like the canon d20. IMO and somewhat experience, you should always buy more than you think you'll ever need, because you'll probably end up wanting/needing more than you already have, make sense?

that philosiphy has seemed to work with my paintball gear, as ive really never been disatisfied.

Yeah I've been a little hesitant to buy the kits, which is why I would rather buy just the body of the camera.

And yeah I often lean toward the better quality regardless of the price. But this is a situation where the stats are so similiar I'm a bit at a loss. If I had the money to spend I would go higher. I want to stick with Nikon because I already have Nikon Lenses. I just can't afford right now to buy a whole new set of lenses. I would rather be able to take pictures as soon as I buy my camera. Heh maybe down the road.

I feel like I'm buying a house with this.

Well I got the D70s... and I'm happy with it. Haven't done any extensive photography with it yet. But I will this weekend going camping.

Wicked. congrats on your purchase. As with any important investment, you will quickly discover the strength and weaknesses but just as quickly discover a way around them. Seeing as you already have some nikkor glass, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Looking forward to seeing the results. :)