Is the D50 gone?

[Ilyanep]

I got what I think was the last batch of Nikon D-50s from Wolfcamera.com before they disappeared from the catalog the next week.

Looking at the D40, I like the D50 much better. The control panel on top, autofocus motor in the body, more autofocus points.

It's a shame if the D50 is forever gone to be replaced by the D40, in my opinion :(

[Hopefully I can get a D80 sometime after I go off to college in two years]

[jdepould]

A D80 wouldn't be much of an upgrade from the D50. Money better spent on glass. If you really want a new body get whatever replaces the D200.

[Nicole]

Yup, I believe that the d50 was discontinued a few months ago actually. Quite a shame if they think that the d40 is a replacement since the d80 is much more like the d50 with some improvements. I agree though that spend your money on glass and then replace the d50 with the d200's replacement in a few years.

[wulf]

Some of it is a matter of taste. A friend has got the D50 and I almost bought one until supply problems brought me back to the D40 instead. However, looking back, I am not unhappy - I like the fact that the D40 is lighter and don't think I would use the to LCD very much (does it add anything that can't be picked up in the viewfinder display or picked up on the LCD menu?).

Wulf

[epeyton@tampabay.rr.com]

WHAT!!:eek: I just got my D-50 a year ago and I love it. Are there any, anywhere in market I should get another body. I am sooooo sad!:(

[ELAY]

I think the D50 would be a hard sell these days.

Your step-up-from-a-point-and-shoot consumer (me at Christmas) is going to like the D40's light weight, menu system aimed at newbies, big rear LCD, etc. Doesn't hurt that it has a newer processor and that most reviews give it a slight edge over the D50 in image quality. Not really knowing much about what their needs/wants will be six months down the line, the no AF motor doesn't seem like a big deal to these buyers. As for the top LCD, people who are used to them like them; but are they really necessary when everything is available on the viewfinder and if not, on the back LCD (with the D40s easy navigation)? I mean they are a holdover from film days when there was no back LCD, right?

Your more sophisticated consumer is going to balk at 6 mp, and at the fact that it is an aging product (in this era of two year product lifecycles). I know megapixels aren't everything, but when the competition are offering the same functionality in 8 and 10 mp, I think 6 becomes a hard sell.

Your gearhead wants the latest and greatest, and is going to go for a D200, or if s/he can't afford it, the D80.

And I wonder whether the D50 pricing was sustainable -- with the AF motor and the extra LCD, they must have cost more to make than the D40, but they were being priced below them.

None of this is dump on the D50 (which I often think would have been the better choice for me), but just to say that I get why Nikon doesn't make them any more.

EL

[Ilyanep]

...and don't think I would use the to LCD very much (does it add anything that can't be picked up in the viewfinder display or picked up on the LCD menu?).

I don't think it adds anything that you don't have in the LCD menu, but I personally don't think I'd like to have to point the camera down to see certain settings.

I think the D50 would be a hard sell these days.


Your arguments make sense, although I've long been taught that megapixels don't matter [when people ask me about my camera's megapixelage I tell them 'It's 6 megapixels, but it probably kicks many 10+ megapixel point-and-shoot's butt']. Granted, the D40x has better electronics and a comprable sensor inside, but I doubt you'd notice a huge difference. And like I said, I prefer the top control panel just cause it's in a nicer part of the camera. [I also stepped up into the dSLR world around last christmas time, by the way].

I remember the D200 freaking me out with all the buttons all over it when I was first looking at dSLRs [my budget was nowhere near buying one, I just wanted to play around with one]. I think that in about 2 years I'll feel right at home with a D200 (and then the D50 can be a backup body). I think you're right, that the D80 just has a few features over the D50. The main one I'd like, really, is the one which closes your lens to the aperture you're shooting at so you can get a DOF preview.

[So this means I should start saving up after I get enough money for a 70-300 VR, since I want to get a better body and a macbook pro for college :\]

[NaturesPixel]

don't think I would use the to LCD very much (does it add anything that can't be picked up in the viewfinder display or picked up on the LCD menu?).

Wulf

you would be surprised i couldn't live with out it .. it would annoy me to have to look back and turn on the LCD i use the top LCD prolly 80% of the time.. and it saves battery power that rear LCD sucks it up big time

and i am soo glad i started out with my much loved D50 only reason i upgraded to D80 was hubby said i could ...lmaoo

[kirbinster]

I'll tell you, n my D40 battery life is a non-issue. I have a second battery, but have only needed it once in the field. I was out on a nature walk and shot over 450 shots with my 55-200vr and did a lot of zooming in and out changing focus which uses the motor a lot and the battery finally gave out. But that is much more than I will ever use at one shot - so I am not concerned about the display using the battery.

[jdepould]

All the double digit Nikons have astonishing battery life, D200 not so much. The only issues for me on the D40 are the 3 AF areas and the size. Ergonomics are what sold me on the D50, I have relatively large hands and hated the Rebel XT because it was too small.

[Ilyanep]

All the double digit Nikons have astonishing battery life, D200 not so much. The only issues for me on the D40 are the 3 AF areas and the size. Ergonomics are what sold me on the D50, I have relatively large hands and hated the Rebel XT because it was too small.

That's one of the main reasons I went Nikon over Canon. The Rebel XT and XTi were both way too small for SLRs [it didn't feel right...]

(Another was that Nikon has been in the glass-making business for a lot lot longer and when it comes to cameras, glass is way more important than electronics)

[velvet4269]

I can't tell you about the D50, but I can tell you to avoid Wolfcamera.com like the plague. (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?keyword=Caveat+Emptor&user=velvet4269&sortby=user) :( :(

[Paemt]

I bought my D50, new, after is was discontinued. Why didn't I get the D40, it was just too small in my hand. Now I have many reasons I made the right choice for me but that was the original reason.