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Nikon
D50
Weight:
20oz
It's quite odd to be reviewing a camera that is now five generations
old. The D50 is actually a very noteworthy camera for Nikon. It was
their first full consumer dSLR. It was also their last sub $1,000 dSLR
with an in body motor to focus AF-D lenses. What it has: plastic
construction that will seem great if you are stepping up from a point
and shoot, 6mp sensor with a native ISO of 200 and a frame rate of
2.5fps if shooting jpg, dropping to 2fps for raw, one rear command
dial. By today's standards the rear LCD is small and of low quality.
But for in field use it is totally sufficient as it has a histogram.
Thoughts on a few key points:
If you are looking for your first dSLR and have a tight budget, I'd highly recommend the D50. Except, for some odd reason the model above it at the time, the Nikon D70, goes for less on the used market and can shoot raw at 3fps. It uses the same sensor, but is slightly larger and has a front command dial too. With used prices hovering around $200 as of September, 2011, you can pick up a D70, 18-55mm, 55-200mm and 50mm f/1.8 AF-D for the price of the newest consumer body. Something to think about. The largest drawback is the slow frame rate, and inherent trait of all consumer dSLRs (except the Sony A55, which shoots at 10fps forces the lens wide open and shoots in auto only). If the D50 or D70 shot at a higher frame rate, I'd still consider using one for work on the river.
On a random note, the D50 does an amazing job rendering .jpg files. I always like the jpgs from the camera better than the raw. I liked the D50 jpgs much more than the D200 jpgs. Something to consider if you are not going to be shooting raw.
6mp:
Despite all the hype of high
megapixel cameras, unless you are doing massive prints or cropping, six
megapixels is still sufficient. It's enough for a cover shot on any
magazine in the industry. 6mp on a learning camera is ideal because it
will teach you to crop with your position and lens, not in post
processing. It's also very forgiving on lenses, the cheap kit
18-55mm and 55-200mm Nikkors will look gorgeous on the D50. Think
Sony's new 24mp APS-C sensor will look gorgeous with a $100 lens? Think
again.
Native ISO of 200: For shooting sports, the higher the native ISO (where the image looks the best) the better. I much preferred the native ISO 200 of the D50 over the native ISO 100 of the D200.
2.5fps: The slow frame rate is a hindrance to shooting sports. In kayaking you'll be shooting for one perfect moment, not sequencing a whole drop. The plus is that it will teach you timing and anticipation.
One rear command dial: This ended up being my largest issue with the camera. It takes a button push and rotating the rear dial to adjust aperture. Not something you can do easily with the camera held up to your eye, and a big downside.
In body AF motor: Access to older AF lenses. The 50mm f/1.8 AF-D runs $100 used (and just over that new!) while the modern 50mm f/1.8 AF-S is not yet on the used market and $220 new. Many third party lens bargains require the in body motor too.
The D50 and D70 both sync flash at 1/500 shutter speed, which can be very handy.
Native ISO of 200: For shooting sports, the higher the native ISO (where the image looks the best) the better. I much preferred the native ISO 200 of the D50 over the native ISO 100 of the D200.
2.5fps: The slow frame rate is a hindrance to shooting sports. In kayaking you'll be shooting for one perfect moment, not sequencing a whole drop. The plus is that it will teach you timing and anticipation.
One rear command dial: This ended up being my largest issue with the camera. It takes a button push and rotating the rear dial to adjust aperture. Not something you can do easily with the camera held up to your eye, and a big downside.
In body AF motor: Access to older AF lenses. The 50mm f/1.8 AF-D runs $100 used (and just over that new!) while the modern 50mm f/1.8 AF-S is not yet on the used market and $220 new. Many third party lens bargains require the in body motor too.
The D50 and D70 both sync flash at 1/500 shutter speed, which can be very handy.
If you are looking for your first dSLR and have a tight budget, I'd highly recommend the D50. Except, for some odd reason the model above it at the time, the Nikon D70, goes for less on the used market and can shoot raw at 3fps. It uses the same sensor, but is slightly larger and has a front command dial too. With used prices hovering around $200 as of September, 2011, you can pick up a D70, 18-55mm, 55-200mm and 50mm f/1.8 AF-D for the price of the newest consumer body. Something to think about. The largest drawback is the slow frame rate, and inherent trait of all consumer dSLRs (except the Sony A55, which shoots at 10fps forces the lens wide open and shoots in auto only). If the D50 or D70 shot at a higher frame rate, I'd still consider using one for work on the river.
On a random note, the D50 does an amazing job rendering .jpg files. I always like the jpgs from the camera better than the raw. I liked the D50 jpgs much more than the D200 jpgs. Something to consider if you are not going to be shooting raw.
My
first image ever sold, with the
camera set to auto: Taylor Robertson in National Geographic Adventure.
Nikon D50, Nikkor 18-55mm @ 18mm 1/1600 f/10 ISO 400
Nikon D50, Nikkor 18-55mm @ 18mm 1/1600 f/10 ISO 400
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