A friend asked me for opinion regarding the above mentioned 2 cameras.
The situation's rather tricky & I find it hard to give a definite answer myself.

He's searching for a dSLR with a budget of RM3000. After browsing around all the online forums, he came down to this:

i)He's offered a Nikon D70 body (according to him, condition's excellent with no visible scratches & shutter count under 3k). Singapore set. Warranty expired of course. For RM1800.

ii)The next camera he's considering is the Canon EOS 350D kit. But most seller's selling with the BG-E3 grip. So the package is usually EOS350D body+EFS18-55mm+BG-E3 grip+UV filter. Some may have an extra battery or CPL filter. Selling for RM2800-3000 depending on age. August one at RM2.8k, November one at RM3k. But shutter count unknown cos he haven't arrange to view the camera yet.

Ok, as mentioned he has a RM3k budget. According to most reviews, the Canon kit lense is so-so only. He doesn't need a vertical grip either.

If he take the 350D package & sell everything except the body. It would be down to RM2200-2300 (August 05).

So, let's omit the trouble to sell the individual parts. And concentrate on Nikon D70 body (RM1800 - 08/2004) vs Canon 350D (RM2250 - 08/2005).

Which would you choose & if possible name a reason. Perhaps even give a few suggestion on lense choices.

Appreciate the help.

D70s new one is RM3500 including kit lens which worth over RM1K.

so I will say give a no to D70

350D new one including kit lens exclude the Battery grip is ard 3.1k if I not mistaken.

So if he get smtg RM2.8K with battery grip is quite ok lah ,anyway still need to see the camera how 1st .

i'm a canon supporter...i will support blindly canon...haha...btw...350D is smaller den d70s...so for long hours of handling...i think i'd buy 350D

i would get the 350d but get your own lens.

Hi. Thanks for the feedback.
Well, here's what I found out:
1) I received 3 PMs asking me to forward the contact of the D70 body seller, in the event my friend's not buying. None enquired about 350D.

2) The 350D's grip is too small. Without the battery grip, it's uncomfortable holding the camera for long hours (cos the small finger would be in an awkward position - the bottom).

3) So if the 350D must be used with a battery grip, it defeats the purpose of the body being smaller & lighter. As mentioned, my fren don't want/need a vertical grip.

4) Also, if you add a RM300(used) battery grip into the equation, the price difference is obvious. For RM750 extra, one might as well hunt for lense & accessories.

A big thank you to the stalls in PC Fair for providing a testing ground.

1) I'm finding it very weird that so many people are into Nikon (at least in Malaysia). Is there really something so wrong about Canon/ other brands that I'm not aware of?

2) I don't have that problem. Maybe its the way you hold it? Anyway err who's asking you to hold it for hours? The neck strap/ bag are there for a reason.

This post has been edited by elb: Apr 15 2006, 05:37 PM

1) there's nothing wrong with Canon or Nikon.
it's just that the design of the 350D doesn't suit user with big hand/long fingers.

2) have you been in a photoshoot session b4? the strap, yes may be on the neck. but the hand never leaves the camera grip until you finish shooting. and obviously gripping a camera with 5 fingers is better than 4.

i use the 350 for product shots and events and find it okay, but one thing about canon kit lenses - they suck, so in your case id go for the 350D and get a good 24-150mm lens for versatility.

My comment about something being wrong with Canon was just a sacarstic remark, if you had noticed the smiley at the end. It was made more in jest with respect to the D50 vs D70s thread, where it seemed that EVERYONE wanted Nikon.

Well my hand isn't exactly that small either.

Yes I have walked around gripping my 350D for a couple of hours straight; with all 5 fingers on it as well. My last finger doesn't dangle midair nor lodge itself underneath the body.

This post has been edited by elb: Apr 16 2006, 08:21 AM

Please don't refer comments from other thread. Not everyone follows the thread or read it.
Are you using a battery grip?
If not, I'd conclude that the diameter of your palm is less than 90mm or you fire the shutter release using ur middle finger.

Alright I apologize for the little oversight re: the sacarstic remark

I do not use a battery grip; I fire my shutter with my second finger. The width of my palm (at the widest point) is over 10cm.

This post has been edited by elb: Apr 16 2006, 06:56 PM

Different tools to fulfill different needs, that's what I like to say. There's no bad SLR in the market - you just have to go out and try your hands on every model you intend to consider for purchase, and decide which one "feels" right for you.

^
oh, so blindly buying an inferior product that just manages to fit nicely in your hand but gives out sub-par performance is your cup of tea?

You're taking what I said pretty literally, aren't you? Obviously I meant more than that. And what exactly do you mean by inferior? What's inferior to you may not be a problem to someone else - so please don't generalize. Some products just don't do it for me, but I won't go as far as to say that it's a failure as an engineering project.