Getting a 2nd camera D70 or D100?

Hi,

I was hoping to get the opinion of some of you who have used both the

D70 and the D100...my SO and I are planning to get a 2nd camera since he travels to some incredible places, but gets stuck with the whimpy point and shoot for topside photography because I insist he leave the D100 at home so I can take underwater photos. We were thinking about getting a 2nd D100 since it would be nice as a back-up in case of housing flood...but I keep hearing how much better the D70 is and thus feel torn. We are very much trying to hold ourselves back from buying a 2nd housing (but means we have to share) at this point...but who knows for how long.

So bottom line is the D70 that much better (for those that have experience with both) that we should opt for it over a 2nd D100.

Thanks for your insight!

Echo

I think that if you have a housing for your D100 then you should get a second D100 body. That way, you will have a complete backup camera in case the first D100 is "injured" in any way, whether dropped topside, or flooded.

If you get a D70, you will get a slightly smaller and lighter camera with a few new features, but not enough to negate the fact that it won't work in your D100 housing.

The two cameras are slightly different in size, so you may want to borrow a D70 and see if you can make an adapter plate to mount it in your D100 housing. If you are feeling handy, and can get that to work, then I'd say go for the D70, otherwise, get another D100. They are about the same price as the D70 now.

Cheers

James

I would agree with James.

I'd be the first one to tout the benifits of the D70 but the bulk of those benifits really amount to cost to new DSLR users.

I think in your case cost is in favor of the D100 because you won't need a new housing. You are much better off being able to swap housings and cameras. I think this is particularly true if you choose to buy a second housing. Then you can use either camera in either housing. As a reliability engineer I can definately say that this kind of "cross strapping" would be a huge boost if you are at all worried about a camera or housing failure during a trip. You might even get a break on the D100 now that the D70 has been out for a while. The D70 is still $400 cheaper new even now but you could a deal on a refurbished or used D100 on EBay.

There is nothing on the D70 that sould make D100 users switch. But anyone buying a new DSLR with Nikon glass should definately go with the D70. If you have no glass at all you should consider the cost/value differences in the D70 or Canon 20D if you can afford the extra cost and the wait for housings.

Thanks for the comments! I just wasn't sure if those of you who have used both noticed some phenomenal difference that would justify getting the D70 for me as a topside only (and maybe eventual 2nd underwater camera system)...From what I read it sounds like the D70 does have some improvements (electronic shutter, etc) but not sure those things matter as much for me since my D100 is still more camera than I am photographer ; )

E