After I ask my wife to be my 1st valentine this 2009, I'm going to nominate the Nikon D50 as my 2nd Valentine, after my mutual breakup with the Nikon D70s.
The D50 has been the first DSLR camera I've ever used. The first time I was introduced to the hobby from Johnny Nhan at http://jnphotography.blogspot.com
I've been amazed at the D50. A quick note about Johnny, that I'd like to share, he instilled in me that the photography eye makes the pictures and never has it been about the hardware. I completely believe in that and have embarked on a quest to find old equipment, like the ancient 3 year old camera Nikon D50. If you've ever talked to me face-to-face about photography, you'll know that I love telling you that I have ancient equipment. I take pride in saying that my D50 is the grandfather of your D60 or better.
I have friends who have the great Nikon D80 and groundbreaking D90 and still yet, their photo journal looks like snap shots. Don't get me wrong, my fellow Nikon brotherin, no slap to you, it's just you need to fire your shutter minimum of 3000 times before you get it. I also believe that your newer equipment will make better pictures because of better technology, so stick with it.
The reason why I just love the D50 is because it fits my shooting style quick, fast, and light. Any dad trying to take pictures with one hand, carry a 6 month baby in the other, while holding a 50mm lens in pocket and a bottle of milk in the other pocket; will agree with me that fast and easy is the way to go. The size of the D50 is slightly bigger than the great low light D40. The lens limitation of the D40/40x/60 is not there as any recent lens will work with the D50. It has 5 focus point instead of the 3 on the D40/40x/60. I do love the interface of the D40/40x/60 hands-down, though.
It's barely smaller than the powerful D70s of Johnny Nhan's first love. It's about a quarter-pound lighter too than the D70s, D80, D90. Infact, all those clearly superior cameras have so many more fine adjustments like WB trim, grid lines, 3.0 Frames-per-second, and spot metering control, to name a few. But when I'm in the field with my friends and kids, I don't have time to switch between different light environments, without missing the shot. The D50 constraint of WB trim is perfect because it's one less thing to worry about. ISO steps and wireless flash control are great, but again with my shooting theme, I don't have time for that fun stuff.
I think it will be tough to replace the D50 going forward as Nikon has invested in the D40/40x/60 type that only uses AFS lenses. Nothing will come in this size that has the minimum photography control that the D50 has. So for the time being, the D50 at least for me, is here to stay and that's why I have fallen in love all over again with the D50, hence my 2nd valentine.
I look forward to your comments, pictures, and stories.
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