One of my "babies" --- even in 2010 and into the future....
Let me just start by saying that I am a good photographer... not to toot my own horn, but simply to state that I can put the D50 and other cameras through their paces in terms of technical quality, techniques, and artistic use. I now primarily use a Nikon D90 which is mind blowing for its price, but I would still never get rid of my D50.

Why??----- This camera is simply easy to use for a DSLR, lightweight, technically amazing at 6mp if you can use it well, and the ergonomics on the camera are better (in my opinion) than pretty much any other DSLR I've ever held. Like I said, that's my opinion, but the camera simply feels great in hand, and looks very nice as well.

It has an auto-focus motor in the body so you can use it with pretty much any Nikon lens ever made and it gives amazing results in manual mode. While newer cameras like the D90 and up into the way more expensive professional models current in 2010 have "technically" better image quality the D50 is kind of like a digital holga for me. As any good photographer knows, megapixels don't mean jack sh** beyond getting somewhat more detail in huge prints---a medium format film camera doesn't take inherently "better" images than a 35mm film camera unless there is an objective goal of more detail in the final (large) print. Getting back to the D50, the image quality is superb and even in huge prints (I've made prints as large as 40"x50" with the D50) even though there might not be as much detail, the results are stunning if you know what you are doing in photoshop, lightroom, etc.

As of 2010 if I sold this camera on EBAY the money I would get would not be worth what the camera is really worth. Only much farther in the future when this camera is truly an antique might it actually be worth a lot more. Therefore I'm definitely keeping and using this camera for a long time to come. It is a great backup camera or still primary camera for that matter outside of paid work. I also didn't mention, but I truly think this camera can take more of a beating than other Nikon DSLRs that don't have magnesium bodies. The plastic body is superb and if I ever dropped it hard I'm sure the impact would be absorbed easily.

All in all if you can still get one of these don't hesitate because it is only 6mp. 6mp raw or .jpg files are way easier to handle than some of the 12mp or 21mp files I've handled. That may be a non issue if you have a super fast computer, but still it is something to consider.

Overall this is one of my favorite cameras of all time.

A good but dated camera
The D50 was my first SLR and the first camera where I really learned what I was doing with photography. It's reliable and simple to use, and unlike the very newest Nikon cameras (D40, D60, etc.) It will focus with the older screw drive autofocus lenses. It will not meter with manual focus lenses, and that for me was a bit of a letdown since even the lowliest Canon can do that.

It's max ISO is 1600 and even today the noise level is really good, the image looking more like film grain. At ISO 200 it's noiseless and great. The burst speed is about 2.5 frames per second. This gives you 3 frames for RAW and non-stop for JPEG. In general if you're an amateur, snapshot traveler, or need a second SLR as a backup this is a good choice.

The battery is a slightly older style than the newer Nikons, and as far as I know isn't used in any of the new ones, so it will eventually go out of production. The card slot is SD only (2GB or less) which was all they had at the time, and the older SD cards have been phased out for SDHC. There were a few aftermarket battery grips made, but to be honest aside from making a larger handhold they weren't good for much.

The picture quality is very good with two exceptions. I've noticed in scenes with mixed lighting, such as fluorescent and daylight, that the camera will get confused and expose the fluorescent as light blue. I've also seen in bright cloudy skies the highlights get all blown out. In winter scenes this makes an extra cold effect, but in normal weather it doesn't look right.

This camera is also infrared sensitive, and can take pictures with just a filter slapped on. I've since converted mine to a permanent infrared and converted a second one as a "full-spectrum" with only a clear glass filter.

Overall this has been a very reliable camera for me, and in a pinch it could still do most of what I need.

GREAT PRODUCT
the seller sold me exactly what he advertised. the camera was just like new and even though the clock wheel didnt work like he stated i found a way to adjust the setting from the clock wheel by using camera control pro which enabled me to control the settings anyway. overall i think i got a excellent camera for a budget price.

Rock-solid after three years
I bought a d50 just before Christmas 2006 and it's been a great, great camera. I'm well over 20k shots with it and it's hardly batted an eye. Inside, outside, the beach, the snow. I just bought a 50mm f/1.4 and I'm dying to see how it does.

The best Nikon DSLR for newbies
I have been using this camera for 3 years now and still loving it, despite its 6MP capability. The colors are still vivid and the presets are amazing. Some of the photos I have taken have won awards (although not in a National or International level...yet). But I'm grateful I didn't regret buying it. It's quite heavy though for a woman like me, but with great shots, not even its weight can stop me.