Brian That's a great ship shot! Lots of people put Tamron down, but we have several Tamrons that are very good; as with some Nikkors some are better than others. Tamron keeps making them better all the time and they're still giving Nikon fits with original and new versions of the SP150-600mm. The math is $10K to $1K, or 10 to 1, but after using it, the quality is there, so I'd take those odds. We usually have a 35-70mm macro on the D200, and lately I've been keeping a version of the H300 on the D300.
KRs review and updates re the D100/200 and D70 bodies is enough to keep one guessing. Not to be critical of Ken, as some are; many of KR's original reviews were and always will be valid for life the original models long after they are officially retired. His original reviews and many of his updates are clearly aging. If these great old cameras still work for anyone as well as the original review indicates, then it means they're still doing a good job. Ken's logic, or what he states at various times would seem to defies even Mr. Spock's vaunted logic. As Ken updates his older reviews and guides, NEW starts appears in bold, sometimes accompanied by more recent dates added at the top of the page. Many people would probably ignore all of that to get to the meat and potato in the review/guide. It's good Ken has plenty of links so we can hop from one segment to the other, or it might be confusing. KR usually writes that the previous body was retired/replaced by model xx, and (either) that the new (now old) D70 eclipses it, it's obsolete and that's what he would recommend. Then there are other times when new models appear, KR lists the good/not so good points of the replacement, then reaffirms why the older body is still the best. It would make a political spin-meister's head spin trying to keep track of it. For a very long time, the D700 was at the top of the heap according to KR, and it has D300 and D3. For my 2 cents worth, it's great KR has had the career he's had -we should all be so fortunate- since he's owned and used the best Nikon gear, and now spends his spare time and money running the site, sharing and opinion with everyone, freely. There is knowledge that also comes from industry insiders and or pros, that many shooters wouldn't otherwise hear about. No one has to donate to help his growing family, or help him keep the site running.
It's tough to determine that he's really dissing a great camera for another new Nikon, but that's marketing, and also technical progress. When he regularly upgrades and/or buys a new camera, and shoots as much as KR can, he's in a position to know and to write about it. Anytime he writes something, Nikon sells another camera; if someone clicks on his affiliate link to buy gear, it's helps him, and that also helps Nikon sell more gear, without him actually having to be on the dole as a paid spokesperson. He has a huge following so when KR says something, a lot of people listen. (I loved my classic Thunderbird but Ford would never make a penny if I told anyone how great I thought it was or how much I loved mine).
When KR wrote that update, it clearly seemed he believed that the D70 is superior to the D200/100, but look;
https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70.htmJust past the introduction, he says the D70 is the 2nd best camera he's ever owned (when?) compared to the D200, then later says; forget the obsolete D100. Ken can buy as many new bodies and lenses as he wants or needs, so if you're happy with yours, you're the one who needs to be happy with what you have. Even though it's 2018, it makes you wonder, if Ken might someday want to update the updates, or just tidy up the top of the page? Today, a D70 in very good condition listed for $70 on Adorama, and if Adorama says it's in very good condition, it's probably worth that, if you want one, as you'd have a 30 day trial/work out since Adorama has a 90-day warranty. We love the D40 (newer than the D70 and an entry-level unit, so the D70 would likely be as good if not better than the D200, but you have to own one to really know. By the timeline block, the D100/D200/D300 lifespans were all longer than the D70, and a lot of them still keep going. The D100's price was kept artificially high forever, as the camera industry tends to do.
This wasn't snarky, and a bit tongue in cheek; I'm not knocking Ken. It's his one man show and for what it's worth, more power to him; he does a good job putting all of that information up, and our photo world keeps on revolving. Some don't like his style, but it's not a gossip column. If you're after information, he has a lot of it, and since he's a popular guy, his style is obviously entertaining someone out there. As long as he's happy, then lets all be happy:) Hope this is helpful; any more ships to share? sv