Any Nikon D200 owners out there?

Equinox

I was thinking of getting a Nikon D200 and was just wondering if anyone had any feed back on this camera. I heard it is very power hungry and any photos over ISO 400/800 are not what you would expect from a 10 mega pixel camera. I have read some reviews on it and just wanted some feed back on here (just to make sure the people who gave it bad reviews don’t work for Canon:D ). I’m looking for a good all over camera which inc. low-light (ISO 400/800 problem?) or would it be worth waiting a while and getting the new D80 (It’s 880ish euros on a German web site) that is coming out instead. I won’t be getting it for a while anyway.

Also would like to know what the best lenses are for it as I have seen it advertised with Sigma lenses. Would it be worth getting it with these lenses or spending a few extra quid for Nikon lenses?

eas

hi Equinox

a great place to look for this type of thing would be here --

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1021

but my 2p worth :

I've had my d200 for a few months now, upgraded from a d70. The camera is excellent, I have no regrets in purchasing it and it is a very good performer.

Personally I feel the noise issue is blown out of proportion. Having said that, i find low light high iso performance is not one of the cameras strengths.

As for advice to wait for the D80, that's a decision you'd have to make for yourself based on the features you need in a camera. The d80 looks like a very good camera and infact has a good amount of the d200 features that I really like (new viewfinder being one of the main ones), but lacks other things that would make the difference in tight situations (5fps vs. 3fps and write times especially).

If the differences between the d200 and d80 aren't worth the extra $$ for you, I'd say spend the difference on Nikon lenses.

eas

I jsut had a look at the link I put in above and there are a number of threads comparing the d80 to the d200 - one post copied and pasted that I really agree with is this one is this one :

"It is so funny to watch the discussions about the specification differences between de D80 and the D200.

Before we discuss it all to death, how about waiting a few weeks and trying them both out in a shop. Feeling a camera is as important as the specs it has.

I did the same a few days ago. I took a D200 in my hands and from that moment on i was convinced that my D70 was just a plastic toy. The D200 feels like a tank, handles like a custom made glove and overal makes you feel like it is made for you. Suffice to say i bought one the next day,

If the D80 has the same light, plasticky feel as the D70, it could have the same specs as a D200, i wouldn't care. I still would be happy with the D200.

So do yourself a favour, and go and FEEL a camera before deciiding on your next purchase. You will be spending a lot of time with your hands around it so make sure it feels good!"

direct link:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=19549390

Smokeyskelton

Hi

Just got it a couple of weeks ago and have yet to explore the full range of options on this baby.

It feels terrific, as it is that bit bigger and heavier than the D70. Very responsive, and you can access just about everything e.g. mirror lockup etc, without having to enter the menus, which is very handy indeed. The build quality, options and buttons are what you are paying for. The D80 will no doubt be almost as good (and the same image quality) but a lot cheaper. It is up to you whether the extras are worth the money to you.

I got the camera in Dublin and can recommend Gunn on Camden Street, but got Sigma 18-50 2.8 in New York (just back). Was gung-ho to get the Nikon 17-55 2.8, but decided to get Sigma as I could not justify buying the Nikon 17-55 2.8 at nearly 3 times the price ($409 for the Sigma as opposed to $1199 for the Nikon [both excluding state sales tax of over 8%]). As the guy in B&H said the Nikon lens is very slightly better in terms of image quality and autofocus speed (and weather sealed), but at a third the price the Sigma is a better bet unless you have a lot of money or need the lens for professional use. The sigma is also half the size and weight. Maybe I will upgrade the lens at a later date, when the pain of buying the camera has subsided.

In terms of low light, I have not given it a proper work out yet, but with the little I have done, it seems that the issue has been blown out of all proportion. It is not the silky smooth Canon high iso noise, but it is generally pretty good. Also, as many others have pointed out (including Phil on dpreview site - generally seen as the guru of reviewers), the Nikon noise is less digital looking and therefore more pleaseing to the eye than other digital noise. However, that is a matter of taste/preference/opinion. Most of the time I don't go beyond iso 800 anyway, and lower if possible.

Battery life is much shorter than the D70 without a doubt. You would get a fairly good day's shooting with it, but the D70 was great for battery life. the bigger screen, faster autofocus and fast mirror action probably accounts for the difference. The D80 has a slightly longer mirror blackout time (I think the specs indicate this), so there might be a slight improvement in batter life there (to be confirmed).

As usual there is no substitute for handling the goods (oooer misus), also it might be possible to bring in your memory card and take a couple of high iso pictures to check later.

Sorry for the long post. I suppose it pretty much repeats what the last poster said, but it's always good to get a second opinion when contemplating dropping that much cash.

Good luck with it.

Smokey

Equinox

Thanks lads, I think I’ll wait until the D80 comes out and see what the reviews are like, as I won’t be getting it for a while. I have a budget of about 2k ( I’m not rich, I’m just waiting on my redundancy ) so could even get an extra lens and/or a few bits and pieces with the extra cash I’ll be saving.

mloc

got a D200 and some lenses on order... woohoo!

The ruggedness and weather sealing sold it for me over the D80 and even the Canon 5D tbh

mtracey

Any idea what the D80 will actually be for sale ? Can you wait that long
The D200 is excellent, rugged, quality build etc...
D80 is meant to be lighter that the D70 by the way.

Equinox

mloc wrote:

got a D200 and some lenses on order... woohoo!

The ruggedness and weather sealing sold it for me over the D80 and even the Canon 5D tbh

Hope you ordered an extra battery pack as well because if I was getting it I would:D

mtracey wrote:

Any idea what the D80 will actually be for sale ? Can you wait that long
The D200 is excellent, rugged, quality build etc...
D80 is meant to be lighter that the D70 by the way.

No idea when it's on sale but some German website is taking orders for it, so I don't think it would be that long. I have no choice but to wait but as they say good things come to those who wait:D
Does the name "Jabil" mean anything to you? (if it doesn't you just have the same name as someone I know)