Nikon D200 vs D80 + 18-200mm VR?

Magnus · 20-10-2006, 17:26

Should one buy a Nikon D200 OR a Nikon D80 WITH a Nikon 18-200mm VR lens? What would you go for?

Compare Prices for Nikon D200 in USA & in UK

Compare Prices for Nikon D80 in USA & in UK

Compare Prices for Nikon 18-200mm Lens in USA & in UK

***Dave*** · 20-10-2006, 17:35

Well firstly Magnus have a look at the 18-200 quick test I did here :- Budget prime vs Premium Zoom vs Pro Zoom lens Very nice lens, especially if you want a walkabout lens with decent range. You'll struggle to find one though in UK under 2 month waiting list, although I did point another member to a HK site some of us have used & they had one in stock

As for body, your currently looking at circa £500 vs £890. So at 80% more expensive is the D200 80% better than the D80......no chance. If you want a more robust camera, with more controls to hand, moving you towards a more pro spec, then the D200 can be justified......or if like me you hold the D200 & go all weak at the knees, & then give in to members talking you into buying one

We didn't tell you this site can damage your wallet did we

What kind of photography do you prefer Magnus, as this may help you choose ?

Magnus · 20-10-2006, 17:40

For me it is about quality of the end product - and I have read they BOTH produce the same image quailty. So if you spend money then it should be on a lens rather than on a body.

If I was into sports then I guess D200 would have been worth considering but now I am into everything but professional sports photograhy. My photos can be seen at Photos by Magnus Bogucki

***Dave*** · 20-10-2006, 18:09

Well if you haven't already built up the glass collection, the D80 savings would defintely help you on your way

What would others do in Magnus's situation ?

P-E · 20-10-2006, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

What would others do in Magnus's situation ?

Visit a high street store that has both in stock and see how comfortable they feel to hold.......maybe take some test shots.

WOODY · 20-10-2006, 20:25

Hi Magnus, I Got My D200 Today, Ordered It Yesterday From Camaraworld, On My First Impressions Of It , It Feels Like A Proper Camera, It's Got Weight To It But Not To Heavy, Every Function Seems To Be At Hand, Nothing On It Seems To Fiddly , I Am Only At The Stage Of Charging The Battery, And Reading The User Manual, Which Is Like A Copy Of War And Peace , But Best To Do That Rather Than Make Mistakes. Overall What I Have Seen And Read Sofar I Am Very Impressed I Think I Made The Right Choice In The End With Very Helpful Advice From Forum Members, As Originaly I Was Going To Get A D70s.

Dutchie · 21-10-2006, 17:52

D80 with a 18-200mm lens is an ideal kit. The D200 is more complicated. It depends on what you would like.

I've been to the shops this afternoon to have a feel. But when I asked for the 18-200mm lens, there was a waiting list for 3 months. Checkout this website KenRockwell.com He tests all the nikons and has got them nearly all aswell

Maybe this will help you in your decision.

Must admit the D80 feels fab and seems like a fantastic camera to me

Soupdragon · 21-10-2006, 18:03

The D200 has real MLU and I think it does not compress raw files, so cash being no object, my choice would be the D200.

***Dave*** · 18-02-2007, 08:12

Did you end up purchasing one of the above then Magnus ?

VikingPhotography · 19-02-2007, 13:28

If you're a working photographer earning a crust from your shots, I'd go with the D200 without hesitation.

Key differences:

D200: Shooting buffer of 22 RAW / 37 JPG frames @ 5fps
D80: Shooting buffer of 6 RAW / 23 JPG frames @ 3fps

D200: 1/8000 maximum shutter speed
D80: 1/4000 maximum shutter speed

D200: 6 manual WB settings, user presets and direct kelvin temperature
D80: As above but no kelvin temperature option

D200: CF card support
D80: SD / SDHC card support

D200: MB-D200 grip OR WiFi capable WT-3 grip
D80: MB-D80 grip only - no WiFi option

For me, the killer feature of the D200 as a working camera is that it's a weather sealed body designed to withstand knocks and bumps and, accordingly, you automatically qualify for Nikon's NPU scheme - identifying you to them as a pro-level users and all the benefits this brings.

Currently at UK retail prices there's only around £300 of a difference between the D80 and D200 in body-only configurations. You couldn't get a 18-200VR lens for that amount of money alone, so perhaps it would be advisable to add £300 to your budget and get the D200 with 18-200VR??

Like I said at the start: this all depends on whether you intend to earn a living from using the camera or not

silver · 19-02-2007, 16:11

I would say both are easily capable of providing very high quality images,.

if you're buying a microwave choose on spec,. if you're buying a camera go and pick it up and try it out,,. very often one or other of them will generally feel 'right',.

Sil

PS, consider also layout of controls etc,. whether you need to dig in the menu to change settings and whether this matters to you or not

j sotelo · 19-02-2007, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by VikingPhotography

If you're a working photographer earning a crust from your shots, I'd go with the D200 without hesitation.

Key differences:

D200: Shooting buffer of 22 RAW / 37 JPG frames @ 5fps
D80: Shooting buffer of 6 RAW / 23 JPG frames @ 3fps

D200: 1/8000 maximum shutter speed
D80: 1/4000 maximum shutter speed

D200: 6 manual WB settings, user presets and direct kelvin temperature
D80: As above but no kelvin temperature option

D200: CF card support
D80: SD / SDHC card support

D200: MB-D200 grip OR WiFi capable WT-3 grip
D80: MB-D80 grip only - no WiFi option

For me, the killer feature of the D200 as a working camera is that it's a weather sealed body designed to withstand knocks and bumps and, accordingly, you automatically qualify for Nikon's NPU scheme - identifying you to them as a pro-level users and all the benefits this brings.

Currently at UK retail prices there's only around £300 of a difference between the D80 and D200 in body-only configurations. You couldn't get a 18-200VR lens for that amount of money alone, so perhaps it would be advisable to add £300 to your budget and get the D200 with 18-200VR??

Like I said at the start: this all depends on whether you intend to earn a living from using the camera or not

Right on the money ...
I have both.. bought the D80 and 6 months later a man had a brand new D200 in the box and didnt want it so I traded for a 2 portrait sessions..sweet deal!! (he didnt know a thing about photography, he got it as a present) anyway, what I like more about the D80 is that it is lighter, and I prefer SD card, to me its a lot easier to handle...

viking pretty much said it all..