Nikon Questions

***Dave*** · 20-12-2006, 08:35

Following query from Skipper via PM, which is better answered by wider audience

Quote:

2 questions:

Do you think an upgrade from the d70 to the d200 is worth it?

Secondly, I want to upgrade my kit lens for the d70 if I don't change backs.

What lens do you recommend for general photography? You know my work and the type of images I take.

Thanks

skip

***Dave*** · 20-12-2006, 08:44

For 1st question, with D200's costing 3 times the value of second hand D70's, is the D200 3 times better ...NO !!! Is it twice as good ...NO !! ..... Is it better, YES, but according to your type of photography, size of prints etc this could be marginal for some people. The handling & functionality of the camera is a fair leap up, with most functions/settings close to hand & therefore quick to change, making it more along the lines of a pro camera for use. I would say for how serious you are with your photography Skip, that it would be a wise investment

2nd question..... so many lenses to choose from, but I would say looking at the types of photography you take the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 would be a lens you would never need to upgrade again. Paired with my D200 it takes stunning quality shots, very close to prime quality. Saying that if you are not worried about have a zoom to cover a range, then a set of primes would always give you ultimate PQ. The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is a no brainer for the dosh.

Dillema for you is going to be if you have to decide between a decent lens or D200

Logic says the pro lens on the D70 should produce a higher quality image than the kit lens on the D200. Do others agree ?

P-E · 20-12-2006, 08:51

From reading around the forums there are many that have gone from D70 to D200 and I don't see many complaints.......you did it Dave and I guess you have offered your thoughts to Skip.

As for a general lens then for me it would have to be the Nikon 17-55 2.8.......I highly recommend this lens (was my no1 lens when I shot with Nikon) but will obviously depend on your budget

***Steve*** · 20-12-2006, 09:01

I always say that if your current camera body is in full working order, does everything you really need and offers the quality (including prints) that makes you happy then you should not get drawn into the 'I must have the latest camera' game. Spend your money on adding quality glass and possibly a flash unit as these will last far longer and give you a bigger return (in terms of flexibility and quality of your photos) for your money. Learn your equipment inside out and spend your time honing and perfecting your photography skills will generally bring better results than switching from one very good camera body to another.

Just my 2p's worth

***Dave*** · 20-12-2006, 09:10

Bugger, he's right you know .....off to sell his D200

**Dabhand16** · 20-12-2006, 18:25

I also do not have any burning desire to own the latest technology. For instance, my car is 13 years old now!

I have not had my D70s for a year yet, and at the time could not justify the cost of the D200 over the D70s. But with the price of the D200 steadily falling, I can't deny that I would consider getting one at some point.

I don't think my photos would improve any, but for me it is more about the feel, ease of use and less reliance on menus to operate the camera. - Sit down you lot suggesting I upgrade to a disposable........

Soupdragon · 21-12-2006, 05:02

Don't get me started on the D200, I have been dreaming about owning one since they launched it.
Be under no illusion that it's an enthusiast model, it is a professional camera only lacking in the weather sealing department.
If I were to pick a lens it would, without hesitation be, the 105 VR micro.
It's fast at 2.8, is great for handheld portraiture, is reasonably compact and you can even use it for macro work.

This is about the MOST biased opinion I can offer.

Hacker · 21-12-2006, 08:40

Like Dave I had the D70 but decided to upgrade for a number of reasons which, if I'm honest, included the fact that I wanted a new toy! The D200 is a cracking camera and even now when I occasionally use the D70 I realise that whilst it is a very capable camera it is not a patch on the D200. The menus are easier to navigate, all the buttons are in the right place, the viewfinder is much, much better as is the screen. I also wanted 5fps for my sports shooting, particularly my equestrian work. One thing I have noticed about the D200 is that it is not as forgiving as the D70, make mistakes with this camera and they show up, whilst it was disconcerting at first it certainly improves your photographic skills.

What finally swayed it for me was the feel, I was dithering for a while until I actually held one with the MB-D200 grip fitted, it just felt so robust and well built and it suited me perfectly. I bought mine second hand and have never regretted it, I still have the D70 as a back up camera and I still use that on occasion when I need the faster flash synch speed that it offers e.g. macro work of flying insects, water droplets etc

With regard to lenses there is no doubt the 17-55mm f/2.8 is in a class of it's own and I would love to own this, the only thing that's missing from this, for me, is the fact that it doesn't have VR (same concept as the Canon IS) which I think they should include at that price. If you are looking to use the D200 for portrait work I would couple it with the 50mm, either the f/1.4 or f/1.8 as this is about as sharp as you can get and can be very useful for indoor portraits using natural light. As Soupdragon says the 105mm VR is another very capable lens and is high on my wishlist (along with the 70-200mm VR

) as I have heard nothing but good reports about it.

I know people always say that the camera is only as good as the person using it but if it gives you more confidence whilst shooting you will improve, I know I have since I got mine. The other fact you have to face up to is that the D200 is now firmly embedded in your sub-conscious and you will not sleep until you get your mitts on one.

In summary I would say the D200 is worth upgrading to, it is as near to a pro spec body as you can get without paying pro prices, couple this with a 50mm lens and you will have a superb combination which I think will suit your needs admirably.

Soupdragon · 21-12-2006, 11:34

You've only got to look at hackers gallery to see how good things can get

Soupdragon · 21-12-2006, 11:35

Btw:

Please don't buy a D200 because that will only serve to make me more jealous of those who do own one.

***Dave*** · 21-12-2006, 16:47

Come on Soupy.....give in ....you know you need one ...come & join the D200 gang

Hacker · 21-12-2006, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

You've only got to look at hackers gallery to see how good things can get

Thanks Soup, I appreciate it!

You must resist, you must resist.......

Soupdragon · 21-12-2006, 19:48

You think I'm joking? You have no idea how much I would like to own a D200.
OK, confession time, I go to Jessops some times just to play with the in store D200.
On every occasion I have contemplated doing a runner from the store.

***Dave*** · 21-12-2006, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

OK, confession time, I go to Jessops some times just to play with the in store D200.
On every occasion I have contemplated doing a runner from the store.

I know how you feel though. I was fine about not needing the D200, until I held it in my hands. Took very little peer pressure on here for me to fold

Way I look at it htese days is, I work hard , so why the hell not

Could you not be tempted by the D80 & save a shedful of money ?

20-12-2006, 08:44	#2 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,902	Re: Nikon Questions For 1st question, with D200's costing 3 times the value of second hand D70's, is the D200 3 times better ...NO !!! Is it twice as good ...NO !! ..... Is it better, YES, but according to your type of photography, size of prints etc this could be marginal for some people. The handling & functionality of the camera is a fair leap up, with most functions/settings close to hand & therefore quick to change, making it more along the lines of a pro camera for use. I would say for how serious you are with your photography Skip, that it would be a wise investment 2nd question..... so many lenses to choose from, but I would say looking at the types of photography you take the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 would be a lens you would never need to upgrade again. Paired with my D200 it takes stunning quality shots, very close to prime quality. Saying that if you are not worried about have a zoom to cover a range, then a set of primes would always give you ultimate PQ. The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is a no brainer for the dosh. Dillema for you is going to be if you have to decide between a decent lens or D200 Logic says the pro lens on the D70 should produce a higher quality image than the kit lens on the D200. Do others agree ?

20-12-2006, 08:51	#3 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,503	Re: Nikon Questions From reading around the forums there are many that have gone from D70 to D200 and I don't see many complaints.......you did it Dave and I guess you have offered your thoughts to Skip. As for a general lens then for me it would have to be the Nikon 17-55 2.8.......I highly recommend this lens (was my no1 lens when I shot with Nikon) but will obviously depend on your budget

20-12-2006, 09:01	#4 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,149	Re: Nikon Questions I always say that if your current camera body is in full working order, does everything you really need and offers the quality (including prints) that makes you happy then you should not get drawn into the 'I must have the latest camera' game. Spend your money on adding quality glass and possibly a flash unit as these will last far longer and give you a bigger return (in terms of flexibility and quality of your photos) for your money. Learn your equipment inside out and spend your time honing and perfecting your photography skills will generally bring better results than switching from one very good camera body to another. Just my 2p's worth __________________ .......__o .......\<, ....( )/ ( )

20-12-2006, 09:10	#5 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,902	Re: Nikon Questions Bugger, he's right you know .....off to sell his D200

20-12-2006, 18:25	#6 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,985	Re: Nikon Questions I also do not have any burning desire to own the latest technology. For instance, my car is 13 years old now! I have not had my D70s for a year yet, and at the time could not justify the cost of the D200 over the D70s. But with the price of the D200 steadily falling, I can't deny that I would consider getting one at some point. I don't think my photos would improve any, but for me it is more about the feel, ease of use and less reliance on menus to operate the camera. - Sit down you lot suggesting I upgrade to a disposable........ __________________ Graham

21-12-2006, 05:02	#7 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,091	Re: Nikon Questions Don't get me started on the D200, I have been dreaming about owning one since they launched it. Be under no illusion that it's an enthusiast model, it is a professional camera only lacking in the weather sealing department. If I were to pick a lens it would, without hesitation be, the 105 VR micro. It's fast at 2.8, is great for handheld portraiture, is reasonably compact and you can even use it for macro work. This is about the MOST biased opinion I can offer.

21-12-2006, 08:40	#8 (permalink)
Hacker Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 623	Re: Nikon Questions Like Dave I had the D70 but decided to upgrade for a number of reasons which, if I'm honest, included the fact that I wanted a new toy! The D200 is a cracking camera and even now when I occasionally use the D70 I realise that whilst it is a very capable camera it is not a patch on the D200. The menus are easier to navigate, all the buttons are in the right place, the viewfinder is much, much better as is the screen. I also wanted 5fps for my sports shooting, particularly my equestrian work. One thing I have noticed about the D200 is that it is not as forgiving as the D70, make mistakes with this camera and they show up, whilst it was disconcerting at first it certainly improves your photographic skills. What finally swayed it for me was the feel, I was dithering for a while until I actually held one with the MB-D200 grip fitted, it just felt so robust and well built and it suited me perfectly. I bought mine second hand and have never regretted it, I still have the D70 as a back up camera and I still use that on occasion when I need the faster flash synch speed that it offers e.g. macro work of flying insects, water droplets etc With regard to lenses there is no doubt the 17-55mm f/2.8 is in a class of it's own and I would love to own this, the only thing that's missing from this, for me, is the fact that it doesn't have VR (same concept as the Canon IS) which I think they should include at that price. If you are looking to use the D200 for portrait work I would couple it with the 50mm, either the f/1.4 or f/1.8 as this is about as sharp as you can get and can be very useful for indoor portraits using natural light. As Soupdragon says the 105mm VR is another very capable lens and is high on my wishlist (along with the 70-200mm VR ) as I have heard nothing but good reports about it. I know people always say that the camera is only as good as the person using it but if it gives you more confidence whilst shooting you will improve, I know I have since I got mine. The other fact you have to face up to is that the D200 is now firmly embedded in your sub-conscious and you will not sleep until you get your mitts on one. In summary I would say the D200 is worth upgrading to, it is as near to a pro spec body as you can get without paying pro prices, couple this with a 50mm lens and you will have a superb combination which I think will suit your needs admirably. __________________ www.greenlees-photography.com - wedding & portrait photography www.greenlees-equine.com - sport horse photography

21-12-2006, 11:34	#9 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,091	Re: Nikon Questions You've only got to look at hackers gallery to see how good things can get

21-12-2006, 11:35	#10 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,091	Re: Nikon Questions Btw: Please don't buy a D200 because that will only serve to make me more jealous of those who do own one. Last edited by Soupdragon : 21-12-2006 at 11:36. Reason: typo

21-12-2006, 16:47	#11 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,902	Re: Nikon Questions Come on Soupy.....give in ....you know you need one ...come & join the D200 gang

21-12-2006, 19:48	#13 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,091	Re: Nikon Questions You think I'm joking? You have no idea how much I would like to own a D200. OK, confession time, I go to Jessops some times just to play with the in store D200. On every occasion I have contemplated doing a runner from the store.

22-12-2006, 05:12	#15 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,091