My time with the D200...So ya know I’m a Nikon guy…not because I think their better cameras…ok I lied. I’ve been using them for years for my work but I’ve also used Canon, Kodak, and Fuji pro cameras at various times for testing and workshop purposes. I feel that each camera has it’s strong and weak points – obviously.
One thing I’ve always like about Nikon cams is the ergonomics. I love the way they feel in the hand, the solid reliable feel. I love the way the buttons work and it’s simple and easy to find what you need. It’s fast and efficient.
I’ve been using the Nikon D200 for a while now and putting it through it’s paces on wedding jobs, commercial jobs, and portraits (along with snapshots of my family ;-).
I really believe it’s the finest camera Nikon has put out – at any price. And the price is really right on this one. I’ve used every digital camera that Nikon has made, and just put aside my D2x for the D200. The image quality is actually (for my needs) better than the D2x. It’s buttery smooth in the shadows – not a lick of noise or posterization. The high ISO noise is much better than the D2x, and most other cameras I’ve tested from any manufacturer.
This sucka is sharp too. RAW files rock. 10MP is perfect for any wedding/portrait situation – and most commercial jobs too. More than that is simply overkill for most daily work (of my type).
wireless TTL flash control, flexibility, and accuracy is top notch. The best yet.
I have not had any issues with focus – as with some previous camera models. It’s dead on.
In a nutshell:
Good Stuff
1) Excellent image quality – low noise, smooth shadows, sharp.
2) Feature rich and amazing ergonomics. Controls easy to use and fast to access everything you need.
3) Pop up flash on camera is very nice to have for a backup and to control off-camera TTL flashes.
4) Great price and value for the money.
Could be Better Stuff
1) Auto white balance not consistent.
2) Not quite as fast to focus in low light as D2x.
3) Battery life not quite as good as D70 or D2x. (This may be fixed by a firmware update though – doesn’t seem to make sense).
I highly recommend this camera as a main or backup camera for any professional – except maybe sports pros needing the ultimate speed in autofocus. The D2x would be better there. With the vertical grip, it’s about the same size and weight as the D2x. Without the grip, it’s a great travel size – slightly bigger than the D70 – which is another classic all time great camera.
Stay tuned for my next blog where I’ll give my impressions of the new Adobe Lightroom vs. Aperture in day to day use.
Hey Kevin. Did you get a chance to try the new 17-200 VR lense they’ve been pushing with the D200? And have you tried the Wi-Fi functions?
Love your stuff, dude.
Hey Shane, I just got that lens and I’m starting to play with it. I’ll give an update in a bit. Haven’t used the Wi-Fi, but a friend does. It’s cool ‘n all, but I think not quite ready for prime time – unless you have an application that really requires it.
Thanks for the complement!