D200 - robust design, great pictures! | Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Powerful Tool--But Buy a DVD or Take a Course | Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

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	• Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Nikon Nikon average customer review:based on 128 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Remember when everyone wanted a Nikon? Well, Nikon is back!

I know. The D300 and D3 have been announced and I am just now writing my review of the D200, even though I have used it for more than a year. What can I say? I've been too busy taking pictures with the thing to spend time writing reviews.

This thing is tough. I have taken pictures in tropical typhoons, in rain forest, on beaches with blowing sand, on snow covered mountain tops, hanging out of an airplane window. It goes with me everywhere. Never a lost picture or hiccup. No blinking green light of death like the D70. This camera represents how Nikon made its name. A camera tough enough to go anywhere from black tie to jungle, and keep on performing.

Controls are laid out nicely. Yeah, there is an LCD on top and you have to take your eye away from the camera to see it, but it is repeated in the viewfinder. The viewfinder is bright and clear. The camera feels like an extension of your arm.

On the front of the camera you find the lens mount, preview buttons, a switch for focusing modes, and a port for a shutter release. Now, this camera does not use the handy little remote that is available for the smaller Nikon DSLRs. Instead, you have to hook up a remote to the shutter release port. Although it is more klunky, you do have more options.

The side has ports for USB 2.0. If you are smart, you will never use these and use memory card readers instead. Their real purpose is capture of images in real time onto a laptop if you are doing studio work.

The back has the LCD, of course. There is no image preview. You have to compose and focus using the optical viewfinder. This is true of all DSLRs of the D200's generation and it is still the best way to compose and focus even on cameras that do have Live View or Image Preview or whatever you want to call it. The reason is that holding the camera out at arm's length to view the LCD is not a very good way to hold the camera steady.

There are the typical playback and menu buttons, as well as a switch for choosing focusing mode and one for focus/exposure lock which also allows you to choose between spot, average, or 3D metering. On top you set multiple exposure modes (or timer), mirror lock-up to reduce vibration (as opposed to mirror lock-up for sensor cleaning), white balance, ISO, picture quality, mode, exposure bracketing, and on/off/LCD light. You typically adjust these by pressing the button and turning one of two wheels mounted on the back or the front of the camera at the top of the grip. It is slick and you can tell how much you are adjusting things simply by counting clicks. You never have to look at the settings if you don't want to.

The sensor is not self-cleaning. No camera of the D200's age has a self-cleaning sensor; however, it is hardly a necessity. There is a flash on top that can be used in commander mode to control off-camera strobes using the Creative Lighting System -- a fantastically flexible lighting system that rivals the best third party pro setups.

Nikon cameras are infamous for producing 'noise' in their pictures, but you have to wonder about people who seem to only shoot at ISO 2500 or above. You never did that with film and I suspect that a lot of people are using noise reducing algorithms to cover for their bad photography. The Nikon tells it like it is. It does not cover your tracks if you misuse it.

A lot has been said about battery life. Well, I have never been able to run down two batteries in a single day. The fact is, a set of batteries in an SB-800 flash will not last even a third as long as the battery in the camera. Batteries recharge quickly, so if you had three batteries and kept one on a charger all the time, you would be extremely unlikely to shoot fast enough to run out of batteries. The batteries should be recharged frequently and should not be allowed to be drained completely.

I find Nikon's color rendering to be the most pleasing and natural of any digital SLR. It is far more accurate than film.

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D200 - robust design, great pictures!

I'm not going to write too much about the photographic aspects of this camera - it looks like it's covered abundantly, and suffice to say the camera is probably beyond the capabilities of most of its owners (myself included). It capable of taking great pictures, suffice to say.

I'm writing partly in response a comment further down about an individual that was experiencing problems with the sensor, and partly thanks to an episode of Survivor Man (oddly enough, I know).

I noticed on the Amazon episode of Survivor Man that Les was experiencing difficulties keeping his camera gear dry and working. I returned from the Amazon Rainforest myself just this past July, having spent two weeks in the jungles of Peru with my D200.

I was very pleased with it's operation - never once did I experience a problem, in fact. Paired with the 28-70 f/2.8, I took the camera on a small canoe on the Amazon itself and into the rainforest for extended amounts of time. I took pictures with it on a tripod while a tropical storm poured down from overhead, and I had it in the hot midday sun where the lens became hot to the touch. Again, regardless of the environment I had it in, never once did it even hiccup.

Anyway, I thought I could offer a testament to its extreme durability. Part of my interest when purchasing a DSLR was to have a strong, weather-proof design, and the D200 shined admirably.

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Powerful Tool--But Buy a DVD or Take a Course

Mine is about 3 months old, and I just starting to comprehend all the things this Camera can do. I will say that a DVD Course or an in person course at your camera store will be necessary.

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Nice step up from entry level DSLR

Was currently using a Nikon D70 and I wanted to pick up a second body to prevent having to switch back and forth between telephoto lenses and the standard lens.

This camera has all the bells and whistles on the camera controls for easy and quick changes instead of jumping into the menu. One feature that helped with the purchase is the extra FPS, works great for sports or aviation photography which is what I purchased it for.

Had a learning curve on some of the settings which seemed different from my D70. Files are much larger in RAW+jpg fine so I had to purchase a new 4GB card and the batteries seem to be used up quicker than on my D70 so a second battery is a must if you will be shooting all day.

Highly recommend this body if you want a step up from the entry level DSLR camera and want a little more control.

Dave O'Brien
www.topgunphotography.net

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4000 D200 Photos, I AM COMPLETELY THRILLED!

There's only 5 stars I can give this camera, but I would give it a 10!

This camera is my 3rd digital camera, my second DSLR, I also have a D-70. I recently went to Europe and decided to upgrade cameras for the trip. My decision was really a no-brainer, once I held this beauty in the Camera store. It just is the best piece of craftsmanship I have ever owned. Nikon truly rocks! I have shot ~4000 photos on my D200!

That said, what are the biggest reasons to spend ~$2000 for a camera?

1) Quality of pictures - bar none, you will be elated at your results. This camera will take the absolute best pictures you have ever taken in your life! That's the reason for buying any camera, and I'm telling you, you will not be disappointed!

2) Control. You own your images with this camera. Whatever you ask of it, it will deliver. Tough lighting, fast moving subjects, difficult conditions - it will not matter, you shots will consistantly of excellent quality.

3) Ease of use. Make no mistake, this camera is a wonder to use, but controls, settings and flexibility are still within your reach. It is too easy to take great shots with this camera. Way too easy. You will be completely surprised at the ease with which you fill up your CF card with hundreds of great images.

What more can I say? Oh, yeah... the negatives. OK, so here's what I can share:

1). If you are a novice digital photographer - this camera will work for you, but learn your tool. The book it comes with is 1/2 inch thick. There is a reason for it, so read it. If you don't/can't read manuals, buy a CoolPix and just be happy. This camera will work out of the box, but without knowing how things work, you'll still get great pictures, but you should take get great pictures on purpose, not by accident. I read my manual every few weeks.

2) It weighs 12-14 ounces. Join a gym, workout and buy a good camera bag. After a 10 hour day of sightseeing, you be glad you did. Accept the fact that this is a great piece of equipment, and don't worry about dragging it around with you. I have never regretting bringing my D200 with me, ever.

3) Do not, repeat, do not drop your D200 - ever. If your are inherently clumsy by a CoolPix and be happy. This camera is built out of magnesium and very durable, don't get me wrong - it can take some abuse. But the lens will inevitable hit the concrete first, and if it does, it will be toast. This is pretty much true of any camera.

That's it, no more negs on this camera, but I do have one suggestion. If you are an intermediate to advanced photographer and want to really learn to use the D200, the intricacies of it, the art of it and nearly instantly become a much, much better photographer, here is what I did:

On the net, there is a fabulous site that Ken Rockwell put up on photography, cameras, technical reference and comparisons; www.kenrockwell.com. Check out his site and I'm sure you'll agree. I have read all his content on the D200 and am much more "fluent" with my camera for it. He writes so you understand and enjoy reading it. He isn't selling anything and there's no product ads, so his site is truly a joy. Not to mention, he absolutely knows his stuff.

No kidding, it really is awesome.

So beg or borrow if you have to, but go to your favorite site or store and buy this camera! Honestly, you will be thrilled with your new Nikon and the unbelievable results you will get, over and over.

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