*Alexbalix

Alex Mukensnable

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Settled For a D200

Journal Entry: Sun Apr 27, 2008, 10:12 AM

Yes I finally caved in and bought a 'new' camera. Now, I know the D300 is a great and amazing camera. So great that no one seems to want their D200's anymore. When i found a low shutter count D200 on Ebay for only $680 I just had to go for it.

I got it in the mail on Friday but have only been able to play with the controls as I don't yet have a CF card. The card should get here by Tuesday, I can't wait. I hop too get more photos out onto deviant art soon after.

I know there will be those of you who say the D50 is a fine camera and question spending money on an already "obsolete" camera. Firstly my D50 is getting old and its showing its age at 40k shutter count. The D200 only has 1700 count. To be honest I only bought the camera for a few features. Firstly auto exposure with non CPU lenses. This means I can use my dads 11 non CPU lenses more easily outdoors. Secondly flash command with my SB-800, being able to do off camera flash should be a no brainier. Thirdly the intervalometer built into the D200 should let my do time lapses without a computer attached. Finally, its build! The the is built like a tank with gaskets and all, not to mention all the on body control.

For those you say "You should have gotten a D300" Okay I understand the D300 is revolutionary and makes all other cameras before it obsolete. Remember though, I got this D200 for only $680, thats 2 1/2 D300's. If you ask me, I don't think the difference is worth the extra $1,120.

And yes, i only wrote this to convince myself. I hope it worked.

7 Comments

Mood: Awestruck
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~flowkradd Apr 27, 2008, 11:41:52 AM

when you say auto exposure with non cpu lenses is it inferred then that it will meter in manual mode with those lenses as well?

I have a d70s and may upgrade in the next year or so and having something that would meter while using my lensbaby would be a nice although not necessary ability.

I think you made a good decision saving a ton of money and getting a great camera to boot. If you were doing fine with a d50 then d200 shouldn't be a problem of course so don't lament over not going further up the upgrade ladder.

I hope my cam doesnt give out.. now you have me worried about my shutter count, 20566, although half yours.

How was your cam "showing its age"

~Hysteria2k Apr 27, 2008, 1:47:02 PM

Why wait? Turn on the feature that makes it shoot without the CF...it just saves it in the buffer, but you could get a hang of the controls by the time you receive the CF

As the D200 is my second camera I could honestly say its a good camera. Although the D300 has Active-D lightning (which must be experienced to fully describe), its still good...and now days pretty cheap.

You´d see big difference between a D50 and a D200

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█ Sindre, Hysteria.

*Alexbalix Apr 27, 2008, 4:02:56 PM

Yea, I found that out very quickly and have been playing with it nonstop. Also connect it to a computer and can save directly. I am loving the camera already. I have no doubt that the D300 is a giant leap, but maybe ill get that when the D400 comes out

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Alex M.

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*Alexbalix Apr 27, 2008, 4:14:21 PM

Yea, the camera meters perfectly. All I need to do is let it know the focal length and minimum aperture and TTL metering is off to work.

As my D50 goes, its just a lot of little things. The shutter foam that softens the open pealed off, the USB-DC port gasket came off awhile ago, a few of the screws are starting to rust. Not to mention that i have had to fix the shutter a few times when it moved out of the track. Okay fine, I get it, I don't treat my camera's great but hey at least i have the built like a tank d200 now lol

--
Alex M.

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~flowkradd Apr 27, 2008, 4:56:19 PM

thats crazy it went to crap so fast. I have a 30 year old canon tx that hasn't had any problems beyond needing to be resealed once. No camera killing shutter symptoms. Of course with film there is an entirely different shooting style that doesnt use 10 shots for one scene, but even given that old cams were built so much more sturidly!

Now sturdy build quality is something extra you pay for in semi pro and pro models. My d70s is pretty meaty, but it could be more so but to get a stronger cam I gotta pay more. I'll follow your new shots with d200 to see what the step from prosumer to semi pro model will be like.