D200 worth $500 ?

Mateo Miller

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Seems like all the talk is about the D7000 but if you only have $500 is the D200 a good deal? (assuming it is in good condition)

Surprisingly I don't care for the ergonomics of the d90 or the D5000.
 
...if you only have $500 is the D200 a good deal? (assuming it is in good condition)
Yes, that would be a good deal, depending on how you define "good condition." I would say if the rubber is good and it has fewer than about 35,000 actuations, it's a fair deal.
 
The rubber grips on both the D200 & D300 tend to wear out. Even if this is the case, it's not impossible to replace them. The part is- um, I think about $50. There's a thread on here somewhere about it.

I had a D200 which I just traded in. I liked it overall, though the battery life wasn't great- maybe an average of 300 shots per charge? But used Nikon vertical grips can be had for $100, and the EN-EL3e battery for another $35, so that solves that problem.

When I upgraded to a new-to-me D300, noise-free ISO was obviously higher.

My overall opinion:

If I have to buy a 2nd body before I can afford to buy another used D300 for $800 to $1,000, I'll buy another D200. I was handling the D90 today. While it's a very capable camera, w/ better ISO performance than the D200, I also like the D200/300 ergonomics A LOT better.
 
After I lost my D300, I got a D200 from Best Buy at the sale price of $600. I have been using it for family gatherings, portraits, outings, and even took it to South America on vacation. It held up in the rain forest very well against high humidity and rain. As long as one recognizes the limitation of high ISO and high battery consumption, it is a great camera. An extra battery and a small external flash (SB-400) takes the strain from the camera battery. If the camera you are considering is in good condition, $500 is a very reasonable price. If I were you, I will go for it.

Good luck.

Sam
 
Basically, the "penalty" for being able to better hold on to your camera than a grip on the D90, D80, D40, D60, etc., is that our grips don't last as long. One person made the relevant point that they try to hold the camera by the lens mount area as opposed to by the grip.

No milk w/o some meadow muffins, I suppose...

http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=36064067

http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=32714580

http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=29294785
 
The rubber grips on both the D200 & D300 tend to wear out. Even if this is the case, it's not impossible to replace them. The part is- um, I think about $50. There's a thread on here somewhere about it.
I've replaced them on my older D200 myself, it's very easy to do. The reason I mention it is that it can be indicative of hard use. Two cameras can have the same number of actuations, but if one has been treated roughly and another one babied, I would definitely consider the babied one a better deal.
I had a D200 which I just traded in. I liked it overall, though the battery life wasn't great- maybe an average of 300 shots per charge? But used Nikon vertical grips can be had for $100, and the EN-EL3e battery for another $35, so that solves that problem.
Factor in batteries for sure, they wear out and eventually need to be replaced. However, I'm still using batteries I bought with my first D200 and have only retired a couple of them (mostly third party). I was underwhelmed by the MB-D200 and sold it; the MB-D10 used on the D300, D300s, and D700 looks much better; but since I don't shoot very often at maximum fps with bigger lenses, I haven't personally felt a need to get one and for me that money was better spent on spare batteries.
 
Seems like all the talk is about the D7000 but if you only have $500 is the D200 a good deal? (assuming it is in good condition) Surprisingly I don't care for the ergonomics of the d90 or the D5000.
It's still a lot of camera for the $$$. I sure wouldn't sell one of mine for that $$.

Once you've had a quality level - it's hard to settle for less.

Cheers.
--
Vaya con Dios
imo
(c) 2010 fastglass
 
For mine sure, and may be more, but mine will never on sold

sorry.... and if you want know how work a great camera like the D200 well visit my website

Cariboou!
--
Here my gallery: http://caribooua.zenfolio.com
 
I bought mine months back for $500 Cdn. Mine was in good condition, but no packaging, software etc., just camera battery and charger. Mine had 29,000 actuations.

More recently I have seen a few with grips for $525/550.

Prices in the US are generally less.

I think the other comments are fair - I bought an off brand battery for $20, works fine. Its not that good above 400 ISO. But at 100 and 200, it is a fine camera. If you look at the DxO mark ratings, at 100 ISO its very comparable to a D90.
 
The D200 is a very fine camera. I still like mine, even though I have a D300 and a D700.

When I compare the D200 to the newer cameras, I only find fault in these areas:

1. ISO performance - I try not to go above 400 on the D200. (800 on the D300, 1600 or a bit more on the D700)
2. LCD screen - man, the D300 and D700 are a LOT better.

Lesser complaints I have:

3. battery life on the D200 is probably less than half that of the other cameras. I just keep a spare battery as I can definitely go through one battery on the D200 in a longer day of shooting.

4. AF performance in low contrast conditions is clearly not as good as the other two cameras.

The D200 excels in bright sunny outdoor conditions. (As does the D700. I tend to put in underexposure or bracket down on the D300 in the same situations.) I really like the tone of the D200 in bright sun.

10mp versus 12mp is meaningless. Barely noticeable.
 
I've had mine for 3 1/2 years and I am still a big fan. Having played with a D300 a few times, the biggest difference to me was the quality of the rear display (so much better on the D300), and the AF performance. The D200 is not a disaster on the AF front by any means, and correctly set up it can actually be quite good.

Battery life is poor, but if I shoot 200 images in a day it has been a busy day for me so it is not an issue, and I am still on my original battery. It "feels" really good when handled and all of the controls are in the right place for me and operate positively.

High ISO isn't brilliant by modern standards, but isn't bad either. I happily use it at 1600, and with careful exposure and processing (I use Capture NX2) you can get very usable images at 1600 in my opinion.

Even though it's hard to say much at 800 px, here are a couple of examples

http://www.flickr.com/photos/philmlane/4130000157

http://www.flickr.com/photos/philmlane/4038353842

Overall, it's a nice piece of kit, and an excellent buy for the prices it is going for now.
 
D200 a lot of camera for little money, But as always when buying used give it a good check out, find out the shutter count etc , get a good one and be happy, You dont need the latest and greatest to take great pictures. I saved for a d300 but ended out buying the D200 and a couple of good lens and had money left over,
 
I wouldn't sell mine for $ 500.00 even in an emergency, that tells you something. If you found one in good condition for that $$$, take it fast.

But it all depends on how and what you are going to use it for....if you need a travel kit, you maybe better of with a D3100 and a 18-200 mm + 35mm f1.8 & SB400

Good luck,
--
JMG
 
The rubber grips on both the D200 & D300 tend to wear out. Even if this is the case, it's not impossible to replace them. The part is- um, I think about $50. There's a thread on here somewhere about it.
I've replaced them on my older D200 myself, it's very easy to do. The reason I mention it is that it can be indicative of hard use. Two cameras can have the same number of actuations, but if one has been treated roughly and another one babied, I would definitely consider the babied one a better deal.
To repair the poor adhesion of the rubber do not need to replace it ... a drop of glue in the right places makes the job for less than 25 cents.

My D200 will never be on sale, even with its replacement (which also will have a poor adhesion grip rubber :) ) on my bag.
--
Un saludo.
 
To repair the poor adhesion of the rubber do not need to replace it ... a drop of glue in the right places makes the job for less than 25 cents.
Just to repeat, beat up rubber is indicative of harder wear if it's the original rubber. Of course, someone could replace the rubber, then if it's worn it's an even worse sign of hard wear. BTW, as I recall, I spent about $25 replacing a couple of the grips and I'm very glad I did; I prefer to have my camera to not have a grip that is tacky and old.
 
To repair the poor adhesion of the rubber do not need to replace it ... a drop of glue in the right places makes the job for less than 25 cents.
Just to repeat, beat up rubber is indicative of harder wear if it's the original rubber. Of course, someone could replace the rubber, then if it's worn it's an even worse sign of hard wear. BTW, as I recall, I spent about $25 replacing a couple of the grips and I'm very glad I did; I prefer to have my camera to not have a grip that is tacky and old.
That's about two very different circumstances ... amateur or professional use ... poor adhesion due the sweat of our hands, then a drop of glue does the job ... deterioration and poor appearance of a rubber mistreated by hard work, then you have to buy the original rubber kit to DIY or send the camera to Nikon's repair center, always been that way and I am afraid it will remain forever :(
--
Un saludo.
 
I know I am late to this thread but I am going to join in anyway:)

Get it!! Hopefully you did. I bought one recently for $650 but it was in mint condition. Only had 980 shutter actuations and came with a MB-D200 Battery Grip(also in mint condition). I paid top dollar compared to other options on ebay but I bought a jewel!! And I love it. What everybody says about the battery life is true but I solved that by ordering two more batteries. I found that the nikon batteries work much better than the no name generic brand.

Yes, the iso quality above 1600 is not great but for me it is not all about high iso performance. Use good lens and this camera kinda kicks butt. I am sure the d7000 crowd would have something to say about this camera being a obsolete or something but that is nonsense. There is more to taking good pictures than having the latest, greatest tech toy. I love shooting with the d200 and using old ai and ais lens. I have been super happy with it. Someday, I would like to also own a FX body, like the d700 but that day will come when the price has come way down:)

Anyhow, I might have been lucky to have found a nearly new d200(it was a backup for a pro nature photographer). It was in such good condition that it could have been considered brand new. I had one d200 on ebay, when I asked the seller how many shutter actuations, he told me 85,000!!! and he was selling it for almost $500 bucks. So it pays to be patient and look for a good deal and be willing to pay more for the best condition. I never plan on selling my d200. It was love at first click. If I upgrade down the road, I will always keep it. I has such a great feel to it and like others have said, all the controls are in the right place. The tones and color is so beautiful. I love it for nature shots. And it seem to love all the old pro glass lens from decades ago.
If you bought it, tell us how you like it:)
 

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