Is it just me or is the D200 a fun camera?

[scottyinfrisco]

I have been using a D200 a recently got as a keep in the car camera, and I really like it. Maybe it's a bit nostalgic, but it's fun to use. I guess, I could use my other cameras in the same fashion, but there's something about getting the most out of "old" technology. I'm using it with the 18-140, but I'd like to get a lens that I'd be a little less concerned about being bumped around. 18-70? 18-105? Thoughts?

 

[Royalpig180]

I have been using a D200 a recently got as a keep in the car camera, and I really like it. Maybe it's a bit nostalgic, but it's fun to use. I guess, I could use my other cameras in the same fashion, but there's something about getting the most out of "old" technology. I'm using it with the 18-140, but I'd like to get a lens that I'd be a little less concerned about being bumped around. 18-70? 18-105? Thoughts?

I'm a huge fan of the 18-70. You can get a copy in decent condition used for under $100, and it's just a bit better than today's kit lenses (except maybe the 18-140) IMO and the little bit of extra speed at the long end is nice. Obvious downside is no VR, but as long as you keep that in mind...

Here are some samples of what I've shot with it. Hope this helps!




Sled dog owners hanging around












Watching the Chinese New Year's Parade

 

[Tony Beach]

...I'd like to get a lens that I'd be a little less concerned about being bumped around. 18-70? 18-105?

Thom Hogan says that the 18-70 holds up well in rough handling, and it's a good fit optically with the D200.

 

[Robert Cohen]

Nothing wrong with using a D200. It's now my second-string DX camera but I still use it. I've got a smaller camera to keep in the car, but if I had the space a D200 would be fine.

Enjoy it.

 

[ABA DABA]

I shot a very profitable Red Bull air race in 2008 with a D-200 with a Nikor 18-70 and 70-300.

Darn fool for selling it.

 

[n057]

I have been using a D200 a recently got as a keep in the car camera, and I really like it. Maybe it's a bit nostalgic, but it's fun to use. I guess, I could use my other cameras in the same fashion, but there's something about getting the most out of "old" technology. I'm using it with the 18-140, but I'd like to get a lens that I'd be a little less concerned about being bumped around. 18-70? 18-105? Thoughts?

It is definitely a fun camera, in addition to being a solid performer.


JC
Some cameras, some lenses, some computers

 

[Jeff4500]

My is now my 3rd body, but I use it every day when I walk my dog. I have the 24-85 D 2.8-4.0 on it and that setup is a joy to image. Sometime I've put my vacation lens (Sigma 18-250 OS Macro) on it also. The 24-85 & D200 are my "point and shoot" as it is in my car all the time. I'll miss it when its gone (In about another 7 or 8 years:-D).

 

[codecks]

I just love my D200. I prefer it over my D7100. The layout and handling of the D200 is just better. It feels better and more solid in my hands and it is fun to use. It still is my main body, I generally only take my D7100 when I know it's gonna be low light situations. The sensor and autofocus performance are better on the D7100 of course, but this doesn't make up with the general feel of handling the camera.

 

[samfan]

It's a very fun camera (though personally I associate fun mostly with smaller bodies). It's only major drag is the huge battery drain.

Also +1 for 18-70, I've been using it with D200 since new and it never disappointed. Also no worries about bumping around, it can take quite a lot. I don't have much experience with 16-85 and zero with 18-140, but it beats all the other 18-xx in some aspect - either IQ, or AF.

 

[afoton]

It's only major drag is the huge battery drain.

I don't know what is wrong with my D200, or what I do wrong, because my D200 do not have any huge battery drain. There is no significant difference in how long the battery is working in my D200 and my D300 (~1000 nef). My D700 on the other side has what I will call a huge drain, because I get not more than half as many exposures per charge on that camera..

 

[Tony Beach]

It's only major drag is the huge battery drain.

I don't know what is wrong with my D200, or what I do wrong, because my D200 do not have any huge battery drain. There is no significant difference in how long the battery is working in my D200 and my D300 (~1000 nef). My D700 on the other side has what I will call a huge drain, because I get not more than half as many exposures per charge on that camera..

That's curious since I always got about half as much from my D200 as my D300, and your D300 numbers also seem a little high, but all of that depends somewhat on how and what you shoot so lots of shots (especially high fps) with no chimping sucks a lot less battery than doing the opposite. As for your D700, you might want to check your settings such as how long the meter is on before shutting off.

 

[Kerry Pierce]

I used a pair of d200's for 2 years, shooting everything from indoor sports to portraits. IMO, the d200 is great at lower ISO's and didn't do too bad shooting sports, once I learned the AF system. High ISO's that I tried using for indoor sports were less than desired. At very high ISOs, I got some decent shots, so long as I kept the prints small, but there were times when nothing I could do, including NR in post, that would save the photos.

Regardless, used at lower ISOs, the d200 is certainly still a great camera, IMO.

Kerry

 

[afoton]

As for your D700, you might want to check your settings such as how long the meter is on before shutting off.

All settings that can be the same on my three cameras, are the same. The settings for how long the meter is on, is the same on all three.