Re: Which one Nikon DSLR to keep? (Continued from previous thread)

[camerosity]

As this was a very popular thread, and I wanted to reply but it reached its reply limit, I am continuing it here. Mods, if this is not allowed, please lock this thread with my apologies.

Yes. I'm one of those who prefer the 6MP ccd to the 10MP ccd . The reason is that the 10MP CCD on D80 and D200 had an aggressive anti aliasing filter and,as I've said,more sharpening is needed in post or in the jpeg camera settings.

However,the D80 is a clearly superior camera to the 6MP D70/D40 and the D200 is far superior to the 6MP D100.

I owned the D70, D70s, and D40. They could all produce very good files but were limited by their 3000px wide 6MP resolution. The D40 was a joy to shoot with as it was so small compact, and had a very good rendering, and mounting a Nikon 50mm f1.8 Series E lens on it made for a very compact setup indeed (this was how I shot with it one summer).

D200 has more advanced features and functions but the D80 has way better battery life than D200 and is substantially more compact while having the same OVF .

I owned the D80 and shot with a D200, owned one in 2009 when Best Buy had them on "Fire Sale" pricing ($599 brand new in the gold box with full 1 year Nikon warranty), and own one again today.

The D80 was a great upgrade from the D70s. However it had horrible metering, that was locked to the active AF sensor, and was not the 256 pixel RGB Metering that the D200 has. The D80 produced excellent files, but it was very prone to blowing out highlights way beyond any possible recovery in RAW. For that reason I wouldn't recommend a D80 to anyone today, but I would recommend the D200 if someone wanted to shoot a very old Nikon DSLR that was still able to produce a good file.

 

[primeshooter]

As this was a very popular thread, and I wanted to reply but it reached its reply limit, I am continuing it here. Mods, if this is not allowed, please lock this thread with my apologies.

Yes. I'm one of those who prefer the 6MP ccd to the 10MP ccd . The reason is that the 10MP CCD on D80 and D200 had an aggressive anti aliasing filter and,as I've said,more sharpening is needed in post or in the jpeg camera settings.

However,the D80 is a clearly superior camera to the 6MP D70/D40 and the D200 is far superior to the 6MP D100.

I owned the D70, D70s, and D40. They could all produce very good files but were limited by their 3000px wide 6MP resolution. The D40 was a joy to shoot with as it was so small compact, and had a very good rendering, and mounting a Nikon 50mm f1.8 Series E lens on it made for a very compact setup indeed (this was how I shot with it one summer).

D200 has more advanced features and functions but the D80 has way better battery life than D200 and is substantially more compact while having the same OVF .

I owned the D80 and shot with a D200, owned one in 2009 when Best Buy had them on "Fire Sale" pricing ($599 brand new in the gold box with full 1 year Nikon warranty), and own one again today.

The D80 was a great upgrade from the D70s. However it had horrible metering, that was locked to the active AF sensor, and was not the 256 pixel RGB Metering that the D200 has. The D80 produced excellent files, but it was very prone to blowing out highlights way beyond any possible recovery in RAW. For that reason I wouldn't recommend a D80 to anyone today, but I would recommend the D200 if someone wanted to shoot a very old Nikon DSLR that was still able to produce a good file.

Remind me what are the cameras you own so we can advise what to keep. Also...what you shoot?

 

[camerosity]

As this was a very popular thread, and I wanted to reply but it reached its reply limit, I am continuing it here. Mods, if this is not allowed, please lock this thread with my apologies.

Yes. I'm one of those who prefer the 6MP ccd to the 10MP ccd . The reason is that the 10MP CCD on D80 and D200 had an aggressive anti aliasing filter and,as I've said,more sharpening is needed in post or in the jpeg camera settings.

However,the D80 is a clearly superior camera to the 6MP D70/D40 and the D200 is far superior to the 6MP D100.

I owned the D70, D70s, and D40. They could all produce very good files but were limited by their 3000px wide 6MP resolution. The D40 was a joy to shoot with as it was so small compact, and had a very good rendering, and mounting a Nikon 50mm f1.8 Series E lens on it made for a very compact setup indeed (this was how I shot with it one summer).

D200 has more advanced features and functions but the D80 has way better battery life than D200 and is substantially more compact while having the same OVF .

I owned the D80 and shot with a D200, owned one in 2009 when Best Buy had them on "Fire Sale" pricing ($599 brand new in the gold box with full 1 year Nikon warranty), and own one again today.

The D80 was a great upgrade from the D70s. However it had horrible metering, that was locked to the active AF sensor, and was not the 256 pixel RGB Metering that the D200 has. The D80 produced excellent files, but it was very prone to blowing out highlights way beyond any possible recovery in RAW. For that reason I wouldn't recommend a D80 to anyone today, but I would recommend the D200 if someone wanted to shoot a very old Nikon DSLR that was still able to produce a good file.

Remind me what are the cameras you own so we can advise what to keep. Also...what you shoot?

Keros was OP for the original thread. I shoot mostly Z gear now (Zf and Z7), but in F mount I still shoot with a D200 and D700, both of which I like very much, and are so amazingly cheap, they were hard to not grab. The D700 I shot at a car show recently with great results, it can produce good files up to ISO 6400, whereas the D200 I try not to shoot over ISO 800.

 

[AWG_Pics]

I will keep other DSLRs, and I will keep the D200.

 

[camerosity]

I will keep other DSLRs, and I will keep the D200.

Those are great. Straight out of camera JPGs? I shoot RAW all the time, but with the D200, am considering trying to tune the camera for JPG output at some point. But 8 bit photos just don't excite me much lol.

 

[AWG_Pics]

Those are great. Straight out of camera JPGs? I shoot RAW all the time, but with the D200, am considering trying to tune the camera for JPG output at some point. But 8 bit photos just don't excite me much lol.

They are RAWs, ingested to LR and DXO, but not any significant adjustments.

 

[Keros]

As this was a very popular thread, and I wanted to reply but it reached its reply limit, I am continuing it here. Mods, if this is not allowed, please lock this thread with my apologies.

Yes. I'm one of those who prefer the 6MP ccd to the 10MP ccd . The reason is that the 10MP CCD on D80 and D200 had an aggressive anti aliasing filter and,as I've said,more sharpening is needed in post or in the jpeg camera settings.

However,the D80 is a clearly superior camera to the 6MP D70/D40 and the D200 is far superior to the 6MP D100.

I owned the D70, D70s, and D40. They could all produce very good files but were limited by their 3000px wide 6MP resolution. The D40 was a joy to shoot with as it was so small compact, and had a very good rendering, and mounting a Nikon 50mm f1.8 Series E lens on it made for a very compact setup indeed (this was how I shot with it one summer).

D200 has more advanced features and functions but the D80 has way better battery life than D200 and is substantially more compact while having the same OVF .

I owned the D80 and shot with a D200, owned one in 2009 when Best Buy had them on "Fire Sale" pricing ($599 brand new in the gold box with full 1 year Nikon warranty), and own one again today.

The D80 was a great upgrade from the D70s. However it had horrible metering, that was locked to the active AF sensor, and was not the 256 pixel RGB Metering that the D200 has. The D80 produced excellent files, but it was very prone to blowing out highlights way beyond any possible recovery in RAW. For that reason I wouldn't recommend a D80 to anyone today, but I would recommend the D200 if someone wanted to shoot a very old Nikon DSLR that was still able to produce a good file.

Interesting thanks for the continued discussion. There's also the D40x which has the same body as the D40, but the 10MP sensor of the D80 and D200. That's an interesting mix of both. The downside I think is the D40 has a 1/500s flash sync where as the D40x only has 1/200s, which is quite unique I think even the D200 only has 1/250s flash sync.

 

[David Lal]

The downside I think is the D40 has a 1/500s flash sync where as the D40x only has 1/200s, which is quite unique I think even the D200 only has 1/250s flash sync.

That's right. I always thought it a little strange that x-sync max is 1/4000s on the D40 but only 1/200 on the D40X. I still keep and occasionally use my D70 - it has a flash x-sync of up to 1/8000s (with non-dedicated flashguns).

 

[mmbikerCANADA]

Reminded me the great old days when I was using my D50 with 6MP CCD sensor. It has 1/500sec speed sync

D300 was not well liked by me. It was expensive and no FF. Glad I switch over to D800E. My D800E I like very much and is my only DSLR today.

I am continuing to look into getting a used Df, but man, they are price a bit higher than what I like to pay.... Is getting close to used Z6 pricing....

 

[andjar]

Yes. After the first sunny afternoon shooting with my D80...i did have some blown highlights. But once you get to know it you will know when to exposure compensate by -0.7-1 Ev and you will get beautiful pictures out of it It's part of the charm of using an almost 20 year old camera.

D200 is great but it's bigger and eats the battery charge faster.D80 is smaller ,has the same beautiful OVF,sensor and AF system and will shoot substantially more pictures on the same charge.

I personally would buy whichever d200/d80 you will find in great condition with lowest shutter count.

I got my mint and boxed d80 with under 5000 counts for 80£.

 

[TheFiend]

Yes. After the first sunny afternoon shooting with my D80...i did have some blown highlights. But once you get to know it you will know when to exposure compensate by -0.7-1 Ev and you will get beautiful pictures out of it It's part of the charm of using an almost 20 year old camera.

D200 is great but it's bigger and eats the battery charge faster.D80 is smaller ,has the same beautiful OVF,sensor and AF system and will shoot substantially more pictures on the same charge.

I personally would buy whichever d200/d80 you will find in great condition with lowest shutter count.

I got my mint and boxed d80 with under 5000 counts for 80£.

My mint and boxed D200 with a shutter count of only 425 only cost me £85.

 

[andjar]

Right! This reminds me,just checked.Mine had under 500 shots as well...not 5000. I wonder...where do these new old cameras are coming from. I suspect some warehouse in Asia with a new old stock of them. Probably the resellers bursted a few hundred shots on them and selling them as used . Mine's listing said "indoors use only". I can't imagine so many dentists and elderly tourists with d80/200's.

 

[TheFiend]

Right! This reminds me,just checked.Mine had under 500 shots as well...not 5000. I wonder...where do these new old cameras are coming from. I suspect some warehouse in Asia with a new old stock of them. Probably the resellers bursted a few hundred shots on them and selling them as used . Mine's listing said "indoors use only". I can't imagine so many dentists and elderly tourists with d80/200's.

My D60, which I bought earlier this year, was from a Japanese seller on Ebay and had a shutter count of 9!!! I have found some excellent stuff for sale by Japanese sellers, including a brand new in box lens that was discontinued in 1994.

 

[primeshooter]

Yes. After the first sunny afternoon shooting with my D80...i did have some blown highlights. But once you get to know it you will know when to exposure compensate by -0.7-1 Ev and you will get beautiful pictures out of it It's part of the charm of using an almost 20 year old camera.

D200 is great but it's bigger and eats the battery charge faster.D80 is smaller ,has the same beautiful OVF,sensor and AF system and will shoot substantially more pictures on the same charge.

I personally would buy whichever d200/d80 you will find in great condition with lowest shutter count.

I got my mint and boxed d80 with under 5000 counts for 80£.

My mint and boxed D200 with a shutter count of only 425 only cost me £85.

I bought mine off ebay in absolute new condition. Less than 200 shots, everything mint in box for £130. I was very happy. I'm actually considering picking up another incase it ever breaks - for that price it is worth it all day long. My buddy likes the D60 and D40x for their colour too, but I feel the bodies are very compromised - I like to use AF-D primes on these old bodies and thus I don't get AF unless I use the D200.

 

[primeshooter]

Right! This reminds me,just checked.Mine had under 500 shots as well...not 5000. I wonder...where do these new old cameras are coming from. I suspect some warehouse in Asia with a new old stock of them. Probably the resellers bursted a few hundred shots on them and selling them as used . Mine's listing said "indoors use only". I can't imagine so many dentists and elderly tourists with d80/200's.

My D60, which I bought earlier this year, was from a Japanese seller on Ebay and had a shutter count of 9!!! I have found some excellent stuff for sale by Japanese sellers, including a brand new in box lens that was discontinued in 1994.

Some seriously mint cameras from japanese sellers on ebay, just gotta factor in the tax, however it is very much worth it if you want the great condition items. I don't know why there are so many.

 

[andjar]

My buddy likes the D60 and D40x for their colour too, but I feel the bodies are very compromised - I like to use AF-D primes on these old bodies and thus I don't get AF unless I use the D200.

That's another strong reason why D200 and D80 are the best CCD options. I love the AF-D lenses.

 

[AWG_Pics]

My buddy likes the D60 and D40x for their colour too, but I feel the bodies are very compromised - I like to use AF-D primes on these old bodies and thus I don't get AF unless I use the D200.

That's another strong reason why D200 and D80 are the best CCD options. I love the AF-D lenses.

Agreed. At this time I an using the 35 to 70 F2.8 AF-D old push-pull Nikkor lens on the D200. It just works.

 

[TheFiend]

Right! This reminds me,just checked.Mine had under 500 shots as well...not 5000. I wonder...where do these new old cameras are coming from. I suspect some warehouse in Asia with a new old stock of them. Probably the resellers bursted a few hundred shots on them and selling them as used . Mine's listing said "indoors use only". I can't imagine so many dentists and elderly tourists with d80/200's.

My D60, which I bought earlier this year, was from a Japanese seller on Ebay and had a shutter count of 9!!! I have found some excellent stuff for sale by Japanese sellers, including a brand new in box lens that was discontinued in 1994.

Some seriously mint cameras from japanese sellers on ebay, just gotta factor in the tax, however it is very much worth it if you want the great condition items. I don't know why there are so many.

A few of my purchases from Japan have been below the threshold for paying import duties, so only paid the VAT on them.

 

[primeshooter]

My buddy likes the D60 and D40x for their colour too, but I feel the bodies are very compromised - I like to use AF-D primes on these old bodies and thus I don't get AF unless I use the D200.

That's another strong reason why D200 and D80 are the best CCD options. I love the AF-D lenses.

Agreed. At this time I an using the 35 to 70 F2.8 AF-D old push-pull Nikkor lens on the D200. It just works.

I even like the 18-55 on the D200 though, it works well. But the lenses that really make the D200 sing for me are the 50/1.4D, 85/1.4D and 135 f2. I also pop a 24/1.4 on a lot.

 

[primeshooter]

Right! This reminds me,just checked.Mine had under 500 shots as well...not 5000. I wonder...where do these new old cameras are coming from. I suspect some warehouse in Asia with a new old stock of them. Probably the resellers bursted a few hundred shots on them and selling them as used . Mine's listing said "indoors use only". I can't imagine so many dentists and elderly tourists with d80/200's.

My D60, which I bought earlier this year, was from a Japanese seller on Ebay and had a shutter count of 9!!! I have found some excellent stuff for sale by Japanese sellers, including a brand new in box lens that was discontinued in 1994.

Some seriously mint cameras from japanese sellers on ebay, just gotta factor in the tax, however it is very much worth it if you want the great condition items. I don't know why there are so many.

A few of my purchases from Japan have been below the threshold for paying import duties, so only paid the VAT on them.

Always a win when that happens. The courier charge is often small compared to the tax (on expensive items 20% really puts up the price, naturally!)