The need for a D200

[Hugh Proudman]

Andreas, great list.

I would add a request for an addition to the camera software that allowed you to take photos as uncompressed RAW images - benefiting from the write speed, but then compressing them on the camera at a later date to save space.

The time taken to write compressed RAW images ( 40 seconds) makes them pretty unusable. Uncompressed take about 6 seconds but uses a lot of space (9MB vs 4MB). Being able to compress RAW images on the camera as a background task when time isn't an issue, would be really useful.

It would be great to get this as a firmware update to the D100!

Hugh

I just wanted to make my (egotistical) case for a D200. I would
prefer to buy that instead of the D2x (if it ever shows up...) here
is my reasoning:

The problem with the D1x, D2H etc in my mind (I have a D2H just
selling my D100) is that they are tools for the trade - the
professional Photographer. And as much as I try - I have a long
ways to go in that regard. The D2H is a camera that is very
capable, but also quite unforgiving; if you don't get the exposure
etc. exact right the picture doesn't come out great. You have to
know what you are doing. It is probably a great camera for the pro,
as many of the pros in this forum readily attest to. I find it is
quite heavy and somewhat clumsy even for someone with as big as
hands that I have. And you know what since I got the D2H - my
family flees when they see it coming out it is too intimidating for
them they don’t like to hear the machinegun like action from it
I have written differently before but I have changed my mind - I
think there is a marketing case to be made for a D200.
Target group would be enthusiast that wants super high resolution,
D100 size and features + some of the D70 programs for good measure.
But the main selling point would be intelligent assistance to get
better pictures, for example Depth of field aware AF, smart
programs for night shots with long exposure etc.

Here is what I would want in such a camera

• D100 Size

• 3 FPS maybe 4

• 10-12 MP, 1.5 x sensor (I don't care about FF, My 17-55 DX lens

is a great tool)

• Some of the most useful D70 Programs for me like portrait, night

shoots for long exposures etc geared towards the enthusiasts needs.

• Top notch metering system, Spot metering
• Smart depth of field aware AF. It would be nice to get assistance

with the picture so that the things in the viewfinder would be in
focus, i.e. change the depth of field by changing the aperture. It
could be a system that would assist the Enthusiast and show what
would be in focus and help them make the call of what he/she wants
to be in focus.

• I truly dislike Nikons flash system. I don't want fill in flash,

very rarely do, so I have to go to a manual mode and it is very
hard to get the right exposure. If I shoot a room of people I don't
want the ones in the foreground to have the right exposure I want
everyone in the room and the room to be lit up correctly, I would
want a program for that.

• A LARGE VIEW FINDER THAT EXTENDS OUT FROM THE BODY - DO YOU HERE

ME NIKON? Canon does this way better I'm tired of squishing my nose
against the camera body and still hardly not see anything.

• Battery life like the D100 - got about 500-700 shots out of it

per charge - with a second battery that is good enough for me.

• I nice large SHARP 3 inch LCD so I can show people the shot I

just took. (The D2H LCD is awful)

• Very good in camera DEE, noise reduction and sharpening, most of

us don’t have the time and knowledge to do superb post processing,
we just want great shots all the time.

• $2000-$2500 price range, of course I would want less but one

would have to be realistic...
Let me know what you all think...
Andreas