Hi,
I promised I'd get back after the weekend to give my first impressions of my new D200, so here they are. This post is not very structured and probably rambles a bit too much.
Moving from the D70 the first thing that strikes you is the size and weight. The D200 on it's own is slightly bigger than the D70 but is a lot heavier. There's a solidity that just breeds confidence in the build quality. That's not to say the D70 feels bad, just that the D200 feels so much better. The texture on the grip is much less slippy than the D70, more in line with the D2x. One possible gripe is that it's now a longer reach to the DOF preview button and I don't have big hands.
I'd heard reports about the much bigger and brighter viewfinder so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. It is bigger than the D70 finder but not as big as the finder in my F4. This was actually a relief as I sometimes find the F4 screen too big to keep track of everything in the frame. The viewfinder information is also better than the D70 since you can now see the ISO setting .
The menus are well laid out (as are the D70's) but I must admit I have no idea yet what some of them do. Particularly in relation to those settings for the AF system. The possibilities to set the camera up just the way you want seem endless. Of course the problem then is what setting to use in what situations? I think I have lots of reading ahead of me.
I mentioned earlier that it was slightly bigger than my D70. It's MUCH bigger when you add the MB-D200. In fact in this configuration it's bigger than my F4 ! It's so big it won't fit in my Lowepro TLZ 2 case I use every day and it'll probably have to go on it's side in my Computrekker backpack ! It'll be interesting to compare sizes with the D2x later this week. I've yet to be convinced about using it with the MB-D200. The build quality on the battery pack is not as good as the actual body and there does seem to be a little movement between them when attached. I'll obviously have to try both configurations to see what I like best. It may be like the F4 where I change between the MB-20 and the MB-21 as the situation dictates.
Image quality is stunning. We've not had a good weekend weather wise so my pictures have been limited to family shots. Having said that I did manage a comparison shot of the end of some DVD cases using a 55mm Micro Nikkor which actually showed how good both cameras are ! A few of the shots I did manage to get were at ISO 400 and look very clean.
Talking of 55mm Micro Nikkors brings me to another big plus for the D200. Metering with non-CPU lenses. Dial in the focal length and maximum aperture and off you go. I've got a couple of older AI lenses that I can use on it and the D200 has given new life to my 1967 (but AI converted) 28mm f/3.5. This lens can't be used on the F4 (fouling on the internal pins) and of course has no metering on the D70.
The big screen on the back is much clearer than my D70 screen and also allows much more zooming in to check focus. I also like the ability to customize the playback information screens in use. I must get round to swapping the playback controls over to be the same as D70 before I get too confused. I like the way the centre button on the 4 way switch can be set up to show a close up of the focus area used.
I was also surprised at the difference in sound when the D200 is fired. I've yet to quantify it but it seems to be much quicker in reacting to the shutter press than the D70. everything seems to be just that bit slicker.
Overall, I'm very impressed. I knew it was better but not exactly how much better. The D70 is a great camera. :smile: The D200 is better. :biggrin:
As soon as I get the chance to get some images recorded I'll post them here.
Ronnie
I promised I'd get back after the weekend to give my first impressions of my new D200, so here they are. This post is not very structured and probably rambles a bit too much.
Moving from the D70 the first thing that strikes you is the size and weight. The D200 on it's own is slightly bigger than the D70 but is a lot heavier. There's a solidity that just breeds confidence in the build quality. That's not to say the D70 feels bad, just that the D200 feels so much better. The texture on the grip is much less slippy than the D70, more in line with the D2x. One possible gripe is that it's now a longer reach to the DOF preview button and I don't have big hands.
I'd heard reports about the much bigger and brighter viewfinder so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. It is bigger than the D70 finder but not as big as the finder in my F4. This was actually a relief as I sometimes find the F4 screen too big to keep track of everything in the frame. The viewfinder information is also better than the D70 since you can now see the ISO setting .
The menus are well laid out (as are the D70's) but I must admit I have no idea yet what some of them do. Particularly in relation to those settings for the AF system. The possibilities to set the camera up just the way you want seem endless. Of course the problem then is what setting to use in what situations? I think I have lots of reading ahead of me.
I mentioned earlier that it was slightly bigger than my D70. It's MUCH bigger when you add the MB-D200. In fact in this configuration it's bigger than my F4 ! It's so big it won't fit in my Lowepro TLZ 2 case I use every day and it'll probably have to go on it's side in my Computrekker backpack ! It'll be interesting to compare sizes with the D2x later this week. I've yet to be convinced about using it with the MB-D200. The build quality on the battery pack is not as good as the actual body and there does seem to be a little movement between them when attached. I'll obviously have to try both configurations to see what I like best. It may be like the F4 where I change between the MB-20 and the MB-21 as the situation dictates.
Image quality is stunning. We've not had a good weekend weather wise so my pictures have been limited to family shots. Having said that I did manage a comparison shot of the end of some DVD cases using a 55mm Micro Nikkor which actually showed how good both cameras are ! A few of the shots I did manage to get were at ISO 400 and look very clean.
Talking of 55mm Micro Nikkors brings me to another big plus for the D200. Metering with non-CPU lenses. Dial in the focal length and maximum aperture and off you go. I've got a couple of older AI lenses that I can use on it and the D200 has given new life to my 1967 (but AI converted) 28mm f/3.5. This lens can't be used on the F4 (fouling on the internal pins) and of course has no metering on the D70.
The big screen on the back is much clearer than my D70 screen and also allows much more zooming in to check focus. I also like the ability to customize the playback information screens in use. I must get round to swapping the playback controls over to be the same as D70 before I get too confused. I like the way the centre button on the 4 way switch can be set up to show a close up of the focus area used.
I was also surprised at the difference in sound when the D200 is fired. I've yet to quantify it but it seems to be much quicker in reacting to the shutter press than the D70. everything seems to be just that bit slicker.
Overall, I'm very impressed. I knew it was better but not exactly how much better. The D70 is a great camera. :smile: The D200 is better. :biggrin:
As soon as I get the chance to get some images recorded I'll post them here.
Ronnie
