Save me, please.........a quandry, a quagmire awaits......

You know where the for sale forum is Bill. :twisted:

 

If you're looking for any calm voices of reason to talk you out of it, you've come to the wrong place.  

Seriously I say go for it. As you point out with HSC mode you won't really miss the 120-300

 

Although I'm a big fan of HSC and saw the potential of it since the first press release, I'm not sure I would buy D2x if I know I'll be using HSC more than half of the time. I personally think it would be better to have longer lens and D2h rather than shorter lens and D2x with HSC.
With HSC you gain 2.7 Mpixel over D2h but then you lost the clean high ISO.

--ricardo

 

Bill You dont want my help here :evil:
Seriosuly though sound sliek you have a nice transition plan in place I say roll with it

 

You have the shovel.
But why dig?
You do not have enuf reason to get D2X.

Consider the D2Xs-In the meantime you might find some great glass
at a bargain.

Birger

 

#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax;

 

Bill,
From what I have read, there is a BIG difference between the d2h, d2hs and d2x in noise at high ISO's
Funny that you specifically mention ISO 1000 and 1250, the d2x HAS NO ISO 1000 or 1250, it goes only ina full step from iso 800 then 1600.

The d2x is reportedly worse than the d2h with noise.
As you know from indoor shooting and night events, the d2h isn;t the best at iso 1600, the d2x is worse.

The d2hs is BETTER than the d2h, substantially better,
http://www.digitalreview.ca/cams/NikonD2HsNRtest.shtml

HEre is a bit on noise with the d2x, it is reported worse than the d70 (which is better than the d2h if you are still following along)
http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=1448&cid=15&pg=12

 

Bill;
I have two D2H and one D2X.
Both models are great cameras.

You shoot sports in somewhat low light as well as eagles in better light.

My feeling is that the D2H can shoot at a faster speed for the ISO.
You can even slightly over expose to get the best picture.

With the D2X you get better color in my thinking.
However for low light sports, as you increase the ISO you must marketly increase the shutter speed unless you are using a wimberley to get a sharp picture.

Camera or operator shake you know.

I interjected the D2Xs because That may have higher quality ISO ratings.

What I am waiting for is the D200 because of the onboard flash
and compactness.

Last month on the spur of the moment, I got one of the first Epson 4800
printers in the US. When it arrived and I saw the size of it, I thought
well I goofed.
However let me say, that printer is so perfect. The colors are so pure.
Each machine is calibrated so that any 4800 will match any other 4800.

You can print until the ink runs out of a cartridge-- then just pop in
another cartridge and the printer starts up again with no interruption of the print.

Birger

 

Bill

Looking at your reasoning and your shooting requirements, I WOULD NOT move up to a D2X and I shoot one myself.

Your requirements in my opinion are crying out for a HS.

I've shot a tad with an HS...extensively with an H and an X.

There is no comparison relative to noise in low light situations. The HS absolutely wins in my opinion.

Another thing that you are looking at totally incorrectly is the ability to shoot the X with the 70-200 handheld. The X shows every single tremor due to the resolution and I honestly think that it's best used mounted unless you're using something like a 50 mm lens. I've had occasion to shoot it handheld with a 70-200, a 200-400 and a 500, both with and without a TC and I will tell you that my acceptable yield of "critically sharp" images pales in comparison to what I used to achieve with the H body. It isn't even close. Mounted on a tripod, I love the thing....but late in the evening or early in the morning I'd rather have an HS. You can shoot at slower shutter speeds and not see all of the shake issues (the resolution doesn't show them as badly) and if you need to pump up the ISO on the HS to 800, from what I've seen...it's a clean as some if my 320 shots on the X.

The HSC isn't the be all to end all. I find it useful if I'm shooting smaller critters which will allow me more shots per card, but if you think that it's really gonna turn the long end of a 70-200 into a smashing success of a 400, you're wrong.

Another thing that you might take note of is that there are reports all over the place with folks having less than stellar success with the 70-200 on the X body.

Just some more fat to chew on....

 

#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax;

 

D2Hs Reasoning

The D2Hs reasoning is:

A) Updated metering to match the D2X as well as menu updates.

B) Considerably cleaner Hi ISO noise profiles than the D2H.