Where to send broken Nikon

I broke my Nikon Coolpix 8800 today crossing a stream. It was powered on so the

lens was extended. It is a fixed lens camera. I had it on a tripod in my hand

and slipped forward and banged the edge of the lens. No broken glass but it

jammed the lens back into the camera and it now moves in and out by hand. I

think it must have broken or stripped the gear or whatever. Anyways, is it

fixable or just a really good reason to upgrade to a D200.

Upgrade. I feel like a real photog again after Using a P&S Cannon.

 

My D200 works like a real camera with proper framing and shutter response. I love it.

 

So far have the 18/70 and 55/200 VR and an adapter to use all my Leica Visoflex lenses. Maybe a 12/24 will be next.

 

If you do outside work, a zoom is very nice as you don`t need to open the body to change lenses and risk sensor dirt.

That's one vote for upgrade. I need a few more so I can show this to my wife. I did like the Coolpix and it took wonderful pics, but with the smallest aperture being f8, well you know. Thanks Ron, I want to feel like a real photographer too.

Just tell your wife that by owning a D200, you'll be SO much more fixated on not breaking it because of what it costs, that it will last much longer in the field.

 

But seriously: nothing will return the joy of photography like picking up that nice, solid, responsive camera body and using it. My wife has commented more than once that I seem genuinely happier and more creative now that I've got the right tool for the job. Yes, yes, a great photographer can make beautiful work with an Etch-A-Sketch, I know... but having a DSLR with the D200's flexibility and substance for as little (relatively) as it costs - it's a revelation once you jump in. No, I'm not dismissing the D80/40 flavors... just telling you how genuinely happy I am to have walked away from the more sluggish digicams. You'll love it. And your wife will love how much you love it. Really!

Well Matt...you know, if it will make her happy then I am all for it. I know it's expensive, but I am willing to make that sacrifice, (you know, work a little overtime, mow a few lawns), so that I can truly be a happier amateur photographer, thereby making her happy too. Of course I will need accessories, but that may have a plus side. I do love photography almost as much as I love...ummm...her, so I am close to being convinced. Ok, now that's two votes for upgrade, not counting mine. Thanks Matt, and you are right about being more careful with a D200. I may have had to suffer a broken arm or a dislocated shoulder if I'd had one.

If you were happy with the 8800 (I had the 8700 and loved it), chances are you don't need the advanced features of the d200. Upgade to a d40! Image quality with the d40 is the same as the d200 and will be superior to the 8800 at all ISO's above 400. You will also really appreciate the fast focus speed of either the the d40 or d200 as compared to the 8800.

I would send the broken camera to the recycle bin or donate to a school or charitable org that will accept electronics.

 

As for the upgrade question...

1. D200 only if you are super serious about photography. The D200 is a pro camera with pro features and the cost is between $1,300 and $2,500 (w/lens). If you're serious about photography, then it is worth the money.

 

2. D40 if you want to take the next step up from a P/S. The D40 is not the same as a D200 for the following reasons:

1. 6.7 megapixel vs. 10.2 (D200 is 10.2)

2. D40 is a plastic body. D200 is a metal body w/rubber seals.

3. D40 doesn't have autofocus motor in the body. The D40 depends on the lens to perform the AF.

4. D40 is more limited in terms of shooting modes and controls.

5. D40 does not have a flash sync cord connection.

 

With all that being said the D40 is an excellent choice and is priced right.

 

3. D40x - $200 more than the D40, offers 10.2 mega pixel, but does so with a lower flash sync speed (I believe 1/250 vs. 1/500)

 

IMHO - Stay away from the D40x, go with either the D200 or D40. Both are solid and reliable... and yes I do own both.

Time for the dslr, Fred -- more flexible, more control, more responsive, and under many circumstances, capable of producing better results. And many of them are now priced at or below where your 8800 was priced when you bought it.

 

"In between" the D200 and the D40/D40x there are other cameras, notably the D80, whose viewfinder is really on par with the one in the D200. There are also D70/D70s and D50 bodies, which are not currently in the Nikon line-up, but some are still around. D200 is outstanding; you're getting a pro-level build and pro speed for that extra money. The others are also capable of making outstanding photos.

 

And at the risk of sounding like a heretic, other manufacturers are making excellent cameras, too. Just for the heck of it, since you're starting from scratch, I'd have a look at Canon and Pentax and quite possibly Olympus as well (though I personally know much less about the Olympus cameras and the 'four-thirds' system). Newer bodies by Pentax and Olympus (and Sony's one and only dslr body, which I personally did not like) have a form of image stabilization built right into the body, so that every lens you mount benefits from that feature. That's not true of any of the Nikon or Canon dslr's.

 

Judging from your portfolio where landscapes seem to predominate -- and there are some very good ones, by the way -- I suspect your initial concerns might relate more to selection of your first lens(es).

 

Good luck.

 

[As an old former Chicagoan, I know absolutely nothing about vote-rigging. But I'll email you privately to tell you where to send my check :-) ]

Keep in mind that the D200 may be more camera than you need, literally... it is quite a bit

heavier than your dearly departed 8800. I think the D80 is a good compromise between

the D40 and D200.

 

Coolpix 8400 4.4W/3.2H/3.0D 14 oz.

 

D40 3.7/5.0/2.5 17 oz.

 

D80 4.1/5.2/3.0 21 oz.

 

D200 4.5/5.8/2.9 29.3 oz.

 

A flash sync terminal can be added to any Nikon lacking same by purchasing an AS-15 for

less than $20.

Purchasing a new camera is always nice. Of course you have to decide what is affordable to you. The Nikon D200 or D80 are great camera's. I am sure you would be happy with either one. Once you purchase one of these models you will also begin to realize the need for a new camera case, spare battery and a flash for the camera. Your tripod may not be sturdy enough and a couple of lenses for different purposes. The price adds up but hobbies are always expensive and in the case of photography it is well worth it. Good luck.

Thanks all for the good advice. I am very close to going with the D200. Photography is turning into more than just a hobby for me. I really am happy with the 8800. In my amateur eye I don't think I've done too bad with it, and by looking at so many excellent photos in other PN members portfolios I see it is possible to achieve pro results with less expensive equipment. The D200 sounds like a good solid camera and with rubber seals it must be water resistant. Perfect for an accident prone photographer. There is still life in the 8800. I removed the outer ring from around the lens and gave the lens body a firm pull and it seems to have snapped back into gear. I took several photos with it Saturday and they seem fine. I still want the new one though. Thanks again for the help.

Fred P.S. Micheal.. I am e-mailing your fee asap.

<< ... gave the lens body a firm pull and it seems to have snapped back into gear. ... >> <p>

 

Good job, Fred. Nikon's charge for a "pro yanking" like that is probably around $225. :) <p>

 

The D200 is a fine machine. It is weather resistant, by the way, though of course many of the lenses are not. <p>

 

Pick your first lens(es) with some care. I've used an 18 - 70mm Nikkor extensively (on a D70) and would say that as "kit" lenses go, it's pretty darned good. <p>

 

While I have not used the 18 - 135mm Nikkor (a newer "kit" lens from Nikon), I have not heard many -- come to think of it, <i>any</i> -- truly favorable comments about that one. The sought-after 18 - 200mm VR Nikkor, on back-order basically since it was introduced, appears finally to be more available, and at around $750, it's a very versatile lens. But it shows some of the compromises inherent in any "cover everything" zoom. I have seen a number of photos taken with one, and to my eye they look quite good. <p>

 

Pro-level zoom lenses from Nikon are larger, heavier, and more expensive. But if those three issues are soluble, you do get what you pay for, both optically and in build quality. <p>

 

Knock-around <a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael-s/856054445/>street snapper that I am</a>, I don't have any of those. But your landscape stuff, composed with care and a good eye, well ...... <p>

 

Then there are the prime lenses, many of which are superb and nearly all of which (at the wider focal lengths) are comparatively small and light.<p>

 

How am I doin' spending your dough ?<p>

 

Good luck and have fun, Fred.<p>

 

- Michael

Fred,

Try dropping it in the water next time. That will guarantee you get a new one.