I love my D1X and I hate it when people trash this camera

<p>Todd -</p>

<p>Glad I deleted the 2nd part of my answer to your post regarding film vs. D1x in the wedding forum... ;-)</p>

<p>No doubt that the D1x is a nice body. The problem / challenge that I see with digitial in general is that when we need / desire / crave new features we have to go out and buy a new body whereas in the world of film for the most part we just bought a different flavor of film. ISO was a function of the body as much as it was processing and film. Color rendition was film not body based. </p>

<p>Don't get me wrong - there were plenty of reasons to upgrade bodies for film too - AF, Motor drives, etc... but in general the body had a lot less (IMHO) to do with the result than the film and photographer and development / post processing.</p>

<p>As for the features - I compare it to automobiles - in the past - such things as: A/C; Automatic Transmission; Radio; CD player; Power this / that; Etc... were all found only in high end models at one point... Now they are pretty much table stakes for most cars in the US. Does that mean that a $14,000 Kia Sportage drives like a Lexus? No... but if I want those features I have a choice.</p>

<p>I have said this before, just because something new comes out that does not mean the older model stops functioning. I own a D3, but I still use my D2x also. All that matters is does the camera meet your needs.</p>

<p>I love tech junkies. Just when I think that I'm loosing my mind with they remind me that I am still <em>relatively</em> sane.<br>

Adam</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I do not understand what all the fuss is about battery life My D1x can shoot 5-600 images before needing a battery change.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>This does raise some eyebrows. My father owns a D1X too and loves it. But he'll readily admit the battery life is the worst part of the D1x. I've watched him carry a small army of batteries with him, only to see him fussing and changing them with frequency. We've tried a number of things, quick charging, cycling, full charging, buying new batteries, etc. But no matter what we do we can't get them to hold a charge. He's not a professional photographer, so it may be an issue of discharge when they're not in use. But a battery shouldn't lose that much charge within 3 days! Any suggestions or tricks to try?<br /> <br /> That said, I agree with what everyone else has posted. If it works for you, then don't listen to the trolls out there. For some people photography is about photography, sadly for others it's about the equipment.</p>

<p>Don't worry about it, you use what gear you want.<br>

As for the 8x10", I was never quite satisfied with the 8x10" prints from my D70, the pixels show. My D300 is quite satisfactory in this regard and I consider it's quality good enough that I don't need to lug with me my medium format gear all the time. Naturally not everyone is as picky, but there is a difference.</p>

<p>The problem with the battery in the D1 series of camera (D1/D1h/D1x) is more firm ware than anything else. The DiH and D1X both offer a firm ware upgrade that greatlt emproves battery life. Before I had the Firm ware update my D1X and D1H would not give good battery performance. After the upgrade I can consistantly get 600+ shots on one fully charged battery. Now I never use the screen in the back so maybe that has something to do with it. Also I use the 2700 mah aftermarket batteries not the 2100 mah Nikon versions. I also refresh my batteries completely after every 2 uses... This seems to work for me quite well...</p>

 

<p><em>The DiH and D1X both offer a firm ware upgrade that greatlt emproves battery life.</em></p>

<p>This is utter hogwash. I have the latest firmware, which made no difference in real battery life. It did attempt to "correct" an error in the battery indicator, which would allow another 40 exposures or so once it said "empty". Well, the correction was that the camera would cut off when the indicator read empty - gone are the extra shots.</p>

<p>You'd think your camera were your first born male child. Near the top of my list of all-time lame posts.</p>

<p>Great another critic...</p>

<p>I use D300 and D200 both wonderful cameras. They both meet my needs and do what I need them to do hey I could go get D700 or D3 and then pay'em off for 50 years ;-) but why just because D200 has CCD and not CMOS it doesn't mean that it's not going to produce great images.<br>

I know people what buy the latest and greatest just to have it and brag about it. I might be a little behind evolution (in electronics) I do not own I Pod I have a generic brand MP3 I dont own touch screen phone I dont need those when I do I will go get one just not yet.<br>

As long as D1x works for you it makes it a good camera there are people out there using D100 and they are happy with them.<br>

like Lil said that lady probably couldn't get D300 and was pissed at whoever has one. I know I will keep my D300 untill it dies or I cannot get it to do what I need it for.<br>

Cheers</p>

<p>If you only want a favorable reaction...you might try addressing your posts only to your mother.</p>

<p>Thanks Todd. It's reading things like this ever few months that keeps me in check when I constantly hear all the amazing things about the newer cameras and get itching to make unnecessary upgrades.</p>

<p>If you, as a wedding professional can happily use your D1x and not feel limited then certainly I as a casual amateur should be quite happy with a D200.</p>

<p>cheers all!</p>

<p>Peter<br>

Just remember it is not the camera but the person behind the camera that makes a great photo...</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I know I know. I always have to remind myself it seems!</p>

<p>I was messing around with a D700 in a store about a month ago just to prove that point. The pictures looked just like all the other pictures I've ever taken haha. <br>

there was no magic :(</p>

<p>Why do you care about what some gearheads think about your camera?<br>

Just shoot!</p>

<p>Nikon D1x - Nikkor 18-70 DX at 18mm - End of discussion - nothing is wrong with that camera.<br /> <img src="http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00T/00TBQC-128727584.JPG" alt="" width="699" height="455" /></p>

<p >I like the discussion and am new to the group. I have a Nikon D1X and D1H for fun and love them especially the D1H cause it is so responsive. However, my D1H now has problem with battery indicator and am searching for replacement.</p>

<p >I have converted my D1X/D1H battery to Lithium ion battery and it is cheap and better. I hated when I took picture in the winter and the original battery froze. The current Li ion batteries help me a lot.</p>

<p >You can also find Jonathan McKnight’s original conversion online somewhere (He is in NikonD1.net).</p>

<p >You have to open up your old dead battery by using sharp knive/cutter along the glued line carefully and pry the top and bottom part gently not to break the battery cover. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >I bought the kit from one of the battery supplier such as below. It has the 7.2 V adaptor, a 7.2 V battery which are 2 serially connected 3.7V 2000mAH 18650 Li Ions, and connection cables/wires.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Li-Ion 18650 Battery: 7.4V 2000mAh (14.8 Wh) Li-Ion battery pack with PCB + 1.5A Smart charger</p>

<p ><a href="http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1209">http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1209</a></p>

<p > </p>

<p >You can also build up by buying separately PCB for the 7.2V serially connected batteries such as the link below and buy the cheap Panasonic 3.7V battery with tabs. The tabs has a hole which you can insert wire to connect battery. I did connect by inserting the end of wire to the hole and just twisted as I am afraid to solder directly to the tab. Sometimes you can get the battery for $5 if they have on sale.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >My current battery uses the PCB depicted in the link below.</p>

<p >PCB for 7.2V Li-ion 18650 / 18500 7.2V battery packs</p>

<p ><a href="http://www.batteryjunction.com/pcbfor7li181.html">http://www.batteryjunction.com/pcbfor7li181.html</a></p>

<p > </p>

<p >3.7 Volt 1800 mAh Panasonic Li-Ion CGR18650HG Battery w/ Tabs</p>

<p ><a href="http://www.onlybatteries.com/showitem.asp?ItemID=15351.11&cat1=27&uid=1107">http://www.onlybatteries.com/showitem.asp?ItemID=15351.11&cat1=27&uid=1107</a></p>

<p > </p>

<p >I have tried the simple one by buying two protected 3.7V 18650 Li ion battery (Li ion with 3.7V PCB) and did not work when connected serially. I think the PCB limits the current. So I tried the non protected battery w/ tabs above and connected to the 7.2V PCB and they work well. I will try to attach some photos of my current batteries.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Currently, I bought several 7.2C PCB that battery junction sells now and they looked different from the picture in the link above and I am trying to figure out. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >*Disclaimer: You can try this conversion on your own risk. I am not connected to any vendors in the above links. I have no intention of advertising them just to share how I build my battery.</p>

<div></div>

<p>Hey Todd,<br>

You got some response! I'm with you all the way. I have a D1h and a D70, and I have printed 13 x 19 prints of same subject from both cameras using same settings. neither image fell apart and the D1h shot was actually noticeably sharper (albeit, not by much). The D1h does fall apart after any significant cropping but thats to be expected. And the batteries are bit of an issue. But the point is, I bought the D70 because I got caught up in the "newer is better" game. It wasn't. I posted a similar question about 2-3 years ago and everyone's response was opposite of what you got here. Everyone thought it was impossible to take quality images with an older camera. It was a couple of years ago so I think everyone was more caught up in the novelty of digital especially since, back then, the D70 was Nikon's first affordable "prosumer" digital camera. Now I think the dust has settled and a lot more people realize that they don't have to go out and buy the latest and the greatest every 2 years - unless your camera drops dead. By the way, Bruce states there are "ways around the battery issue." What ways?</p>

<p>Eric,<br>

The battery is a non issue to me as I buy aftermarket 2700mah from ebay for around $25.00 shipped and they will go 600+ shots before they give out. Goto ebay and search for Nikon D1 battery then look for the 2700 mah batteries buy a couple and you will be glad you did trust me.</p>

<p>I have a D1X with an interesting pedigree - it was used for a while to shoot for two major newspapers here in Australia (not by me though!). I have to figure a way to dispose of the tired batteries the thing came with, though.<br /> <br /> The great thing about the D1X is that you can use non-converted lenses. I have a 55mm micro which I can't use on the D200. The camera won't meter with this old lens but that's fine by me.<br /> <br /> The D1X's only flaws: hot spots on long exposures and not so great high ISO quality. Well, for the price and ruggedness that's okay. Maybe not the camera I'd use for stock images.<br /> <br /> Muhammad, thanks for the info about batteries. Very interesting. I do have 3rd party 2100mAh NiMH Powermart batteries for my camera, however, and so far no problems. Should have got the 2700s! D'oh!<br /> <br /> Todd, I don't know why people must be so negative. It does stem from ignorance, to be sure. Folks need to tone it down a little. Nothing wrong with this thread, BTW!</p>

<p>I have a D1X and three batteries. I get around a hundred shots from each. That's with the playback screen turned off (and minimal brightness when i activate it to check the histogram), AF lenses, raw format captures. The D1X is a 10.3 megapixel camera. It usually is described as a 6 megapixel but it's ten. Open its NEFs in FastStone Image Viewer to see this is the case.<br /><br />I use my D1X much the same way I shot 135 film in the past. 100-400 sensitivity, often with a tripod and/or a flash. When i need to replace it, i'll probably get a D2 (or a D3, as, by then, the D3 will be 'old technology' too). <br /><br />greets,<br />Matt</p>