Samples images from D200

[JohnElderRobison]

I received my D200 yesterday. Here are some images taken today with

the 17-55 2.8 lens.

 

Hopefully this link will work:

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=553168

 

This D200 kit is a replacement for one of my D2x + 17-35 2.8 cameras

that was stolen 2 weeks ago.

 

As an aside, I had my cameras insured with Chubb and their

performance was outstanding. I called in the claim Thursday

evening. After calling in the claim I wrote a brief statement of

what happened and a list of what I lost (it was a whole rucksack.)

My statement included current prices from the Internet since I

didn't have any receipts. Friday the adjuster called my dealer,

Newtonville Camera, to verify prices on the camera stuff. The other

items were not costly and they just accepted them. Monday I

received a check.

 

Anyway, compared to the d2x this camera is much lighter and easier

handling. My initial impression is that is it to the d2x as the

f100 was to the f5 - 80% of the functionality, 40% of the price, and

a few new tricks.

 

And the 17-55 lens is impressive too - it effectively replaces the

17-35 and 28-80 AFS lenses with a single lens. There is a gap from

55-80 but if you carry this lens plus the 80-200 you are pretty well

covered with two lenses instead of three, with a substantial

reduction in total weight and very little compromise in quality.

 

The images are nothing special but they do illustrate it's

capability. I have shows the whole image and then an actual size

crop of the focus area.

 

So far I have posted three images but I will try and add some more:

 

Image of house and cars, bright sun, ISO 160, f9

 

Image of wife's head indoors with built in flash, ISO320

 

 

Image of son in Bertucci's under "natural" light - ISO 1600, hand

held, 1/13 second at 2.8

 

All were taken with the new 17-55 lens.

 

I will try and shoot some images with the d200 and my remaining d2x

so I can show you the difference between them. At this point,

though, I think the d200 has most of the image quality of the d2x in

a much smaller package.

 

The built in flash is really nice. I always wondered why Nikon did

not put one of those on its professional cameras years ago. There

are so many occasions where you need a small flash and the SB800 is

just one more thing to lug around and fit. I'm very pleased with

that feature.<div></div>

[arnabdas]

Killer cam. I'm impressed.

[paul_sokal___dallas__tx]

Looks great, John. I was hoping to replace my D-70 as my back-up to my D2X. Looks like the D-200 will be a nice fit. And BTW, your seriously need to get one of those bumper stickers for your Rolls, "My other car is a Mercedes."

[tholte]

John, Boy do I have some questions for you! Numero uno - sorry about getting your D2X stolen. When you get a chance, tell us how it happened. Numero dos - I don't think a lot of D2X owners will be thrilled about your comparison between the D2X and the D200. Let us know if you will replace your D2X.

[JohnElderRobison]

First - how did my camera get stolen?

 

It was in a rucksack in the back of my car. Someone saw it and grabbed it. Never had something like that happen before, and I hope it won't happen again. I hope the insurance company doesn't cancel me too.

 

Second, as to replacing the d2x . . . the d2x still does certain things better . . . low light metering (seems) better . . . image quality is said to be a bit better . . . the d2x view finder is bigger and brighter . . . the d2x focus is said to be faster . . . so I don't think this camera would cause me to sell my remaining d2x and get another. But I do think many people considering a d2x will have second thoughts given the performance of this camera for much less money.

[JohnElderRobison]

That Rolls isn't mine. The other car in my garage is a Land Rover.

 

I have a business photographing circus and carnival performers, fairs, and carnivals. I'm presently working on a book on the carnival lifestyle. My brother, who writes as Augusten Burroughs, wrote a book about our childhood called Running With Scissors if you want to know more.

 

I also own Robison Service in Springfield ( www.robisonservice.com ) which is the principal service facility in Western Massachusetts for Land Rover, Rolls Royce and Bentley automobiles as well as other high-end makes.

 

As to the d200 being a backup for a d70 . . .that's was what I meant about the f5/f100 comparison. You will find the d200 and d2x cameras work in very similar manners so it's easy to swap from one to the other in a moment. Not so with a d70 to d2x. Also the d200 is much more rugged.

[j_t3]

Thanks for sharing John.

 

The camera certainly looks and sounds impressive.

 

A lot of bang for the buck, it seems like one of the better cameras ever put out in that price range, film or digital.