D 200-viewfinder with manual focus lenses

[joseph_smith3]

I tried out my new D200 yesterday in my front yard with my 500mm f

4.0 P lens, a manual focus lens, both with and without the Nikon tc -

301 2x tc attached. I made no adjustments to the camera's settings

except for the diopter correction device on the viewfinder. I can

report that the viewfinder was easy to focus with! It was plenty

bright enough. While not as large or with as much detail on my F100

or n90s, I feel that I will be able to fine tune birds feathers,

animals eyes, etc. The images captured looked good on the camera's

LCD.

 

The only little glich I had was to figure out how to set the desired

aperture since I was using a tc w/o a communicating contact. Without

the tc attached, I did it one way, since the lens is chipped. With

the tc attached, I had to do it another way. (This is the same

issue when you use this tc with a F100 or F6. I just do not know

how to simply describe how you overcome it.)

 

The only start up problem I had was to figure out how to properly

format a flash card--how to insert it correctly and what buttons to

push and when to push them and how long it takes to complete the

format. Directions could have been a little better for this in the

manual. Do you have to push the wastebasket and mode buttons twice

to format the card? How long should it take to format a 1G card ?

 

I think I am going to love my first DSLR. Joe Smith

[erickpro]

yup, just push both format buttons untill the LCD reads for a first time, then you push them again and it starts to format the card.

 

1gb fills pretty quickly, I am have to buy another one today.

[tholte]

Joe, I guarantee you will like your first DSLR! Not many have the privilege to own a D200 as their first, make us proud.

[fourfa]

not to be a grinch, but manual focus is always easier with longer lenses. anyone have opinions about manual focusing with wide angle and normal lenses?

[anndra]

Hi Andy.

 

Prior to owning my D200, I had a D70 and manual focusing was difficult to say the least, now it's an option I have been able to use when I want.

 

I've used it with the 12-24mm and - whilst it's clearly not as easy as with, say, the 80-400vr - it's still very useable.

 

I have found it to be best of all when using the Micro-Nikkor 105mm.

 

Hope that helps ;)

 

Anndra.

[saikat.pathak]

I completely agree with Andy and look forward to some more specific answers relating to manually focussing wide angle lenses (say 24, 28, 35 - aperture around 2.8). 50/1.2 is a very fast lens and is likely to have little problems for manual focus. Real problem is while using wide angles.

 

I use F80 and F3, perhaps two extremes in terms of viewfinders among film cameras. While focussing tele lenses is not a big issue with the F80, working with wide angles is a real pain. I even have tough time for any macro work with F80 (I resort to F3 in these situations).

 

If D200's viewfinder brightness / bite is as good as F80's (which I presume is superior to D70 - correct me if I am wrong), then it might get me thinking again.

[saikat.pathak]

Peter, you are right about me sharing Andy's skepticism. And for good reason. Apart from your assuring reply, I am yet to see some real good comparisons and objective responses regarding the viewfinder of D200 for wideangle use and critical macro work.

 

I sincerely hope my skepticism is wiped away and the D200 turns out to be a beauty for these kind of work.

 

The reason I mentioned these two cameras is because they are so different in terms of the viewfinder. Can I not work with the F80 ? Of course I can, which is why I have it. Do I enjoy working with it ? Sadly no.

 

If someone assures me that D200 is way better than D70 and is equivalent to F80, that unfortunately, would not serve my purpose. I know the limitations of F80 and hence looking for some serious comparisons.

 

I wish I had the privilege of looking through the viewfinder of D200 in my country. But that's not easy and not going to happen soon. I have to specifically order one for myself and would have to buy it, whether I like it or not. Given this situation, I have to heavily depend on the objective responses in this site or some serious review for my research. I am looking forward to Bjorn Rorslett's review.

 

I am glad you cited your experience with the 24/2.8, that's some comfort.

[joseph_francis1]

The manual is unclear on the matter of how to format the card.

 

You have to push both buttons simultaneously - and twice.