Which to buy D1h,D1x,D2h

[mr-mike]

I am a longtime Nikon user, with about 15 lenses, including 6 current

AF models. I have been using the F100 for 2 years, and love it. I use

it for general family photos, travel shots, and a lot of amateur

sports photography -- soccer and horse jumping in mostly good outdoor

lighting conditions. Realistically, 4 or 5 fps is plenty of speed for

me, but there might be times I would want to knock off 5 or 10 quick

continuous frames, then back off to single shots immediately. I love

technology, and don't mind overpaying for it, as long as it WORKS.

 

I am ready to make the jump into digital (I have a 3-year old Coolpix

990 I messed around with, but the resolution and speed were not

acceptable). I will probably attend a 2 day school once I've bought a

camera.

 

I am completely confused at the difference between the D1h, D1x and

D2h. Price is not a significant factor for me. It seems the D1h is an

older model with less resolution, and the coming D2h is a hot shooter

that stores more info more quickly but gives up resolution even

though the processing technology is evidently better.

 

I am leaning toward the D1x, but every time I buy older technology, I

wind up regretting it. Also, depending on where you look, it seems

the D1x can have different burst speeds and buffer capacity -- is

this a function of upgrades, and if so, what is the most current?

 

I'm looking for someone's opinion other than a salesman who wants my

money NOW!

 

One final question -- at a Yankees playoff game, I noticed the PJ's

in the press box all had their D1's tethered to laptops and almost

seemed to be continuously downloading current shots to them. Is it

possible to bypass the camera's buffer and get faster performance by

dumping the data directly to a gigged-up laptop or PC? Or was I

hallucinating?

[ellis_vener_photography]

Go with the D2H. The quality is extremely close to the D1X. The current versions of

the D1x has a good size buffer. The D2H with the the wireless option means you

won't have to be hardwired to your Powerbook.

[mountaineer1965]

It certainly sounds as though your the type of photographer the D1H, and now the D2H have been designed for.

 

I too have been shooting Nikon for some time and also looking to switch to digital. I've done tons, and I mean tons, of research and have come to this conclusion: the D1X was designed with the landscape photographer in mind and the D1H/D2H have been designed with the sports/photojournalist in mind. Now I am oversimplifying this, but the main features of the D1H/D2H (fps/buffer/clearing after a burst) really are of no use (or minimal use) for a landscape photographer. Most all of my subjects or static, using a tripod, slow shutter speeds, etc. etc.. Where the D1X offers a slighter higher resolution and software that will give me a little more detail in distant objects (although with the new D2H at 4 megapixels this may become even a smaller difference).

 

Having said all that I am leaning towards the D1X, although for me price is a consideration, so I'm also looking at the D100.

 

www.dpreview.com is an excellent source for in-depth, non-biased reviews of just about every digital camera made.

 

Hopefully something I've mentioned will help you. Good luck.

 

Craig

[joshroot]

Get the d2h. If money isn't that big of a factor, there is no reason to go with something like the d1h (great camera thought it is). And if you shoot any sort of sports, you will like the faster frame rate and buffer over the d1x.

[kev]

It depends how fast you need it. If you can wait and the test turn out positive for the D2H get it. But if you are like me and this is yoru living get the D1H. I cant wait 3 months to get a D2H. Also if you are doing sports you will need to go with the H series or switch to cannon.

[mr-mike]

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered a D2H, which is due in tomorrow. I'll have some excellent opportunities to test it out in the next 4 weeks -- golf tournament, horse jumping competition, desert hiking trip, caribbean trip, soccer matches. Other formums have led me to using 2GB CF cards with a hard drive backup and Lexar card reader for storage and transfer. I'm still wondering about Nikon Capture -- is 4.0 avaialable yet, or do I buy 3.5 and get upgraded later? Anyway, this had ought to be fun!

 

Thanks again...