dan_brown14

I don't get this at all. Why spend $750 for a slow lens with mediocre performance? Read

the reviews!

Good for you August, take it back! I have my D200 money ready to spend, but I am

waiting (using D100) until there are D200's in stock everywhere and dealers are offering a

bit of a price reduction to move them. There is the leading edge, and there is the bleeding

edge, you decide.

I've trimmed all my film gear down to a Nikon N90s and a YashicaMat 124G. I still enjoy a

bit of B&W darkroom work, and would like a first class MF camera. Strickly a hobby deal

for me. Looking through the recent KEH catalog, I see there are some pretty decent deals

on MF gear. Question, which generation of Hassy gear is the sweet spot of price

performance? I'm looking at a body, 80mm lens, hood, and waist level finder (no meter

needed).

Thanks...

I wish Zeiss all the best with this effort. It is heart-warming to me that digital SLR's (D2x &

D200) have progressed to the point where superlative performance, fast, fixed focal length

lenses are in (apparent) demand. As opposed to wunder-zooms only mentality.

Hmmm, me things a basic book on photography would be more helpful to Peter than

Nikon normalizing the focal length labels of their DX lenses to the (nearly defunct) 35mm

film format standard.

I would definitely look for a deal on a used one, the resale on these has got to be headed

seriously down. I'd also consider a new D200 plus a cheap used F5 to use for the times

the D200 couldn't get the action you are seeking.

It sounds like the 3rd contact on the battery could be bad (like a broken wire inside),

telling the camera there is no power. Definitely try another D200 battery before you

assume it's the camera. Your dealer can certainly get his hands on another battery?

The 180/2.8 AIS is a stellar lens, as is the AF-D version. I don't think you can go wrong

with either, they are certainly pro-class lenses. For a comparably priced zoom, take a look

at the 80-200/2,8D-AF "two-touch" Nikkor.

Where did you see the D200 with the 18-70? I believe you are mistaken. The D200s sold

thus far are lens-less. The new lens is the 18-200 VR something or other, that is most

likely "the" D200 lens. However, in my opinion, "the" d200 lens is the 17-55/2.8 and the

70-200/2.8.

Here's the real problem for me. Along with the D200, I need a 17-55/2.8, 70-200/2.8, an

SB800, Apple Aperture, and dual processor G5 Power Mac. Oh, and more CF cards ;-)

I can appreciate your strategy, and I think we know enough about the the D200 (and

Nikon's past) to be comfortable about how fantastic the camera surely will be. About your

lens kit, obviously the 70-200VR deserves nothing but superlatives, and I've heard much

good about the Sigma ultra-wide (and 10mm is ULTRA-wide). The 18-70 is a fine lens (I

have shot it for 2-3 years), but I suggest you see if you can s-t-r-e-t-c-h your budget

and get the 17-55/2.8, it would be perfect as your main lens on the D200.

Also, don't forget the SB800 flash.

Perhaps you should consider the 135/2 also? That's basically a 200/2 (film) performance

in a digital camera. A decade or so ago, I would have LOVED to have a Nikkor 200/2. In

fact, I still wood.