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Well, maybe blockbuster isn't really the right description...

I got my d200 Thursday night and got a chance to play with it a little bit, last night. So far, I'm very pleased with this camera. It certainly is different in many ways, from the d70. There are a ton of camera settings that allow you to configure the d200 to your liking.

These are a couple of my first shots with the d200. I've seen a number of complaints about d200 sharpness, on out of camera shots. My first impressions are that the images are slightly softer, but that they can easily match d70 shots with appropriate camera settings and/or post processing. After almost 2 years with the d70, I don't see any problem with d200 sharpness, when I use fairly good technique.

Both were shot as JPG, using in-camera settings of more contrast and medium high sharpening. After resizing for the web, only slight adjustments to contrast and sharpening were done. FWIW, I really like working with these files. It seems much easier to get the look that want, without hitting serious artifacts as quickly when playing with the adjustments.

Nikon D200 ,Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX APO Macro IF HSM
1/250s f/10.0 at 185.0mm iso400 with Flash hand held


Nikon D200 ,Nikkor 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D AF ED Micro
1/250s f/9.0 at 100.0mm iso100 with Flash hand held

Merry Christmas, Kerry.

There's nothing wrong with those images.

How are you finding the focus speed thus far? That seems to be what a lot of people are worried about.

Kerry,
Merry Xmas!
Congrats on your new toy!
The photos are brilliant! thanks for sharing and keep them coming.

gstark wrote:Merry Christmas, Kerry.

There's nothing wrong with those images.

How are you finding the focus speed thus far? That seems to be what a lot of people are worried about.

And a very Merry Xmas to you, Gary.

Focus speed seems faster than with either of my d70s, and more accurate, I think. But, it's really hard to say, because I've not had much time to play with it. All of my shots have been indoors, in poor lighting, with AF lenses or macro lenses. Of course, those are the worst for focus speed. I haven't had a chance to try the 80-400vr yet.

The outer focus points, used individually, are problematic with those lenses, in low light, low contrast scenes. The center point is the cat's meow, easily as good or better in performance than the d70.

First impression, is that it's a definite improvement, but the difference isn't huge, under these lousy conditions. Dunno when I'll have sunlight and time to test it outdoors....

Birddog114 wrote:Kerry,
Merry Xmas!
Congrats on your new toy!
The photos are brilliant! thanks for sharing and keep them coming.

Merry Xmas to you and yours, Birddog!

I'm quite pleased with the camera so far. I think I'll keep it.

I'll try to get some interesting photos this weekend. But, they'll likely be macros and such. Doesn't look like the sun will come out any time soon.

If that is the standard of the D200, Nikon has a winner in its hands.

Nice shots Kerry, glad you like your new toy and Merry Xmas to you and yours.

Bob.

.

Thanks for posting these Kerry, good to see some examples from someone who knows what they're doing...

Cheers and Merry Christmas mate.

Kerry - with a new camera and using both the Nikon (Micro) & Sigma (Macro) lenses I would be very happy with the sharpness. As mentioned previously completely different setup to the D70/70s. BTW: the rose shot is missing your usual water droplets, slipping

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.

Oneputt wrote:If that is the standard of the D200, Nikon has a winner in its hands.

I'm quite sure that the d200 is capable of better shots than these.... With top glass and in the hands of a capable photographer, I think this camera will be a classic.

Merry Xmas to you and yours!

moggy wrote:Nice shots Kerry, glad you like your new toy and Merry Xmas to you and yours.

Thanks, Bob.

Merry Xmas to you and yours as well!

mudder wrote:Thanks for posting these Kerry, good to see some examples from someone who knows what they're doing...

Cheers and Merry Christmas mate.

Thanks for the very kind comment. I will say though, that I laughed at the comment as well. It will be a while before I am even comfortable with the camera. It's got so many cool ways to control the image capture, that getting the best out of it will take some study and experimentation. OTOH, just doing quickie type shots, with settings similar to my d70, the camera is relatively easy to pick up, shoot and get good results.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

fozzie wrote:Kerry - with a new camera and using both the Nikon (Micro) & Sigma (Macro) lenses I would be very happy with the sharpness. As mentioned previously completely different setup to the D70/70s.

Yes, I'm very pleased with the sharpness levels. My impression is that the d200 nef is a little softer than a d70 nef, but it is easier to work with. Of course, I've barely gotten 100 snaps yet, so I can't define it better than that. I've done half a test shoot, with the 85 f/1.8 on the d200. I'll do the same with the d70s and have a better idea, perhaps.

BTW: the rose shot is missing your usual water droplets, slipping

heh. Hang tight. I plan to use these roses again. I've got an eyedropper now, to try something new.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

I really like these shots Kerry and if they're indicative of what can be acheived with very little experience with the D200 then I'm sure we're going to see some fabulous results from not only yourself but from the other new owners as well.

Sadly, but not so surprisingly, there was no D200 under the Manta family tree this morning. Maybe next year...

Merry Christmas to you and your family and I'm really looking forward to seeing your work when you master the new body.

Terrific images that show the calibre of the D200, and the shooter of course . Thank you for posting and will be keen to see some more analysis and more 'hoop' jumping from you and the D200 Kerry, especially with the 80-400VR, focus speed and high ISO performance particularly for those of us (me included ) who are keenly waiting for Sanata's (Santa's half brother ) late drop to us.
Cheers and you and family a very Merry Christmas my friend
marco

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year Kerry - we have all seen some amazing photos through 2005 from your D70 and now we all expect the same for 2006 from your new D200

Great Shots Kerry. The second is a beauty

Have a great Christmas.

Kerry, nice photos, it seems that the sigma 180 does a good job as well as the d200

Manta wrote:I really like these shots Kerry and if they're indicative of what can be acheived with very little experience with the D200 then I'm sure we're going to see some fabulous results from not only yourself but from the other new owners as well.

I don't see why anyone with d70 experience couldn't do the same. Excepting for resolution, the differences in IQ aren't significant to me. The camera handles better than the d70, in many ways, making it a little easier to get the shot. I like the d200 shutter release, for example, more than the d70. If you set up image parameters similar to the d70, it should give the same type of output, in general. Colors, WB, sharpening, contrast, etc, are not identical, but they're not worlds apart either.

I had no plans to get rid of my d70's and see no reason not to use them. They still make excellent images that are just as good as the d200 images, when resolution isn't an issue.

Sadly, but not so surprisingly, there was no D200 under the Manta family tree this morning. Maybe next year...

Bummer. But, if you're happy with what you have, you're still in good shape.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and I'm really looking forward to seeing your work when you master the new body.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

I'll try not to disappoint you with future shots, but no guarantees.

marcotrov wrote:Terrific images that show the calibre of the D200, and the shooter of course . Thank you for posting and will be keen to see some more analysis and more 'hoop' jumping from you and the D200 Kerry, especially with the 80-400VR, focus speed and high ISO performance particularly for those of us (me included ) who are keenly waiting for Sanata's (Santa's half brother ) late drop to us.
Cheers and you and family a very Merry Christmas my friend
marco

I'll try to get some high ISO and d70 comparison shots posted this weekend. If I can get some sunlight, I'll also try to do something with the 80-400. I'll at least do some rough tests on the focus speed. It will take me a while to get up to speed with the d200, to the point where I think I'd feel comfortable with a solid analysis. Unfortunately, this is the worst time of the year to be looking for good photo ops, in this region.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Marco!

sirhc55 wrote:Merry Christmas and a happy New Year Kerry - we have all seen some amazing photos through 2005 from your D70 and now we all expect the same for 2006 from your new D200

Thanks, Chris. I'll try.

Wishing a very Happy Holiday season to you and yours!

Slider wrote:Great Shots Kerry. The second is a beauty

Have a great Christmas.

Thanks, Mark.

Merry Christmas to you!

Big V wrote:Kerry, nice photos, it seems that the sigma 180 does a good job as well as the d200

Thanks, Big V. Yes, I fully expect all of my sigma lenses to work fine with the d200. The 180 has been a real treat to use.