D70s to D200 - now?
Discussion
I've just found out that the SGirl Piggybank now contains enough to buy a D200. 
So a question those of you who've already made the switch. Is it worth doing? Is the D200 noticeably better, easier to use, etc. than the D70s? In short - will I like it?
Ideally, I'd love to get a D2X. But I have neither the money nor the talent for that, so unless an anonymous benefactor would like to donate to the Piggybank, that's unfortunately not an option for the immediate future.
But anyway! D70s to D200 - good idea or not?
So a question those of you who've already made the switch. Is it worth doing? Is the D200 noticeably better, easier to use, etc. than the D70s? In short - will I like it?
Ideally, I'd love to get a D2X. But I have neither the money nor the talent for that, so unless an anonymous benefactor would like to donate to the Piggybank, that's unfortunately not an option for the immediate future.
But anyway! D70s to D200 - good idea or not?
nice purchase 
GetCarter said:
SGirl said:
Good idea or not - I just upgraded.
That was a really terrible idea (only joking, I'm sure you'll be well impressed).
Go on, I thought you were deadly serious for a minute there!
I couldn't wait - Warehouse Express can deliver next day if you order by 2 pm, and I spent the entire morning biting my fingernails and hovering between "shall" and "shan't". And then I suddenly thought well, why not? If I hate it, I can always send it back.
Anybody want to buy a D70s? One careful lady owner from new.
Well I can give you two slightly differnt angles;
1. Work colleague, dedicated F4s user has recently taken the plunge for a D200. Whilst it's not as rugged as his F4s he loves the quality of the output. Only downside is a relatively short battery life but easily cured with a spare. So far he is overjoyed with the D200.
2. Mrs CVP just moved from D70 to D80. She specifically didn't want the D200 after taking it for a test drive as she thought it was too heavy to carry round all day. The D80 is smaller and lighter than the D70 and so far the quality of output has been really good, with a natural print size out of the camera seeming to be approx A4.
Overall I'm sure you'll be very pleased with the D200 it really is a nice camera.
Cheers
Chris
1. Work colleague, dedicated F4s user has recently taken the plunge for a D200. Whilst it's not as rugged as his F4s he loves the quality of the output. Only downside is a relatively short battery life but easily cured with a spare. So far he is overjoyed with the D200.
2. Mrs CVP just moved from D70 to D80. She specifically didn't want the D200 after taking it for a test drive as she thought it was too heavy to carry round all day. The D80 is smaller and lighter than the D70 and so far the quality of output has been really good, with a natural print size out of the camera seeming to be approx A4.
Overall I'm sure you'll be very pleased with the D200 it really is a nice camera.
Cheers
Chris
CVP said:
relatively short battery life
Surprised at this, I'm getting close to and often over 1000 shots per charge. I'd wager that is massively higher than he got from his F4 so it seems an odd observation?
My opinion is that the D200 sits nicely inbetween the D70/80 and D2x. The weather sealing and build quality are a lot better then the D70, as is the overall handling and positioning of controls.
Interesting... I must confess, my one major reservation about it is the weight. I find the D70 with the 70-300mm lens on it tricky to hold steady because of its weight. The D200 body is a third as heavy again, isn't it? I suppose I ought to invest in some weight training or something.
Doesn't matter though. I'm getting all excited at the thought of it already.
I keep telling myself I should hide it away until my birthday next month, but you know how it is. I won't be able to resist getting it out just to admire it, even if I don't actually use it.
Thanks for all the info, everyone. I'll dedicate the first few photos to you unless you e-mail me specifically to beg me not to.
Doesn't matter though. I'm getting all excited at the thought of it already.
I keep telling myself I should hide it away until my birthday next month, but you know how it is. I won't be able to resist getting it out just to admire it, even if I don't actually use it. Thanks for all the info, everyone. I'll dedicate the first few photos to you unless you e-mail me specifically to beg me not to.
_dobbo_ said:
CVP said:
relatively short battery life
Surprised at this, I'm getting close to and often over 1000 shots per charge. I'd wager that is massively higher than he got from his F4 so it seems an odd observation?
My opinion is that the D200 sits nicely inbetween the D70/80 and D2x. The weather sealing and build quality are a lot better then the D70, as is the overall handling and positioning of controls.
Friend of mine uses a D200 and complains about the battery life too, came from a D70 as comparison . . .
Fd
_dobbo_ said:
CVP said:
relatively short battery life
Surprised at this, I'm getting close to and often over 1000 shots per charge. I'd wager that is massively higher than he got from his F4 so it seems an odd observation?
My opinion is that the D200 sits nicely inbetween the D70/80 and D2x. The weather sealing and build quality are a lot better then the D70, as is the overall handling and positioning of controls.
Over 1,000 is pretty decent as the official figures I think are more in the region of 650 or so. I too had an F4s and when fully tooled up with Lithium AA's it used to last forever. Maybe he's using the LCD a lot more than you, but I guess that's only natural when you first go digital.
It's certainly a really nice piece of kit and I agree it's a good placement between D70/80 and D2x.
Cheers
Chris
I have both a D70 and a D200 and I haven't touched my D70 since the D200 arrived. They really are worlds apart - the D200 has a bigger screen, better handling (all the controls etc are more accessible) and it's just a far far more 'pro' body.
re Battery life - I shoot RAW only and I run out of CF cards (5GB worth) before I run the battery down. I have the extra battery grip with 2nd battery but ive never had to dip into it in a one day shoot - 5GB gets me about 500-600 shots and the battery still has some juice left in it.
re Battery life - I shoot RAW only and I run out of CF cards (5GB worth) before I run the battery down. I have the extra battery grip with 2nd battery but ive never had to dip into it in a one day shoot - 5GB gets me about 500-600 shots and the battery still has some juice left in it.
I have been considering the same thing recently - D70 to D200. However, my dilema is should I really be spending the money on lenses?
I do a wee bit of track/race day photography and most other stuff. I would really like to upgrade from my 70-300mm 1:4-5.6G, but am guessing a reasonable quality replacement would be £300-£500.
I still feel that I have a lot to learn about the camera and photography so not sure I could do the cost of a D200 and new lens justice
I do a wee bit of track/race day photography and most other stuff. I would really like to upgrade from my 70-300mm 1:4-5.6G, but am guessing a reasonable quality replacement would be £300-£500.
I still feel that I have a lot to learn about the camera and photography so not sure I could do the cost of a D200 and new lens justice
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