Discussion
I've heard a rumour a few D2X bodies about to come on market. These are used (obviously) but not hugely, and are going to be sold for around the £500-600 mark (tbc)
Is it worth picking up one of these? Obviously there were the flashship model, but that was in 2005 and things have moved on a little. Would one of these bring more flexibility and quality than say my 400d?
Is it worth picking up one of these? Obviously there were the flashship model, but that was in 2005 and things have moved on a little. Would one of these bring more flexibility and quality than say my 400d?
Whether to buy it depends what you want to use the D2x for. If you want something built like a tank to use in all weathers and which will take a beating and not miss a beat and a really long battery life then the D2x may well fit you bill. The cropped sensor is greta for a lot of wildlife work as you can get away with a shorter focal length lens than on a traditional 35mm. If however you want something lght to take travelling and use with higher ISOs then the D2x may not be the best choice.
I went from D2x to D3 and whilst the D2x is a great piece of kit, it gets a lot less use now D3 has arrived.
In terms of how good it is, despite my loyalty to the tank, a D300 might be "better". It's pretty much the same sensor but the fimrware is another 18-24 months younger and it apparently copes with higher ISOs much better.
Chris
I went from D2x to D3 and whilst the D2x is a great piece of kit, it gets a lot less use now D3 has arrived.
In terms of how good it is, despite my loyalty to the tank, a D300 might be "better". It's pretty much the same sensor but the fimrware is another 18-24 months younger and it apparently copes with higher ISOs much better.
Chris
CVP said:
Whether to buy it depends what you want to use the D2x for. If you want something built like a tank to use in all weathers and which will take a beating and not miss a beat and a really long battery life then the D2x may well fit you bill. The cropped sensor is greta for a lot of wildlife work as you can get away with a shorter focal length lens than on a traditional 35mm. If however you want something lght to take travelling and use with higher ISOs then the D2x may not be the best choice.
I went from D2x to D3 and whilst the D2x is a great piece of kit, it gets a lot less use now D3 has arrived.
In terms of how good it is, despite my loyalty to the tank, a D300 might be "better". It's pretty much the same sensor but the fimrware is another 18-24 months younger and it apparently copes with higher ISOs much better.
Chris
I quite like my strobes at the moment, so I'd primarily be using it in low light, long exposure style shots. I've yet to read a full review, but I was hoping it would have the nikon commander flash system for controlling flashes, and offer slightly better low light performance than my 400d.I went from D2x to D3 and whilst the D2x is a great piece of kit, it gets a lot less use now D3 has arrived.
In terms of how good it is, despite my loyalty to the tank, a D300 might be "better". It's pretty much the same sensor but the fimrware is another 18-24 months younger and it apparently copes with higher ISOs much better.
Chris
The D2X is not noted for low noise, so I think you'd be better off with a D300 (or even D200) and utilise the pop-up flash as commander (assuming that by 'strobes' you mean the American version of the word and therefore Nikon Speedlights). If you mean monoblocs then you'll need a separate trigger.
Simpo Two said:
The D2X is not noted for low noise, so I think you'd be better off with a D300 (or even D200) and utilise the pop-up flash as commander
I'd second Simpo's thoughts here. D2x has no in-built falsh so you wuld have to use another unit as commander. I honestly think a D200 and definitely a D300 would do a better job at higher ISOs and would save the need for another external flash unit.Just to give you an idea the highest I would ever go on the D2x is ISO 640 for an A4 print where the subject matter warrants a bit of grain, otherwise ISO 400. It really is not brilliant at higher ISOs. Where it excels is taking all the puishment you can throw at it and keeping on going, big battery life, plus decent AF speed and nice fast motor drive.
Chris
Looks like everybody's said the obvious things now - but the 2X is 2004/5 technology, so about halfway along the serious digital camera path to date!
Personally I love mine, it balances big and heavy lenses nicely, works well with Nikon Speedlights, is quick to focus and use and easy to understand, lovely size for big hands, can understand manual lenses that you mount on it, has fantastic batteries/ battery life, turns to portrait mode with everything falling to hand beautifully and has shooting and custom banks that make using it a doddle. Even better with a nice L-bracket and decent ball head and you won't worry about taking it through war zones or letting it get a bit wet or sea-sprayed (where you'd assume a lesser camera would not take the punishment.
But the relative noise and the treatment of some WB and some colours in some set ups (purples and blues especially) means you can do better - but still value for money (mine was secondhand at about 75% of new price in 2007).
Personally I love mine, it balances big and heavy lenses nicely, works well with Nikon Speedlights, is quick to focus and use and easy to understand, lovely size for big hands, can understand manual lenses that you mount on it, has fantastic batteries/ battery life, turns to portrait mode with everything falling to hand beautifully and has shooting and custom banks that make using it a doddle. Even better with a nice L-bracket and decent ball head and you won't worry about taking it through war zones or letting it get a bit wet or sea-sprayed (where you'd assume a lesser camera would not take the punishment.
But the relative noise and the treatment of some WB and some colours in some set ups (purples and blues especially) means you can do better - but still value for money (mine was secondhand at about 75% of new price in 2007).
Most of the photos on my site are taken with my D2X (which I still use, almost every day).
It's rubbish above 640, so I keep it at 400 ISO.
But at £500 - that is one HELL of a camera (mine cost me £3500).
In fact... (seriously) please let me know where these D2X bodies are, and I'll buy another, just to stop lens swapping!
It's rubbish above 640, so I keep it at 400 ISO.
But at £500 - that is one HELL of a camera (mine cost me £3500).
In fact... (seriously) please let me know where these D2X bodies are, and I'll buy another, just to stop lens swapping!
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 18th June 20:40
Thanks for the tips everyone. I guess it comes down to whether I want to stray to Nikon, or keep on the canon path and upgrade to a 50d.
Steve, once I've confirmation of these D2X bodies I'll be sure to let you know.
Mole, in your situation I'd probably opt for the D300. A new d300 body is about twice what i hope these D2x bodies will sell for though!
Steve, once I've confirmation of these D2X bodies I'll be sure to let you know.
Mole, in your situation I'd probably opt for the D300. A new d300 body is about twice what i hope these D2x bodies will sell for though!
jon- said:
A new d300 body is about twice what i hope these D2x bodies will sell for though!
If you want performance you have to pay for it, unfortunately. D2Xs are (relatively) cheap precisely because they're getting a bit old and by current standards are not awfully good with noise. Simpo says: 'Save up and get a D300, or even a D200 which would be cheaper' 
Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 19th June 10:03
Simpo Two said:
jon- said:
A new d300 body is about twice what i hope these D2x bodies will sell for though!
If you want performance you have to pay for it, unfortunately. D2Xs are (relatively) cheap precisely because they're getting a bit old and by current standards are not awfully good with noise. Simpo says: 'Save up and get a 50d, or even a 40d which would be cheaper' Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 19th June 10:03
Something to remember is that the D2X is a proper Pro camera. It's built like a brick s
t house. I've dropped mine from 4 feet onto concrete and it just looked at me, unscathed and said.. "Bring it on!"
As mentioned though, If you ever need higher than 400 ISO - forget it and buy a new model. D700 and D300 will give MUCH better results (more cash though, and less robust).
t house. I've dropped mine from 4 feet onto concrete and it just looked at me, unscathed and said.. "Bring it on!"As mentioned though, If you ever need higher than 400 ISO - forget it and buy a new model. D700 and D300 will give MUCH better results (more cash though, and less robust).
jon- said:
A new d300 body is about twice what i hope these D2x bodies will sell for though!
A D90 is about the same as what you're expecting and has the same sensor and image quality of the D300 and is really great for low light. I got one myself over a D300, it has a Flash Commander mode.If you can live with the lack of weather sealing, "Prosumer" rather than tank build quality (still very good though) and a few less AF point compared to the D300 it is deffinitly worth looking at.
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