colonialpara's Full Review: Nikon D200 Body Only Digital Camera
The Nikon D200 digital SLR is Nikon's first 10.2 MP camera and while it offers a little less resolution than Nikon's current flagship, the D2Xs, it provides users with professional level features and images at a less than full scale professional price.
I have used several different digital SLRs, including both Nikon and Canon and in each model used, I have always found something to recommend and like. I will admit to being a fan of Nikon because I have used their film SLRs for a number of years prior to finally buying my own digital SLR, the D200 and because my access to Canon products has been somewhat more circumscribed.
Below is my review of the D200 camera after several months of constant use (while still maintaining and using two Nikon F100s for slide and B&W photography).
INTRODUCTION:
The D200 is what some will call a pro-sumer dSLR because it has a pop-up flash. Despite that fact, a fact which I prefer to consider a major convenience, especially when you can't get at your strobe quickly enough, I think of this camera as a near professional body. It's build quality is, in my opinion, almost as robust as the flagship D2Xs. It is not a small camera, but neither is it Nikon's largest. It does become a larger total package when one adds the optional vertical grip/battery pack, designated the MB-D200 Vertical Grip/Battery Pack by Nikon.
When you buy this camera without one of the kit lenses, you receive the camera, one Li-ION EN-EL3e battery, a Nikon Digital camera strap designed for the D200, a quick charge battery unit, a body cap, an LCD cover, video cable, rubber eyecup, eyepiece cap and a USB cable.
THE BASICS .
Many people who do a lot of photography, whether they are amateurs or pros will tell you that the handling of a single lens reflex camera, be it film or digital, plays a big part in their satisfaction with the camera they use. As a photographer who has both film and digital equipment in his camera bag, the handling of my cameras plays a big part in its ease of use and ultimately, helping to get sharp images.
As I mentioned above, the D200 is not Nikon's largest camera but with the MB-D200 it does start to approach the size and weight of the flagship D2Xs. In my opinion, that is not a bad thing because it provides a more stable platform, the convenience of additional battery options and additional main command and AutoFocus control buttons.
Here's a quick breakdown of the main operating features of the D200:
SENSOR: 10.2 CCD manufactured by SONY.
MOTOR DRIVE: 5 frames per second (no high speed crop as there is on the D2Xs).
VERTICAL GRIP: Nikon MB-D200 (optional purchase).
AUTOFOCUS: 11 sensor CAM 1000, tightly arrayed with a 7 array wide focus area.
VIEWFINDER: 95% view of scene. The VF is missing a few of the control settings including White Balance (WB). There is no viewfinder curtain and to block extraneous light during time lapse photography, one must use vertical slip in pieces over the eyepiece.
FLASH: A pop-up is built in and supports the two newer generation Nikon strobes, the SB-600 and 800, as well as 2 group Commander mode for iTTL flash.
OTHER NICE CAPABILITIES:
GPS support via the optional MC-35 connector cord.
Wireless support provided by the optional WT-3 transmitter.
AI and AI-S manual lenses are usable in Aperture priority and Manual exposure modes.
10 pin and PC sync connections.
Multiple bracketing combinations (up to 9 frames).
NEF (RAW) and JPEG files can be written to the CF card for each image simultaneously. The user can choose the size of the JPEG files to be used.
A Compact Flash door interlock (prevents accidental expulsion of the CF card from the camera).
Weather gaskets throughout for sealing against dust and moisture.
Channel histogram review capability.
Battery Life Tracking meter. This is not just for actual power remaining, rather, it tells the user/owner how much life is remaining in the battery/batteries (if using the MB-D200).
Like all Nikon and many other dSLRs, the D200 has a variety of control and feature buttons and like other Nikon cameras, their functional placement and markings are similar.
Shooting modes are controlled by a button underneath the top button cluster. You'll be able to use S for single,CL (continuous low speed shooting), CH (continuous high speed shooting), self-timer and M-Up (for mirror up).
Your exposure modes are controlled by a left-hand button behind the shutter release.
THE AUTOFOCUS AREA MODE SELECTOR:
Like some of the preceding film cameras, the selector on the D200 is located on the back of the camera and to my observation is somewhat more sensitive to the touch than those found on the two F100s I own and use. Some D200 users, myself included, have found the button somewhat more confusing than those found on other cameras (especially when you are new to the D200). The reason for this, and one not advertised by Nikon is that several of the selections you'll make will ADD Closest Subject Priority when you choose them. This can and does create situations where you have WIDE area autofocus at the same time you have individual area AF. Not always a desirable choice and one where images can be compromised or ruined.
Some settings show the active sensor in the VF, some don't. This process is not well described by Nikon in its manuals or at their site. The AF settings also interact with user chosen Custom Settings. These settings govern release priority vs. focus priority choice, as well as the the pattern of AF used in Dynamic AF. If this sounds confusing, it can be and the new user of the camera needs to study this control and become well acquainted with it to obtain optimal results in whatever situation they are trying to capture. Unlike many other controls that Nikon provided in past and current cameras, this control feature is NOT intuitive.
The AF sensors in the VF are arrayed in diamond shaped pattern. This diamond pattern makes a simple 'up-down and left-right' sensor selection a little more problematic, but not insurmountable. It just takes a little more practice than with the less numerous AF sensors found on lesser cameras.
One nice aspect of the D200 vice the older D100 is that in the VF, the user will now be able to see what ISO setting is in use. This is especially useful when using the Program mode because the camera chooses the ISO based on its readings of light and other variables.
WHITE BALANCE:
The WB is considerably more flexible than on Nikon's D50, D70 and D100. Kelvin settings can be individually set via pre-determined settings. The WB settings can be named. White Balance can also be 'obtained' from images already on your CF card.
THE BATTERY:
The battery for the D200 is a new one and is known as the EN-EL3e. You cannot use the older variant EN-EL3 with the D200.
To be brutally frank, I am not very pleased with the battery usage in the D200. I find it to be a very energy hungry camera, even with minimal usage of the LCD to view images or to make changes in settings via the menu. I typically get about 300 pictures out of a fully charged battery and it is one of the reasons why I purchased the MB-D200 grip so that I can also use a second battery. I believe Nikon's claims to 1500 exposures is either a) a result of ideal test conditions in a lab or b) a complete falsehood which I find to be nothing if NOT INSULTING to one's powers of observation.
Despite what is really my only negative regarding this camera, it is one that gave me some initial discontent. In the meantime and after some months of useage, I have come to accept the battery issue as a minor annoyance and work around it. Still, I found Nikon's less than total veracity on the matter disconcerting and eye opening at the same time.
OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES:
LCD Monitor: 2.5" with 230,000 dot low temperature polysilicon LCD with brightness adjustment.
PLAYBACK FUNCTION: thumbnail [4 or 9 frames], full frame, zoom, slideshow, RGB Histogram, shooting data, highlight point display, auto image rotation.
EXPOSURE METERING SYSTEMS:
3D Color Matrix Metering II with G and D lenses. Color Matrix metering with other CPU lenses. Center weighted metering with 75% of metering given to a 6, 8, 10 or 13 mm diameter circle in the center of the frame/viewfinder.
Spot metering via a 3mm dia. circle centered on the active sensor in use.
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION:
+/- 5 EV in increments of 1/2, 1/3 or 1 EV.
AUTO EXPOSURE BRACKETING:
2-9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3 frames.
SHUTTER SPEED: 30 seconds to 1/8000th second in 1/3, 1/3 or 1 EV and bulb (shutter open as long as battery lasts).
BUILT-IN SPEEDLIGHT:
Manual pop-up operation with button activation. Hot shoe above for additional flash installation/operation.
FLASH SYNCH:
Front curtain synch (normal), Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye reduction with slow synch, Slow Synch, Rear-curtain synch.
WEIGHT (without MB-D200 attached):
29 ounces (1 lb., 13 oz.) w/o battery, memory card, body cap or LCD cover.
CONCLUSION
The Nikon D200 is a HUGE step up from the company's lower-end consumer cameras. It possesses near pro-build quality and features without the high end price tag, and provides capabilities not found on the older D50 and D70/70s and the D80.
It's image resolution is exceptional and it has extremely fast Auto focus. It's capabilities exceed all of those found in consumer grade cameras and many pros will use this camera as their primary back-up camera. The D200 is definitely an enthusiast's camera and pros will gravitate to it for its rich feature list and high end resolving capability with 10.2 MP.
It's crop factor of 1.5x the lens mounted on the body's focal length will provide extra reach for those who use zooms or telephotos.
To be sure, this is not a camera for the weekend snap-shooter; this is a camera for those who are willing to lay out $1,600 U.S. dollars for it, who have capable glass to take full advantage of its many capabilities and for those whose photographic vision requires a high end camera.
I have not regretted buying this camera and other serious photographers, who have Nikon glass or are considering changing from another system will find this to be an ideal camera for some time to come.
Happy shooting.
(c) 2007 Paul Connors
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1,699 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Solid Enough for a Professional
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