New pricing on D200, 18-200 VRII

[moggy]

I notice that ECS have released their pricing on the D200 - Body only - $2645 inc GST. The 18-200 F3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VRII is $1095 inc GST. ECS are taking orders.

Bob.

.

[Zeeke]

fair bit less then maxwell has posted!

Tim

[birddog114]

Orders have been taken long ago. I don't think anyone order today will have their D200 by Feb. or Mar. 06.

Too early to post my price from Maxwell's stock.

Stay tuned.

[MCWB]

Wow, very reasonable! If that's Aus stock it's hardly worth importing, great stuff!

[birddog114]

Wow, very reasonable! If that's Aus stock it's hardly worth importing, great stuff!

Price of HKG stock will change very soooon!

[nito]

Excuse my ignorance, but what store is ECS?

ED: Thanks sirhc55 for the link on ecs!

[sirhc55]

http://www.europeancameras.com/

[marcotrov]

Looking forward to the prices Birddog, hopefully the MB-200 grip as well! By the way what is the opinion out there in terms of which to go for HKG stock or Maxwell stock? I know pricing will be better from HKG and international warranty is probably better with Maxwell stock but at what price differential does one decide one way or the other when ordering? Birddog, help!
cheers
marco

[kipper]

Meh, at $3k for the body then what another $400-500 you're looking at $3.5k. Might aswell forkout the extra $3k and get the real mccoy

Second hand D2H are looking quite appealing.

[marcotrov]

Gee I don't know Kipper, providing (on D200) the autofocus pans out at a significantly more efficient and faster speed than my D70's and if the nice performance at high iso is great as they say then i'd rather spend the extra getting myself a 12-24 and a 105 micro for same price i'd pay for D2X I think that starts to sound pretty attractive to me
What do you guys think?
cheers
marco

[kipper]

Well until somebody of any importance has one and puts them through their paces I'm still holding out.

[marcotrov]

So am I kipper, for that very reason but the more I read the more positive it looks.
cheers
marco

[pippin88]

18-200 F3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VRII is sounding tasty if that price pans out, will have to keep an eye on reviews.

[kipper]

marco, I saw a few 800 ISO shots today that impressed me.

[moggy]

It'll be interesting to see what sort of prices other dealers with Aussie stock will be charging. I think Birdys prices will be pretty sharp.

Bob.

.

[Onyx]

I don't view this as good news... I was expecting the D200 to serve a higher price bracket, but for it to be available to the Aussie market at this price would mean there's some corners cut.

Some may claim country of manufacture makes no difference, but with the sleuth of manufacturing issues experienced with the D70, and now the D200 being in the same production lines/facilities - I hope the QC and reliability of the D200 hasn't been sacrificed in the process of delivering at the price point.

As much as its high ISO performance impresses and its feature list long and complete; the "made in Thailand" could be the downfall of the D200 (would there be a recall on the scale of the current D70's BGLOD in the medium term future?). I hope I'm wrong regarding my concerns over its country of manufacture... my current D70 experience has left a somewhat sour taste in my mouth that I am not able to get over the psychological hurdle of the "made in Thailand" of the D200, as attractive a camera as it is.

[birddog114]

Looking forward to the prices Birddog, hopefully the MB-200 grip as well! By the way what is the opinion out there in terms of which to go for HKG stock or Maxwell stock? I know pricing will be better from HKG and international warranty is probably better with Maxwell stock but at what price differential does one decide one way or the other when ordering? Birddog, help!
cheers
marco

Looking into for the whole setup as body and vertical grip, it'll be at close to $3K or more. The DSLR never comes with International warranty, applied to HKG stock or local Maxwell stock.

[birddog114]

Meh, at $3k for the body then what another $400-500 you're looking at $3.5k. Might aswell forkout the extra $3k and get the real mccoy

Second hand D2H are looking quite appealing.

Kipper,
You're right!!! with this figure, it's better off with the D2 series, it'll be miles difference. Pls. take my words.

[birddog114]

marco & kipper,
Why should you wait? get one for yourself and learn more, pros & cons won't reveal till June or August 06, when the D200 were fullfilled the demand.
Get it, don't like it then eBay is your friend.

[birddog114]

18-200 F3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VRII is sounding tasty if that price pans out, will have to keep an eye on reviews.

pippin88,
Get one and DIY is far better.

[Heath Bennett]

Nikon D2-H Body #2018756 c/w EN-EL4 Battery, Charger, Neckstrap, LCD Cover and Instructions all in original packaging - (Excellent) $2750


ECS second hand, go get it Kipper!

EDIT - Did they ever give the D2h the D2hs firmware update to make its noise characteristics better?

[kipper]

ECS - Ext_reme Cost Sales?

Seems way over priced for second hand.

[Heath Bennett]

What is a more reasonable price? If they sell for less than that it could be a very reasonable second body preference over the D200 or D70!

[birddog114]

Nikon D2-H Body #2018756 c/w EN-EL4 Battery, Charger, Neckstrap, LCD Cover and Instructions all in original packaging - (Excellent) $2750


ECS second hand, go get it Kipper!

AU$2K is the target price for the used D2h

EDIT - Did they ever give the D2h the D2hs firmware update to make its noise characteristics better?

There's only new recently upgraded firmware for the D2hs, and only 1 upgraded firmware for the D2h early this year.

[kipper]

Yep Birddog, I wouldn't spend anymore than $2kau on one. Watching ebay in the US and they seem to go from around $1.5-2k.

[birddog114]

Yep Birddog, I wouldn't spend anymore than $2kau on one. Watching ebay in the US and they seem to go from around $1.5-2k.

Yes! don't pay over AU$1.5k if you buy the D2h in the US, coz you have to factor in with the shipping cost + GST.
I've seen AU$2K for the used D2h floating somewhere in the last few days

[Nikon boy]

My Two Bobs worth is,,,,

I have no doubt the D200 will be a great camera,
BUT it will never be a D2 pro series ,
Everything Birdie say's is 100% true,
The Pro bodies give you a quantum leap in almost all areas, there can be no compromise if you are hooked on this stuff and i mean really hooked as i know a couple of you are,
You will NEVER regret buying a pro body,
the arguments posted by people suggesting saving money by not buying a pro body do not hold with me (with all due respect to them !) with a pro body you will have so much more capability it would take pages to explain here,

Nikon make their pro bodies to excell in all area's and not just for the pro's , they are for the ''dedicated'' lusters of great gear

Buy now ! and enjoy forever !

[Matt. K]

Gentlemen
Think carefully....what does Nikon need to do in order to push Canon off the mountain top? They did it with the D70.....now they need to do it again. I'm betting that the D200 will be a KILLER camera. That's how you get to be the best.

[kipper]

Out of interest what is the AF system of the CAM1000? I've heard some rumours of 9 cross sensors, others that say 7, some that even say 1. Are there any hard facts on how many sensors, and the configuration (eg. vertical, horizontal and cross). From what I've read (could be utter crap) the more cross sensors the better for action photography. With the D2X having 9 it makes sense.

Edit:

It appears the 11/7 setup is 11 and a broader/wider 7 area AF system.
The 7 they said would be more ideal for moving subjects. However it still only has one cross sensor.

[birddog114]

I'm betting that the D200 will be a KILLER camera. That's how you get to be the best.

Matt.K
Are you talking about lethal weapons or Weapons oF Mass Destruction here? a brick or a door stopper could be disguised as one of those weapons

[kipper]

Instead of Nikon going 10mp or close to 12mp and retarding the AF I'd like decent AF with retarded mp. I mean 6 or 8mp would be great and decent AF. Why can't they produce that for $3k

[birddog114]

Instead of Nikon going 10mp or close to 12mp and retarding the AF I'd like decent AF with retarded mp. I mean 6 or 8mp would be great and decent AF. Why can't they produce that for $3k

Are you talking about MP war vs AF war? what 's the decent AF you're after?

[kipper]

Anything with more than 1 cross sensor
I mean they could of made a 5 cross sensor system for this camera, that's still 4 less than the D2X. I guess we'll see how well it performs for tracking planes, birds, wildcats etc when it's released.

[birddog114]

Anything with more than 1 cross sensor
I mean they could of made a 5 cross sensor system for this camera, that's still 4 less than the D2X. I guess we'll see how well it performs for tracking planes, birds, wildcats etc when it's released.

Trust me please!!!! don't expect too much from it.

[kipper]

I know Thanh, I'm not. I guess the extra MPs will be nice but at the moment I'm really looking for a similar number of MPs to the D70 just extremely better AF. I guess it won't be possible without spending the $$$$. Just worried that the D2H will be a step back for rendering subject detail. Especially when at times you'll be cropping in because of factors limiting getting the shot full frame (eg. flight shots).

[sirhc55]

I’m with Birddog on this - a camera is but a tool in the hands of a person.

The digital age has made everyone(!) want some form of perfection - I am sure that the great wildlife photographers of the film age did not complain about how many focussing sensors they had (none) - they just took photographs.

[birddog114]

Sorry, for some reasons,
I could not post the photos nor disclose more than I can, which was shot at inside RAAF Williamtown few weeks ago with the RAAF Hawk and F18 from the D200 with the 70-200VR/ 200-400VR/ 300VR, as unofficial testing unit, I was disappointed after two hours shooting with it and rolled back to my D2x.

Edit: perhaps I have the same sympton same as other new D2x owner on the fast moving subjects. Need to study more.

[gstark]

I don't view this as good news... I was expecting the D200 to serve a higher price bracket, but for it to be available to the Aussie market at this price would mean there's some corners cut.

Why do you say this, Chi?

I believe that DSLRs are very seriously overpriced. Compare them to their film-fed bretheren; the primary siginifcant diference - ond cost factor - is the image sensor.

These cameras are a high profit margin item for the manufacturers, (look at the record profits Nikon are making since the D70 was unleashed for evidence of this fact) and while the market remains fresh and the novelty value high, the manufacturers will continue to milk us for what they think we're worth.

[shutterbug]

Sorry, for some reasons,
I could not post the photos nor disclose more than I can, which was shot at inside RAAF Williamtown few weeks ago with the RAAF Hawk and F18 from the D200 with the 70-200VR/ 200-400VR/ 300VR, as unofficial testing unit, I was disappointed after two hours shooting with it and rolled back to my D2x.

Edit: perhaps I have the same sympton same as other new D2x owner on the fast moving subjects. Need to study more.

Does it perform better then a D70?

[kipper]

Chris, maybe they didn't even bother to even try getting the shots that people try to do today because they knew it'd be impossible or a futile exercise?

As for these great wildlife photographers of the past, could you name some and possibly some links.

[Glen]

Kipper, must say I am smiling here, I don't follow these guys but rest assured there were great wildlife photographers before DSLR and auto focus! They just prefocussed their manual lens, waited a bit longer and wore a better ghilli suit.

If that were not true, potentially when you put a D2X behind your AFS 500mm with VR11 in the future we would see the best wildlife photos ever produced! I hope we do, but it is no means assured.

[birddog114]

Sorry, for some reasons,
I could not post the photos nor disclose more than I can, which was shot at inside RAAF Williamtown few weeks ago with the RAAF Hawk and F18 from the D200 with the 70-200VR/ 200-400VR/ 300VR, as unofficial testing unit, I was disappointed after two hours shooting with it and rolled back to my D2x.

Edit: perhaps I have the same sympton same as other new D2x owner on the fast moving subjects. Need to study more.

Does it perform better then a D70?

Of course, it does!
But not all!!!!!!

[marcotrov]

Kipper said:

Anything with more than 1 cross sensor
I mean they could of made a 5 cross sensor system for this camera, that's still 4 less than the D2X. I guess we'll see how well it performs for tracking planes, birds, wildcats etc when it's released.

I'm wondering Kipper if the system of AF is as new as they say the technology might be such that 1 cross sensor may not be as important as one might imagine to considerably improve the AF over the D70 (yet Birddog's D200 comments worry me as I trust his judgements ), only surmising here , also going further with this, the technical complexities and problems of learning how to use the AF on the D2X( a worry in itself to me after listening to all and sundry discussing this on our forum )may be a function of it's complex AF design, flexible though it may be, the thought of having to do that much fiddling and learning when, wrong as i may be, you would expect such sophisticated technology to some degree at least to be able to just say 'Iwant to focus track THAT thing' and get a sharp photo without too much angst is , I don't think, too high an expectation for an expensive and professional bit of kit.

Also even if we argue that its very much a professional tool you expect that technological advances would try to make any transition from old to new easier rather than more difficult for very busy people. I certainly, and I know it's a different ballgame now with digital, don't remember reading or experiencing the same level of transitional difficulties when pros leapt from F4 to F5, F90x's to F5 or f100's etc. Once again I could be wrong. Clearly some of our members with the D2X are very happy (as I would be if I owned one ) and very capable with it.

I needed to get this off my chest, misguided as it may be
cheers
marco

[Glen]

Marco,
I think the ease of use is tailored to the potential user. A Mercedes AMG SL65 probably has similar accelerative properties to a V8 supercar, but in one you just sink the boot (as it is designed for rich amateurs) and the other has to be driven (as it is designed for profesionals).

[gstark]

Chris, maybe they didn't even bother to even try getting the shots that people try to do today because they knew it'd be impossible or a futile exercise?

As for these great wildlife photographers of the past, could you name some and possibly some links.

Kipper,

Ever hear of Life magazine?

National Geographic?

While not a wildlife photographer, perhaps you need to look at the works of someone like Robert Capa?

And don't forget Adams, A. AF would have probably been the last thing on his mind.

[DaveB]

I guess we'll see how well it performs for tracking planes, birds, wildcats etc when it's released.

Therein lies the truth. Don't try to read too much into it too early.

I certainly, and I know it's a different ballgame now with digital, don't remember reading or experiencing the same level of transitional difficulties when pros leapt from F4 to F5, F90x's to F5 or f100's etc. Once again I could be wrong.

Something to remember is that with film there wasn't the instant feedback we get with digital.

For example, when the EOS D30 came out (with E-TTL flash metering) many people lamented the terrible flash exposures. But there had hardly been this same outcry from the people using E-TTL on previous film bodies, even though it worked in the same way (complicated by the linkage between E-TTL and AF points though). It's mainly that with digital bodies people could see the effects immediately, and when it didn't respond in the way they expected they got confused. With film bodies, the gap between trying something and seeing the results (and then before the next set of results) left a lot more room for people to doubt themselves. In truth the E-TTL of the D30/D60 was fairly crude (partly because of the tie-in with only 3 AF points) but it wasn't "random" as some people were proposing on internet forums!

In EOS film bodies, the 3 and 1v bodies had what was generally recognised as world-beating AF performance, with 45 points, etc. But when this same AF module was transferred into the 1D and 1Ds bodies it was a whole new experience for many people (including some who had used it on the film bodies).

The way we as photographers interact with the technical side of our photography has changed (and not just because we can "pixel-peep"). When this is combined with dramatic technological advances it IS going to be a different experience than for a photog going from an F4 to an F5, etc.

[kipper]

Glen how do you prefocus on a target that is flying directly towards you at speeds between 100-200kmh? Oh that's right, you can't or it'd be a very low success rate.
Granted you can prefocus on a subject that you know will pass horizontally through your viewfinder at a reasonably set distance from your focal plane and fall within the DOF that you've set (eg. a lion/cheetah chasing an impalah, or a bird flying to a perch etc).
I mean you could catch a bird flying straight at you if it was going to land at a perch and prefocus it to the perch.

[sirhc55]

Chris, maybe they didn't even bother to even try getting the shots that people try to do today because they knew it'd be impossible or a futile exercise?

As for these great wildlife photographers of the past, could you name some and possibly some links.

Kipper - look up Heather Angel

[Glen]

Kipper, we will have to agree to disagree because A) I think you answered your own question above (correctly too ) and B) I still believe there were great photographers before AFS, even great wildlife photographers. It has just become easier and accessible to the masses now.

[MCWB]

I was disappointed after two hours shooting with it and rolled back to my D2x.

Well that's comforting, the camera that costs almost 3 times as much performs better...

I don't understand the comparison being made in this thread with a used D2H(s), surely they're very different cameras aimed at different markets! The D2H(s) is aimed at action photography, for people who need fast AF and FPS above all else, including MP count. The D200 is around the same price bracket, but that's where the similarities end. If the D2H(s) is fine for your needs, that's great, it doesn't make the D200 a crap camera, it makes it one unsuitable for your needs. What happens if you have the need for speed but need more MP? Then you need the D2X. Does this make the D2H(s) a crap camera?

I personally think the D200 is going to be a great camera for my needs.