D200 - Things I Have Found Out

[Greg B]

File Naming

The D200 enables you to have any three characters you like at the start of the file name, so you can replace the all too common DSC.

You could have your initials - GTB

You could have the year and month (and remember to change it every month) - 607, 608, 609, 610 etc - giving an easy dating indicator.

You can have anything you like!

Clever Nikon.

[huynhie]

You could have the year and month (and remember to change it every month) - 607, 608, 609, 610 etc - giving an easy dating indicator.

You can have anything you like!

Clever Nikon.

That's a clever idea for a file naming convention there Greg.

[rokkstar]

The DOF button when using commander mode and wireless speedlights is just awesome.
Press it and it gives a modelling light on ALL strobes, onboard and remote.

Just bloody fantastic.

One thing I've noticed is that when I plug the camera into the computer via USB, it doesn't prompt me to copy files to the computer, it just brings up a folder window. That's a little annoying - I like it just copying to "my pictures" folder and going for a nice cup of tea.

[sheepie]

One thing I've noticed is that when I plug the camera into the computer via USB, it doesn't prompt me to copy files to the computer, it just brings up a folder window. That's a little annoying - I like it just copying to "my pictures" folder and going for a nice cup of tea.

That would be due to your setup rather than anything else - check the USB mode on the camera, and then check your computer (can't remember exactly where to check on the computer, I seem to recall something in the drive properties when the cam is connected on Mass Storage mode (?) ).

[birddog114]

One thing I've noticed is that when I plug the camera into the computer via USB, it doesn't prompt me to copy files to the computer, it just brings up a folder window. That's a little annoying - I like it just copying to "my pictures" folder and going for a nice cup of tea.

The card reader is quite cheap, why don't you use it?

[rokkstar]

One thing I've noticed is that when I plug the camera into the computer via USB, it doesn't prompt me to copy files to the computer, it just brings up a folder window. That's a little annoying - I like it just copying to "my pictures" folder and going for a nice cup of tea.

The card reader is quite cheap, why don't you use it?

I've never had one. You're right I should get one. What's the price like on these?

[radar]

I've never had one. You're right I should get one. What's the price like on these?

I reckon the ones that threw your D200 box around owe you one for free

[Greg B]

Matt, they cost bugger all. I have a reader that reads 6 different cards, cost under $40.

You can also use than as a quasi USB key, stick your 4 gig card in and you have an external drive.

Also, you are not running your camera battery down, you are not plugging your camera into the computer unnecessarily. All good.

[rokkstar]

I've never had one. You're right I should get one. What's the price like on these?

I reckon the ones that threw your D200 box around owe you one for free

Well the box is slightly damaged

$40 - cheap at twice the price. Problem solved. Nice idea for a usb key too Greg. Will it automatically save to a location though, or again just open up a folder window?

[stubbsy]

Matt

Given I was one of the box attackers, the least I can do is give you my CF etc reader. Since I got my Maxtor external drive with CF slot I don't use it any more.

[rokkstar]

Matt

Given I was one of the box attackers, the least I can do is give you my CF etc reader. Since I got my Maxtor external drive with CF slot I don't use it any more.

 LOL - very generous Peter, but I'm only kidding. The box isn't that damaged at all, a few little scrapes, but nothing that doesn't add character

[MCWB]

Will it automatically save to a location though, or again just open up a folder window?

I use Nikon View for this purpose, when the card is inserted the autoplay brings up the "transfer with Nikon View" option, then you can set it to save to a folder, or a different folder each time based on the date/time/etc, hit transfer and you're away.

[rokkstar]

Will it automatically save to a location though, or again just open up a folder window?

I use Nikon View for this purpose, when the card is inserted the autoplay brings up the "transfer with Nikon View" option, then you can set it to save to a folder, or a different folder each time based on the date/time/etc, hit transfer and you're away.

yes, that is what happened on my D70, but I don't get that transfer box pop up anymore.
I might reinstall the software again, incase I buggered it up the first time.

[stubbsy]

Matt

Given I was one of the box attackers, the least I can do is give you my CF etc reader. Since I got my Maxtor external drive with CF slot I don't use it any more.

 LOL - very generous Peter, but I'm only kidding. The box isn't that damaged at all, a few little scrapes, but nothing that doesn't add character

I understand that Matt, but the offer still stands

[stubbsy]

Will it automatically save to a location though, or again just open up a folder window?

I use Nikon View for this purpose, when the card is inserted the autoplay brings up the "transfer with Nikon View" option, then you can set it to save to a folder, or a different folder each time based on the date/time/etc, hit transfer and you're away.

yes, that is what happened on my D70, but I don't get that transfer box pop up anymore.
I might reinstall the software again, incase I buggered it up the first time.

Matt - I'm at work ATM ( ) so can't use the perfect terms, but I think your problem is you have set the wrong USB mode on the camera. One mode it shows as an external hard drive, the other as a CF card. Try changing the setting and that should fix it. I had the same problem with my D2x.

[rokkstar]

I understand that Matt, but the offer still stands

Very generous Peter. I'll give you a more in depth PM later on about it - at work too ATM with the boss walking past my desk all the damm time.

[Greg B]

The term is PTP. Change it to that in the setup menu, item - USB

[huynhie]

Matt

Given I was one of the box attackers, the least I can do is give you my CF etc reader. Since I got my Maxtor external drive with CF slot I don't use it any more.

 LOL - very generous Peter, but I'm only kidding. The box isn't that damaged at all, a few little scrapes, but nothing that doesn't add character

I understand that Matt, but the offer still stands

I'll chuck in a beer or few since one of the dents came from my shoe.

[stubbsy]

Do I get the beer

[huynhie]

Do I get the beer

A beer and we'll share some wine.

[stubbsy]

[Greg B]

A Very Handy Thing - D200 Custom Settings Spreadsheet version 1.5

Some chap over at Nikonians has put together a very useful Excel Spreadsheet which enables a record to be kept of all the variables in the four shooting banks and more.

The variables are all available in drop down lists too - this is a well done bit of work.

It is freely available too

File - http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforu ... 99269e.zip

Nikonians page - http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForu ... 17033.html

[Greg B]

And a page with some useful D200 links.....

http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforu ... ForumID202

More goodness from Nikonians.

[Greg B]

Battery and Charger compatability

I asked this elsewhere, but here is a link to the answer on the Nikon Knowledge Database....

http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/ni ... aqid=13544

[Greg B]

Useful information on available remotes, and what works with which camera

The Nikon Knowledge Database has some good stuff

http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/ni ... aqid=13803

[Geoff]

A Very Handy Thing - D200 Custom Settings Spreadsheet version 1.5

Some chap over at Nikonians has put together a very useful Excel Spreadsheet which enables a record to be kept of all the variables in the four shooting banks and more.

The variables are all available in drop down lists too - this is a well done bit of work.

It is freely available too

File - http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforu ... 99269e.zip

Nikonians page - http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForu ... 17033.html

Nice finds Greg - thanks for these matey!

[Greg B]

Total number of shutter actuations on the D200

The Opanda Exif viewer - freeware from

http://www.opanda.com/

also works with the D200 in providing the total number of shutter actuations for the camera.

You need to use a JPG rather than a NEF, it doesn't read NEFs.

[Greg B]

D200 Manual

The manual which comes with the D200 is a tight little book - good to carry in the camera bag for reference, less good for browsing.

You can download a pdf version (need your camera serial number), and print it out in a more browser and reader friendly form. And yes, I know, manuals are for {insert some negative comment here, say something about about taking photos instead of reading manuals etc}, tough. Get it. Read it. Learn something.

Side note - Nikon call the manual "The Nikon Guide to Digital Photography with the D200" Some wanker in the marketing department has too much influence (and yes, they did the same with the D70 and probably with all of them), but, memo to Nikon - it is a MANUAL.

Downloadable pdf D200 manual and Start up guide

[Greg B]

The D200's Black and White Option

This one had me puzzled. Why would anyone using a camera like the D200 want a BW option in camera, when there will inevitably be post processing with far better and more flexible BW options available.

But then I had a thought - the BW option would give a reasonable approximation of using a film SLR with BW film in it. Enter those coloured filters which were once a part of shooting BW film. Red for a bit of drama and contrast, orange for gentler portraits, green can have interesting effects on skin tones (particularly for rugged looks) and so on.

I'm going to dig out my old filters, this could be fun.

(I know that these things can be replicated in PP, and you retain all the flexibility of an RGB source shot, but the BW function is there and it might be interesting)

[firsty]

The D200's Black and White Option

if you are shooting in B&W mode the raw file still opens as color in none nikon converters as all the info is still recorded
NX shows the file as B&W but you can change it back to color if you want

[pharmer]

The D200's Black and White Option

This one had me puzzled. Why would anyone using a camera like the D200 want a BW option in camera, when there will inevitably be post processing with far better and more flexible BW options available.

But then I had a thought - the BW option would give a reasonable approximation of using a film SLR with BW film in it. Enter those coloured filters which were once a part of shooting BW film. Red for a bit of drama and contrast, orange for gentler portraits, green can have interesting effects on skin tones (particularly for rugged looks) and so on.

I'm going to dig out my old filters, this could be fun.

(I know that these things can be replicated in PP, and you retain all the flexibility of an RGB source shot, but the BW function is there and it might be interesting)

I'm still annoyed that the B&W option does not have filters built into it like the Canon's.

Using a 5D over the weekend, I noticed it has Red, Orange, Green and Yellow B&W filters and its default B&W mode produces a very nice B&W tone (similar to Tri-Max 400, without the grain).

This is what I want in the D200's B&W mode

[leek]

If you use the Mirror Up shooting mode, it acts as its own self-timer...

When in MUP shooting mode, you can press the shutter once to raise the mirror... If you then leave the camera alone, it will release the shutter and drop the mirror after 30 seconds...

Very good for those long exposure tripod shots when you can't be bothered to use the remote...

[Justin]

I learnt today to be careful when changing ISO. Fat fingers can also change the white balance... why was the sky so blue... oh, that's not a great big light-bulb hanging in the sky!!!

[Greg B]

Firmware Upgrade - Undocumented changes

There are reports that Firmware Upgrade to 2.0 rectifies the problem being
experienced with some Sigma lenses whereby the AF button on the camera
did not work (although AF still worked with a shutter half press).

The previous fix was to have the lens re-chipped by Sigma. This should make
that unnecessary.