Nikon D200S !!!

[Antsl]

Just been out on the street and heard talk of a new camera... the Nikon D200S ... slight improvement in motor drive speed but that is about all I've heard for the moment.

[Yi-P]

What street were you on??


D200S = D200 less in price... hooray!!

[Aussie Dave]

If you walk around the corner on that street, they're talking about the new D3X as well....sources couldn't confirm if it was FF or not

[Glen]

Happy news Ants Any idea how fast, 8 fps?









Apologies to Greg B, especially after his comment today about a man and his D200

[Yi-P]

slight improvement in motor drive speed but that is about all I've heard for the moment.

And I thought D200S will be a digital camera that does not require film advance??

[Antsl]

slight improvement in motor drive speed but that is about all I've heard for the moment.

And I thought D200S will be a digital camera that does not require film advance??

Call me old fashioned but a motor is still required to drive the shutter loading mechanism and mirror actuation devices in the camera. I heard it from a retail store owner in Melbourne. I would guess that it is a 99% probability... guessing it will be announced soon. At this stage I have only heard that it will be a little faster than the existing model altough I have to say that my camera is plenty fast enough for me.

[losfp]

That doesn't make sense. Why would you have the D200s faster than the D2X, unless:

- the D200s "faster speed" is just a version of the D2X's crop mode
- They are announcing the D3Xs mk II MegaSuper Edition at the same time

No doubt the D200s will appear, but I think it's more likely to be mid-next-year, by previous releases?

[Yi-P]

That doesn't make sense. Why would you have the D200s faster than the D2X, unless:

- the D200s "faster speed" is just a version of the D2X's crop mode
- They are announcing the D3Xs mk II MegaSuper Edition at the same time

No doubt the D200s will appear, but I think it's more likely to be mid-next-year, by previous releases?

D200 was launched November 16, 2005 last year in Japan. From Nikon's history in releasing new models and upgrades/replacement, should be somewhere around 18months time. I was expecting newer high end DSLR to be announced by March 2007.

It will be a surprise if they announce the new model by next month.

Tho not absolutely impossible for it to have a better motor drive. Thi may be a more silent and lower lag performance shutter mechanism. I agree that it is not 'marketable' with shutter faster than a D2X. Even they can push the mechanism installed in the new D200S to constant 8fps at full resolution, they will save this as a market point to the D3 series over next year.

We'll see if the D200S is out, changes probably be like from D70 to D70S which is very very marginal. Built in firmware support for Wi-Fi, image authentication, an 'improved' more silent shutter, improved AF algorithm, support for Sigma lenses (as not announced in D200 firmware v2), and possibly some 'trial' features for the new D3 series... who knows... Im just guessing here as well...

[gstark]

support for Sigma lenses (as not announced in D200 firmware v2)

That is not a Nikon issue.

The problem is basically one of a failure by Sigma engineers to properly reverse engineer everything in the Nikon chips. Not an uncommon issue.

I'm starting to become quite pissed off though about the basic quality control issues that Nikon has, along with the supply issues that we see from Nikon here in Oz.

Apart from BGLOD and other issues that affected the D70, we've seen banding and supply issues on the D200 ...

A year ago Lindy bought one of her daughters an S1 PHD. The first example failed within a day or two of delivery and was immediately replaced as a DOA. The replacement has been with Poraday for three weeks now, awaiting parts. Nikon Oz told me a week ago that the parts had arrived; Poraday told me that the parts arrived there today.

Lots of parts, for cameras other than just the S1, was the implication I took: jobs now need to be prioritised, with professionals getting the highest priority. As S1s are not pro cameras, this one goes to the bottom of the pile, along with about 40 other similar cameras/jopbs.

This is not a pretty picture, and it tells me a lot about what I'm starting to perceive as a bloody dismal situation regarding Nikon's quality control.

I've placed a call to Nikon Oz to express my disgust at this situation.

Quite frankly, and right now, I really couldn't care a fig about whether there's a D200S in the works. They need to start getting their act together and start listening to, and responding to, their customer base.

I'm a long time Nikon user - 30+ years - and if I'm getting pissed off, so too must a lot of other users. I do not see the same sorts of reliability issues being faced by 30D users, nor do I see those reliability issues being raised by 5D users.

And I don't see any firm evidence of a FF Nikon DSLR coming anytime soon.

That cannot, and will not, be good for their bottom line.

As I said: I'm getting pissed off. To the point where I need some serious answers.

[sirhc55]

support for Sigma lenses (as not announced in D200 firmware v2)

That is not a Nikon issue.

The problem is basically one of a failure by Sigma engineers to properly reverse engineer everything in the Nikon chips. Not an uncommon issue.

Not strictly correct Gary. If my Sigma lenses work perfectly OK on the D70 and D2Hs then one must assume that Nikon built the ”no-go” for certain Sigma units into the D200.

To Sigma’s credit they did rechip lenses to work on the D200. Let’s see Nikon doing the same for Sigma

[MHD]

I'm having no problems with my 10-20 or 70-200 on my d200...

I never even knew this issue existed...

[Antsl]

Of note, I have a sigma 28-70 f2.8 and it works fine on my D200 but not on the D80 that I have been testing over the past couple of weeks... figure that!

[Oz_Beachside]

Of note, I have a sigma 28-70 f2.8 and it works fine on my D200 but not on the D80 that I have been testing over the past couple of weeks... figure that!

Was that the sigma I was almost fairly traded for my nikon 80-200?

[MCWB]

I'm having no problems with my 10-20 or 70-200 on my d200...

I never even knew this issue existed...

The issues was with Sigma HSM lenses not AF-ing when the AF-ON button was pressed. Version 2.0 firmware fixes this though.

Anstl: by motor drive speed, do you mean the screwdriver-type AF mechanism?

[Antsl]

Of note, I have a sigma 28-70 f2.8 and it works fine on my D200 but not on the D80 that I have been testing over the past couple of weeks... figure that!

Was that the sigma I was almost fairly traded for my nikon 80-200?

Hi Oz.... no... surely not, we can still swap if you want.... its only had slight use and it wasnt on the D80 for long at all!

Actually, I discovered the lens was not compatible at the workshop which was why I was struggling to get a few examples out!

[gstark]

Not strictly correct Gary. If my Sigma lenses work perfectly OK on the D70 and D2Hs then one must assume that Nikon built the ”no-go” for certain Sigma units into the D200.

Chris,

What happens is that when Nikon bring out a new body, sometimes some Sigma lenses fail to work properly with that new body, although all Nikon lens types specified to work with that body, whether those lenses are new or old, do.

I cannot see Nikon putting some sort of anti-Sigma code in their bodies, and niether Tamron nor Tokina lenses suffer these issues.

The reality is that Sigma have missed something in the RE processes, which they then need to rectify with a rechip of the lenses.

[Steffen]

D3x? Isn't it D3H's turn first? An 8MP camera so fast that it writes to two CF cards in parallel, so they can keep up with the torrent of images?



Cheers
Steffen.

[seeto.centric]

The issues was with Sigma HSM lenses not AF-ing when the AF-ON button was pressed. Version 2.0 firmware fixes this though.

Anstl: by motor drive speed, do you mean the screwdriver-type AF mechanism?

the screwdrive mechanism is already quite fast
any faster and it would sound more like a drill hehe

-julz

[gstark]

the screwdrive mechanism is already quite fast

That is actually dependant upon the body, as the screwdriver is driven by a motor installed within the body.

In the D70 is somewhat slower than the one in the D200. I've not directly compared the D200 against the D2x, so I cannot comment on this except to say that I'd expect the higher end model to be ramped up a little more still in the performance side.

[Antsl]

Anstl: by motor drive speed, do you mean the screwdriver-type AF mechanism?

No, I mean the frame rate.... while there is a motor to drive the internal AF there are also at least two others that drive control functions of the camera including the shutter loading mechanism, the mirror assembly and the aperture controller. All of these functions need to be loaded before the camera can make a photo. The shutter actually has a lot of tension in it to get it from 0 to 25 km/hr and back to a 0 again in order to expose the sensor at the right speed. Remember, there are two curtains and both of them need to get from one side of the sensor to the other in under 4 milliseconds. The mirror and the aperture control are interconnected too however you will probably find a secondary motor or solenoid dedicated just to the depth of field preview system.

The faster you want the camera to work the faster those motors have to work; like any motors though, to work twice as fast they require fours times the energy which is why most pro cameras tend to be a lot bigger than consumer cameras; its not a feel good thing, its a "gotta work harder on the inside" thing.

[seeto.centric]

the last time i mounted a screwdriver AF lens, i got worried it would get damaged as it hunts from one end to the other with a nice loud crash of metal each time..

wow! 0-25kmh? really?

-julz

[mark]

I have been on the phone all day today trying to find an Australian D200 to no avail.

The local shops in Byron and Ballina don't have any stock (no suprise there) however when pressed as to when, the answer was the same from all three. Not sure! One shop even tried to tell me that Nikon don't make the D200 anymore.

So I get on the phone to Kayell's and Photo Continential and guess what? No stock there either and it looks like 2 weeks would be the quickest either of them thought they might have stock, but no guarantees.

Now I have to ask this, why in December with 3 weeks to Christmas is there no D200 stock, well at least north of Newcastle anyway? Seems like a lot of lost opportunities to me or is Antsl's rumour correct and Nikon are clearing the shops of D200 stock in preparation for a new model?

Like Gary, I'm getting a bit pissed at Nikon and even though I have a few thousand $ invested in good Nikon glass, the thought of a 5D has crossed my mind over the past week or so.

[Oz_Beachside]

I have been on the phone all day today trying to find an Australian D200 to no avail.

The local shops in Byron and Ballina don't have any stock (no suprise there) however when pressed as to when, the answer was the same from all three. Not sure! One shop even tried to tell me that Nikon don't make the D200 anymore.

So I get on the phone to Kayell's and Photo Continential and guess what? No stock there either and it looks like 2 weeks would be the quickest either of them thought they might have stock, but no guarantees.

Now I have to ask this, why in December with 3 weeks to Christmas is there no D200 stock, well at least north of Newcastle anyway? Seems like a lot of lost opportunities to me or is Antsl's rumour correct and Nikon are clearing the shops of D200 stock in preparation for a new model?

Like Gary, I'm getting a bit pissed at Nikon and even though I have a few thousand $ invested in good Nikon glass, the thought of a 5D has crossed my mind over the past week or so.

In Melbourne, last week (may still be case), JB HiFi 1 in stock, $2200, Teds match price, some in stock in Elizabeth St Melbourne

good luck, and enjoy

[Slider]

Sheesh, they must be popular. I was in at Photo Continental week before last looking at filters and they had 8 x D200 bodies in stock.

[Onyx]

I too was looking at the D200 lately, and noticed a slight increase in retail prices. During the Nikon Aust changeover, I noticed it was $2145 at ECS - now they have it at $2200+ and many other places not much below $2300. I would have thought with rumours of the 'updated' D200s, they'd be dipping below $AU2k retail.

[blackD200]

I had about $1000 worth of MYERS vouchers from credit card points - walked in to a MYERS store and asked if they could order the D200 for me.

After an hour of tracking buyers and contacts - the guy from MYERS said that yep - he can get it in within the next few days.

I mentioned about the ECS prices and at that time it was $2145 and they matched it -- added $75 for 3 years MYERS extended warranty

He got the NIKON contacts and ordered directly.

1 week later I had my D200. This was about 2 weeks ago...
He mentioned that they had a few in stock... BTW - this was at Castle Hill MYERS.

I hope the D200s is still a while away - otherwise I would be kicking myself... =)

the D200 is a brilliant piece of gear - what an update from me old F90...

=)

[seeto.centric]

congrats on your purchase!
good to see some good service from a bricks and mortar store again

i never knew myers sold the D200?

-julz

[blackD200]

congrats on your purchase!
good to see some good service from a bricks and mortar store again

i never knew myers sold the D200?

-julz

They dont sell the D200. Other MYERS i went to they pretty much said NO. Some looked in their stock list - then said NO.

Thats what makes it even better. The guy went out of his way to talk to his manager - and his managers manager to organise an external/special order - which from what he said that all MYERS can do it - just depends on who you talk to or if they can even be bothered going through the process.

He then chased up the MYERS buyer and the NIKON contact/seller to organise the order.

When it arrived on their store he gave me a call to pick it up..
me=happy

[Slider]

congrats on your purchase!
good to see some good service from a bricks and mortar store again

i never knew myers sold the D200?

-julz

They dont sell the D200. Other MYERS i went to they pretty much said NO. Some looked in their stock list - then said NO.

Thats what makes it even better. The guy went out of his way to talk to his manager - and his managers manager to organise an external/special order - which from what he said that all MYERS can do it - just depends on who you talk to or if they can even be bothered going through the process.

He then chased up the MYERS buyer and the NIKON contact/seller to organise the order.

When it arrived on their store he gave me a call to pick it up..
me=happy

Slightly off topic (apologies) but credit where it's due.

I had a heap of Myer vouchers and they happily ordered in a Canon ip8500 8 colour printer which they had never had in stock. Myer Chermside from memory.