It's the surprise of the century

[gstark]

Now that the secret is out ...

With the current pricing being as it is, last week I ordered from Poon the following items:

Nikon D200 body
Sigma 10-20mm lens. (!) (As I missed the wide end of shooting, And by all reports, it's not too bad a lens.)

Ordered on Tuesday evening, in my hands on Friday Only slightly preferential treatment for me, but that is typical of the delivery setup these days. Goods shipped UPS, and no GST or customs hold up.

FWIW, I think that the D200's current (forum) pricing is exceptional. Yeah, I know, but it's really at a pricepoint now that's almost irresistable. It may get better, if the PP goes up further, but for me, the time was now. I noiced that few others have also done the same, and I know of a couple of other people thinking hard as well.

First impressions:

The D200 is heavier than I recall from my initial play about a year ago. It feels a much more substantial camera than the D70. This is all good.

Looking at the manual, there's a hell of a lot of new tricks for this old dog to learn. That is not a good thing.

Right now, my biggest challenge is telling the camera how to do what I want it to do.

I tell it to format the card. It doesn't.

I tell it I want compressed NEF. They're uncompressed.

I tell it I want single exposure. It gives me multiple exposure. Which I certainly intend to explore at some future point.

All of this is due to operator error, I'm sure. I think the learning curve will make the esses at Bathurst look easy.

Quiet, quick, just the right size (sans grip) for me. Love the viewfinder, and love the LCD on the back.

Went looking for custom curves to install, and found out that by just playing with the various custom banks, I should be able to get some half decent results.

The big news ... the lens.

By all reports, this was going to be an interesting purchase, and my first impressions are that Sigma have, with this lens, certainly lifted their game. It feels pretty good: solid, much better than any other Sigma I've ever had a play with.

Feels very nice on the D200, and together this is a very nice kit. I've done a bit of shooting at lunchtime, and tonight and Wednesday I'll be using my older lenses at a jam session. That will give me a better feel for how all of this stuff hangs together.

Last night, in the studio, was just a very early taste.

[Nnnnsic]

By the way, now that Dad owns a Sigma, the end of the world really is here.

The end is nigh, people. Nigh I tell you.

[Alpha_7]

Congrats on the new toys Gary, I hope you continue to enjoy them as you learn their ins and outs.

I think you'll find the Image quality better then that coke bottle mount!

[losfp]

Never thought I'd see the day.....

[iGBH]

Nothing like the excitement of getting a new toy. Congrats.

I think learning all the tricks and nuances are what makes it fun.

[Glen]

This is amazing, maybe time to get the Chairman to get you one of these, or maybe a "I Love my Sigma" cap

[Mr Darcy]

Congratulations Gary.

I decided to jump too after thinking long and hard. Decision finally came down to "Waaa I want it!"
D200 on order as of this morning. Would have been tyuesterday but for server issues.

This body was always my preferred choice even before I bought the D70s. I simply couldn't afford it at the time. I couldn't really afford the d70s either, but what the hey.

No new lenses at the moment, but I will watch reports on the Sigma with great interest. For me though,I like to get up close & personal, so an 85 will probably come first. Though trying to capture wine bottles with my 105 while the 18-200 is out of action was an interesting and enlightening experience. I ended up using my old E-series 28, and guessing everything. Maybe a wide is not that far away after all.

[lukeo]

I tried out the Sigma 10-20, the Sigma 12-24, the Tokina 12-24 and the Nikon 12-24. If money had allowed I'd have got the Nikon.

However owning my Sigma 10-20 for awhile now, I really love that extra 2mm. It's a very sharp, contrasty, fast focusing lense. You'll love it

Congrats on the D200 as well, I can only dream about one of those for the time being.

[Big V]

Gary Gary Gary, you now owe all of the sigma lens users the biggest apology - the words you are looking for are "I was wrong and I am sorry" Hmmm does this now make you an official hypocrite ? Boy oh Boy, I did not ever think I would see this day...

[Kris]

Congrats!!! Enjoy your new toy Gary!

[sirhc55]

Gary - well I’ll be a yellow bellied sapsucker - you’ve joined the dark side with a great lens - congrats

[gstark]

I think learning all the tricks and nuances are what makes it fun.

Very much so.

Greg,

I'd also have an 85, but there were none in stock last Wednesday when the order shipped. I'm a-waiting ... that'll be my next purchase, along with either a 18-55 Series II or 50 f/1.8 body cap for the D70.

FY'all'sI ... a couple of the features I'm wanting to use are the multiple exposure - bugger this 'do it in PS" attitude. Real photographers do it in camera!

And the AI capability, which I think is one of the best features of the camera, even though I don't think I have AI lenses at the moment.

Maybe a visit to ECS at some point will be in order?

Oh yes ... Poon sent me a new ultra-thin 77mm UV filter that's mounted on the nose of the Sigma. We'll do some with/without shots over the next week or two ...

[Reschsmooth]

bugger this 'do it in PS" attitude. Real photographers do it in camera!

Words that would make Energy Police proud!

Congrats on the new purchases and I am thankful the 85mm is out of stock at the moment (saves any impulse purchases).

P

[gstark]

Congrats on the new purchases and I am thankful the 85mm is out of stock at the moment (saves any impulse purchases).

Thanx, and shgouldn't be too long before there's one available for you.

[zafra52]

Well done! I am sure an old pro like you will tame that lion easily. What is money for if it isn't to ejoy it? Looking forward to see what that lens can do.

[gooseberry]

Congrats on the new toys/tools Gary. I opted for the Sigma 10-20mm for the wide end on my D200 too, as it allows me the equivalent of a 15mm rectilinear. Like you, it's my only Sigma lens... will there be more Sigma lenses for you ?

As for curves, actually I find the Normal curve in the D200 gives very good results and I don't really need to do any tweaking to - but the 4 settings banks are a nice option when you want to have different setups.

[Reschsmooth]

Congrats on the new purchases and I am thankful the 85mm is out of stock at the moment (saves any impulse purchases).

Thanx, and shgouldn't be too long before there's one available for you.

Seriously, I am waiting for July at bonus time before I will really entertain the thought of that lens! I am sure it would work well on the new/old FE I just bought!

P

[gstark]

Congrats on the new toys/tools Gary. I opted for the Sigma 10-20mm for the wide end on my D200 too, as it allows me the equivalent of a 15mm rectilinear. Like you, it's my only Sigma lens... will there be more Sigma lenses for you ?

Exactly, and no others envisaged at this time.

My thoughts are 85 f/1.8, maybe a beast, and then a 30D.

As for curves, actually I find the Normal curve in the D200 gives very good results and I don't really need to do any tweaking to - but the 4 settings banks are a nice option when you want to have different setups.

I've DL the spreadsheet from Nikonians, and have starting looking at those setiings and values. The studio shot was made with the POR settings from shooting bank 2.

Based upon what I've been reading, that may be one way for me to go; it's certainly where I'm going to start my explorations.

[Killakoala]

I am surprised Gary. I thought you'd never buy another Nikon again (unless they improved physically.)

But well done for taking the plunge. I can only imagine your thought processes prior to submitting your order.



Oh, and at that price i too have been thinking about one.

[phillipb]

Gary, had you announced that you had defected to Canon I would have thought so what? but buying a sigma... well I'm in shock.
I have that lens and out of all my lenses, it got the most use at a recent outing to the Blue Mountains. I think you'll be happy.

[MHD]

Good move Gary...
I love my sigma 10-20, my most used lens in Alaska and Canada...

[fozzie]

Gary - I am in shock, a Sigma 10-20mm. I was drinking a glass of red wine when I started reading this thread, and then almost choked.

Congratulations on your new toys.

fozzie

[the foto fanatic]

Excellent! The D200 is one hell of a camera - so much to offer. It feels much more businesslike than the D70.

I can't comment on the glass, but I'm sure that you did not make a rash decision.

[MATT]

Congrats Gary..I'll look forward to some images from the 10-20, this is something I am thinking of at the moment for my d200..



CHeers
MATT

[Yi-P]

Wow, Gary taking the plunge for 'another' Nikon body...
Congrats on the purchase!!


The 10-20mm is the currently only Sigma lens I own now and I'm keeping this one for a while until I can find one that can beat this at the same price! Its great of a lens which provides a massive wide angle view. Sharpness is very good to excellent despite the very little corner edges.

Anyway, enjoy your new toy Gary!!

[big pix]

well done gary, and welcome to the Sigma clan........


the world can only be a better place now......