D200 Questions

[barry]

I am finally thinking about lashing out and buying a D200.

Would I have any compatibility issues with the 18-70DX or my lenses below.

Why should I buy the genuine MB200 battery holder over the clone.

Should I consider an 8gig CF card. I believe the RAW file size is large. Current I have a 4gig card and get 728 raw shots on my D70.

Any input welcome

[Laurie]

Barry, as i understand it the DX in 18-70 stands for Digital Only
so yes no problems with the D200.
all your other lens' should be fine, but i am not an expert on this.
also i am a "all my eggs in one basket is bad" kind of guy
i would rather 2x4GB cards for the simple fact that if one dies i still have a 4GB card
just my opinion,
cheers
Laurie

[Jonesy]

I shoot uncompressed raws and get around the 250 mark on my 4gig Card. Each file being about 15mb

Should be no probs with your current glass, but cant really help with the grip. I have an orignial one and love it but dont know what the clone ones are like.

Its a great camera though!

[Yi-P]

Hi Barry,

Lenses, the D200 can take more lenses than what the D70 can, at least the old AI lenses, it can meter with them as well, and any other lenses that the D70 can use.

The grip, I believe the 3rd party ones are only for battery purpose and not with the controls. The MB-D200 gives you 2 command dials and a AF-ON button, just like what you will have when holding the camera horizontally.

Same with other, get couple of 4GB cards rather than a big 8GB.

Also, consider extra batteries, you need AT LEAST 2 batteries to get this big boy going for a full day.

[gstark]

Barry,

The D200 is a significant improvement on the D70, as good as that camera is/was. I'm pleasantly surprised at its features and functionality, although I'm still on a very steep learning curve with mine.

Glass: as Yip has said, anything that fits on the D70 will fit on the D200, and then some. Go and find some old (cheap, obsolete) AI-S glass. It fits.

CF cards - I save in compressed raw, and there is no good reason that I'm aware of to do otherwise. Have 2 4G cards at hand to be sure, to be sure.

Batteries - The camera pulls much more juice than the D70 - the rear screen is bigger, there's more data to process, etc etc. 2 is good.

I don't use a grip; I prefer the more compact size of the body as she is wrought. That said, I'm thinking of grabbing one of Poon's cheaper grips ... just because. I believe the functionality on these is the same as the standard grip, but until I get one in my hands, I won't know.

The grip takes two batteries, btw, or you can use AAs instead, which gives you a different/extra battery backup option as well.

[methd]

i agree with everyone else's comments

lash out... you won't regret it. i think there's a huge positive difference in IQ and feel. i love my grip and it's really handy for portraits, but that is subjective for others.

[Oz_Beachside]

I have one new surplus MB-D200 grip I am thinking of selling (un used), as I have the wireless grip now, the WT-3.

I saw detailed pics last night, of Poon's non genuine grip, and it looks good. THe battery slides in a tray, rather than the flimsy door of teh genuine MB-D200, so it may be a bit nicer feel. I look forward to someones feedback on teh cheaper ones...

If you chimp, get the grip. If you use VR (particularly the large battery hungry lenes), get the grip. If you dont do either of these, then the battery life is ok, just carry one in your pocket.

[ATJ]

How many shots do people get out of one battery charge without the grip?

I would love to get a D200 for underwater work to overcome my only gripe with the D70: the tiny viewfinder.

Changing batteries underwater is not an option. I don't use the internal strobe underwater. I take anywhere from 80 to 200 shots on a dive. Will the battery last?

[bwhinnen]

I took 1600 photos with the 70-200VR and some chimping the other weekend on 1 and 2/3 batteries the other weekend.

Once the batteries have been drained and charged a couple of times they seem to be pretty good. That is both the OEM and aftermarket ones from Poon.

Cheers
Brett

[Jeff]

Barry do it you will have no regrets.I agree with Brett the batteries at first drain very quickly but after several recharges they are much better.

Jeff

[Oz_Beachside]

I took 1600 photos with the 70-200VR and some chimping the other weekend on 1 and 2/3 batteries the other weekend.

Once the batteries have been drained and charged a couple of times they seem to be pretty good. That is both the OEM and aftermarket ones from Poon.

Cheers
Brett

agree, after a few cycles they improve 2 fold.

[big pix]

and you will get around 200 pix's on a 4 gig card...... I use 4 gig cards in a D2Xs and get 199 shots only, but I have a total of 16gig

[barry]

Thanks for input everyone.

Thanks Laurie for your egg analogy. I agree.

Gary are you able to get a comment from Poon about any difference of his generic battery holder. If it has all the features of the the genuine one it sound like a good deal. The saving will offset the cost of another 4gig card.

As a matter of interest I tried to access HKSupplies.com but there seems to be a hosting error problem??

[gstark]

Gary are you able to get a comment from Poon about any difference of his generic battery holder. If it has all the features of the the genuine one it sound like a good deal. The saving will offset the cost of another 4gig card.

I will try to remember to ask for you.

At the moment, I'd suggest looking to local suppliers for your CF cards. Prices right now are very good locally.

As a matter of interest I tried to access HKSupplies.com but there seems to be a hosting error problem??

No surprises there. he has about three or four differnt sites, but the only reliable way to see what he might have on offer is through his eBay store.

[Matt. K]

I have the Nikon grip but find I rarely use it. It adds weight and bulk and that's not something that makes my life easier. I find I can shoot most all day on one battery but I have a spare. Very rarely will fill 2 4GB cards shooting RAW. My advice is to forego the grip and put the money towards a 50mmF1.8 You will get more value out of it.

[big pix]

what Matt said..... good advice

[gstark]

Gary are you able to get a comment from Poon about any difference of his generic battery holder. If it has all the features of the the genuine one it sound like a good deal.

Same functionality Barry.

Poon says there are two types, and he ordered the more expensive one.