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Note: If anybody would like any prints from the images in this review then please fill in the contact form. I usually charge £70 for A3+ prints but I am offering prints of the images in this D200 review for £40 + p&p. Please just enter the title of the image you would like with D200 in () after. i.e. Joe (D200) in the order form here >>
I wanted to write a longer
term update following the diary entries earlier in the
year. This is based on using my D200 for the last 10
months. Although I haven't tested the D200 as fully
as I would have hoped, during that time I have;
- Taken over 14,000 images
- Taken a variety of people, sports and landscapes
- Used the D200 on location and in the studio
- Used the D200 with various lenses including Nikon
17mm - 55mm f2.8, Nikon 70-200 f2.8
- Printed images up to A3+ from cropped images and
got great results
Although this isn't meant to be a comparison between
the D100 and D200 I have tended to mention the D100
vs D200 quite a bit. This is because the D100 was a
good reference point for me.
Twisted Tree
D200, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 Lens - 55mm F8 / 1/10s / ISO 100 / RAW
This was a difficult shot
to expose correctly. I didn't want to completely
burn out the area of the tree that was illuminated
by the morning sun or the mist and mist reflection.
However, I needed to retain detail in the shaded
area of the trunk. The D200 jpeg image that
I took didn't quite manage to retain enough
detail in the mist. However the RAW image did
and the print looks fantastic.
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My overall impression of the D200 after
using it for 6 months is very positive. It excels in
many areas - I have made the following observations
(Please note that these are not meant to have any scientific
basis and are purely my observations). I have split
them into 'Great because...' and 'Could be improved...'.
Many people have asked me how it compares to other digital
SLRs such as Canon 20D. However, I can't really comment
on that. I can say that it is a big improvement over
the D100 - it feels more robust and professional.
Great because...
Handling / Ergonomics
The overall handling of
the camera is very good and to me everything seems intuitive.
I like simple things such as the ability to take RAW
+ JPEG, the colour histogram, the mirror lock up on
the command dial, the simple way you can alter key settings
such as ISO (if you remember and don't take all your landscape shots from an early shoot at ISO 500 like I did on a recent trip to the Lake District, UK - one of my regular places to take stunning scenery).
I would say that with the
Nikon 17-55mm F2.8 lens (that I use probably 70% of
the time) the camera is fairly heavy. However, I like
this as it gives a more solid feel and if held correctly
does suppress some movement caused by releasing the shutter.
LCD
The LCD is one big area
of improvement over the D100. It makes a massive difference
to be able to review images immediately after shooting
on location. One thing I don't understand is why there
is never an indicator built in to show where shadow detail
is being lost (like the highlight indicator). You can
do this in most RAW viewers so why not put it in the
camera?
Frames Per Second (FPS)
What I really like about the D200 is the ability to shoot on low or high FPS settings. This is really useful depending on the subject and something that I use a lot.
Focusing (however see
below)
The focusing is definitely
an improvement over the D100 - which was poor. However,
it still struggles in dark light. What is better is the
predictive focusing. You can now use it as a serious
camera to take fast sports such as motor cross etc..
Dirt Riders
D200, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 Lens - 200mm F2.8 / 1/1250s / ISO 160 / Jpeg
Low noise up to ISO
640 - except at very long exposures in shadow areas
To be honest I don't really
shoot high ISOs very often as I always tend to use a
tripod. But when I do I want to be able to have a camera
that doesn't introduce lots of noise. I don't think
the D200 is as good as some images I have seen from
the Canon SLRs but it is acceptable up to ISO 640.
The Gallery of Maps,
Vatican - Rome
D200, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 Lens - 17mm F8 / 1/30s / ISO 640 / RAW (Hand held)
100% Crop
This is probably not the best example as
it is handheld at 1/30s. But it gives you
some idea of the low noise at ISO 640. I haven't
done anything to this image apart from crop
it and import it on the AUTO settings of Adobe
RAW
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Dust
I still haven't had to have
the sensor cleaned (after 12,000 shots) which is a great
improvement over the D100 as I had that cleaned every
month. I don't know exactly why this is - whether it
isn't getting as dirty or it isn't showing up the dirt
as much. Either way there is only one major dust spec
of note.
Image Quality
Obviously this has to be
the key factor for any serious camera - it doesn't matter
how well it handles, it has to produce good images. From
all the types of photography that I have done I am happy.
It is important to note that for optimum results you
must take the images in RAW format - it just gives you
so much more scope for post-processing and ensures you
make the most out of the 10+ megapixels on offer.
I am not going to go into
any technical detail in terms of image quality as there
are much more qualified people to do that and many good
sites such as www.dpreview.com. However, I would mention
one part of the D200 which I think really does excel
and that is the dynamic range of the camera.
Winter Trees
D200, Nikon 17-55mm Lens - 31mm F10 / 1/20s / ISO
100 / RAW
Could
be improved...
Battery
Although the battery is
good it is by no means great. I do a lot of LCD viewing
but only really get 300 shots before having to recharge.
If I am using the VR on my 70-200mm f2.8 lens then it
is even lower. It also seems to be hit by taking RAW
+ JPEG.
Flash cable and
Remote Housing
WHY, WHY, WHY do they put
these stupid caps on the remote and flash plugs? They
are a complete waste of time - where are you meant to
put them when you take them off - if you are using the
remote release then you are probably outside in the
cold and can't mess about with a screw on cap that is
the size of a drawing pin. I have lost both of mine.
It would be so much better
if they were concealed behind a rubber housing.
Focusing in low
light
Now this may be the same
with many other cameras - but whenever there is low
light (or low contrast) the D200 really does struggle
to focus. It especially has problems focusing at infinity.
It isn't a major problem for me as with landscape I
can go to manual without much problem. But for a sports
photographer or nature photographer it may cause an
issue.
Expensive add-ons
Why is the remote for a
D200 nearly £200 and for a D70 you can get one
for £10? It doesn't make any sense and is basically
Nikon praying on the semi-professional market. Just because
we spend over £1000 on a camera body doesn't mean
we should have to spend more on the add-ons.
Also - why doesn't the D200
come with better software?
**Top tip - for a remote go
onto Ebay and buy a second hand one - I got the Nikon MC-20 for about £40.
Banding in shadow areas *(This doesn't seem to be the case on all D200s and there has been a vast amount of forum space devoted to it)
One thing that you seem to be able to notice at high magnification on the screen is vertical banding. I have to admit I have read a lot about this but only spotted it about 2 weeks ago. Then when I looked back at some of my longer exposure shots I could see banding on them in shadow areas. However the print doesn't seem to show it up. I am now a little unsure as what to do. I think as I have been happy for 8 months and printed 100s images without any issues I will just leave it as my motto is, "If it works don't fix it!"
Some mini photo-stories with the D200
I thought it may be of interest if I shared with you
some of the stories and details behind some of my favorite
shots over the last 8 months with the D200.
Calm
D200, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 Lens 10secs, f22
This was taken on the beach in Hornsea in the NE of England. It was actually nearly dark when I took it - hence the very long exposure. I actually only took this one pic and the automatic exposure was spot on first time - something that doesn't usually happen! It is amazing how long it takes to process these long exposures with the noise reduction on - but it is well worth it as it makes a significant difference to the quality of the image
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Sun Tree
D200, Nikon 70-200mm VR Lens - 155mm / f8 / 1/60s / ISO 100 (RAW)
One of my routes to work takes me past this tree and I have stopped on a number of occasions to take a photo - without much success. However, I knew when the weather was good I would be able to make a good image. On this morning it was -8oC and misty and I had noted on similar previous mornings that the sun had looked like a fiery ball through the mist so I set off to the 'tree location'. I took a number of shots of the sun coming over the horizon and then realised I could probably get a shot of the sun in the elbow of the tree branch. I like it as it is as though the tree is hugging the sun to keep it warm! - it reminds me of how cold it was on the day whenever I look at it. I also like the contrast between the pastel blues and reds
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Jurassic Coast
D200, Nikon 70-200mm VR Lens - 155mm / f8 / 1/60s / ISO 100 (RAW)
This was taken on a recent trip to Dorset. I had one evening whilst I was down there to take some photos and after some research I decided to head for Osmington Mills - well I say 'some research', this was purely typing dorset photography into google and finding the best images and then seeing where they were shot. Out of the 4 I looked at 2 were at Osmington Mills - so that was decided then. I had worked out that if there had been a good sunset I would have a good opportunity to take shots into the sun and with the sun illuminating the rocks. When I got there I walked up and down the beach and was immediately struck by the shape of this rock in the foreground. I also liked the way there was a triangular connection between the two rocks and the cliff in the background. It was then just a matter of getting the correct shutter speed for the water and waiting for the golden light. It all seemed to come good!
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Blea Tarn, The lake District
D200, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 lens - 1/10s / f13.0 / 17.0mm iso500 (RAW)
This is one of my most recent photos, taken in the Langdales - one of my favorite places in The Lake District (NW England). I got up early to take this and even persuaded my wife, Ann to come with me as we were staying at my parents and therefore had babysitters. I told Ann that there would be a great sunrise and it was well worth sacrificing a potential lie in (they don't happen with often with 2 little ones below 3!). I had planned to go to Blea Tarn as it has easy access of the road and I know the sun would shine on Harrison Stickle in the distance. There was a great sunrise - but it was windy too - and as Ann kept telling me - and very cold! so the reflections weren't quite as good as I had wanted. After about 1 hour we left - and I was really pleased with the what I had captured. However!! - to my horror when I stopped for the next shoot I had forgot to set the ISO back to 100 from 500 from the previous day. Although this does look noisy on the screen at 100% it looks ok printed - but doesn't have the smooth tones that a low ISO has. Leason learnt!!!
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Joe
D200, Nikon 17-55mm F2.8mm lens 1/200s F8, ISO100 (One Bowens 500W with softbox)
This was one of the first images I took with my Bowens 500W lighting kit.
One key light with a softbox. This looks so awesome printed at A3+ - it is pin sharp.
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 Note: If anybody would like any prints from the images in this review then please fill in the contact form. I usually charge £70 for A3+ prints but I am offering prints of the images in this D200 review for £40 + p&p. Please just enter the title of the image you would like with D200 in () after. i.e. Joe (D200) in the order form here >>
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