Where'd you order from? cost? Did you get the "new" standard lens and a flash, along w/ the sidegrip?

 

Are you talking about the 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 DX VR?

JMO, but I don't think that's really the right lens for the D200. The D50 and the D70s, maybe, but a camera like the D200 should have some really good glass in front of it. It's the glass afterall that you'll carry forward.

 

I think it was a little shorter, like 80 or 105? Can't recall off the top of my head. Totally agree re: the glass. I intend to use my 18-105 and 80-200 which have been good on my N80 'cause I don't want to push my luck w/ the wife

 

Very envious... out of my price range at this time, so I had to go with the 350D.

Just got done chatting with Peter of M7, and he's currently on the way to check-out the D200; and most likely to buy it! Look for Peter to chime-in later...

 

I'd love to get one, but I want to mod my cooper and get more lighting equipment before getting another body.

 

Ordering a D200 next week. Along with a 20" iMac.
Can't wait!!
Jim

 

Woo hoo, Jim!

Mark

 

Hey Guy's...

After wrestling all night with the idea of uppgrading the arsenal, I woke up
with one destination in mind.......Samy's Camera in West Hollywood.

It's my favorite camera store in town, not because it's cheapest, but they take care of me as an photographer/professional in the field. I arrived at Samy's all
pumped up on home brewed (French press) coffe, I did pump it up this morning
with an extra couple of scoops.

Looking around the multiple levels you realize "film is dead" the typical smell of
film fix is nowhere to be found, and the Digital presence is overwhelming.

With that said it's always an adventure to look at yestertech equipment
that now is about as popular as Lp's are for my 8 year old daughter...

In anticipation of digital nirvana (wish I could afford a D2x) I approach the
counter where the sales person greated me warmly. I told him I wanted the
D200 with the vertical grip etc. If you want a bare body expect a 2 month
wait he said.. No way Jose I thought (his name is Jesus) I want it now,
not tomorrow or in May.....NOW.

If you buy the body with the 18-70mm
$300.00 lens I can get one next week....... So he is telling me that I have to wait, SPEND $300 BUCKS FOR A LENS THAT I WOULD NEVER USE
and I still can't have it untill next week.

To make this rather long story short, someone had ordered a D200, didn't pay for it, and I got it...Lucky me.

I did add the vertical grip as I am used to big heavy 35mm and digital cameras. I did open the box but have not had time to test it or shoot some
images...I will do so in the very near future.

One more thing...I love Nikon cameras, always have and always will.
The general feel of the body is amazing, it's built so well, it looks amazing
and always returns the favour with exceptional images to boot.

peter
Team M7

The Loot.

 

Sweet

 

I've been trying to find a D200 since the middle of December with no luck. The local store wanted to charge my cc as soon as I ordered. They had no idea how long a delivery would take either. I'd seen on Nikonians & DPreview that people had been finding them at Best Buy & Circuit City. Not my favorite places, but the only game in town when it came to D200's. I'd been looking at those sites every day with no luck. Then I read that these stores update their online stock in the morning. Today I checked at 8am eastern time & WOW it was there waiting for me. As fast as I could I ordered one. An hour later they were out of stock. My advice would be if you want one check Best Buy & Circuit City every morning until you find one. Both of them only sell the body, not the kit. I have read that other stores are now getting the kits in.

I just bought the body, I have a pretty good selection of Nikkor glass. There are 2 lenses that are availible in the kit. One is the 18-70 which I already own & the other is the 18-200vr which I don't. I have a 24-120vr & haven't decided if I really need the extra reach of the 18-200vr. My sister has that lens & when she next visits me I'll be testing it out.

The MB200 is nice, but I think I'll like having a smaller camera without it. I have a D2h & it's a tank. Sometimes it's just a bit too big & heavy to lug around all day. I do, but it gets tiring. I will be buying a spare battery to carry along.

Funny My D70 felt like a childs toy when compared to the D2h. I think the D200 will be just right.

I already have a SB800 flash, but a second one is a possibility.

Chuck

 

Peter & Dave-

As far as zooms go the 18-70 isn't a bad one & has a afs motor to boot. The jurry is still out on the 18-200vr, but a lens that covers that much ground has to be full of compromises. As you know none of those zooms are going to touch a prime lenses quality.

Confession time....I have a 24-120vr & on occastion use it. Sad, but true. There are times where carrying one lens & a body are great. Quality suffers, but sometimes it's ok to just take a few snaps. That vr technology is really something. Hand holding at 1/4 secong is amazing. I can get shots that I'd miss without a tripod or flash. I hope that vr makes it to prime lenses.

I think many folks buy the next best thing along & gee whiz a wonder zoom too please. They set the camera to auto & never think about the craft of photography. A coworker of mine is like that, he just bought the latest Canon 5D & a whiz bang zoom. Shoots on auto all the time & his shots look no better than those shot with a decent point & Shoot. Very sad really. When we talked cameras he assured me that no one could do a better job than the computer chip in his latest toy.

Good luck with your D200 Pete. Can't wait for mine.

Chuck

 

Got a chance to play a little with the new "tool" and the first reaction
is .... this thing is solid, none of the more plasticy feel of the D50, D70
and to certain degree the D100. The view finder is acctually getting there
and what I meen is, it is getting closer to 35mm film cameras expansive
view finders.

I am also amazed by the shear speed of the trigger, it's super fast....wow
can't wait to go out and shoot the new ad for MC2 it will be a treat.

As I mentioned before my fav lens is the 17-35mm, it is as good as anything I ever used, give or take some Zeiss and Leica lenses I worked with.

Peter
Team M7
562-608-8123

 

Thanks Pete,

I'm glad to hear you like the view finder. That was something I was a bit concerned about. My D2h is like looking through a picture window compared to my D70. I hope you D70 owners don't think I'm bashing your cameras. It's still a great photo making tool.

That's also good news to me. When I got my D2h I was flat out amazed at how fast it was. Seems like the D200 is a pro caliber camera.

Chuck

 

Yes it feels like a Pro-rig with the vertical grip. I did have the vertical grip on the D100 and excuse my English but it did suck royaly IE. it felt incredibly lose
and wobbly to the point of me calling Nikon to tell them what a crappy design
they had

I think the view finder will meet your needs no doubt.....

I was going to take some images tonight, but the only Japanese anything
will be Sake lot's of it.......

peter

Image one of eight from a loft downtown Los Angeles

 

I'm jealous of those who have just gotten it.

Here's a review by a well regarded fellow up on Nikonians,
http://www.naturfotograf.com/D200_rev00.html

Note that there has been a problem reported with "banding" that Bjorn addresses very well.

 

Dave, I have funds going into home-improvement projects, which take priority, so I hear ya... Thus the 350D (black body) was an easy choice to make for me...

I now need to sell my 8008, and that equipment. The bites on craigslist were minimal, so it looks like I'll finally try selling something on eBay. Drat...

Peter, you don't play around when you want something! Congratulations, and I look forward to some cool photos...

 

Nice Peter, I can't wait to see it

 

The big brown truck just dropped off mine! Now I have to wait for that infernal battery to charge.:impatient It sure fits my hands nicely. My D2h's days may just be numbered.

Chuck

 

Can't wait to see some artwork from the D200! I know that Peter is working on something now

Hey, if anyone wants Nikkor lenses before I put them on craigslist or eBay, let me know:

50mm (used it only a week or so b/c of the below lenses, great shape)

35-70mm (a good work horse lens)

75-300mm (just saw 1-2 rolls of film, excellent condition)

Tony

 

Tony,

Why are you selling your Nikkor's? That 50mm is one very sharp lens & a real deal in the Nikon system. I've got one & love it.

Chuck

 

Chuck,

I'm assuming because he's made the switch to Canon.

 

Indeed. These lenses were from my venerable, film, 8008... which I just sold the body over the weekend. All digital now (350D)... Have a soft spot for Nikon, but couldn't quite justify the D200 expense with other project going-on...

 

Gosh, now that you post that it's all coming back to me. I may need to do some memory exercises. Tony, sorry we lost you over to the dark side. Just kidding Canons are sweet cameras too.

Chuck

 

Doesn't EOS stand for Every Other Shot?
Jim
(Nikon user since 1973)

 

So much for that.

I caved in today and purchased a D200 with the grip. It should be here on Thursday at the latest.