Nikon D200 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body only)

This is deemed to be a Nikon classic! I had been using the Nikon D50 for 3 years until I bought this. The D200 is about as "old" as the D50, but it is a remarkable upgrade. It is solid, fast, responsive and a pleasure to use with all the important AF, metering and other switches available while shooting.

I really like the colors from this camera, compared with some of the newer models, like the D300. The CCD colors are bright and natural. This means a lot to me, especially when shooting people - more natural skin tones etc. This is one of the most important reasons I wanted to get this model. - I've actually heard of many a D300 user who are missing the colors from the D200.

It's well known that the newer models are easier to use, due to their cleaner high ISO, but with some care I have no problem shooting D200 at ISO 1000 and even a bit higher. Actually the high ISO noise is much better with this camera than I had feared (after using D50, which is excellent in this regard). I shoot with no in-camera NR and if I decide to use NR software, the end results are real smooth up to ISO 1600.

This is no JPG-machine (compared with D40,D50 etc), and methinks one should not buy this as such. However, the RAW-files give considerably more latitude to fine-tuning the images so that I end up getting better results than from my D50 (I use Capture NX2). D50 was and is a fantastic camera, but there is just new charm and depth to the images I keep getting from the D200. It's like there is more substance to work (and play) with in RAW files with this cam.

This is pretty much the ultimate crop sensor DSLR body for me, next I will be aiming towards the D700 - no models worth buying between this and that. The D200's selling dirt cheap now so purchasing one now was really a no-brainer to me.

Love this camera.

I got this body second hand as it is compatible with older Nikon lenses of which I have a number. It works with older manual focus lenses as well as later autofocus (not 'D') lenses and I was pleasantly surprised at just how well it did work. The sensor means that older lenses give a more telephoto image (if you see what I mean - 17 mm 'D' lens on the D200 gives the equivilent, roughly of a 27 mm lens on a 35 mm camera). Generally the controls will be familiar to Nikon camera users without having to delve into the manual. Chunky size but not overbig or heavy. Excellent choice for those, like me, who have a number of older Nikon lenses that they don't wish to give up but who want the conveninece of digital imagery. I did get a 'D' short zoom to go with it and it works very well - v. quiet and quick to focus.

One of the best semi-Pro DSLR Cameras from Nikon, still regarded as the Pros back-up with good reason. More consumer orientated, yet with all the features of the D2x (bar fps speed) and with the added benefits of Monochrome (Black and White) and Multiple Exposure. Just great for almost any venue with very natural (almost neutral) colour rendition on a quality sensor.

Still maintains good prices these days, deservedly so..... especially if it has been looked after properly, not dropped or dinged and sensor cleaned professionally. A great buy any day !

This is a serious piece of equipment for a very experienced photographer, I have been a photographer for over 20 years so from film to digital the change is important to keep quality high - I still need digital camera's to be able to closely mimic the quality that was film. It will never be able to match the film quality but as we all now know the digital system is able to offer other advantages that film couldn't within the software and in size and convenience and speed.
The Nikon D200 is one of those digital assets to add to the family for professionals only, or very keen amateurs, a great price and extremely complicated to use but once you get the hang of it, you have a camera that can provide an image that any professional would be proud to show off and more importantly can provide for any size company a considered professional quality photograph.
I will be looking forward to getting to grips with the camera even more as I have only had it for about 10 days now, I am sure I have made a good choice for the future advancement of my business requirements, until Nikon brings its next generation out at the right price!
Regards,
Brighty67

Why spend £1200 or so on a Nikon D300s, with 12MP, when you can buy a used D200 in excellent condition, with 10.2MP for £400? To me it seems that the D200 offers nearly everything the D300 does, around 90% of the performance and 100% of the quality, for 35% of the price. I paid £411 for mine.

At 10.2MP, everything except perhaps A1+ photos are going to be more than high enough resolution, plus 5fps is more than good enough for all except the most dedicated of sports & fashion photographers. So with just a few limited exceptions, in my opinion it isn't worth upgrading until the mega-pixel difference in newer cameras, is 4MP+ or so. Until then it just becomes a question of ego, professional or otherwise.

If you're thinking of buying an entry-mid level DSLR, don't waste your money on a low-end consumer model regardless of the sensor size, which you'll only replace in less than 6 months, instead buy the D200.

If you have a mid-range D70/80 or similar, then rather than upgrade to the D90, buy a used D200! Yes, you sacrifice HD movie mode, and a couple of megapixels, but you get a superb pro-spec camera which will take all the knocks you throw at it, for half the price of a new D90.

In case you hadn't realised. I love mine, and will not be parting with it until I can either afford a Nikon DSLR with a full-frame sensor and/or the benchmark sensor resolutions reach 14-15MP.

Good luck!