Help Nikon D200

Hi

I have the opportunity to upgrade from my Olympus 5050 camera... I am looking at the new Nikon D200 however cannot seem to find reviews on its performance underwater. I realise there has not been much time to give it a run for its money however can anyone give opinions as to how it compares to the other Nikons ie D100, D70 etc...

All help and opinions gratefully recieved!!

G'day mate.

You are comparing night and day with the 5050 against the D200. I'd be astonished if you weren't impressed, but there will be a couple of things to adjust to (composing with a viewfinder for one). But I'm sure you're across all that already.

In terms of performance against D100/D70s...again they are pretty different beasts.

I've not taken my D70s diving, but I have dived my D200. A couple of things stand out. Firstly, AF performance on the D200 is streets ahead of both the D70/D100 which use the older CAM900 module. This is great for fast moving subjects. Secondly, my topside experience indicates that the D200 has a nicer transition into the highlights than my D70. More graceful would be the best I can put it. This is really handy for shooting sunballs underwater. Thirdly, the fps were invaluable on a recent shoot I did on Tuna (see my website). Fourthly, the RGB histogram is very useful UW for checking blown highlights (rather than the composite luminance histogram of the D70s)...

I could go on, but suffice to say, if you've got the cash - jump for a D200+housing. It is worth the money. If you are looking to save. there are some awesome deals on the very capable D70s/D100's around at the moment as other people are upgrading. Coming from a 5050, these will also be a fantastic upgrade.

You need to make the call yourself ultimately.

As a member of the D70 mafia who won't be upgrading to D200 simply because i am a cheap ass and don't like having my inadequicies (like spelling) handed to me....

SHUT UP ANTHONY!!!!

Mwahahhaaaaaaa I amuse myself if no one else....

I'm always pleased when you come online Mike - it's much more fun. All those nth hemisphere dudes are still asleep - lazy buggers.

Yeah, I'll admit it. D200 is crap. I wish I'd just saved my money and bought a point and shoot....

And yes, you made me AND Michaela (GF) laugh. Not just yourself

It's alright Mike, I still have my D70 as well.

We will save up and get the D70ZX1 when it comes out and they can keep there low res D200's

If it makes you guys feel any better, I have a puny SD miniDV video...

Here are a couple of reviews from of the D200 underwater:

Aquatica Housing

Aquatica Housing

Ikelite Housing

I found it a huge step up from film. Can't compare to a D70/100 but we are under the "Gear Lust" section so it must be better, right!.

There are also reviews on places like dpreview which compare it directly to other bodies which might be helpful. Also try Nikonians.org.

Rinjani

I just upgraded from a c5050 with an Inon d-180 to a d200 with Ike case and strobe. I also purchased the AF105VR, 12-24DX and 18-70DX lenses and the 8" dome and flat port. My impressions:

1-You will never go back. The d@mn d200 iTTL broke after 1.5 dives. However I dove my 5050 once after that and then left it behind. After 1 dives experience with the d200/ike I knew that any 5050 shots would be imadaquate. I can't see the 5050 screen near as well as the d200 viewfinder, I loved the instant AF and a picture every second or less.

2-My wife did go back because she really likes composing with the screen BUT ONe experience with the d200 will wind up costing me a new E-330 for my wife (because it is a dSLR with screen preview) because she loved the instant AF and a shot every second or less.

But:

The d@mn thing broke. Grrrrrr. Was this my fault? I don't know yet. What I do know is that the d200-Ike combo is a bigger, more complicated package which can lead to more user errors and system malfunctions.

It is expensive. It was $7 grand total because I purchased quality glass. (All experts advised this)

On the Other Hand:

Experts here were very good a recommending lenses, settings and procedures. The learning curve was much shorter than another dSLR will be. I did get some very good shots on my first dive.

I was taking AF, iTTL shots from a foot away, then blowing them up so I could really see the fish. I now know what a juvinile trunk fish looks like.That was the power of the AF105VR. The autofocus auto exposure worked very well with the suggested settings (f20, 1/125) With the c5050 I needed 2 INON macro wet lenses to get decent closeups (f8, 1/100) and the fish never cooperated. That is real fun. The Olympus E-330 has no such corresponding lens.

Tom

Hey Mike, I'm debating if I should get a pair of D70, they actually make great book ends for my photo albums , seriously I understand junkies a lot more since I got a D200, quite a potent drug that camera