D80 or D200

K

kevmalone

Suspended / Banned
Messages
284
Edit My Images
No
Story is as follows, I have a D80 at the moment and need somehting more. There's only so far you can go with a enthusiast body.

Is it worth selling the D80 for a D200? Any real world benefits?
The plan is to eventually save up for a D700 as my main and use the D80 /
D200 as a second body.
 
kevmalone said:
Story is as follows, I have a D80 at the moment and need somehting more. There's only so far you can go with a enthusiast body.

Is it worth selling the D80 for a D200? Any real world benefits?
The plan is to eventually save up for a D700 as my main and use the D80 /
D200 as a second body.
Click to expand...

What limitations are you finding with the D80? What doesn't the D80 offer that say a D200 will.... Why do you want to go from crop sesnor to full frame (eventually)....
 
I need something a tad more professional. Plus I can't help but feel that the D80 is bit plasticcy.
I suppose it's a vanity thing as much as anything else. I do portrait work and feel like I'm ripping people off when I turn up with a lowly D80.
 
I got rid of my D80 to buy a D200 as I use a lot of older manual lenses that the D80 cant meter with...Plus the D200 is much better made and weather sealed....
Check the link out its got all the info you need....
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80/vs-d200.htm
 
kevmalone said:
I need something a tad more professional. Plus I can't help but feel that the D80 is bit plasticcy.
I suppose it's a vanity thing as much as anything else. I do portrait work and feel like I'm ripping people off when I turn up with a lowly D80.
Click to expand...

That isn't a good reason to replace a camera body, will you get better images from a D200 (taking into account that it wasn't the most user friendly camera to use because it require lots of tweeks to achieve reasonable images).....Reasons for upgrading would be.... Perhaps a large flash sync range for your studio work, better ISO performance (low light conditions), more autofocus control (i.e 45 points instead of 9), larger sensor / pixel size

but not because its looks plastic....
 
No offense Pete, but it may well be plenty good enough reason for him...as has been said countless times before; most owners of high-end gear don't actually need it.
 
I had a D80 and now have a D200.

I doubt whether you will find any difference in image quality but, as Knighthawk said, the
differences will be weather sealing, the sturdier build, the ability to meter with older lenses and for me, the most important difference is the ability to change settings without having to dig deeply into the menus.

Simon
 
This is exactly the reason I don't like to post on here. Negativity. Do either of you have any idea as to my ability? Thought not. Keep it to yourselves?
My reasons for going full frame are plentiful, better ISO ability, better processor, better quality images. My initial question was about the benefits of a D200 over a D80 as a second body.
 
'Either of you' - who does that apply to? I was backing your right to upgrade to whatever you like for your own reasons.
 
I don't think the difference in image quality is enough to upgrade -- you'd be better holding out for a D90 or D300, either would be a better partner to a D700.

If you need the MF metering and/or easier access to functions and the D300 is out of range then maybe the D200.

As for the body being 'plastic', for normal use, who cares?
 
If its mainly portraits you do then theres an obvious answer - Fuji s5 Pro, Fuji colours, excellent dynamic range and good skin colours all in a tough D200 body.....
 
All I was trying to do was save you some money and an additional upgrade step that wasn't required... Better off going for the camera you really want, that would give you a significant upgrade over the D80, which is the D700.

For me because it looks nice isn't a valid reason in my eyes for upgrading camera bodies. Sorry if you took offence
 
As I said earlier, the plan is to get a D700 regardless and keep the D80/D200 as a second body. Anyway, thanks or the help.
 
Can you stretch to a D300? I went from a D90 to a D300 last year and find that having more controls on the body has helped be get better images. While the ISO was better on the D90 I prefer the build and feel on the D300, and I think the D300 does outperform the D200 in ISO.
 
Well, in basic terms, seeing as the D90 replaced the D80, and the D300 replaced the D200, I would say that the upgrade experience for D80-D200 would be the same that I experienced, so on that basis I would go for it!
 
I did the same upgrade as you a couple of years back, Reason I did it was for the body build and easier controls instead of having to go menu digging.

Anyway Ken Rockwell (love him or hate him) did a good comparison Here between the 2 bodies.

There is no image difference, same sensor in both bodies, different processor, easier controls, as Simon said ability to meter older lenses, better build quality. shooting banks.

It was not a step I regreted, I then upgraded to a d300 last year and the d200 became my back up. I know a lot of people knock the d200/d80 but they are both capable cameras.
 
I say go for it. As said, the images produced will be practically identical, however there are advantages of the D200 over the D80. If these advantages make it such that the failings of the D80 (in your eyes) are alleviated, then go for it. It matters not what they are as long as they do what you need them to do.
 
The D200 is a great camera,,,, get it. Then save up for a D700 body. Forget the D300 videocams. ;)
 
Go for it. You live once right ;)

And eventually if you're plannning a D700 it doesn't seem as if this is the one and only purchase you will be able to make in your lifetime.

Plus, not everything is in the camera, your abilities, the lenses, or whatever else. There is some factor associated with having 'pro level' equipment. Makes you 'feel' better and if you feel better you will take better pictures.

Just like having a good day. If you go out happy and well rested I bet that you'll make better pictures than if you went out with a frown. If the D200 gives you that smile, then go for it.
 
people i know with a d200 say battery life is poor but there again batteris are cheap so should not be a problem
 
lostinfrance said:
people i know with a d200 say battery life is poor but there again batteris are cheap so should not be a problem
Click to expand...

David,

I realise that there will always be a counter-argument and here it is (a gentle one) - I have owned and used a D200 with Nikon batteries and never had a problem with 'poor life'. I top them up all the time and occasionally let them run low but never once have I had a problem (and that is shooting raw&jpeg doing street work).

My advice buy and use Nikon batteries always.

just my 2p in defence

Alistair
 
Have just got a Fuji s5 pro, and it does seem to eat batteries by comparison with the D90. Its reckoned you get about 350 shots from the S5/D200 (easily a days shoot) but 850 from the D80/90. Something to do with the extra robustness of the D2oo shutter amongst other things.

its no problem carrying a spare battery (my S5 has a grip, so 2 available).

Have to disagree about buying the branded batteries. Nikon dont make their own batteries, they buy them in and put their labels on. If anyone feels comfortable paying £60 for an identical battery that costs £10 on ebay thats fine by me, but I have the ebay batteries for my D60/90/s5 and there is no distinguishable difference between the Nikon and generics.
 
Dave Pickett said:
Have to disagree about buying the branded batteries. Nikon dont make their own batteries, they buy them in and put their labels on. If anyone feels comfortable paying £60 for an identical battery that costs £10 on ebay thats fine by me, but I have the ebay batteries for my D60/90/s5 and there is no distinguishable difference between the Nikon and generics.
Click to expand...

I was quite happy with 3rd party batterieis with my D80. worked fantastically for a few months until one day they just stopped working. All three. But I think it may have been a software upgrade on the D80. They don't work with the D90.

But that's just one horror story. They were awesome in the beginning though ;)
 
Thanks for all the responses. Battery life won't be a problem for me as I have about 6 of them...which is always handy.
I've now taken the jump and sold my D80 and bought a D200. I should be able to post my views some time next week when it arrives, if anyone is interested.
 
Kevmalone - good man. I've used both and although the D80 is a really good little camera, when you pick up the D200 and use it for the first time you instantly get a good feeling from the better build quality and the improved handling that the slightly larger body brings. Have a good play with the menu system to get used to settings and the like and also have a play with the focus options to see which suits best. Battery life was always a decent 500+ shots, even on 3rd-party fleabay batteries - I just got a few Nikon ones because www.purelygadgets.com were selling them for £29 at one point, which made sense.

One thing that annoyed me though with the D200 was the rubber around the front grip where the front command wheel is located; it can come loose quite easily and hinder movement of the wheel so get some superglue ready if that happens and get it glued down just to keep the handling silky-smooth :)

Enjoy it matey, don't listen to folk who say it won't go above ISO 400 and I guarantee you'll be buying a grip soon because it's awesome with one fitted (plus it looks like a man' camera) :)
 
D200 is a cracking camera and good value for money at the moment. Good choice.........:thumbs:
 
I had a similar predicament a few years ago i had a d50and was looking for an upgrade, do i buy a d80 or a d200 and do i sell or keep the d50, i decided that i would keep the 50 as a spare, and buy a d200 ,after my first few shots i regretted buying the 200 as the quality of my shots went down, but after afew weeks those regrets disappeared as i got more into the settings of the camera, i also have a third party batteryas well as the supplied one and get good life from them both, but my biggest piece of advice would be keep the 80 and buy a grip
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top