Downgrading - Sensible move?

scottishmonkey

scottishmonkey

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Derek
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Hi all

Relatively new here so please keep the flaming to a minimum if I mess up :D

Currently got a D200 but have been trying to get through the manuals and it is a hard task as I am sure some of you will know. Now, I am a keen amateur only and bought it secondhand as it was a good deal but am thinking it is maybe a little too advanced for me (I had a D40x before this). I can get decent (for me) results but I am not sure they are any better than the ones I got previously.

Would it be daft to sell and downgrade to a D60 or D80 or should I persevere? Just need a few other opinions to help me decide :)

TIA

Derek
 
Persevere! If you downgrade, you'll soon master the new camera, then be kicking yourself for getting rid of the D200 which will have features that you'll be wanting when you understand it all better!

Maybe get one of those camera-specific guide book things? What in particular are you struggling with? And of course, ask away on the forums, no question is too simple!

My advice would be keep going, otherwise you'll almost certainly regret it later!


Chris
 
What exactly are you finding too complex? The D80/90 are complex cameras in their own right....IME the D90 had a load more options than the D40 I owned before it.

Are you using the same lens(es) that you used with your old D40x?
 
Derek,
I would persevere with the D200 if you can afford it. To me it looks like you are clearly serious about togging and by taking a step down to the D80 you run the risk of out growing it and needing to step up in the future.

Now you have made the financial commitment to a bigger and better body, I would stick with it, learn all you can from it and grow into it!

Just my opinion - I used to have gear eyes bigger than my kit bag a while back too :) but I am glad a chose a nice body to stick on and grow into. I still am learning with it but I feel that I have a camera that will last me well into the future and was a sound investment as yours was.
 
You wont notice any difference TBH, what aspect of the D200 are you struggling with?
 
Its just a lot to take in really but I guess I dont need to use all the functions all the time. I got a tutorial type book with the deal which is fairly clear but a lengthy read. I just cant resist a bloody bargain :D

I got new lenses as the old ones went with the D40x when I sold it :)
 
Stick with it, you will kick yourself if you sell it and then everything starts to fall into place.

What is so daunting about the D200, is it the lack of the green Square mode, if it is just slap it into Aperture priority and away you go, minimal settings to change and a dandy camera kept in your grasp...

Nigel
 
OK. exactly waht are you struggling with. The D200 is a fine camera.

If you reset the menu the camera basically has the following relevant settings, which are all readily available

1. Apeture priority / shutter prioitory / manual <<< pertaining to exposure
2. ISO / EV <<< pertaining to how much the sensor amplifier is cranked up
3. White balance
4. Metering mode < which adjusts how the camea determines exposure for you
5. Flash setup (power / what flash etc)

On a day by day basis - if you master the above, you can use any camera, film, digital, medium format etc.. to do 99.9% of what ever you want. concentrate on the very easy stuff. The rest is pretty much not relevant
 
To be honest I think the D200 is no more complex than any other DSLR out there. The only feature, and I use that word carefully, is that many of the functions and selections that are often hidden away in menus on the less 'Pro' bodies are presented to you as buttons. Just because they are there it doesn't mean you have to use and understand them all immediately. As said, stick it in Aperture priority for a while and learn the bells and whistles as you go along... it's a nice body (well I would say that) and you will grow into it very quickly.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, its appreciated :)

Grahamc, I will have to consider that offer, ok, considered, NO! :D
 
The only thing I can see the D200 doesn't have that the D60 or D80 does are the program modes (sports, night, landscape, portrait etc.). Aside from that and probably a little bit of a user interface overhaul, it's all the same thing.
 
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