Nikon Camera Upgrade Advice

Andysnap

Andysnap

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Andy Grant
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Hi All,

Sometime (probably middle of next year) I will upgrade. At the mo I'm using a D40x and a D70 both of which I like but the D40x is too small and I find the menu system fiddly and the D70 is great and I use it most of the time but, the view screen is too small and with my eyes I'm finding it increasingly frustrating.
So the question is (as always) what next. I like the look (and price) of a D80 but is it too small a step up? Should I wait and save a little longer and go for a D90 or would a D200 be more logical?

I have no firm idea of what my budget will be but I'm thinking about £400.
I mainly shoot landscapes and people and have a siggy 24-60mm, Nikon 55-200mm VR and a nifty.

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated as I'm going a bit nuts over this.:cuckoo:

Cheers

Andy
 
Go for the D200 if it has low shutter actuations. I have one, ok I bought it new, but it has most of what you will need in the way of features.

Realspeed
 
i would say D200 to, they can be had for under £400 now

very good camera's for money, its something i want to get again early next year (after selling two of them lol)
 
Andysnap said:
the D40x is too small and I find the menu system fiddly and the D70 is great and I use it most of the time but, the view screen is too small and with my eyes I'm finding it increasingly frustrating.
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I've not used the D40x, but I've had the D70 for 4 years, and I wanted to upgrade to the pro bodies with hard switches for focusing and metering etc. If you don't need that, the D90 gives you a great LCD. If you think you'd benefit from the more controlable body, I think the D200 is a good choice.

I like the look (and price) of a D80 but is it too small a step up? Should I wait and save a little longer and go for a D90 or would a D200 be more logical?
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Yes, I think the D80 is too small a step up, and you'd be better waiting until you can get one of the others (have you factored in selling both the D40x and D70?). That's just my opinion though, maybe the D80 is enough for what you want - have you had a play with one?
 
If you shoot landscapes, you'd certainly benefit from the D200's native base ISO of 100.

Again, given you mention landscapes - I wouldn't consider the D80 because it doesn't have a true mirror lock-up function.
 
Is it mainly landscapes? Remember to consider the S5 Pro. I prefer it to my D200, although the menu is a bit whack, and its slow. Lovely images, and I guess with practise, stunning images due to that 400% DR increase magic.

Gary.
 
I thought someone would mention the S5 pro and i thought it would be you.
I haven't really considered it because its a bit slow and, although I mainly like landscapes, I also want a good all rounder. I did think the D80 would not be much of a step up so its probably the D200 or maybe wait a little and go for a D90.
The search continues.

Cheers All

Andy
 
Well I'd recommend the S5 Pro as well.. but I tend to only suggest it unless its being brought up in conversation :)

For £350 for a refurb, I'd personally pick one over a used D200.
 
Well being as how both of you think its a good idea I'll go and have a play with one because they are a bargain at the moment and I might be able to swing it with the wife if I get a Chrissie bonus from work this year.
 
Andysnap said:
Well being as how both of you think its a good idea I'll go and have a play with one because they are a bargain at the moment and I might be able to swing it with the wife if I get a Chrissie bonus from work this year.
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At the end of the day, only the end image quality should really matter? Within reason I guess.

Gary.
 
puddleduck said:
Well I'd recommend the S5 Pro as well.. but I tend to only suggest it unless its being brought up in conversation :)

For £350 for a refurb, I'd personally pick one over a used D200.
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:agree:

I have one and you will find it a good update at a cool price, but it is slooooow
 
Patience is not one of my (many??) virtues and I'm thinking it would just wind me up waiting for it to buffer. Also, does it not lock up the menu whilst reading to memory?

Anyway, something of a moot point now. Just spoken to 'she who must be feared' and it appears that any Xmas bonus is already earmarked for a new bathroom. How ridiculous we've only had this one for 12 years and some of the pipework doesn't leak at all. :shrug:

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
it appears that any Xmas bonus is already earmarked for a new bathroom. How ridiculous we've only had this one for 12 years and some of the pipework doesn't leak at all. :shrug:
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:D Does she who must be feared know how much a new bathroom costs? The camera sounds like a better investment :)
 
She is also 'she who knows everything' or thats what she tells me.
 
Have a look at the top 10 home improvements at the times online:
http://timesbusiness.typepad.com/money_weblog/2008/07/the-10-best-l-1.html

"Research published this week suggests the vast majority of home improvements are now unlikely to add more value to your home than the cost of the upgrade in the first place."

Averag cost of a new bathroom: £7,700
Average value added to property: £2,892
Net value added to propery: -£4,808
 
I agree entirely. However, if we don't spend some on repairing the pipes when we have 10 (yes 10) people stopping over Christmas it may get a little bit smelly.
 
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