When i sold my D2X i had the D300 w/grip in mind. Not sure about my D2H - either i�ll keep it for some special tasks or sell it to get a second D300. Then i could work with two identical bodies, one for wide, one for tele.
If not for my wildlife and jousting work, I could sit with a D200 for quite a while because I think the D200 will become a classic.
What part of the wildlife do find the D200 deficant in?
You used the word "deficient", not I. I don't consider the D200 "deficient". I do consider my D2H better. I bought the D200 near the end of the winter birding season so I only had one or two opportunities to really test it out. I also spent a few afternoons at my local duck pond to test things out. What I am saying here is not the definitive answer, but just my observations to date, in the context that I need another winter to form a final judgment (I said earlier that the D300 was "too early" for me, and this is part of that thinking).
I shoot mostly in AF-C, focus priority mode. Focus priority is vitally important to me, and the major reason I upgraded from the D70 to the D2H. In principle, and by experience, shooting AF-C release priority is like rolling the dice. The AF is never in sync with the image 100% of the time. I think it runs in fits and starts to some extent, even the D2H. It is only a matter of degree.
When I shoot my D2H in Af-C focus priority, I get virtually 100% in focus images. If I am not in focus, I can usually figure out why simply by reviewing the image and displaying the active sensor outline. Last November I had a rare day where I shot about 600 images in a 25 minute window of small groups of birds moving to a different resting area. They all followed each other from one place to the other and I positioned myself as best I could to shoot the landings. Unfortunately I let the light get away from me (it was near sundown, great but fading light). Segregating out some shutter speed issues, I had essentially 100% in focus images. I knew it when I was shooting. When the AF was happy, it fired away at the 5fps setting in use. When it was not happy, it stopped shooting or stalled, telling me I needed to "reboot" by releasing AF-On and re-pressing until I got back in focus. My D2H talks to me and I listen. We are one.
My D200 is different. When it nails focus, it is fabulous. No question. At the end of a run, I get a very good number in focus. Considering the difficulty of this work, you could even call the D200 somewhat miraculous. However, it sometimes lies to me. It keeps clicking away when I know it is not in focus and later I confirm it. That camera has shot multiple images when nothing is even remotely in focus. Mostly it is because I have let the bird slip away from the sensor(s) - I shoot mainly single sensor for certain reasons. I am partly at fault here, but the camera and I are just not n sync; I am not getting the right feedback and I know that body is firing when nothing is in focus.
This is a fairly uncommon problem because it is pretty good at holding focus in most situations. If the D2h is 98% (which may be accurate), this camera is maybe 90-93%, something like that. Would I personally pay $5K for a fully Pro body to make up for that deficiency? Not right now. But $1800? That is very tempting, just to get another 5% because sometimes that 5% can make or break a full day's work. The D200 is good, but the D2H is fabulous. The D300.... ?????
P.S. After experiencing the false focus priority releases, I queried this on a net forum and got some confirmation that I was not alone. Others who have used both bodies have had false release issues.
I hope to have on the first D300's that arrives in Seattle, and may actually grab two and upgrade both my D200's.
While I an not Neil, I'll pop in on this subject as well.
I shot D2H for years, loved the camera, hated that it was only 4MP. When the D200 showed up I had some tough decisions to make. Get the more MP for the ability to crop knowing that I would lose some AF, FPS and High ISO, or not. I chose, obviously, the D200 route and I have not been at all unhappy. But, my hope has been for a body with better AF to compare with the D2 series, FPS back to 8FPS and cleaner ISO 1600/3200. Well, doesn't THAT just sound a bunch like the D300!!!
I'll address each of these ponts, echoing some of what Neil points out.
AF - in good light the D200 is great, when it fades a bit, low contrast objects are difficult. Only the Center AF point is cross-hatch, which is usually quite fine for me, but I do notice some sloweness compared to CAM2000. Now we have CAMAMAZING, I have no clue what I'll do with 51AF points, but I am postive the 15 cross hatch will be a huge improvement.
Back to 8fps - I often shoot beside folks with D2X(s) shooting at 8fps in HSC, and I can see the "extras" they get in a burst. This will help with peak action.
Cleaner ISO1600/3200 - I often start shooting at or slighty prior to dawn and at or slightly after sunset. Coupled with the better AF this gives me a lot of options while still being able to keep shutter speed up. Also, consider using these ISO's with Auto-ISO. I start at dawn in December with Trumpeters Swans flying off the water, past the trees into a clear sky. I have watched my ISO go from 1600 to 100 in a sequence with the D200. This should be great with the D300.
I agree with Neil, I wouldn't say "deficient" but for these three reasons I think the D300 will help me out a lot.
I clicked D3, but in reality will wait to see if a D3x appears in the next twelve months. If so, NAS will be all consuming!
I clicked D3, and I will do my best in the next 365 days to make that happen. But if I can't swing that, I will be just fine with a D300. I need a second body, and both cameras address my needs. But the D3 looks just too darn slick to not aim for. Can't wait to see a real hands of review. Darrell???!
I clicked D3, and I will do my best in the next 365 days to make that happen. But if I can't swing that, I will be just fine with a D300.
I need a second body, and both cameras address my needs. But the D3 looks just too darn slick to not aim for. Can't wait to see a real hands of review. Darrell???!
As soon as Nikonians delivers the D3 body, I'll be writing a new book!
I clicked D300. I'm torn though. I was saving for a D200, but then bought a Pentax K10D (June this year) instead when I started seeing the rumors of new Nikon models. I am not at all displeased with my decision. Although I would still like a D200, for purposes other than the K10D, if I were to purchase another body (at the D200's current price point) in the very near future it may be an S5. As far as the D300 is concerned, in reality I think I'd prefer to wait and see how it works out with the early adopters. On the other hand, if the D200 drops to the $1000 level ... I'm all over it!!
Da 50 is still going strong...but a D300 sure looks like it is on the horizon. Now If my band can book 10 more gigs by the time it ships?
I may try to get a D40 or D40X body when the prices on them go down a bit.
I picked up a new to me D200! A great sidekick to DA 50!!!
My new D300 arrived on Monday the 17th of March. Excellent companion to my D2X!
Do shoot my D300 for months now, did send back the Coolpix S700 as she didn�t meet my requirements, did cancel the second D300 in favour of a D300 FX-version to get the best of both worlds (DX and FX).
What D300 with an FX? Where can I buy one????
They don't have one out, but the speculation is that they will be making one in the near future. At least that is my understanding of it.