The NIKON Thread (Talk About Nikon Stuff here)

[jmmtn4aj]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get a D2H, D2Hs or D2X. Anyone can give me the skinny on those? Pros and cons, personal experience or preference, stuff like that. I can't for the life of me decide which to get. The D2H is pretty cheap at around 800USD used, the D2Hs significantly more expensive at 1.6-1.7k used, and the D2X slightly higher than that. How much IQ and handling difference between the Hs and H?

I was pretty set on the 2X because I crop a lot, but the 'unusable >ISO 800' talk is kind of scaring me away (my most common ISOs are 400 and 800, with 1600 coming up a close third IIRC). So that makes me look at the 2Hs, but then when I get to the Hs I find that the H is not that much different for a lot less in price.. Arghhh

(I want a pro body by the way, that's why no D300. Tried a 5D + grip and never wanted to put it down, I can only assume the D2 is even better)

[GTRacer]

How about a D300+grip instead? You'll have the resolution of the 2X coupled with high ISO performance that's easily on par with Canon's 40D. And from reports I've seen, the D300+grip isn't far off from the D2X in terms of build quality.

[jmmtn4aj]

Originally Posted by GTRacer

How about a D300+grip instead? You'll have the resolution of the 2X coupled with high ISO performance that's easily on par with Canon's 40D. And from reports I've seen, the D300+grip isn't far off from the D2X in terms of build quality.

From what I've read, people are reaching for the their D2s over the D300+grip (they own both) when it comes to feel. Minor differences in shape and dimensions, hidden notches for fingers, stuff like that seem to make a big difference in how it feels. Also D300 + grip + EL4 + battery cover comes to quite a bit (for that FPS boost), and used prices are pretty much new prices right now..

But yeah, I've been stunned by the high ISO pictures from the D300 owners. Since I'm concerned mostly with the feel right now I feel like getting a D2H on the cheap now, then a used D300 (w/o grip, solely for when IQ is paramount) next year. Hmm.

[GTRacer]

In that case I'd go for the D2H, while the price is still low from people using it to trade 'up' to a D300. The Hs is the one to go for as colours and noise seem to better.

[lan]

Since you're most interested in feel, you should try things out. It doesn't matter what other people say since that's their own experiences and not yours.

I used to think feel is quite important but I downplay it now. If you don't have the camera in your hand for extended periods of time, I don't see it as much of an issue. Also, I don't think I'd want my hand holding a camera for that long in the same position so I've just invented new techniques to hold my cameras so now I believe I can use any camera.

At this point, I totally forget about the camera and just worry about what I'm taking photos of. That's how it should be.

I would just get a D300 now. There's a lot of photo opportunities between now and next year. I also don't like the idea of carrying around a big camera all the time.

[jmmtn4aj]

Haha, not that many photo opportunities. Unfortunately I don't live in a country like the US where you can drive for 40 minutes in any direction and find some new scenery to photograph. Drive for 25 minutes here and you've reached the end of the island It's not so much the change in scenery, it's that it's scenery I've seen over and over again for years, so I don't really get that 'wow this would look good as a picture' feeling.. Hopefully I'm travelling to New Zealand within next year with a friend or friends though.

I'll take your advice and try it out before I make a decision of course. I have a D50 already so a handy smaller camera isn't a big issue. In fact the D300 is significantly heavier so even if I got it the D50 would still be used when I need less weight. The D50 doesn't make me feel so confidently about using it even just walking up a particularly steep and rocky trail, or on the beach. Nothing better to rectify that than a body that people swear they could drop from 3 stories then pick it up and start using it again, right? Yes I do realise lenses tend to be less than bulletproof, but hey what the hands feel the mind thinks

Maybe I should just get a film scanner then shoot nothing but B&Ws with an FM2. These things have a reputation for working even after a swim

[dj_mocok]

You do realise that those D2Xs or D2H is huge right? So is D300+grip.
If you don't shoot vertical most of the time, you really don't need to buy the grip, it's just an extra weight (and dimension) to add for you. Adding a grip means you have to get a bigger camera bag.

If I were you I'd probably get D300 new, or if I can get a good deal for D2Xs, I'd go for it. It was afterall, Nikon's top of the line camera til a few months ago. With D2X, I'd probably shoot for many many many more years until it crap on me.

[nineohtoo]

Hi guys. New nikon user here. I bought a D40 last month on black friday. Before that I was using a fujifilm point and shoot that let me get a feel for adjusting settings and everything. It's only been a month and upgraditis is killing me. Though it probably doesn't help that I'm able to mark down display models and customer returns ... I bought it for ridiculously cheap with the 18-55mm kit lens, 55-200mm lens, and an extra battery. Recently I've picked up a 18-135mm lens, and an SB-800 speedlight, and I have the 70-300mm VR lens on my sights for surfing.

Great first DSLR, but I kind of want something better now since I can't use all AF lenses out there, and I can't take advantage of some features like the wireless flash. I was thinking I could sell it with the two stock lenses, extra battery and memory so I can upgrade to something like a used D70. I missed out since someone on craigslist just sold there's for $290

I just had one question for you guys out there who may have experience with the 18-135mm lens. I've been playing with it for a while, and it seems I cant get it that to be focus @18mm like I can with the 18-55mm kit lens. Like if I try to take a close up on my desk of my lens, everything in the background will be sharp, and the lens will be out of focus no matter what I do. Is there something wrong with my lens, or does the lens just suck at this.

[Towert7]

nineohtoo, you may be too close to the subject for that particular lens. Each lens has a minimum focusing distance. any closer, and the image will not be in focus. Some can focus closer, others cant. the 18-135 you have has a minimum distance of about 1.5ft....... not very close. your 18-55mm can get closer, at 0.9 ft.

Try again, but this time put the camera in manual focus mode and manually focus the lens using your hands. If you still can not get it focused, that means you are too close. Back up!

[nineohtoo]

Ahh. That was precisely it. Thanks. I got scared and thought I bought a defective one. Now I can sell my kit lenses on craigslist