About to buy Nikon DSLR wrote:.

Hi Guys,.

New to the DSLR scene, have had a f65 for quite a while, wanting totake the plunge to get a DSLR - nikon of course, but what model? Ihave read loads of reviews on the net and in mags. I originallysettled on the d80 but then felt that the better body construction ofthe d200 only with higher fps etc was more appealing. I would like toteam the body up with 18-200 VR DX lense as an all rounder -currently travelling and constantly changing between two currentlenses. I am not a professional by any means, but I dont likethinking "if only I bought the other one.." should I spend the extraon the d200 or will the d80 be the right one, I know I am asking the'how long is a piece of string question' but this seams the bestplace to get unbiased infothanks.

I too use my camera for traveling. It is the D200 with the 18-200 lens..

I am not familiar with the D80. The D200 allows me the ability to take shots that would be difficult with other cameras. However, with all the options the camera provides comes complexity..

How much time and effort are you willing to expend to learn how to use the camera? If the answer is "not much" then you probably would not use many of the features in the D200. Which in my opinion, would indicate the D80 would be the camera for you..

FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind...

I feel I would take the time to delve into the depths of the d200 as I enjoy getting the most from my equipment and want to also buy the magic lantern guide for the camera, do you use the 18-200 as your sole lense? or do you have others, as I am also looking at the nikon 12-24mm wide angle and the 105mm macro and 10.5mm fish eye?..

About to buy Nikon DSLR wrote:.

I feel I would take the time to delve into the depths of the d200 asi enjoy getting the most from my equipment and want to also buy themagic lantern guide for the camera, do you use the 18-200 as yoursole lense? or do you have others, as I am also looking at the nikon12-24mm wide angle and the 105mm macro and 10.5mm fish eye?.

I use only the 18-200 lens. I got tired of carrying multiple lenses with the weight, size and changing out of lenses. Another advantage of one lens is you are less apt to get dirt inside the camera..

FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind...

About to buy Nikon DSLR wrote:.

I enjoy getting the most from my equipment and want to also buy themagic lantern guide for the camera.

Back when I was contemplating a D2H, I bought the magic lantern guide. I though it was helpful in learning about the camera and making a decision. I didn't buy a D2H by the way. I did by a D200 over a D80 (as an upgrade over a D70) but my reasons ranging from CF card compatibility to durability, weather sealing (since I live on the coast) may not work equally well for you..

If you get heavily into digital photography chances are your first camera body won't be your last. That would be one vote for the D80. But then again with the D300 announced and in theory being for sale within 90 days, the price of the D200 may drop to a point where it's hard not to buy one..

'Nice pen, bet you write good stories with it.'..

The D200 is overkill for you..

Buy a D80 and you'll be very happy..

BAK..

Mmm seams the d80 is the way forward, but if the d200 price falls as it is expected to due to the d300 release well then I could jusitify it, but dare I say it I like that the d80 has the 'auto' option so when my wife wants to take a pic it doesn't require 30 mins explanation, or when you have like 2 seconds for that amazing shot but then I like that the d200 has all the direct buttons for features that need to be found in a menu system on the d80.......

About to buy Nikon DSLR wrote:.

Mmm seams the d80 is the way forward, but if the d200 price falls asit is expected to due to the d300 release well then I could jusitifyit, but dare I say it I like that the d80 has the 'auto' option sowhen my wife wants to take a pic it doesn't require 30 minsexplanation, or when you have like 2 seconds for that amazing shotbut then I like that the d200 has all the direct buttons for featuresthat need to be found in a menu system on the d80......

You're right, the ergonomics of the D200 are better, and if you handle both you'll get the D200, I did. There's no comparison in build quality..

The price gap between the two has narrowed and as you say the D200 will fall a bit more. Get it, you won't regret it!.

Alex.

Http://akiralx.smugmug.com/..

Thom Hogan suggests that the D200 may not be discontinued but rather may remain in production so that the two models (D200 & D300) bracket the Canon 40D..

For what it is worth I would say chose the D80 unless action photography is going to be a major part of your remit otherwise save your money..

Chris Elliott.

*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.

Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..

Dave73 wrote:.

Nikon D20028-70mm f/2.8SB-800 Speedlight.

Is this a statement of what you own or what you recommend?.

Do you pay by the word for broadband in Australia?.

Chris Elliott.

*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.

Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..

Decisions are not fun. Either the D80 or the D200 are excellent. Check out the link below. You can find info on both cameras. I trust Kens views.http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d200.htmhttp://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80.htm.

Regards.....

I faced a similar decision, between the D80 and D200. I came from an FM2 background, and started with a D50 as the first digital. I lusted for the D200 before the D80 was released. When it was released, I really had to stop and think when I decided to upgrade..

The D200 has a number of features going for it like the robust body, but I think the noise is better on the D80, and it was alot cheaper. I was also concerned about the D200 being an older camera, close to discontinuation. Being discontinued isn't a really big deal (if and when it is discontinued), but it kind of sucks to buy something so expensive to learn a couple months later the manufacturer dumped it..

Both are excellent cameras. I opted to save the money and get the D80. I've been quite happy with it, and I don't really think I've missed any of the features thus far. Some will argue that the D80 metering is a bit prone to over-exposure, especially in matrix metering mode. The metering is slightly different on the D80, but overall I think you learn to work with idiosyncrocies of whatever camera you get..

Everything I write is a personal opinion. Even when I quote facts, they are the facts I personally choose to accept.http://www.pbase.com/mariog..

In life you generally get what you pay for. These two cameras vary in price quite a bit. So as you would expect, the D200 is a far better camera in almost every respect..

The choice is yours, different people want different things from a camera. What exactly do you you want. If the cheaper camera does all you want from it's spec sheet buy that one. They are both 'good' cameras.I think the cheaper will do you fine as you are not sure.Jules.

Black moles do not destroy information...