The Tamron 17-50 is said to be by many a very good lens for it's decent price..

Ive not used the D200 or the 17-50 Tamron, but have used the D80 and the S5 with various lenses. If you consider the fact that the D80 sensor very similar tothe D200's, my experience tells me that the S5 is much more demanding of a lens' IQ than any other camera from yr shortlist. Be sure that you can test the lens you want with the camera you want to be sure you're satisfied with the results.Best of luck with your purchase!.

Http://www.flickr.com/photos/zygh/http://zygh.deviantart.com..

Zygh, thanks for the advice, we have just got the internet at home so I will be able to check in here alot more frequently now. You're right of course I should just be sure to try out the equipment before I commit to it. I see that there is a (relatively) new Sigma 'economy' 2.8 zoom that's getting some good reviews too. I am desperately saving at the moment can't wait to get into digital!..

Http://www.fredmiranda.com.

The above web site has good user reviews on lenses. I don't think you have to join them to read these reviews.thezero..

The Fuji S5Pro is a very specialised piece of equipment, with a hefty price premium over the D200 it's based on. Although a very good camera, the S5 does give away a lot to the Nikon in regards performance. If you were planning on shooting weddings, portraits and landscapes almost exclusively, I'd say get the Fuji. For the more general work that most of us do, then D200 is probably much more use..

Have a dig around online to look at reviews of the two cameras to get a better idea of their relative strengths. Also, quite a number of the photo mags have done comparisons between them in the last few months, as was inevitable..

Don't get me wrong, I love Fuji products - I own 2 Fuji cams (and have given a number as gifts) and used to shoot Fuji film almost exclusively way back when. Just be aware of the S5's limitations in general shooting.Rob.

Everyone, everywhere, has to do everything for a first time. There is no failure in failure, only in failing to learn...

Duwane, great site, that's exactly what I was after I've bookmarked it thanks for the tip...

Rob,.

Thanks for the advice. I agree that both he D200 and S5 are excellent cameras, and it has been extremely tough for me to make a choice, especially as realistically this is going to be the only DSLR I own, as my budget (and girlfriend!) won't allow me to get any 'backup' bodies in the foreseeable future. I currently use an F4, F80 and Nikkormat, and have a good grasp of the technical side of things, but the leap to digital is going to be a huge one for me whichever camera I get. I'm a good learner though so I decided to save my pennies and go for something that I will be content with, rather than buy an 'entry level' camera that will soon find me yearning for more control and quality..

I am in Australia so the magazines with S5 reviews/comparison tests against the D200 have been, and still are, gradually appearing at the newsagents, and I have bought every one that crops up (I have a stack 2 feet high from the last couple of months!). I am fortunate in a sense that it will still be a month or so before I can afford to make my purchase, so I will have more time to think things through and gather more info. I love the dynamic range and the ability to capture great jpegs out of the camera with the S5, and the general quality of skin tones and colours from the many test shots I've seen. The main drawback that I see is the speed of the s5, especially when using the extended d-range. The D200 looks like an excellent, consistent, allround performer, obviously capable of outstanding results..

I will continue to gather all the info/opinion on these cameras I can, before eventually making my purchase. Websites like this have been invaluable and it's great to get advice from experienced digital users with all of the 'spin' stripped away!..