Nikon D200 & 17-55 2.8 lens - should I sell or not

[PPPPPP]

I have had the Nikon D200 & 17-55 2.8 lens for nearly 2 years. I think the lens is good, but maybe the D200 is not as good. My results so far have been mediocre, with very few memorable results out of the 5000 shots taken so far.

I previously used a Nikon F4 with a 24 mm F2, 35mm F2, 35=135 F3.5 -F4.5, & a 80-200 2.8. I got great results.

Should I consider the D300 or abandon the combo and go for the full frame D700 with a 24-70 2.8. Or even wait for the next generation of the D700 (at the rate Nikon is introducing new cameras, could be next year!!!, and use my F4 more.

[VxDuncan]

Well I guess the first thing is why don't you like the results from the D200? I have a D80 (think Tesco Value D80), and the image quality is fantastic, as are the results from pretty much any of the modern breed of DSLRs. The D200 is a fantastic piece of kit, esp. teamed with the 17-55 F2.8. What exactly is the problem with your images? sharpness, contrast, colour rendition? I doubt the D700 or D300 will make any significant difference to any of these factors. AF might be a bit better, and less noise, but you sure you're not blaming the camera?

[Simpo Two]

PPPPPP said:

I have had the Nikon D200 & 17-55 2.8 lens for nearly 2 years. I think the lens is good, but maybe the D200 is not as good. My results so far have been mediocre, with very few memorable results out of the 5000 shots taken so far.

Almost every shot at www.blokewithacamera.co.uk (my site) was taken with that combination - the pix are resized for web but what do you think?

PPPPPP said:

Should I consider the D300

The principal benefit of the D300 over the D200 as I understand it is better high ISO performance. Will that solve your problem? If not, what does the D300 have that will make your results better?

PPPPPP said:

or abandon the combo and go for the full frame D700 with a 24-70 2.8.

FF brings its own issues - the 24-70 will have less reach than your 17-55DX and is bigger. Also, can you process D700 RAW files with software you like? I can't!

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 7th September 20:47

[PPPPPP]

VxDuncan said:

Well I guess the first thing is why don't you like the results from the D200? I have a D80 (think Tesco Value D80), and the image quality is fantastic, as are the results from pretty much any of the modern breed of DSLRs. The D200 is a fantastic piece of kit, esp. teamed with the 17-55 F2.8. What exactly is the problem with your images? sharpness, contrast, colour rendition? I doubt the D700 or D300 will make any significant difference to any of these factors. AF might be a bit better, and less noise, but you sure you're not blaming the camera?

I have seen great results with this combo, and maybe it's just me. If it's one thing, it is colour rendition.. Everthing is too warm. I do shoot in Raw also but the pics straight out of the camera need too much work doing for my liking.

[Simpo Two]

PPPPPP said:

I have seen great results with this combo, and maybe it's just me. If it's one thing, it is colour rendition.. Everthing is too warm.

If you mean JPG, is it adjustable in the menus?

PPPPPP said:

I do shoot in Raw also but the pics straight out of the camera need too much work doing for my liking.

It's a DSLR... different animal from film. Do you think your issues are more to do with film > digital than the D200 specifically? I had a shock going from F70 to D70 (my first DSLR) but it was simply a learning curve.

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 7th September 21:09

[PPPPPP]

Simpo Two said:

Almost every shot at www.blokewithacamera.co.uk (my site) was taken with that combination - the pix are resized for web but what do you think?

As I say, I have seen great results with combo, and again on your site. But I am just not enjoying what I get out of the camera.

Simpo Two said:

The principal benefit of the D300 over the D200 as I understand it is better high ISO performance. Will that solve your problem? If not, what does the D300 have that will make your results better?

You are right, the D300 helps with better focusing & a better sensor. The focusing is not an issue for me, and I am not sure the better sensor would be a significant advantage.

Simpo Two said:

FF brings its own issues - the 24-70 will have less reach than your 17-55DX and is bigger. Also, can you process D700 RAW files with software you like? I can't!

I agree with you about the reach - the 17-55 is really great at parties & small events. And already I think the combi is heavy!!!
I do have Capture NX - maybe that deals with the D700 raw files

[VxDuncan]

How are you with Photoshop? IMO you can have a digital image without it going through PS. Even if it is just a resize for the target application and sharpen. Maybe your in-camera settings need tweaking? I have my D80 set with no noise reduction or sharpening in camera, but with a fair amount of colour saturation (when I'm not shooting RAW). I'd rather do that stuff in PS (which gives better results). Do find the D80 pushes the reds a little too much though.

[PPPPPP]

VxDuncan said:

How are you with Photoshop? IMO you can have a digital image without it going through PS. Even if it is just a resize for the target application and sharpen. Maybe your in-camera settings need tweaking? I have my D80 set with no noise reduction or sharpening in camera, but with a fair amount of colour saturation (when I'm not shooting RAW). I'd rather do that stuff in PS (which gives better results). Do find the D80 pushes the reds a little too much though.

Never used PS. I am going to look at my camera settings again, but I had set them when I was at Nikon D200 training course at Nikon HO.

[AndWhy]

To the OP - IIRC if you have CaptureNX it's the only software package that allows you to import the camera settings alongside your raw files.

I was disillusioned with colour rendition from my D80 until I played around with in-camera settings - contrast, saturation and sharpness. It's gone a long way to overcoming my concerns. Have you tried any of the custom settings, and checked that CNX is set up to correctly import these?

Next step for me will be a D300 (or its replacement), primarily for improved ISO performance.

[CivicMan]

PPPPPP said:

I agree with you about the reach - the 17-55 is really great at parties & small events.

I'd go for a P&S. Seems you're over equipped!!

[CVP]

Could have alot to do with your in camera settings.

As a good starting point I have used moose peterson's settings and then just tweaked a bit from there to get what I like.

Moose settings D200

Worth trying playing with the settings before junking a good setup, D200 should be able to produce just as good a quality as F4 with the same person driving.

Chris

[PPPPPP]

CVP said:

Could have alot to do with your in camera settings.

As a good starting point I have used moose peterson's settings and then just tweaked a bit from there to get what I like.

Moose settings D200

Worth trying playing with the settings before junking a good setup, D200 should be able to produce just as good a quality as F4 with the same person driving.

Chris

I shall try the new settings, and experiment more. I suppose the move to digital is taking me longer to adjust to

[CVP]

Another key thing about digital is the importance of processing. Gone are the days of passign off your transparency for the darkroom gurus to work their magic on, we're all now expected to do that in our PCs. It's a steep learning curve to be sure but ultimately is really worth it.

Chris

[PPPPPP]

CVP said:

Another key thing about digital is the importance of processing. Gone are the days of passign off your transparency for the darkroom gurus to work their magic on, we're all now expected to do that in our PCs. It's a steep learning curve to be sure but ultimately is really worth it.

Chris

Good points.

On the basis that i will need the same processing with the D300, D700 etc, maybe I should just treat my D200 as my F4 i.e. make each shot count, and then spend time on the PC to get it looking good to me.

Interestingly I get acceptable results with my 5 year old P & S (Olympus C50). So therefore in the meantime maybe just upgrade my P & S to the Canon G9 (G10?) or the Panasonic LX3

Edited by PPPPPP on Monday 8th September 16:31

[GetCarter]

Bucking trend very slightly here...

My move from D1 to D2 made a huge improvement in quality, colour, battery life etc. My move from D2 to D3 has done the same in equal measure. It's just astonishing how new tech improves the raw result. I rarely have to do anything other than crop in PS with the D3 - the results from the camera are that good.

I don't know any of the cameras you speak of, but the latest Nikon tech brings a raft of upgrades, not just the headline stuff.

You are however doing the right thing. Speak to D300 and D700 owners.

But - The latest may make life easier... but as stated, it's just as tricky to get a good shot. (Which being experienced with the F4 - you'll know).

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 8th September 16:34

[PPPPPP]

GetCarter said:

Bucking trend very slightly here...

My move from D1 to D2 made a huge improvement in quality, colour, battery life etc. My move from D2 to D3 has done the same in equal measure. It's just astonishing how new tech improves the raw result. I rarely have to do anything other than crop in PS with the D3 - the results from the camera are that good.

I don't know any of the cameras you speak of, but the latest Nikon tech brings a raft of upgrades, not just the headline stuff.

You are however doing the right thing. Speak to D300 and D700 owners.

But - The latest may make life easier... but as stated, it's just as tricky to get a good shot. (Which being experienced with the F4 - you'll know).

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 8th September 16:34

Anyone here gone from the D200 to the D700? or the D3

[Doug86]

Sell me your lens

[PPPPPP]

Doug86 said:

Sell me your lens

If I decide to sell, ideally I would want to sell the package but I shall let you know.

[GetCarter]

Simpo went from D200 to D700 IIRC

[CVP]

I went D2 to D3. As Mr Carter says the image quality straight out of the camera is just amazing on the D3. For stock submission all I have to do is upsize by a small amount.

Before that had a D100 and the move from D100 to D2 was just as much of a leap quality-wise.

The D700 should be brilliant as it's D3 in a smaller body, but having said that D200 is capable of superb results.

Chris