Need camera opinions from the pro's

[Bats21]

I am thinking of upgrading my D70 to either a D80 or D200, need everyones opinion as to pro's and cons of each. thanks

[aerosolcheese]

check out this page:

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/d80/comparison.html

[bondarnes]

Since you already have the D70 you probably have a few CF cards already. The D80 only uses SD cards. The D200 uses CF cards and is feature rich. I have D70 and D200. It was like going from a 1998 Ford Ranger to a 2007 F-150 crew cab.

[PeteQ]

Another vote here for the D200. I have both the D200 and the D2x and unless I really feel the need for the extra fps speed the D2x offers I usually pick the D200. I make frequent enlargements to 16x20 with zero problems. The D2x has a built in vertical grip but you can buy the vertical grip for the D200 if you find yourself needing one. Had the D200 come out before the D2x I probably would have bought two of them instead of the D2x.

[bondarnes]

Do your self a favor and handle both of them with the same lens. The D200 just feels better in my hands.

[Davidtxs]

while im not a pro on the level of Don and Pete I just upgraded and man what a difference, theres just no comparison
good luck and go with the D200

[aerosolcheese]

I love the D200. I say get it.

[srwatters]

What subject matter are you photographing?

That can often help make the decision for you.

FWIW, I shoot a D200.

[Wes]

Like Scott was saying, what do you shoot? I went from the D70 to the D200 in January. My rationale for choosing the D200 over the D80 was this:

* Pro shutter in the D200 = longer life. D80 is rated at about 40,000 actuations; the D200 at 100,000.
* I needed a sealed body because I knew that I would be spending a lot of time in very dusty environments (shooting baseball and motocross).
* I needed >5fps because of the sports that I shoot.

Those 3 things led me to the D200. Plus, the D200 has a larger body than the D80. It fits in my hands better and just feels more rugged and durable to me. Not sure if that means much, though.

[dstarr]

I also say grab the D200... I use that as my primary camera. I have the extra grip for it & it's also a BIG plus. It gives you a vertical grip with controls, and holds 2 batteries... I can shoot all day.... And as Don mentioned, it uses CF cards, that was another plus for me.

Dave

[fran reisner]

I don't think you're going to want to hear my suggestion.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by fran reisner

I don't think you're going to want to hear my suggestion.

Exactly why I asked. Sometimes the best Nikon for the job is a Canon, or Fuji, or Mamiya, or ???.

[jloyphoto]

Buy the best you can afford.

I certainly haven't regretted buying my D200.

[Bats21]

Go ahead Fran, let me hear it. I shoot anything, bugs, birds, flowers, animals, wildlife, planes trains ect.

[fran reisner]

Originally Posted by Bats21

Go ahead Fran, let me hear it. I shoot anything, bugs, birds, flowers, animals, wildlife, planes trains ect.

OK, I know it's a big leap, but in all honesty... I had to take the leap myself not all that many years ago. I had three nice Nikon lenses I had to part with when I realized that Canon was, without a doubt, the way to go. In my opinion their image quality and technical advances are far superior to the others.

Was that gentle enough?