Nikon question

Has anyone got a D200 and a D2Xs???

I was wondering if the focusing system on the D2Xs gave noticably better results than the D200 - I can see HOW it would, as cross-type sensors have got to be better than bar style ones, but the big question is DOES it??

Though I say it myself, I use two of the sharpest lenses on the planet, and yep, the D200 does throw some razor sharp images - infact everyones a winner if I manually focus (except when I get it wrong!!), but I'm sick to death of the poxy autofocus system arguing with me and giving soft shots - not a massive problem when you are scaling down for the web, but at full res or upscaling it's a bloomin' nightmare

Don't get me wrong, the D200 is a mighty fine camera when used 'normally', but coupling it with extremely shallow DoF lenses and shooting at 15 feet or less I think is something that cross-style sensors might fare better with.

I've tried the Canon 1dsII on a 600mm f4 and, well, I now know the benchmark, but it's going to be a long time before I can afford 12K to change all my gear, so I was wondering if the D2Xs would get me somewhere along the road to a few more keepers.

So if anyone thinks I'd benefit from a D2Xs then PLEASE let me know


Thanks for reading

Andy

Hi the autofocus of the d2x/s is better than the d200, the difference I found between the Canon system and nikon system in the pro bodies the nikon system has all 9 cross point sensors at all apertures and works in lower light levels focus acquisition is faster with the nikon system the nikon system is much more complex but once set correctly gives incredible results.

The Canon system I feel has better predicted focusing once the system has locked on to the subject it has a very useful way of expanding the focus points around a given cross type sensor but a big mistake by Canon is you only get more than 1 cross type sensor with F2 .8 lenses or faster ? It doesn't work as well in lower light (but I believe this has been remedied with the 1dmk3 so it is at the same level as the nikon bodies the Canon system is much easier to set up and use which is a big plus point.

You do realise that on your D200 you have a choice of 1 cross type sensor and you can expand the actual size of that sensor from small to large i.e. you can have seven large sensors or 11 small sensors also I wouldn't bother with a d2xs when you can get a d2x for less money and update the firmware and have all the features of a d2xs except for the larger monitor and the masking out of the viewfinder in high-speed crop mode.

Phillip.

Hi Phillip - I invariable use the center sensor only, all those group dynamic 'thingies' confuse the hell outta me

Sometimes I use the single center sensor in wide area sometimes not - and always in center area mode, NOT closest subject.

So if you know something else I'd beg you to tell me

Andy

Andy,

On the D2X/s the 9 central sensors are all cross sensors while on the D200 only the single central one is a cross. They are also significantly larger than the outline in the viewfinder. I dont know how the canon sensors compare in this regard. The following pages on the nikonian website may help:

www.nikonians.org/nikon/d2x_sensor_size
www.nikonians.org/nikon/d200/nikon_d200_review_3.html

John

Hi Andy make sure you have lock on turned off as this influences the predicted focusing the four settings for lock on, lock the point of focus for individual periods of time you know if a footballer is running behind another footballer it will not try and focus on the footballer he has run behind, what you will hear when you have switched it to off is the lens constantly adjusting its focus in continuous AF my d2x is so sensitive that I can hear it readjusting the focus even in heat haze. I quite often use closest subject with group dynamic also in pattern two with the D2x set to closest subject you can have a choice of three cross type senses in a line which is ideal for birds in-flight you can move the three senses up or down I haven't tried this on my d200.

Phillip.

I switched from a D200 to a D2x and one of the reasons was for the autofocus. Although its not a night and day differences between them the D2x definitely locks on to things quicker, especially in low light. Thats just one of the reasons I made the switch and couldn;t be happier that I did. There are some bargain D2x available if you shop around the second hand market - it makes much more sense to get one of them with the latest firmware than pay an extra £1k for the D2Xs I think, as they are essentially the same camera.

Thanks for the input guys - looks like it's got to be a D2X - though if you look at warehouse expresses site theres not much difference in price between that and the D2Xs.

Started saving my pennies already

Thanks again

Andy

Look at this d2xs £2100.

Phillip.

http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYCAT&catid=20

Thanks Phillip