Nikon D200 camera review and evaluation

I have the Nikon D100 and find the Nikon D200 a great improvement in many respects. I use the Nikon D200 primarily for photographing wide-format inkjet printers at trade shows, and for general photography when a medium format camera is too heavy.

I also do architectural photography, both interior architecture and exterior, when I need a photo only for use in PowerPoint presentation or for our web sites.

If I am photographing for a client, or for exhibit, I will use a Phase One P25, since I also have medium format digital cameras.

To digitize paintings for giclee, I find the BetterLight and Cruse better than any 35mm. Every size of camera has applications that it is best for.

One consistent problem with the Nikon D200 digital camera

A recurring issue with the Nikon D200 is that the first few shots almost every day are blank, totally blank. This may be a result of the lens not seating properly, but at least one other user of the Nikon D200 reported the same issue.

It does not happen 100% of the time, but is well over 25% of the time. The first shot of the session is solid black. Sometimes the first two.

Nikon lens problems

On a separate page, I discuss serious problems with the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-135mm f 3,5-5.6 G ED lens for Nikon digital SLR cameras. But this is an isolated lens problem, not a Nikon D200 camera issue.

General evaluation and review of the Nikon D200

You don’t need to list all the specs over a dozen pages to review the Nikon D200. I have used this camera now for over a year, have taken thousands of shots.

I find the Nikon D200 better in every respect (other than full frame coverage) than the Canon EOS 5D. However I look forward to testing the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. For serious photography, however, I tend to prefer a real medium format camera, such as the Phase One P25+.

I would also recommend the Nikon D80 or that range if the D200 or D300 is too expensive for your personal budget. But the D40 is too stripped down for my preferences.

First posted November 19, 2007.

Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008 Available by May 2008

Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative For over 30 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras to record the flora, fauna, and Maya archaeology of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Now, for the last six years, he is extending his medium format experience to digital photography. Since FLAAR works both in a studio as well as out on location, we are an ideal focus for judging portability. We have experience with large format digital scan backs (the excellent BetterLight) and we also use Nikon (D300) and Canon (EOS 5D) digital cameras. A full-service digital pro should have at least one medium format digital system and should consider large format digital options as well. FLAAR also has an 80-megapixel large format camera (yes, they do exist, we have a Cruse). Although we started with a Leaf Valeo 22 coupled with a Mamiya 645 AFD body and lenses, we are open to showcasing all bodies as well as other digital backs. Indeed we tested an Imacon 4-shot back on a Hasselblad H1 body. For a month (February 2006) it was possible to evaluate a MegaVision black-and-white dedicated back for fine art photography. We are also considering the Rolleiflex 6008 AF, one of the outstanding medium format cameras that still offers European precision. However in the last 40 years we have not received any Rollei (or Franke & Heidecke) equipment for evaluation, so we can comment only on the Hasselblad and Mamiya (loaned briefly two years ago by Mamiya America). Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in the digital photography evaluation initiative are welcome to send their equipment for evaluation. Curently all the medium format backs are coming from Global Imaging Inc, Greg Lamb, CEO (contact 800 787-9802, press 4, fax 212 722-0988). This is one of the few camera stores in the entire US or Canada that offers ALL major brands of medium format (so they have no incentive to push one brand over the other). However we are also open to receiving medium format backs directly from the manufacturer. Over 381,154 visitors came to this www.digital-photography.org web site to learn which cameras, lighting, tripods, and accessories have proven themselves during evaluation by FLAAR. Since we deliberately do not review low-end cameras, our reviews attract a sophisticated audience. The total "visit" count is 791.562 during 2007, but we prefer to use the visitor count, 381.154 as being more realistic. FLAAR is the de facto source of information on medium format digital cameras because we are university based, independent, blunt, and we are one of the few review sources that dares to review advertising specs, advertising claims, and advertising hype. We can afford to reveal all the pros and cons because FLAAR is a research institute. Photographers feel they can trust a university research professor who has devoted years to understanding the pros and cons of each aspect of a digital camera system and workflow. You can download our colorful FLAAR Reports on our medium format digital camera initiative.