New Nikon body

[MikeHoyer]

Sometime this year I'd like to buy a second body to go alongside my D100. Obviously this is depending on how much cash I can accumalate, but I'd like it to be an upgrade on the D100. I'm considering the D200, D2h/s, or if I can get a good deal maybe even a D2X. Any reccomendations?

[Joe T]

D200 is supposed to be fantastic. I reckon it would suit your needs well. It does 95% of what the D2X does, at only half the price. Have you read any of the reviews of it?

The only reason you would buy a D2H would be if you were a newspaper reporter who need images of not esp high quality but needed them real quick.

[gi_gav]

Mike, have a look at the review of the D200 in this month's issue of Professional Photographer - the verdict is that it makes more sense that a D2X for many people.

I can only speak as a Canon user but here are some assembled thoughts:

1) Don't be put off by the D2HS's low pixel count - as I gather, it's similar in ability to the 1D, which is astoundingly good for 4MP.

2) I would suggest that you make every effort to try them all out on a moving target. I briefly had the 20D before moving on to the 1D and 1D Mk2. The difference in quality between 20D and 1D Mk2 is negligible but the build quality, shooting rate and more importantly focus speed and accuracy are miles ahead on the pro body. I suspect you'd find the same with Nikon's line up: the real test of the D200 is not image quality, but AF ability.

3) I'll preface this one by saying that I have no right to tell you how to spend your money, but... Don't bite off more than you can chew. At this stage in your prospective career, only buy equipment that you can pay off quickly. If you're able now to charge money for your services rather than supply photos in return for a press pass (and charge enough that you're not undermining the photographers around you) then go for what is affordable. If that happens to be a D2X then all the better

[Happy Snapper]

Originally Posted by MikeHoyer

Sometime this year I'd like to buy a second body to go alongside my D100. Obviously this is depending on how much cash I can accumalate, but I'd like it to be an upgrade on the D100. I'm considering the D200, D2h/s, or if I can get a good deal maybe even a D2X. Any reccomendations?

If money is no object D2X! But you can get a 2nd hand D100 for around £500 the D200 is very good but very difficult to find long waiting list at present. There are plenty of D2h and D2h’s on the market at sensible prices less than £1500 they only have a trade in value of £600 on a new D2X so you should be able to find one when the time is right for a snip..