Backup to a D200

[Winnie]

Since I have been having some troubles with my D200 I am considering getting a backup body. It will be a true backup, I don't need a 2nd body, not unless something fails on the D200 and I have to send it away again. I shoot nature mainly and usually not too far from home so the only time the backup will be called into action would be if the D200 fails or my familly want to try photography.

What would you do? If you were me, would you buy a backup body? If yes, what and why?

If I don't get a backup I could invest in more glass.

Budget = not much, so I am looking at Ebay really.

D70, D70s, D100, D1X, S3 Pro, D80 (at a stretch)

Comments and opinions appreciated.

Cheers

Alex

[cyclohexane]

I'm of the belief that one should always have a back-up body, and that if at all possible it should be the same as or similar to the primary body.

For example, my primary body is a D2HS, and my back-up is my old D2H it replaced. The two cameras are very similar, and I can overlook most of the differences when going back and forth or picking one up to replace the other. At some events I will sometimes shoot with both cameras, but I don't like carrying too much stuff, and the D2HS JPEG engine is so far superior that the D2H doesn't come out much for work, where we shoot JPEG.

If I don't get a backup I could invest in more glass.

Of course, if you're not shooting for pay where failure to keep shooting would be a really bad thing, time lost for repair versus new glass could be quite hard to justify. The only reason my dad has a back-up body is because he doesn't sell any of his old stuff and still has his old D70; he spends all his money on glass instead, with the occasional new camera (i.e. D200).

Budget = not much, so I am looking at Ebay really.

D70, D70s, D100, D1X, S3 Pro, D80 (at a stretch)

D70/S or D80. D80 will give you similar images to the D200 when shooting JPEGs and pretty much the same images if you shoot RAW and process using something other Nikon Capture NX. You'd have to buy SD cards for the D80 though, and the camera's more expensive than many of the other options.

Of these guys, I'd scratch the D100 first. While it is more durable the D70 and D80 with the metal build, the electronics are first-generation Nikon digital, and the meter is the old, old 25-zone matrix meter from the F90/F100 cameras. Shooting JPEGs is fine, but the menus suck compared to what we have now and in general the camera's much slower than the current Nikons. Also, no i-TTL; D-TTL sucks compared to what we have now. The image quality also won't share the same look the newer cameras put out. The advantages over the D70 are the build-quality, 10-pin connector on the vertical grip if you buy that too, and the option for mirror pre-release.

The D70/D70S features improvements over the D100 in just about every category- electronics, metering (uses the 1,005-cell version in F5/D1 series), buffering, write speed, image quality, i-TTL flash, you name it. The only disadvantage is the build quality, but as long as you're not dropping the camera repeatedly it holds up. I seem to remember that you had one of these, right? You should know all about the pros/cons, so I'll move on. =)

The D1X is still an incredibly capable camera, but the batteries suck. The third-party ones from Lenmar and others are better, but still... unless you can get a great deal, I'd go with something else. Menus feel cobbled-together (well, it was the first Nikon DSLR with graphic menus), LCD is fairly inaccurate... still a great performer though, and if you shoot RAW you can get 10 MP resolution using programs that support the interpolation. Also, the thing's bigger and heavier than my D2H. Still, excellent camera, and I was down to the D1X and D2H when I was making my buying decision. Eric (eClix) loves his D1X, so if he's around he can share more specifics.

I'll leave the S3 for Kev to comment on.

The D80 uses a similar sensor, and features much of the same insides, so I'd lean heavily towards it as the images would be hard to distinguish. Also, it's smaller size would be great for travel or whatever.

[Winnie]

That's a great reply, thanks for taking the time to write in that much detail.

Cheers

Alex

[Nikonfreak]

I tried going the route of a D80 but I really like having the controls and settings be the same for both bodies. My "backup" body gets used at almost every event I shoot, not nearly as much as my primary, but it's used at every event.

If you're not getting paid, I'd agree with Michael... a D70s or a D80 would serve the purpose quite well.

With the prices dropping as they are, I'd scratch the D100 off the list as well as the D70. If you want to look at a D70s, maybe one can be had inexpensively on ebay to where it won't bust the bank as a backup. My guess would be the D80 would be the best option for you though as the controls, layout and menus are all similar to the D200 and it's a darn good camera to boot.

Julio

[Winnie]

Thanks for the input Julio

Originally Posted by Nikonfreak

I tried going the route of a D80 but I really like having the controls and settings be the same for both bodies. My "backup" body gets used at almost every event I shoot, not nearly as much as my primary, but it's used at every event.

If you're not getting paid, I'd agree with Michael... a D70s or a D80 would serve the purpose quite well.

With the prices dropping as they are, I'd scratch the D100 off the list as well as the D70. If you want to look at a D70s, maybe one can be had inexpensively on ebay to where it won't bust the bank as a backup. My guess would be the D80 would be the best option for you though as the controls, layout and menus are all similar to the D200 and it's a darn good camera to boot.

Julio

[GWDesigns]

I still have my D70 bodies as backup to my D200, its a pain switching to the smaller screen and having controls in the wrong places, but I am still happy with the images from the D70.

I would assume they are available for a good price now the D40X and the 6MPixel sensor has been abandoned.

Regards

Gary

[Nikonfreak]

I don't know if it's abandoned.

That 6 MP sensor will provide images that are nicer than 10 mp pocket digicams for the most part. It's a mature sensor and by now, quite excellent in performance.

Everyone needs a low end entry into the digital SLR market and I think the D40 is an excellent entry to the field and will help to bring people into the Nikon brand at a bargain price...provided... people can get re-trained out of thinking that it's all about more megapixels. That could be a losing battle and, as such, Nikon wisely offers the D40x with 10 megapixels.

Julio

[badpickev]

the Fuji S3/5 as a back up. Fuji's dslr's make a great companion to the Nikon's as a back up or a second look. while they are drastically slower, they give a look and feel that others strive very hard to get. if you do a lot of low light shooting, the Fuji can fill that gap nicely. the ability to add DR and film modes such as slide film can make the Fuji a highly flexible camera. the fuji S3 is a 2.5 fps in normal DR and and 1.4fps in wide DR. the S5 is a 3/1.6-1.8 fps camera.

one must remember that the S3 uses d-ttl while the S5 uses i-ttl for flash.