Mailing Lists: Apple Mailing Lists
Image of Mac OS face in stamp
 
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Camera Recommendations - Nikon D80 or D200 for VR's

Sometime around 26/3/07 (at 17:26 -0700) WPS said:

I'm looking at fully upgrading my VR equipment and am trying to choose between the Nikon D80 and D200 with the Nikkor 10.5mm lense (and the 360Precision panohead).

I've been going through more or less this precise question myself. I'm using a D70 with a Nikkor 10.5mm lens and 360Precision (now named 360Precision Absolute) pano head.

Both the lens and 360P head are superb, and the D70 is a really nice camera to use... but I've been wanting a little more than the camera can deliver in terms of resolution. I was virtually convinced by the D200, but after some research and also discussion with someone who's opinion I rate pretty highly, I chose the Fujifilm S5 Pro.

It took me a little while to come around to it so I'd better explain my reasons:

The S5 Pro is essentially Fuji's technology built into the D200 body. Other than the Fuji-chipped battery it uses D200 peripherals, right through to the lenses. It has a slight edge in resolution, no chance of that occasional 'corduroy' effect appearing at certain settings**, better noise handling in high ISO settings, and - what sold it for me - it has an excellent dynamic range. And settings that mimic different film stock? Cake, meet icing!

A professional photographer (who shoots panoramas as well) told me he rates the S5 Pro so highly that he's just sold his 6-month-old D200 and uses the S5 Pro instead. And a MacUser reviewer who's opinion I rate gave it a definite thumbs-up for all the factors that matter to me - which are the ones above, primarily.

The only downsides I've been able to figure out are relatively slow performance (max 3fps full-res into the buffer, multiple seconds to write a full buffer to card), although that doesn't bother me at all as I don't do lots of high-speed sequential shooting... and the fact that my CF cards will run out of room that much faster because of going from a 6mp camera to a 12mp one. Dang.

However - I haven't yet bought one. Probably later today so I'll be set, practised and ready for the California trip in April. Watch this space!

k

** (Google the words 'corduroy' and 'D200', although don't panic when you read the results. Personally, I'd never heard of it before finding these web sites.)
_______________________________________________
Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.
QuickTime-VR mailing list (email@hidden)
Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription:
http://lists.apple.com/mailman/options/quicktime-vr/email@hidden

This email sent to email@hidden
References: 
 >Camera Recommendations - Nikon D80 or D200 for VR's (From: WPS <email@hidden>)



Visit the Apple Store online or at retail locations.
1-800-MY-APPLE

Contact Apple | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2007 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.