15 replies to this topic

[kosalazar]

I've decided to switch from Film to digital and jumping in the water with my D100.  Looking for Used underwater casing for it and planning to buy either a D80 or a D200 set-up.  Which path should I take?  D100?  D80 or D200?

[ScubaSpen]

I like the environmental sealing on the D200 and since you are going to be taking it UW, it might help save the camera if you get a flood since, most floods are only about a tablespoon full.

Saying that I have a D80 and I am very happy with it. If I had more cash I would have got the D200.

[Nige Wade]

I've been beating myself up on this very same issue for the last month.
After using John Bantins D200 for a photo project for Dive magazine I knew I just had to upgrade the old faithful D70s.

But does it really come down to cost?

D80 would find me needing to buy a shed load of SD memory making the pile of CF cards I already own a bargain on Ebay, I would also need to buy a SD/CF adaptor for my Jobo Giga Vu as its got a dedicated CF slot only.
D200 would find me needing a plethora of spare batteries for trips because of its higher power consumption.
Also none of the remote leads I own fit the D200 but would suit the D80. (for topside use)

After reading as much as I could find on the web I went down to my local Nikon supplier and handled both cameras they are both awsome to be fair and they have their own advantages / disadvantages (size, weight, features, weatherproofing etc.)

On a previous thread it was said that the D80 was a D200 without a miniskirt and lipstick.
I find women in miniskirts and a bit of lippy very attractive so guess what.....
I bought the D200 and could not be happier.

Good luck with your desicion making, this is a tough one!!

Nige

[fisheyeview]

On a previous thread it was said that the D80 was a D200 without a miniskirt and lipstick.
I find women in miniskirts and a bit of lippy very attractive so guess what.....
I bought the D200 and could not be happier.

You forgot the g-string.

After comparing a lot of options I went with the D200 and could not be happier. I would go with the D200.

As to the weather protection in case of a flood I should know soon. I flooded my D200 and 105mm lens on a dive a month or so ago. Sent them both to Nikon. Nikon said they could fix them, but then they said the same thing to someone else I know. The camera eventually came back to them labeled as "unreparable". At least Nikon said they would not charge me if they could not fix the camera.

I bought a new body, and the 105mm VR right after the flood. If the flooded system comes back fixed I will have a back up. I already love my D200. If they can fix my flooded one I will be the biggest D200 advocate around.

[Nige Wade]

Fisheyeview
I'm really sorry to hear about your flood, that would've definately ruined my day.

Yeh I forgot about the G-string, silk holdups and garter.

Let us know the end result from Nikon and whether they managed to save your "Babe"

Nige

[gerardb]

I had the same dilema and ended up buying the d80 and a 60mm lens for about the same price as the d200.
I'm stoked with the camera and its performance and have forgotten about my prior obsession with the d200.
I think that you will be very happy whichever camera you get.
Gerard

[JimDeck]

A couple of things you should keep in mind:

The camera only represents a part, although important, part of the system. You're going to be dumping much more money into lenses, ports, gears, extension rings, strobes, cords, arms, etc. that will be common items that will be used on both the D80 and D200 systems (or even the D100). The camera and housing only represents a fraction of that cost.

That brings us to the D200 vs. D80 debate. The key features I consider important are the magnesium weather proofed body of the D200 vs. plastic for the D80, the larger buffer and faster shooting speed of the D200, (I think this is worth the price alone), more dedicated buttons for functions like the CSM switch (only AF and M on D80), ISO/WB/QUAL etc.

Many people complain about the battery life of the D200, but under normal shooting conditions (i.e., recreational diving limits), I can get through 2 dives with the D200 before changing the battery. I haven't done 2 dives yet where I needed to change the battery. I recently shot race cars over at Laguna Seca race track and shot 550 frames in RAW and still had some battery power left, about 20%. If you are shooting that much underwater you will probably need to change your memory card anyway and might as well swap the battery at the same time.

Given the points above I suggest going with the best system you can afford. If it's a choice between price and quality, go with quality every time...

Hope this can help you out in your decision.

Best regards,

Jim

[fisheyeview]

Fisheyeview
I'm really sorry to hear about your flood, that would've definately ruined my day.

Yeh I forgot about the G-string, silk holdups and garter.

Let us know the end result from Nikon and whether they managed to save your "Babe"

Nige

I just got my camera & 105mm lens back from Nikon. The lens had the repair information attached to it.

The camera had a shipping slip stamped BEYOND REPAIR.

Well, at least I got back a usable 105mm lens.

And I still love my D200.

Edited by fisheyeview, 12 June 2007 - 10:44 AM.

[Nige Wade]

BEYOND REPAIR[/color].

Gutted,

I'm so sorry to hear the bad news, having said that if the weather proofing had saved the D200 we could have called it a Nikonos D200 RS........Wow has anyone at Nikon thought about that?
A dedicated 10mp underwater DSLR with dedicated underwater lenses, which supported iTTL
If they did that and it was anywhere near as good as the 35mm RS ...... Dream .... Dream ..... Dream.

Oooops off thread there for a moment.

The weather proofing is definately a consideration when trying to choose between D80 v D200.

kosalazar, how are you getting on with your decision making?

Nige

[John Bantin]

I get three dives easily from one battery and often need to change the memory card before that. I have 2 D200 and three batteries. Get a spare (battery)! With a Sea & Sea housing there is no big deal to swapping cameras or batteries after a dive. What's the fuss about?

[fisheyeview]

I get three dives easily from one battery and often need to change the memory card before that. I have 2 D200 and three batteries. Get a spare (battery)! With a Sea & Sea housing there is no big deal to swapping cameras or batteries after a dive. What's the fuss about?

I have never had a battery problem with the D200. I dove 2 weekends in a row (4 dives) on the same charge with no problem. I have done as many as 6 dives on the same battery.

[Nige Wade]

I get three dives easily from one battery and often need to change the memory card before that. I have 2 D200 and three batteries. Get a spare (battery)! With a Sea & Sea housing there is no big deal to swapping cameras or batteries after a dive. What's the fuss about?

You're bang on JB & Fisheyeview,
What is all the fuss about?
Remember when we used to get 36 shots a dive, now we get hundreds, and dont have to open the housing during surface intervals on a rocking boat.
Battery power isn't an issue with the D200.

John how was Grand Bahama, any chance of seeing some of your shark shots?

Nige

[TheRealDrew]

A dedicated 10mp underwater DSLR with dedicated underwater lenses, which supported iTTL
If they did that and it was anywhere near as good as the 35mm RS ...... Dream .... Dream ..... Dream.

Oooops off thread there for a moment.

Off thread with you - I would love to see a digital Nikonos myself. The size and portability, ahh the good old days.

[ouigiman]

ahhh ...yes ... digital Nikonos ... if only. I still shoot with my trusty Nikonos V and love it.

But back to the story at hand. I am also antsy to upgrade from my D100 to something (ie: D80 or D200). The "weather proofing" sounds like a great idea - but thats 3 stories I've heard where the D100/D200s are flooded and Nikon replies with an "unrepairable" ... my story included. Last fall, I flooded my D100 housing. Nikon were able to repair my 17-35mm f/2.8 lens but the estimate for the D100 was "Uneconomical to Repair" (Nikon words!!!). Fortunately I had a backup D100 so my topside photo taking wasnt a total loss. But I wonder (outloud) whether the weather proofing on the D200 actually add any value to a flooded camera?.

Anyone have stories where a flooded D100/D200 was repaired by Nikon?

Luigi

[kosalazar]

ahhh ...yes ... digital Nikonos ... if only.  I still shoot with my trusty Nikonos V and love it.

But back to the story at hand.  I am also antsy to upgrade from my D100 to something (ie: D80 or D200).  The "weather proofing" sounds like a great idea - but thats 3 stories I've heard where the D100/D200s are flooded and Nikon replies with an "unrepairable" ... my story included.  Last fall, I flooded my D100 housing.  Nikon were able to repair my 17-35mm f/2.8 lens but the estimate for the D100 was "Uneconomical to Repair" (Nikon words!!!).  Fortunately I had a backup D100 so my topside photo taking wasnt a total loss.  But I wonder (outloud) whether the weather proofing on the D200 actually add any value to a flooded camera?.

Anyone have stories where a flooded D100/D200 was repaired by Nikon?

Luigi

I've flooded not just one Nikon SLR, but three and all of them came back unrepairable.  And guys, thanks for the advices, I appreciate it very much.  If I get an ikelite casing, would my other ports be still usable with the digital set-up?

Edited by kosalazar, 14 June 2007 - 05:52 AM.

[Lionfish43]

I wouldn't count on the D200's environmental sealing saving me from a flood. Afterall the interface between the lens and body is not sealed. The advantage I see for the D200 is the additional resistance to the kind of random splashes, water droplets, high humidity, etc. that we, as underwater photographers, encounter. Just a more durable piece of equipment.