I will ask for indulgences up front. I have been considering a system change [Pentax] and due to budget considerations [about $2,100 "mad money" for body and lenses], have narrowed my options to either a used D200 or a new Canon 40D. I posted recently over on the Canon forum on opinons re this strategy, naturally most advocated 40D and thought it would be wise to pose same question here.
I should be able to pick up a good clean used D200 for around $800 or a new Canon 40D for $1100. I have zero lenses or accessories so no legacy lenses to tip the scales.
One item that came up on the Canon forum was AF speed and tracking of moving objects, with the claim that Canon had an edge. I thought this was a strength of the Nikon D200, especially predictive focus. Does anyone have any experience with both of these cameras?
Re type of photography that I enjoy: people, events, landscapes and "things". I've never been much of a sports photographer but never had a camera that was suited for it either.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and knowledge! -- //www.pbase.com/macs_world
Canon PowerShot S100 Nikon D300 Nikon D700 Nikon 1 V1 Nikon D600 +13 more
larsbc • Forum Pro • Posts: 18,809
Re: Considering system change - D200 vs Canon 40D
In reply to Mac • Apr 17, 2008
If you're happy with shooting up to ISO800 and no higher, then I don't see any shortcomings with the D200 for your intended uses. It will have better ergonomics [although this is a very subjective judgment], a better build, and a better wireless flash system.
The 40D will have better AF and better high ISO performance [at least 1 stop better].
You should figure out what lenses you want and then see how each system will satisfy your list and at what price.
Also, if you can wait, the successor to the D80 should come out some time this year. My guess is that it will have high ISO performance similar to the 40D.
larsbc
VadimOm • Senior Member • Posts: 1,903
Re: Considering system change - D200 vs Canon 40D
In reply to Mac • Apr 17, 2008
I often see D200 compared to 20D and 30D, so I assume 40D is a next generation camera [comparing to D200]. Just based on that I would lean more towards 40D. Personally, I have experience with neither one of those.
Dan • Contributing Member • Posts: 952
The 40D is actually quite noisy
In reply to Mac • Apr 17, 2008
People seem obsessed with thinking that Canon does high ISO well, but have you ever seen real world examples ? Properly exposed, Canon's images look quite clean- but dark subjects and shadows show pretty bad chroma noise, even @ ISO 400. I think it's truely a wash [compared to Nikon] with Canon holding on to a bit more detail at the expense of chroma noise - the problem is is that chroma noise is extremely hard to reduce. My friend shoots a 40D and is constantly complaining about noise - unfortunately the 'Canon = Clean High ISO' is more of an internet legend than reality.
wchp • Regular Member • Posts: 479
Re: The 40D is actually quite noisy
In reply to Dan • Apr 17, 2008
The best at each price point in my opinion is D40, K10D, 40D, D300, D3
Notice I put the K10DD in there because you can still pick them up new for $700 now.
Between the D200 and the 40D on the body only I would give the edge to the Canon [but I hate the feel of Canon bodies] but after you add in Flash and Glass, I would still rather be getting the D200. I think Nikon edges out Canon is the overall system department. At the end of the day you will end up with a new body in another 1-3 years but the glass and flash system will be around long after the body leaves you. Either one would be a good choice. You didn't mention what type of glass you were considering to fill in the gap between the body and the $2100 cap on your mad money. You can pick up a D300 with the 18-200VR for around $2150.00 right now. My money... I would get the D200 and put the rest into some good glass and a SB600 flash. I might even consider the 18-135 and a 50 f1.4 and then I would have just about everything covered except the long end. I was shooting the 70-200 VR [$1600 lens] on my D40 for a while. I also picked up a 24-70 [$1800] and used that on the D40 for 4 months while I was waiting for my D3 to come in. End of the day, Fast glass will make a bigger difference for you than the body.
OP Mac • Contributing Member • Posts: 834
Re: The 40D is actually quite noisy
In reply to wchp • Apr 17, 2008
wchpwrote: The best at each price point in my opinion is D40, K10D, 40D, D300, D3 Notice I put the K10DD in there because you can still pick them up new for $700 now.
Funny you would mention the K10D. I have one and like it alot. Aside from a comparatively slow AF [to Nikon or Canon], it is an excellent camera body and is a bargain. In fact, the K10D has spoiled me to having a "semi professional" body . I'm not even considering a D60/D80 or Canon Rebel XT/XTi/XTs class camera. So looking to go up to either a D200 or Canon 40D. The K10D in-body stabilization works well, maybe not the equivalent of some of the newer Canon and Nikon IS / VR lens but, hey, every lens is I have is now IS. It is worth at least two stops. Saying that I am growing weary of Pentax. I have been a Pentax user for over 25 years but increasingly frustrated over the lack of system support. Thus, the questions.
............You can pick up a D300 with the 18-200VR for around $2150.00 right now.
Did consider this as the D300, seems to be the best mid-tier camera right now. If I had another $1,000 mad money, that is the route I would take. But I would rather have more glass now and upgrade body later on if I went the Nikon route. Also, I'm don't hear that many good things about the Nikon 18-200VR, I have always been a little skeptical of the super zooms.
.........My money... I would get the D200 and put the rest into some good glass and a SB600 flash. I might even consider the 18-135 and a 50 f1.4 and then I would have just about everything covered except the long end.
My thoughts too or something like that.
Thanks! -- //www.pbase.com/macs_world
Canon PowerShot S100 Nikon D300 Nikon D700 Nikon 1 V1 Nikon D600 +13 more
wchp • Regular Member • Posts: 479
Re: The 40D is actually quite noisy
In reply to Mac • Apr 18, 2008
I actually just sold my K10D. Loved the camera, was frustrated with the system. I was in the same boat as you and ended up with Nikon. The Canon was just to clunky in my hands and the interface drove me nuts [the flash system didn't do anything for me either]. If I could have mounted Nikon glass and flash on the K10 I could have dealt with the mediocre focus and frame rates. I loved that camera. That being said, I just went all out and got the Nikon 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 VR. I have been using all three on a D40, D300 and I just recently sprung for a D3. I will tell you I managed to get twice the number of saleable shots, with the D300, than I had been getting last year with the K10D [800 shots a game with 80+- keepers on the D300 vs. 40+- with the K10].
In the end, at this point in time, I think Nikon has the best overall system [Glass, Flash & Body]
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