Pentax K200D 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Shake Reduction 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

I am an amateur photographer who's always used point-and-shoot cameras. Finally, I got up the nerve (and cash) to get myself a DSLR.

I started doing lots of reading and reviewing the various reviews/features of different cameras, eventually settling on the Pentax K200D.

I have never owned anything made by Pentax/Canon/Nikon/Olympus/Sony before, so I didn't have any sort of brand loyalty ties. I took long, hard looks at the features and performance and went from there.

There are several reasons why I chose the Pentax K200D over similar models from other manufacturers:

1) Weather sealing -Pentax claims their camera is the only environmentally sealed camera in its class ("starting DSLR"). Nice to know it's there, even if I don't plan on intentionally testing it out!

2) Saving High quality JPEG and RAW at the same time (RAW+). Some of the other models I was considering didn't allow RAW + High JPEG, only medium JPEG.

3) Very high build quality. This thing feels like it's built like a tank. After reading literally hundreds of user reviews from Canon owners, Nikon, etc. the general consensus was their bodies (and cheap lenses) felt a little flimsy. I must admit, I went to the stores and tried out their cameras (the entry DSLR) and I felt the same way.

Popular Photography's preview of the K200D said it best: "Mate a tank with a SLR body..." or something to that effect.

4) AA batteries. I know some people consider this a downside, but decent 2500mha AAs are extremely cheap and work great. If I ever run out of juice, I know I can hit up practically any store for a recharge.

5) You can mount any lens Pentax has ever made on this camera. Of course, you may not get all the features, but the consistency of the lens mounting was a plus for me.

6) In-body stabilization A real biggy for me, as this translates to any lens you buy for the system! It has already saved several of my shots.

7) It's an APS-C sensor -this discounted the Olympus line immediately.

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So how do I like the camera? So far it's great!

I've only owned it a few days, but I've been doing lots of testing with the kit lens (which, according to "the net", isn't as horrible in quality as some other kit lenses).

Autofocus is fairly quick, though low light seems to be throwing it off sometimes (duh!)

Light metering seems to be very consistent -I'm not getting surprise too dark or too light shots unless I intentionally screw the shot up (like forgetting to reset EV , doh).

Burst rate is a bit low at 4 JPEG or RAWs but I don't plan on doing too many sports shots so hopefully this won't be a limiting factor. I'm awaiting some Sandisk Ultra II SD cards to come in before I see how much this low rate limits me -hopefully the fast card will allow a quick buffer flush.

The grip is confortable for me, a 6-foot tall male with large/medium hands. So far I haven't accidentally hit a button while operating the camera, etc. I haven't done prolonged shooting yet.

The menu options are pretty self-explanatory, and I like the manual they give you (though it's huge) -They do a pretty good job explaining what various functions do, etc.

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So, the verdict? If you're moving from a point and shoot digital camera (I had a Kodak Easyshare Z612 6MP), this thing is going to blow it away!

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. The kit lens isn't total garbage, the menu functions are easy to access and the camera performs admirably.

The only thing I miss moving from my PNS camera is the zoom.

My next purchase will probably be the fast 50mm prime lens for portraits.

I've been shooting in low-light situations (my house tonight) and so far it's doing great.

I've also taken it outdoors on a sunny day for some pretty good looking shots. I can't wait to upgrade to a good zoom to catch more wildlife.

I previously owned a Pentax K100D. I decided to step up to a DA* lens and wanted a body to match its weather sealing and SDM motor. The K200D is the perfect prosumer DSLR. It has all of the great features of the K100D Super (the K100D with dust removal), plus many more. The 10.2MP sensor takes great photos. The construction is solid and the dust/water sealing clearly visible on all doors. As with the K100D, this model uses AA batteries, a feature I love. Paired with a couple of sets of NiMH rechargeable batteries (I have 2500 ma Sonys), you are set for over 1500 photos. Also included, built in support for wireless flash operation with the internal flash as master (the K100D required an external flash as the master).

Overall an excellent upgrade from the K100D, and a bargain compared to the K10D from which it gets its CCD. I highly recommend it for prosumers and entry-level professional photographers.

Buy Pentax K200D 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Shake Reduction 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Now

I am not sure why my first review didn't end up getting posted . So I am writing it again.

I have had this camera for about a month, purchased from Amazon, which got it to me less than 48 hours after I clicked "order" with the free shipping amazing.

This is my first DSLR. I owned two digicams before, a 2000 Olympus C3030Z 3 MP, and a 2006 Nikon Coolpix L1 6 MP.

Price wise, the K200D is a steal, especially with the rebate deals going on this summer about $550 after rebate with the DA 18-55 AL II kit lens. Compared to other DSLRs, the only other comparable model feature-wise in this price range is the Olympus E-510.

I can't believe what I have been missing ! The colors with the K200D are just vibrant and nothing like the digicams. Right out of the box, with kit lens (DA 18-55 AL II), the pictures are sharp. The extra megapixels don't hurt either. I wish I had this camera years ago on my previous trip. Most of my old digicam pictures looked washed out to me now, especially with the older Olympus :(

The ability to attach filters to the lens, such as a polarizer for outdoor use, greatly helps in the ability to enhance the picture and get incredible blue skies. That alone is worth getting a DSLR over a digicam.

The shake reduction is great. It is basically impossible to get a blurry picture with this camera in daylight, except if you move it on purpose like crazy. At night time, it can still occur occasionally. And what's even better, since the SR is in the body, it works with all lenses that you attach to it, even 40 year old Pentax lenses made for 35mm film cameras ! The only other manufacturer to have in-body SR is Olympus, in some models.

The camera is very fast. I verified that I can indeed take 2.8 pictures per second as advertised in continuous mode. There is never any noticeable waiting to save a 10 MP shot in JPEG mode, that is to say less than 1/3 of a sec. My Nikon could take several seconds to save a 6 MP JPEG onto SD, and my Olympus 30s for a 3 MP TIFF onto SmartMedia !

One of my favorite cost-saving features is the AA battery support. This is what made my decision to buy the K200D over the Olympus E-510. With the K200D, there is no need to buy expensive proprietary batteries, that can only be used in one device, and will be obsolete for the next camera, or to carry another charger when traveling. Olympus also makes you purchase a quick charger. They only bundle a slow charger with the camera. Once you factor the extra charger and at least one spare battery, the 2 cameras are no longer in the same price range. AA batteries are available everywhere, and cheap NiMH rechargeables work great. I can use the same AA battery type for my flash and my DSLR and only have one charger. I was able to take 1600 pictures on a single set of 4 AA NiMH 2500 mAh batteries in continuous mode, including 100 with the built-in flash. That's way more than Pentax says I could (they claim only 700 with NiMH). This may be because I wasn't using the LCD due to the continuous mode. Even after that, I kept shooting with the same batteries for another week. They were not depleted. But the 1600 pics filled up all my cards so I thought it was time to stop the test.

This camera is not perfect.

It is heavier and larger than most of the competition. It will not fit in your pocket like a digicam, but then no DSLR with a lens attached will, either. The size and weight are somewhat mitigated by the fact this unit seems better built than others, and is weather-sealed, which means it will probably last longer.

It doesn't have Live view. At this price, only Olympus has it, with the E-510. I won't miss this feature much. Actually, I missed the viewfinder in my Nikon Coolpix L1 digicam far more than I miss Live view on the K200D. It was difficult to compose shots on the L1 LCD in daylight without a viewfinder. So, I am very glad to have a viewfinder back now in the K200D. Live view would help a bit when using the tripod upwards, such as for moonshots with a big zoom lens. However, I have found the camera does very well handheld with the SR for those. And for tripod use, if the camera is in an awkward position, you can use a right angle finder admittedly an extra expense and accessory to carry.

Compared to other brands, it is also difficult to find new accessories, such as lenses and flashes, for this Pentax camera locally at stores, because many of them (I tried Ritz camera and Fry's electronics) do not carry anything Pentax. If you want new, then you have to order online. On the other hand, you don't have to buy new when there are plenty of used old lenses to go around on craigslist and ebay, that work perfectly fine, many of them manual mode, and some autofocus. I say the compatibility with old lenses means it's an environmentally friendly camera. :)

If I had to choose again, I would make the same choice in a heartbeat.

Read Best Reviews of Pentax K200D 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Shake Reduction 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Here

For over five years I used 3.2MP Olympus D-540 camera.

It still works fine. But I decided to step up for some more megapixels.

I purchased Panasonic Lumix LZ7... It was ok, but I didn't get "wow effect" as I expected...

Then I purchased Olympus FE-340, same absence of "wow".

Then I got Fujifilm Finepix S700... I still felt that my old Olympus was getting better shots.

Then I decided to get a real camera... After a lot of research I decided to go with Pentax K200D. After I saw the first shot with it, I got that "wow effect" I expected. Really sharp photo and real colors.

And this camera still makes me wow each time I make a shot. Like another reviewer said: "you really can not make a bad shot".

It's my first DSRL camera, so I can not compare it to any else. But some things that convinced me to get it were:

-Weather resistant build. It even has seals in memory slot, USB port and battery port.

-Hardware shake reduction function. Still didn't get any blurred image, and I believe my hands are not "shake-free".

-Accessible AA batteries (you can get it in every shop)

-Really fast Autofocus (according to one review 1.2 seconds compared to Rebels 3 seconds)

The only bad thing I found (or may better to say: I didn't expect) is that you are obliged to see thru viewfinder to make a shot... Something I didn't expect from a digital camera. But I'm used to it, because I still remember how to use my father's old Zenith 35mm camera.

Other than that it's a great camera that takes sharp photos with life-bright colors.

Want Pentax K200D 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Shake Reduction 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens Discount?

I have had the K200 for 2 days now...

I got the K200 instead of the K10 for several reasons. (1) I wanted a DSLR(tired of my "point-n-shoot" and out grew it), (2) My wife needed to be able to use it for her business. Probably more me than her. I had been admiring the K10 for a while and played with it at the store, really wanting it. When the K200 and K20 came out the K10 only remained for sale on line, at least in my area. I drove my wife crazy for weeks reading reviews and even downloading the manuals from the Pentax website as well as other brands. I didn't want to spend this kind of money without actually holding the camera(it's not in the stores yet). Almost all the stores never even heard of the K2oo because the K20 takes top billing..14 mega pixels. Long story short...the advertisement on the K200 is as far as I can see very accurate. Its for those graduating to DSLR and still need some AUTO features. I am not going to try to fool you with a lot of professional sounding lingo. Lets just say I would have preferred the K10 but love this camera. You cannot shoot a bad picture...REALLY! If you can skip through the technical talk in the manual, it tells you everything you need to know. The camera still has plenty of room to play for those of us learning more about how to manipulate shots how we want them plus the auto features for those who aren't. I really like the way Pentax feels like a REAL camera, not cheap plastic like others. My brother owns a popular Cannon. See for yourself, go to a store and hold any of the Pentax late models(K10,K200,K20). I am still fixated on the more advanced K20 but that's for the near future. Then my wife can have this one back.

By the way, Thanks Amazon!!! You sent me a message saying my shipment might be delayed but you upgraded the shipping so I still received it on time...You ROCK. I will continue to use you.

CineBags Production Bag CB-01A, Black/Charcoal

This is the coolest production bag on the planet, i spent hours searching the globe for this and had to get it sent to New Zealand cause no one here stocks them. I would recommend this for any production related company that needs to sort lots of gear in a lightweight easy to transport bag:-)

I have lusted after a CB-01 for about 3 months since discovering them over at FilmTools (no affiliation with my FilmSupplies.com) in Burbank. I bit the bullet and got one. Not only is the construction better than anything out there, the pricing is amazing, and it is a good looking bag to boot! The guy that makes this stuff is a full time industry professional, not the hacks at other companies that are casual shooters. He cuts no corners and the zippers are rugged, straps comfy, and the velcro has an insane bite.

I am mainly a stills photographer now, and I got this bag versus the Lowepro and Tamrac bags. The quality and cost of those two companies makes the Cinebag twice as good and half the price. I'll probably get the DSLR backpack next and the laptop bag expands like crazy for tethered shooting.

Don't even look at anyone else, just buy Cinebags, you'll love it and please spread the word!

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch L

For some reason this was available in New Zealand, via Asia, before the US/UK release. I've had it for about a week now. So, it is as spec'ed in the preview comments about it so far from the various websites.

It starts fast, focuses quickly, does not have shutter lag and is easy to handle and has tons of functions. It handles well for its size and does not feel heavy. Having the zoom on the side of the lens is great makes it more stable to hold the camera. I've taken some pretty amazing shots with it the zoom allows good creativity and the low light capability produces detailed and pleasing shots. How much different this camera is to the previous model I'm not really sure in terms of the additional megapixels via the new sensor. My previous camera was a Olympus E620 DSLR in comparison there is less detail with the Sony, although not hugely noticeable on a 23" LCD computer monitor. The camera is a lot of fun to use and it just begs you to be more creative when shooting. The partial colour shots are great. The LCD screen is very good, nice and bright. Nice touch to use the optical viewfinder and have the screen turn off. The built in user manual is great to look up what a function does without having to refer to the manual. Also when you find what you want it provides the option to go to that function right away so for example I wanted to look at the ND filter function, once I've read what it does I can then select to open the function from the help screen rather than exiting help and then trying to find it through the menu system.

It provides good flash coverage and the slow-sync function is great to prevent those deer in the headlights shots as this flash can put out a lot of light.

The superior auto mode is good for the stability/less blur in long range shots as it takes multiple photos and apparently works out which is the best photo to save. This is great as at maximum zoom the camera shake from your hands can be a problem if you've ever experienced using a megazoom before. Personally without that image stabilisation and multi-shot taking having a megazoom is a bit pointless as you'd never take good photos at long range without frustration.

Shooting movies and the ability to shoot a good sized still at the same time is very impressive probably one of the best features as I've always wanted to be able to take a high MP shot during a video shoot because that's when you typically need it and on other cameras it was always one or the other but not both at the same time. The video quality is very good. No issues there and the zoom works well when videoing. The microphone does pick up background noise around the camera (ie from people talking nearby) and without a zoom mic option is somewhat limiting. That said the audio capture is good.

Other good things HDR similar function to my iPhone 4S produces good highlighting without overcooking the photo. When it is taking multiple photos with HDR and other functions it takes a few seconds time to process and save these but I guess thats normal. The menu system is good particularly given how many functions this camera has.

I use it with a Sandisk 32GB Extreme 32GB SDHC Flash Memory Card (Class 10). Seems fine to use saves quickly. It is probably better to get higher spec cards like this one if shooting HD video.

On the downside... the lens cap can get stuck if you don't remove it before turning the power on. Flash there's no button to pop it up as per usual cameras you need to use the jog dial and select flash to get it to pop-up. Once set it then pops up the flash when needed. The LCD screen doesn't fully articulate but that is not a major for me.

In summary it will never please the pro's out there the image quality is very good but not perfect. Good enough for most people wanting the "best for me" rather than "best in the world" class of camera its affordable, has huge capabilities, more than acceptable image quality and fun. A family orientated camera for sure that everyone can pick up and use and get pleasing results (and compliments).

There is a link to a few photos in the comments section (all handheld shots, no photo editing). Have added some more photos very pleased with the colour accuracy.

A bit more on zooming in photo or video mode and focusing speed which is typically an issue with superzooms. To me the Sony seems quick to focus at maximum zoom in photo or video mode. We're certainly not talking more than a half a second to a second say from one subject to another at the far end of the zoom. It's quick and smooth with no hunting zoom noises. Would be nice if someone else reviewed this camera to concur!

Wanted a superzoom with Panorama mode so the choices are fairly limited. This week both the Sony HX200V and Nikon P510 came out so bought them both to compare. The first review by "techguy" gives some nice details about the camera so I won't repeat his comments. I've played with them now for a couple of days and do not claim to be an expert by any means so take these comments with a grain of salt. These are just initial impressions.

I found overall the Sony took nicer pictures than the Nikon which tended to give a slight yellow hue on grass. And when enlarging the pictures the detail was better. The Sony produced slightly clearer pics both indoors and out and skins tones were a little warmer and more natural. The Sony also allows you to adjust the color and vividness to personal taste, don't believe the Nikon allowed for this.

I did like the size and feel of the Nikon better, the menu was a little more user friendly I thought and so was the layout of buttons. Start up time was about equal, although be aware with the Nikon if you choose to have it display the "Coolpix" icon it delays this by a couple of seconds.

One feature I found very useful is the Sony tells you how much time remains in minutes, not just a bar graph, I hate running out of power unexpectedly. Biggest gripe so far with the Sony is the power cord/charger. It's nearly as big as my laptop charger. Wish they would do it like Nikon or Panasonic. I travel on a motorcycle and space is very limited so this is a pain.

Sony puts the Panorama mode on the top dial while Nikon buries it with the Scene mode and the view finder turns on automatically if you put your eye to it, both thoughtful touches. I really wanted to like the Nikon more, mainly due to the better charger layout but in the end, good pictures is what it all about so the Nikon will be going back.

Buy Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch L Now

I found myself wanting to up grade my super-zoom point and shoot camera. I had a Samsung HZ50W and was

very happy with it, but I felt it was time for change.

I read reviews from everywhere I could, from camera experts to everyday people, I decided on looking at five

cameras, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V, Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR, Nikon COOLPIX P510,

Panasonic DMC-FZ150K, and Canon SX40 HS.

I decided if I was spending $400 to $500 on a camera I was going to try them out in stores first. I like to buy things

online, but I don't like returning items, so off to the local shops.

First I'll have to say that I drove about 90 miles to look at cameras. Unfortunately I couldn't find 2 cameras, the

Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR or the Panasonic DMC-FZ150K no one carried either one.

I played around with the other 3 cameras quite a bit, all were very nice and I don't think I would have gone

wrong with any of them. It was little things that made me pick the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V. The Canon

had I smaller screen and auto focus seem to struggle at times, plus 2 different sales people told me if you buy

a Canon get the extended warranty, although I don't see any issues like that in any reviews. The Nikon was nice but

it seemed to miss a good shot more often, whether taking to long to focus or a little blurry.

The Sony seemed to focus fast and get the shot way more often and the 3 inch screen was nice.. I have now

owned this camera for a week and can't stop taking pictures and video. I have tried to put this camera in every

situation possible and it has worked every time. So far I've taken pictures at my son's tennis meet, other son's

band concert, portraits, the dogs, flowers, landscape, low light, no light, bright light, very close, full zoom, burst modes

and couldn't be happier. The video is great , I still can't believe how smooth and detailed the video, I took of my sons

band concert, holding the camera by hand no tripod and at half to full zoom.

I am an amateur photographer that takes about 100 to 1000 pictures a week and have for 15 to 20 years,

we have had more cameras than I can count, including SLR DSLR, point and shoot, and video cameras.

As with every camera there are a few cons, The viewfinder is not very good, but I love that the camera switches

to it automatically when you go to look through it. Also no Raw image, my last camera had it and I was just starting

to learn how it use it in editing. 29 minute video length limit? I don't know if that will ever be an issue, but why the limit.

And I've never seen this on a point and shoot camera, but why can't we turn off the picture preview and have a live

view all the time, it would be much easier to follow the action whether in burst or single shot mode.

I am very happy with this camera, and I can live with the few cons I found, Thanks for reading, hope this helps.

Read Best Reviews of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch L Here

There are three cameras that one should consider the Canon Powershot SX40 the Panasonic DMC FX150 and then this one the Sony HX200V.

Researching these three is interesting because you will find sites listing each of the three as the very best over the other two. I think the bottom line is that any of the three will give good photos and satisfy the user.

I purchased this camera because of two features that are largely ignored by the professional reviewers but to me they give this camera the edge over the others. First is Sony's proprietary optical steady shot stabilization. A good stabilization system is extremely important because no matter what the camera if you don't have good stabilization or a tripod then you have fuzzy pictures. Here is what Techradar had to say in their review of the HX200V; "We got sharp results at maximum zoom from shot to subsequent shot when it was used handheld. That's almost unheard of on rival models. On most superzoom rivals we've needed to take two or three shots of the same subject to arrive at one that wasn't soft." The reader should go to the Techradar site review and then go to SAMPLE IMAGES. The first photo is taken at wide angle and shows a long tree lined path ending at a distant white building. The next photo was taken handheld at the same spot but now at full telephoto and WOW. You now clearly see a fence that you did not see before and the paint is rusted in spots and there is an emblem on the fence that you can read. Also go to SENSITIVITY AND NOISE. Here you can see how the level of noise at different ISO settings effects the photos. Which brings me to another subject. Some professional reviewers point out that higher megapixels do not necessarily mean better photos because noise can increase depending on the CMOS sensor which is true but then they are completely baffled at why the Sony engineers increased the megapixels on this new camera. Well I'm not sure either however I am sure they didn't make the camera worse than the competition but rather better.

My second reason for selecting this camera is the Superior Auto Mode. This mode shoots multiple shots of the same scene in rapid sequence and then creates the best single picture as a composite Here is what Squidoo says in their review; "Get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer missed shots. The DSC-HX200V automatically recognizes the correct scene mode, then quickly shoots and combines up to six shots to produce images with greater clarity, optimum dynamic range using backlight correction HDR technology and lower image noise using 6 shots layering technology. Superior Auto intelligently detects 33 scenes for still images and movies, making it easy to get the best shot." If you Google tumblr HX200v you will see sample photos of the Superior Auto Mode which are impressive.

So did the camera meet my expectations, yes it did. The stabilization worked as advertised however the lens does have limitations. It works best in bright light. The alternative would be stepping up to a more expensive and larger Digital SLR camera along with lens. For example Canon has a 800mm lens to fit the more the expensive cameras but it is 18 inches long weights 10 pounds and costs $13,499.00.

The Superior Auto Mode also met my expectations. It does not improve all photos but it does make astonishing improvements in photos that would benefit from this mode such as back light etc.

Want Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch L Discount?

Most likely you have already read professional reviews of this item, so I will not repeat the list of features. Here are bits of info that I didn't find in reviews when I was shopping, and had hoped someone would post, along with a few surprises I found:

1Once you turn off the annoying start up tone, it takes less than a second to be ready, a big plus

2There is a zoom/focus ring. It is electronic, I would have preferred a mechanical one but it works well. Zoom or focus selectable by a switch

3The sweep panorama mode works well with the exception of the fact that it has a fixed width. If you don't sweep far enough within the allotted time, e.g. because you don't want too wide a panorama, the rest of the image will be filled with a grey filler. I hope a firmware update will fix this as it looks hideous.

4Macro photos are not the greatest.

5Ability to select the mode automatically works well.

6When powered on, the extending lens struggles if lens cover is still on. Would have been nice if it were removed automatically (too spoiled, I know)

7The included charger is an in-camera charger. It can power the camera for use and also while connected to a PC. To charge an extra battery, you'll need to buy a separate standalone charger. While connected to a PC, the camera charges the battery through the USB port.

8Great camera. Amazon and Beach Camera are outstanding.

9The bundle from Beach Camera is great (Make sure to get the one with the 16GB card)

I like the camera and will definitely keep it for years to come.

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Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

The 6 Megapixel Nikon D40 is targeted for those who want a relatively compact and light camera yet having most of the important SLR features. The D40 is priced reasonably (cheaper than D50/D80 and Canon Rebel XTi). In my opinion, if you are still considering whether to get a point and shoot camera or a DSLR, the D40 will be a better choice than any point and shoot camera, by far, even those with 8MP or 10MP. But if you are already deciding to get a DSLR or you want more control of the picture taking experience, then I would recommend you to also test the D50 and/or D80 first before deciding to buy the D40. I want you to make sure that you know what you will get (and not get) with the D40. Don't get me wrong though, the D40 is an awesome camera, and I don't think you will regret buying one. There are some limitation with the D40 which shouldn't bother most people, for example, the D40 doesn't have dedicated button to change picture quality, white balance or ISO settings (which generally only professional/enthusiast will care). Once you understand (and accept) its limitation, the D40 is a potent and exciting photography machine.

Just like all its (DSLR) siblings, the D40 powers on instantly and take pictures with almost no shutter lag which are the major advantages of a DSLR over a point and shoot camera. In addition to the P,S,A,M mode, the picture quality of the auto settings (auto, child mode, landscape etc) are also very good. With 2.5 frames per second you can capture movement progress in sports like football, basketball, baseball etc. Also great to photograph your family or child (child mode). The D40 is a great all around camera.

Some notable new features:

1. Auto (no flash) mode. Without this mode the flash will pop-up (on all other pre-programmed mode) even when you don't want to use flash (which can be annoying). The internal flash will not pop up automatically with the P,S,A,M settings.

2. In camera editing capability such as black and white, sepia and some filter effects etc. While sounds gimmicky, these features are useful especially for those who doesn't have Adobe Photoshop (or other image editing software).

To date, D40 is the smallest and lightest among all the Nikon DSLR (even smaller than the Canon Rebel XT/XTi, however the D40 is more ergonomics). I believe that choosing a camera that fits comfortably with your hands is important. Therefore, I recommend people to test the camera before buying (even if you want to buy online, please do go to a physical store and test the camera first whenever possible).

The D40 has only 3 (horizontal) autofocus point (5 for D50 and 11 for D80). If you know "The Rule of Thirds", the additional AF points above and below the center focus point (available in D50 and D80) are handy to help create the horizontal third line. However, the 3 horizontal AF point in D40 is still helpful to create the vertical third line. Also one can focus with the middle AF point and after the focus is lock then move the frame upwards/downwards to create the horizontal third line. Just make sure the exposure level is still accurate when you move the frame after you lock the focus.

About the 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens: A good lens producing sharp photos (though not a very fast lens). Also decent for close-up/macro photography. Lens uses internal focus technology and focusing operation is silent. A very decent kit lens.

Lens compatibility: Notice that with D40, autofocus function will not work for non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have non AF-S/AF-I Nikon lenses and want a backup or replacement camera, you will be better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it will be convenient to stick with AF-S and AF-I type lenses. I'm not sure why Nikon choose this route for the D40 (whether to enable smaller size camera or from now on Nikon will only make AF-S lens compatible camera). There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses (price range added: low, medium, high) that are fully compatible with the D40 such as:

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX (L)

Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX (L)

Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX (L)

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)

Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)

Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR (L)

Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR (M)

Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF AF-S DX (M)

Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)

Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (H)

Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (H)

Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro (M)

And several other expensive prime tele/zoom lens like 200-400mm, 300m, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm.

High priced lens ($1000+) are usually pro level lens which usually have better construction, faster (f-stop), and produce better quality picture. However, often times, lower price lens will serve your needs just fine. I think it is important to know what you want to use the camera for before deciding which camera and lens to buy.

Image quality of the D40 is very good which is #1 factor that I look for in a digital camera.

Here are the pros and cons of the D40 in my opinion:

Pros:

1. Nice out of the camera result picture quality

2. Affordable price

3. Compact size and light weight

4. Large and bright 2.5 inch LCD

5. 2.5 frames per second

6. B/W, Sepia, several more in-camera editing features.

7. Instant power on, fast autofocus and no shutter lag

8. Noise is acceptable at high ISO settings. Auto ISO settings available.

9. Great 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens.

10. Great battery life (400+ on a single charge. 1000+ if flash is not used).

11. Auto (flash off) mode available

12. 1/500 flash sync

Cons:

1. No direct button to change QUAL, WB and ISO settings

2. Grip comfortably but might be a bit too small for some people

3. No top LCD and no front command dial

4. Autofocus will not work with non AF-S or non AF-I lenses (such as the 70-300m G and 50mm f/1.8D lens)

5. No AF/MF switch (have to use the switch on the lens)

6. Only 3 autofocus point

7. 6 Megapixel (More Megapixel needed to print larger than 12 X 18 at 300 dpi)

8. No night landscape mode in pre-programmed settings

9. No in camera image stabilization (like Sony and Pentax) but Nikon has lenses with it (VR).

10. No depth-of-field preview button

In conclusion, the D40 is perfect for those who want high quality pictures, more control (than a point and shoot camera), and have a DSLR experience (instant power on and no shutter lag), without having to carry a bulky camera. And unless you are shooting sports/actions professionaly (which faster focusing processor, faster frames per second and larger memory buffer might be needed), the D40 is pretty much all you will need.

Happy Photographing!

Sidarta Tanu

The x2 is actually the second D40 I have purchased. The first one was for my personal use and after my daughter used it for some horse training pictures she was hooked also. The camera makes it easy to take professional looking shots and working with horses and riders fast focusing is a must and this camera delivers .

Buy Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Now

It's hard to believe after nearly six years, anyone would consider using a six megapixel DSLR camera. While six meg will still provide a fully usable image on even the largest computer monitors, this camera still outperforms modern point and shoots with more than double the pixels. That's because there's more to imaging than how many pixels there are. Things like how much noise reduction the electronics have, and how well Nikon lenses reproduce a sharp, distortion free image.

Used D40 bodies can be purchased for 200 dollars, making this a better choice than any 200 dollar point and shoot, regardless of pixel count. The D40 is a purely still camera with no video. It's straightforward simple menu allows dozens of choices from fully manual to fully automatic, with dozens of selections in between. The ASA ranges from 200 to 3200, and the D40 is one of the few cameras of this vintage that can use SDHC cards up to 32 Gig.

The D40 benefits from the ability to use of most of the Nikon lenses and automatic flash units. It's an easy to use, rock solid workhorse that still produces cleaner images in low light than most of today's point and shoots.

Read Best Reviews of Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Here

This little Nikon classic is compact, light and packed with all the tools you need to get you started in the world of digital photography. It was the gold standard entry-level DSLR of its time, a few years back, and it remains a classic today because of its image quality, size, ease of use, and pro-level flash-sync.

If you can get one used under $300.00, you can't go wrong =)

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I love the feel of this camera in my hand. I used one for years before it took a swim. Then I bought a higher end camera. Although I enjoy the bells and whistles on the 5000, I enjoy the feel of the D40 in my hand. It is part of me and takes wonderful pictures. I bought it second hand, as a back up, and to take on paddling trips, but it's my favorite.

Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm VR + 55-300mm VR Lens + 32GB Card + Filters + Case + A

This is, in my opinion, the new best DSLR Camera ever... for beginners !

The kit is PERFECT and every accessory mentioned FIT in the bag !!

Easy to use, takes extremely sharp pictures... A MUST HAVE for any DSLR starter !

Tiffen Steadicam Pilot-AA Camera Stabilization System (Sled, Vest, Arm, Back Pack Transport, 5.8" L

I received everything in a big shipment box with everything in perfect condition.

Been using the Steadicam pilot, arm and vest for about 6 months shooting convention videos and so far it's been perfect. The hardest part about using the pilot is to have it properly balanced, whether top or bottom heavy. Since every user will use it for different purposes it will take some time to practice and figure out how you want to use it.

Have been using it for a few months already, its been with me to over 60 shoots. big and small and works flawlessly. Easy to balance. Easy to operate. Steadicam itself, not one of those cheap-o indian or chinese rigs.

If your looking to invest into one of these, I do reccomend you go with the Flyer. 20lb capacity is MUCH better, its biting me in the ass right now, but its still good if your into simplicity. Considering my dslr rig consists of a huge matte box, lots of rails, big follow focus, big lens, etc

Note you WILL need a c-stand with this, no grip arm required. Just to balance it.

Pros:

Easy to balance

Easy to use

Very portable

Light-weight

Chicks dig it

Cons:

10lb Capacity

AA battery isn't that great, you'll have to use Lithium or use another battery supply (12v)

Out of 10 stars? 10!!!

To sum it all up. Who needs a dolly? When you have this guy?

Buy Tiffen Steadicam Pilot-AA Camera Stabilization System (Sled, Vest, Arm, Back Pack Transport, 5.8" L Now

Cmple Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, Black (15 feet)

Howdy folks -Time for another review of Cmple cables! Yay!

There is an incident that occurred recently that prompted me to write reviews of Cmple cables. This company defrauded me. They did a "bait and switch" which is a legal term that means that I paid for one thing and received another, way cheaper version of what I'd ordered.

Their response was to offer me my money back if I shipped them back at my expense and if I included every scrap of matter I'd received from them and if they inspect said goods and deign to award me my money back. Bull**** I say. Too much work. The cables do work and perform the same function as the cables I'd ordered, so what's my beef?

Here's my beef. There is a vast difference in quality between the various brands of cables. In the instance of this review, let's talk about HDMI cabling. One reviewer up top claims that the "build" is the same or better than his more expensive Radio Shack cable. Well, that may be true on the outside, where differences are negligible, but on the inside, where everything happens, this reviewer has no idea what he's talking about.

Here's my expert opinion. Expert you say? Yup. I deal with cables for a living. I've been a SMPTE member for decades. I know what it takes to send a signal from point A to point B. So, what about the Cmple HDMI cables? Well, honestly I have no idea since I've only seen a picture. However I do know something about the honesty and integrity of Cmple, and they are not to be trusted. They did as other companies have done and commissioned a manufacturer to build the cables for them and stick Cmple's name on them. What is the gauge of the wire they are using? The quality of the copper? The quality and the completeness of the shielding around each of the nine signals being sent? (some of these signals are bi-directional) How about the choice of end connectors? Cmple had dozens to choose from. Did they choose quality and longevity over their bottom line? Well, for most end users, you simply have to trust the company that commissioned those cables to be built.

I don't trust Cmple, and neither should you. The cables they sent me cost as little as one penny each (plus shipping, naturally), right here on Amazon. I paid for a premium brand with which I am familiar. Now the brand I bought ain't the best, but they're plenty good for my applications. (The brand is Hosa) They have complete shielding around their video and audio signals, and are built rugged. Their connectors are much less likely to go intermittent. The no name brand I received is pure crap that may work well for most end users, but are insufficient for my needs.

There are differences between the various HDMI cables out there. Due to the nature of the digital signals, the way it goes is that when distance is a concern they'll pretty much work, or they won't. No gradual degradations like you see with analog audio and video signals. Either the devices handshake thru the cables and establish connections, or they don't. The phenomenon "HDMI blink" often comes into play when maximum distances are approached and exceeded.

So, which cable do you pick? Monster is uniformly good, but overpriced. I've bought a few and I have zero technical complaints. If you have a good TV, a good Blu-Ray player and a decent sound system, buy Monster or better yet try to find an equivalent for around half the price or less. The things to look for are the gauge of the wire used, the quality of the shielding, the soundness of the connectors, and the overall ruggedness. Now for permanent installations ruggedness is of little concern. For short hauls up to 5 meters, Cmple's choice of 28 gauge is adequate but I prefer 26 gauge as the wires are thicker, which is a good thing here. Since this is a 15 footer, 26 gauge is more appropriate, 24 gauge is considered the best today. Their triple shielding claims are good, if true. Their gold plated connectors are fine, though gold connectors are generally a rip-off, at least in 10 years your gold plate will resist oxidation better than silver or nickel, so there's that.

As you can tell, this is a complicated matter, and for the end user to get good results a lot of trust is involved. These cables claim to be Ver. 1.3 Cat.2. Now if that's true, this is a fine cable. However I cannot trust an outfit that bait and switched me to actually deliver a cable at that spec. and at that price.

For those of you who are interested in this tech stuff, go to Wikipedia for decent if choppy explanations. I use "pinouts.ru", a Russian website, to give me no-nonsense descriptions of the actual duty of each pin of that 9 signal 19 pin connector.

So, please don't buy from Cmple. If you have modest equipment and modest means, just about any cable will do. If the signals arrive, then all's good. However for those with long cable needs, 5 meters and beyond, for those who have discerning tastes and fine full 1080p equipment, you've got to start to get choosy. Look for at the minimum version 1.3 category 2 compliant cables or better and choose a trustworthy vendor and manufacturer.

As you can tell I'd rather write reviews than pack up those damn cheap cables and send them back to Cmple. Heck, the postage would vastly exceed the value of the crap I would be packaging.

Thank you one and all for taking the time to read this. I deeply appreciate it. My purpose here is to contribute to the honesty of this website, and to weed out the dishonest merchants that sell inferior product to unsuspecting consumers.

Don;t assume that just because it doesn't cost much it is a cheap cable. I stent 90 on a similar although shorter cable at my local RadioShack and it failed to work right out of the box. This cable came in the next day at a fraction of the cost and works like a champ. The build quality is identical to the more expensive one. Even the packaging was pretty sharp if your into that sort of thing. When looking at HDMI cables, don;t concern yourself with marketing gimmicks like extra shielding, reduced interference, and gold plating. The only things to check are length and category (I would recommend getting a cat 2 cable such as this one for future proofing), all else is largely irrelevant.

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You can see the picture difference after using HDMI cable we are getting excellent pictures. Works as expected! We love love the amazon prime.... fast shipping! I highly recommend it!!!

Read Best Reviews of Cmple Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, Black (15 feet) Here

Like all the things I have gotten from amazon it came quick and was exactly what they described it as. Right length and very solidly built. Packaging was great and the cable works fine. And the price was right. Same cable at best buy was 3 bucks more.

Want Cmple Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable, Black (15 feet) Discount?

GREAT QUALITY CABLE, THIS HDMI IS BEING USED ON MY PLAYSTATION 3 AND WORKS GREAT. THE CONSTRUCTION QUALITY OF THE CABLE IS AMAZING, PROFESSIONAL BOXED ITEM AND THIS CABLE HAS SAVED ME OVER $100. BEST WANTED OVER $100 FOR A CABLE OF THIS SIZE...

Panasonic Pro AG-DVC30 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom

This is a great camera for the wedding videographer or other serious amateur or semi-professional. It's well built, has great manual control, and takes super video including good low-light performance. You will probably want the external mic attachment, which lets you use professional microphones without additional adapters and signal processors. Now that the price is well below $2000, it's a great deal. One caveat: If you plan to shoot 16:9 format, this is not the best choice. The Panasonic GS400 handles that much better, and at a lower price. (But the GS400 doesn't have the low-light chops that the DVC-30 has so you have to set your priorities.)

Plusses:

* Very good low light capability

* Sturdy, metal body construction

* Will take professional external microphones (with optional attachment)

* Unbelievable B&W no-light capability with infrared (short range built into camera; medium range add-on IR light increases range to hundreds of feet.)

* Excellent manual control available via menu AND you can put your favorite four settings on programmable buttons on the camera body for extra convenience.

* Without attachments, the body with built-in mic is small and consumer-like (won't draw attention to itself), not to mention light-weight.

* Lovely video with three 1/4-inch CCD's.

Minuses:

* The Sony 2100 has even better low-light ability

* The 16:9 mode isn't as good as the PDX10 or GS400.

* The still picture capability is only adequate.

* The built-in mic is only average.

This is a superior camera for the money. Simple operation and well constructed. It has a "well built feel" to it and fits well in your hand. The detail of the image is awesome, better than I hoped for. I'm very impressed with the 16x zoom, very nice and clean image.

Don't be fooled by the size of this camera, the quality of the image is beautiful. A lot of camera in a little package. It has 4 built in shooting settings for different situations. It has a low level light option that does a decent job of capturing the scene after dark.

I gave it 4 stars because I didn't like the manual that it came with and the manual controlling for the iris and focus could have been made easier to access and use. The built in microphone does not really pick up the desired audio that well. I recommend picking up an external boom microphone or lapel mic system to supercede the built in mic depending on your application.

If you are in need of a firewire cable to download the video to your computer make sure you pick one of those up as well. The camera firewire port is a 4pin firewire connector.

Buy Panasonic Pro AG-DVC30 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom Now

While the Sony vx2100 does better in low light, this camera holds it's own very well. For the price, it's impossible to beat. Great picture quality, 3.5 inch LCD and solid build quality. Most cameras in this range still have the plastic body, but the magnesium alloy body on the AG-DVC30 is rugged and feels great. I've used it for regular family shooting and filming plays. So many choices on the manual settings. Can't say enough. Here's a great forum for it.

Read Best Reviews of Panasonic Pro AG-DVC30 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom Here

Strengths: 1. Great price. 2. Very good picture quality. 3. Excellent low light capabilities. 4. Excellent auto-focus. 5. Excellent zoom range and control. 6. Small and light. 7. Small and compact.

Weaknesses: 1. Ok, internal mic. Low audio output. 2. No true 16x9 mode. 16x9 squeeze mode reduces quality.

Summary: I have used this camera on three shoots so far and it continues to surprise and impress me. For the money its an excellent deal. The image quality is comparable to its big brother the AG-DVX100. Didn't think the night modes would be usefull but they can be and can produce some very artistic shots in B&W.

My only disappointment is no true 16x9 mode. The 16x9 modes they have reduces image quality noticably.

I would definitely recommend an external mic. I use the Rode video mic...very sensitive but comparable to the more expensive shotguns. Also, a wide angle lens is a must. The Raynox HD-6600 is an excellent lens for the price and it produces a great soft focus effect at the long end of the zoom range. Also the Libec zoom controller works great on the camera and for creative shots check out the new Manfrotto Fig Rig.

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Titles says it all. For the money, the best camcorder hands down. After 2 weeks of intense research and a month of using this camcorder, no regrets.

Nikon D2H Pro Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

I have been working for a major daily newspaper in Baltimore for 2 decades. Perhaps that will qualify me as an expert in photography. I have been shooting digital imagery since the late 1990s. Maybe that qualifies me as an expert in digital photography. This may be longwinded, but it's extensive and can be useful.

I received the Nikon D2H camera -2 bodies total -over one year ago. I think I got them shortly after the D2H system was released in 2003. Since then, I have used them to shoot images of all types -documentary, sports, daytime, available light, flash, and deadofnight -for the paper I work for. This is the only camera I work with.

First, please read the manual. There is a ton of information there, and the information is terrific to begin with. The D2H is highlyconfigurable, with screen after screen that you can set for your own specific use (resist lending the camera to anyone for a long period of time, for your camera may be returned with many of your settings changed so much that it acts like a thoroughly different camera).

I'll just punch right in to the way it feels. The camera is a rather heavy beast, and for some, there can be an amount of shoulder or neck fatigue when using it for hours per day, like I do. But the camera feels well in hand and the controls are easy to move through. I've long since given up using any camera bag. All I have are a fanny pack for a 14mm, 55mm, teleconverters and 2 extra camera batteries and flashes clipped to its belt. And the D2H's hold the 17-35mm Nikon and the 80-200mm Nikon onetouch or the Sigma 120-300mm 2touch.

Shooting is a breeze. The batteries let you shoot long before the need to recharge. I have my D2H set on ISO 200 or 400 most of the time and sacrifice shutter speed for lower ISO as often as I can, because the higher ISOs bring digital noise and a loss in color saturation. Just today, I purchased digital noise plug ins for Photoshop to limit this, and that's a wonderful thing to invest in with this camera when you must shoot action photography with no flash at ISO 800 and above.

I now have little problems with capturing images in even barelylimited lighting. I recently shot stars and a plane wing from my seat of an Airbus at 36,000 feet over the Pacific at 30 seconds wide open @ f/ 2.8, and it looks tons better than night shots via the D1H, which lacked the internal digital noise filter. That filter kicks in at around 1/2 second and longer exposures, and can make you wait as long as your image you've shot to strip your long exposure of much of the digital noise. When you shoot this way (and in general), don't simply react by cranking up ISO because you will not be happy with your results.

The camera can be loud. At over 7 frames per second, it can make you obvious in a quiet room. Shooting sensitive situations can be testy, so limit your shooting to single frames. I wish this camera had an option to silence this camera, but since the mirror has to raise and lower, there's no chance to do this.

Am I happy with the D2H? Definitely, yes. Are there improvements that can be made? Yes. But the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. People have been bailing out of using the Nikon system and going Canon, which has some incredible gear, I won't deny that. But instead of simply giving up on your system of equipment, learn how to use the D2H well and you'll be much happier than ever. And that means you should push its qualities to the max while respecting its limitations.

For instance, white balance. This can be the best thing for you, or the worst thing you've ever dealt with, depending upon how you approach it. Daylight, grey skies, dusk and dawn are easy, because you can set the camera to daylight, flash, shadow (for dusk and dawn times) and even the fluorescent and incandescent tend to be right in the ballpark. But the horrible mixed light or the street lamps that glow blue/green or orangered from mercury vapor can be the death of an image if you don't properly use white balance. Preset white balance is king, here. I can get grey, black and white when I preset in mercury vapor light. And I used the preset for any light that the auto white balance setting can't figure. There is also a setting to dial in kelvin temps as well! If you do this (and I can go on for miles here), you're on your way. So, with trying this D2H, or considering it, read through some of the digital D2H forums and ignore the posts that slam the camera without giving instances. Generally, those who pan the camera have not tried to understand it. I can bang off images to disprove where they suggest this camera will fail. When you have decent light, you'll have a decent image. But when you try to use it without learning how you can maximize the system, you will come about shooting images that are terrible and unprintable.

In closing, I have not been paid by anyone, I have no Nikon stock and have no outside interest in writing this except that I'm giving the D2H credit where it's long overdue.

I ordered this camera in December, have had it since then, and it an amazing camera. First time I have ever had professional camera, and it takes time to learn how to use it. It is not a point and shoot camera. If you want large pictures and like to crop, this may not be the camera for you. However if you want the ability to take great pictures, and learn how to use a professional camera at a great price this is the one to buy.

Ability to have custom curves, which means to have predetermined parameters for different conditions. Ability to chage ISO at random for different conditions. You can pay five thousand dollars for its successor, the Dx2, however for $2000 this is a bargin that you will never find again.

Jim Comfort

Buy Nikon D2H Pro Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Now

I've had my D2H for 9 months now. I've heard of the magenta skin tones issue but have never seen it..skin tones on my unit are great. It seems this issue plagued a minority of users.

Camera is very fast, exposes well and delivers results. It's primarily designed to be a sports and Photojournalism camera -for situations where speed counts. It's a 4 megapixel wonder -it's true it only has 4 megapixels, but they are 4 GREAT megapixels. Images upsize wonderfully.

I love my unit, and am debating whether to buy a second one as a backup, or wait for the D2X. The price of the D2x is making that decision a bit easier and I'm leaning toward another D2H.

Read Best Reviews of Nikon D2H Pro Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Here

I have the D2H, and make stunningly pleasing photographs with it daily, yes, in 2008. It really is a fantastic camera to use and enjoy. It may only have 4.1 MP, but the resulting RAW files are razor sharp and crisp, beautifully saturated, and nice and quick to download, copy, edit, upload, etc.

Noise-wise, properly handled (expose properly, use lowest ISO necessary), this camera can easily compete with the D200, and match or beat the D2X.

Quality-wise, countless people have made 13x19, 16x20, and even 24x36 prints from this camera with great results. Of course, it would be smart to use a tool like Genuine Fractals to ensure proper DPI, but that's really the case with any camera. The pixels interpolate beautifully, due to a weaker (that's a good thing) anti-aliasing filter on the sensor. Larger , newer sensors often have strong anti-aliasing filters meant to reduce noise, but as a side effect they blur the pixels slightly, reducing the sensor's resolving power. Without this filter being so strong, you can go up to large print sizes gracefully, with a sharp, film-like look, as opposed to pixelation. This coming from experience, not forum postings. :)

I'm sure some technology nerd who's never made a decent photo in his life could find something to whine about with the specs (they always do), but real photographers can appreciate the speed, elegance, and pure utility of this camera.

Moose Peterson raved about this camera, as did Thom Hogan, and Joe Buissink shot it as his main DSLR for years, doing high-end A-list celebrity weddings for $15-70,000 each. I think it's more than adequate for most of us. Photographers who have these and D200s and 300s have said that if they had a money shot, they'd trust the ease of use, clean design, and raw speed of their D2H to get the job done over even the brand new D300. There's just something to be said for the quality and ergonomics of a true pro body that has to be felt to be understood. And considering you can get one of these on Amazon for just $750... that's a pretty great deal.

I can fit 2400 RAW on an 8 gig card, and shoot well... a TON of pics without running out of battery. In fact, I have yet run out of battery charge. I just shot a wedding with it, and none of my shots were noisy (I kept it to ISO 800 and lower), and after shooting all day, I'd only used 1/5 of the battery charge! And my battery is an older one! Wow!

Highly recommended.

Speed: 5/5

ISO performance: 4/5

Ergonomics: 5/5

Battery Life: 5/5

Ease of use: 5/5 [after the 1st half hour :)]

Features: 5/5

Bank for the buck: 5/5

I'd give it an overall 5/5, as the positives far outweigh any flaws.

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I was reluctant to buy an used item like this online. I have used this multiple times and I love it. It was a fantastic value for the price.