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The rating of this camera's successor, the D2H, were not very good for a camera of this quality. Reading those reviews one was struck with the realization that this camera was often purchased by those who had no real need for its strengths.
This is a camera for professional photojournalists. We use it because it is strong, very very fast and has features we desire. It is not a suitable camera for an amature who doesn't need its features. We need 8 frames per second for professional sports and event shooting. Though the amature may want this because it sounds cool it is a wasted feature for the majority of photographers. We need the built-in recorder so we don't have to carry tons of notepads to get cut-line information. We need a camera built like a tank because it is in use 8 hours a day rather than 8 hours a month. We find 4.2 MP pleanty for news and magazine print which is "crayon-on-napkin" resolution anyway. The accurate flash is especially important because fill flash is the order of the day. (You can tell the real pros at an event by looking for the ones using flash at high noon outdoors.) We sometimes use the wi-fi for studio work but not as often as one might think.
At 3k plus this is an expensive camera. The average photographer would be much better off with the D70. I have one for backup and for the 1/500th flash sync which is very important for some night sporting events and super for daytime fill. Some people are drawn to the wonderful heft and feel of this camera. Is is super in that regard. But a day of lugging one of these around on vacation is bound to make one a bit crabby about it. An amature or intermediate photographer would be much smarter to spend the 2500.00 a D70s would save them on seminars and workshops to take their photography to a new level.
A review is of little use if it steers people toward a camera that is not appropriate for their needs. This is a camera for a professional sports or editorial photographers. In this arena it is as good as anything out there. It is rugged, lightning fast, ergonomically well designed and uses all of your outstanding Nikon glass. If you are a working photojournalist you will adore this camera. For others it is too much to pay for two little. But (wink), with this, a "big" lens and vest you can look like a pro. Except to one. Strengths:
It is as fast as it can be. 8 fps and a shutter response that borders on frightening. Shutter lag is 37 ms and shutter blackout 80ms. Wow!
Great battery life. I routinely get 800 frames and I use my LCD a fair bit.
2.5" Lcd actually lets you see what you are doing.
Reasonable file sizes for quick work.
Built like a tank.
Very fast autofocus.
Accurate metering and a boat-load of metering choices.
Good auto white balance.
I give it 5 stars for value to professional photojournalists. For others it is a monumental waste of money. Weaknesses:
NO 500TH FLASH SYNC. What is Nikon thinking?
The rubber on the grip can come off. Mine hasn't but a friend had to have the cover on the battery door reupholstered.
Expensive.
Some would like more pixels. For a newspaper, who cares? 8.5 X 11 enlargements from JPEG large are flawless.
Noise at higher ISO's? I don't think it is excessive but many reviewers disagree. Similar Products Used:
D100
D200
D1H
D70
The D2H is my personal favorite though I recommend the D70s and D200 to most of my friends.
Customer Service:
Nikon customer service is legendary. 24 hour free technical support. Fast service for Pros, reasonable service for everyone. Keep your receipt for warrantee work.
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