Nikon D2X?

[Reefer Addict]

Has anyone (or is thinking about getting) taken the expensive plunge and bought the D2X?

[meriadoc]

*points in Jay's direction*

[paradise]

*keeps hearing from Jay (Jay Luto) about how amazing it is*

[meriadoc]

I was just about to say how I can't fathom spending $4000 + on a camera or gear..

then I remember I just bought myself a 200 2.8L and am awaiting delivery. And am also saving for some more gear, with a 1DmkII on the quite distant horizon. Granted, by that time, the 1D mk IV will be out ;)

[Ibn]

LOL...

Man, I'm still waiting to see some pictures from Jay with that camera. Held that sucker in the store before and I didn't want to put it down...I've seen quite a few pictures with the camera, but none were aquatic. Would love to own one of these myself, but it's a bit overkilled.

[hir0]

agree. i would love to have one, but where i am at right now, it's not justified. but then, i haven't been cursed by the "i held one" issue so i'm gonna try to keep it that way for a bit before NAS takes over.

[Obliviou$]

Held one myself. I actually prefer the D70 over it when it comes to design, grip and weight.
But the specs on D2x looks awesome ! Jay, post some pictures soon!

[meriadoc]

agree. i would love to have one, but where i am at right now, it's not justified. but then, i haven't been cursed by the "i held one" issue so i'm gonna try to keep it that way for a bit before NAS takes over.
uhh, keep it that way.

thats how I ended up with my L ;) and thats also how i've ended up looking at the mk2

[ccplim]

I am aiming for one as I need the speed that this monster deliver. My current 3fps and limited buffer is no longer enough for me :-|

[meriadoc]

I love my 5fps...

would love to get 8, but out of my budget right now ;)

glass! i'm spending money on glass!!! bodies come and go

(thats right lisa, keep telling yourself that)

[ccplim]

I love my 5fps...

would love to get 8, but out of my budget right now ;)

glass! i'm spending money on glass!!! bodies come and go

(thats right lisa, keep telling yourself that)

Same thinking as you. I am currently saving up for my 500mm f/4.

[JerseyJay]

Has anyone (or is thinking about getting) taken the expensive plunge and bought the D2X?
As you already know, I did.

I just couldn't wait for D200 any longer and seeing and having what I have now, I don't think I will look back at D200. Since D70 Day #1, I complained about lack of grip and wished that I had one. I patiently waited for 3rd party release from Harbotronics and as many others, I was disappointed. It was waist of time in my opinion. Since Day #1, I complained about small and "dark" looking viewfinder. Since Day #1, I complained about the speed of the camera.

Well, maybe "complained" is a big word and I would be a fool to say that D70 is not a good camera but once you get D2X, you will know why I mentioned the above. D70 and D2X are world apart when it comes to performance….. but price as well :) I paid 1200$ for my D70 kit and I can honestly say that I already made my money back freelancing for newspapers and doing local assignments. I still have D70 which will go on E-bay sooner or later so I really had advantage when it comes to D2X's $5000 price tag.

I played with D100 w/ grip and loved the size, the weight, the ergonomics and balance with small or large lenses. I also had a pleasure to test Francine's (aka. MSCichlid) D1X and enjoyed Pro size, big viewfinder and speed. Recently, after meeting with Benny, I tested another Pro body Canon MK II 1D and although I'm not a Canon guy, I really enjoyed the whole nine yards about the camera.

I went home, thought about pros and cons and ordered D2X.

Buying D2X is NOT only 5000$

Things to consider right away:

- New Computer. Your 1GHz processor will not handle Nikon Capture / PhotoShop CS2 and D2X HUGE NEF files. After converting D2X file into TIFF, you get 70MB per file. So basically if you know how to build computers (that's what I will do) you need to get new MotherBoard, new CPU (Athlon 64 3500 is good unless wait for Ath Dual Core), new RAM (* at least 1GB) and of course, fans, heatsink, PSU etc.
- Of course new Hard Drive unless you are ready to burn your DVD right away
- A lot of cards. 1GB Ultra 2 in plain RAW fits only 41 pictures. The best alternative is 2GB Ultra 2 which runs about 180$ or if you want to take advantage of speed, Extreme III 2GB - if you can find one)
- bigger bags etc …. List goes on

As for as performance of D2X vs. everything else. D2X is endless success but you have to know how to use it properly. I can honestly say that I can smoke any "newbie" w/ D2X using my D70. It is all about practice. D2X will NOT give you better pictures if you simply don't know how to take advantage. The weight of D2X is very noticeable. My first few pictures were simply out of focus b/c I'm not used to holding such heavy camera. I didn't get a chance to do any major photography but from what I did, I really enjoyed:

- HUGE and BRIGHT viewfinder. My wife took few shots and quickly forgot about the weight after being amazed with viewfinder.
- GRIP is amazing. I can easily take vertical portraits without hanging my elbow in the air. After few hours at the wedding you will start complaining, I know I did.
- SPEED. This this is like a Uzzi. People standing next to me thought I was shooting with a gun.
- BALANCE - When I used my D70 with 70-200VR, lens would take all the weight and camera would stay on "the top". With D2X, everything is horizontal and even. I could easily hold D2X w/ 70-200 using one hand and this setup with stay still horizontally without too much effort.
- AUTO WHITEBALANCE used outdoor and indoor is right on the money.

Having said all that, I STILL enjoy D70 and if I didn't need to pay for m D2X, I would still keep both bodies. This is not only my opinion but a lot of other D2X owners. If you are looking for miracle camera that will do anything and everything for you without owners effort, don't get D2X. You need to put your mind and skill into it and take advantage of all the settings (* there is tons of them). If you are family / picnic type shooter than I wouldn't spend $5000 on body. I would probably buy D70 and get 2 top quality lenses or wait for D100 replacement. If you are looking for Large Prints (20x30) or so with GREAT quality, SPEED, QUALITY, GRIP, VIEWFINDER, and other endless options - GET D2X !!!. You will never look back at anything else.

Good luck with your decisions. I know I made a right one !!!

[Ibn]

I love my 5fps...

would love to get 8, but out of my budget right now ;)

glass! i'm spending money on glass!!! bodies come and go

(thats right lisa, keep telling yourself that)

That's what I've been telling myself also. :)

Bodies will come and go and take some huge price dips as this is occurring.

[Ibn]

As you already know, I did.

I just couldn't wait for D200 any longer and seeing and having what I have now, I don't think I will look back at D200. Since D70 Day #1, I complained about lack of grip and wished that I had one. I patiently waited for 3rd party release from Harbotronics and as many others, I was disappointed. It was waist of time in my opinion. Since Day #1, I complained about small and "dark" looking viewfinder. Since Day #1, I complained about the speed of the camera.

Well, maybe "complained" is a big word and I would be a fool to say that D70 is not a good camera but once you get D2X, you will know why I mentioned the above. D70 and D2X are world apart when it comes to performance….. but price as well :) I paid 1200$ for my D70 kit and I can honestly say that I already made my money back freelancing for newspapers and doing local assignments. I still have D70 which will go on E-bay sooner or later so I really had advantage when it comes to D2X's $5000 price tag.

I played with D100 w/ grip and loved the size, the weight, the ergonomics and balance with small or large lenses. I also had a pleasure to test Francine's (aka. MSCichlid) D1X and enjoyed Pro size, big viewfinder and speed. Recently, after meeting with Benny, I tested another Pro body Canon MK II 1D and although I'm not a Canon guy, I really enjoyed the whole nine yards about the camera.

I went home, thought about pros and cons and ordered D2X.

Buying D2X is NOT only 5000$

Things to consider right away:

- New Computer. Your 1GHz processor will not handle Nikon Capture / PhotoShop CS2 and D2X HUGE NEF files. After converting D2X file into TIFF, you get 70MB per file. So basically if you know how to build computers (that's what I will do) you need to get new MotherBoard, new CPU (Athlon 64 3500 is good unless wait for Ath Dual Core), new RAM (* at least 1GB) and of course, fans, heatsink, PSU etc.
- Of course new Hard Drive unless you are ready to burn your DVD right away
- A lot of cards. 1GB Ultra 2 in plain RAW fits only 41 pictures. The best alternative is 2GB Ultra 2 which runs about 180$ or if you want to take advantage of speed, Extreme III 2GB - if you can find one)
- bigger bags etc …. List goes on

As for as performance of D2X vs. everything else. D2X is endless success but you have to know how to use it properly. I can honestly say that I can smoke any "newbie" w/ D2X using my D70. It is all about practice. D2X will NOT give you better pictures if you simply don't know how to take advantage. The weight of D2X is very noticeable. My first few pictures were simply out of focus b/c I'm not used to holding such heavy camera. I didn't get a chance to do any major photography but from what I did, I really enjoyed:

- HUGE and BRIGHT viewfinder. My wife took few shots and quickly forgot about the weight after being amazed with viewfinder.
- GRIP is amazing. I can easily take vertical portraits without hanging my elbow in the air. After few hours at the wedding you will start complaining, I know I did.
- SPEED. This this is like a Uzzi. People standing next to me thought I was shooting with a gun.
- BALANCE - When I used my D70 with 70-200VR, lens would take all the weight and camera would stay on "the top". With D2X, everything is horizontal and even. I could easily hold D2X w/ 70-200 using one hand and this setup with stay still horizontally without too much effort.
- AUTO WHITEBALANCE used outdoor and indoor is right on the money.

Having said all that, I STILL enjoy D70 and if I didn't need to pay for m D2X, I would still keep both bodies. This is not only my opinion but a lot of other D2X owners. If you are looking for miracle camera that will do anything and everything for you without owners effort, don't get D2X. You need to put your mind and skill into it and take advantage of all the settings (* there is tons of them). If you are family / picnic type shooter than I wouldn't spend $5000 on body. I would probably buy D70 and get 2 top quality lenses or wait for D100 replacement. If you are looking for Large Prints (20x30) or so with GREAT quality, SPEED, QUALITY, GRIP, VIEWFINDER, and other endless options - GET D2X !!!. You will never look back at anything else.

Good luck with your decisions. I know I made a right one !!!

Dang Jay...you're killing me with a review like that. :)

[JerseyJay]

Dang Jay...you're killing me with a review like that. :)
Eric,

I'm just being honest :-D

It is amazing though how my / our level of interest in expensive gadgets goes up. Back in ~90s I bought a 35mm Minolta 500si with 35-70 and 70-210 lenses. I spend 500$ then and as a student I swore that I will never buy another camera or at least spend more than 500$. I don't even know how much money I spent on film and developing.

When digital Canon G2 came out, I paid 650$ for the camera and then additional $ for: 256MB card + Hoya +4+2+1 step up ring + stroboframe + 420EX flash. This was around 1000$. I told myself that this was definitely IT and I will stick to P&S cameras b/c DSLR "were" too expensive.

When Nikon D70 came out and my photography interest was growing even stronger, despite my previous WORDS, I spend another 1200$ on D70 kit plus: 350$ on SB-800, 190$ on 1GB flash card, 250$ on tripod, $1,500 on 70-200mmVR lens, 100$ on 50mm, 400$ on 105mm and other misc UV filters, polarizer etc etc. My expenses were getting bigger but at the same time I began to gain profits from freelancing, magazine submissions and doing small assignments.

About a year later I found myself again in the position where another upgrade was in order. This time around instead of shaking hands w/ $1000, I was considering an equipment with price tag of $5000. Didn't take much time and D2X became a reality. I spoke with many D1/2 H/X users and most of them still use the same Pro bodies and are patiently waiting for full-frame or spending money on glass. They are very satisfied with the quality they get from those big boys. Honestly, I don't see myself doing another upgrade for next few years. This probably sounds hypocritical, looking at my past, but I think I'm at the point where I can't upgrade to anything else. Having D70 and looking at D100 w/grip, D1 X/H and D2H was making me hungry but I'm past that point.

But…. Story doesn't end here. I already have a list to BUY but I slowly have to recover from the last spending spree. Stuff that I'm considering

- 12-24mm (Nikon or Tokina. Some are complaining about Nikon 12-24 quality and price. Those who did, moved to Tokina and I have yet to hear anything bad about it. 1300$ vs. 500$, go figure)
- 17-55mm or 28-70mm - to replace D70 kit lens
- 300mm f/2.8
- couple more bags
- 2 x 2GB cards

[meriadoc]

why not the sigma 12-24?

[JerseyJay]

why not the sigma 12-24?
Lisa,
Not sure about Canon / Sigma combo but I haven't heard much feedback about Nikon / Sigma 12-24, good or bad. I will have to investigate but that's definitely an option.

[jjtink]

...but at the same time I began to gain profits from freelancing, magazine submissions and doing small assignments.
Would love to hear a separate discussion from you one day about how you began freelancing.

[meriadoc]

I love my 12-24 sigma! I got it before the tokina was available, and it is great. One of the reasnons why I got it over something else (not that the EF-s 10-22 was available at that point) was because I wanted to use it on a film body also. Sticking that baby on a film body is fantastic.. wide is great, but when you see 12mm on a full frame.. WOW...

But I too would like to find out.. I'm about to start doing such stuff, to get some extra money...

ccplim - the 500 is on my list, i doubt i'd ever use it, so the 400 5.6 or 2.8 would be the furthest I'd really go....

course, if the 500 is cheaper than the 400 2.8, i'd get the 500 ;)

but, my wish list is too freakin long ;)

-- Lisa

[JerseyJay]

Would love to hear a separate discussion from you one day about how you began freelancing.
Jason,

I'm far from being in the position to preach about freelancing. I'm starting this craft. But you should start a topic in Water Cooler section and maybe we can all chime ine.

[Ibn]

Man, that's a nice list you have going there.

Some of those are on my list also. :)

There have been quite a few 17-35mm out there and it's a bit cheaper than the 17-55, but I'm still holding out. I've been reading up on the ultra-wides and have found that many are on the opposite end. The Nikon is really sharp throughout, versus the Tokina, which is great for the price, but isn't the same. Using the 28-75mm Tamron right now and it's pretty sharp and at the price, it's really hard to beat. What I do miss is the wider end of the kit lens (will be the reason I go with the 17-55 versus the 28-70).

300mm f/2.8 would be really nice, but talk about a hefty price tag. Too much for me right now and I settled for the 300mm f/4 AF-S instead and am still awaiting delivery of the lens. :)

I don't think you can have too many bags. Currently have the Phototrekker AW II and a Crumpler Budgie Smuggler and am on the lookout for something that's in between in size.

[hir0]

i'm really interested in the 12-24 nikkor also (i think i'll stick with nikon glass if budget will allow)
congrats on your new 300 f4 Eric!
one thing i noticed about the 2.8 tamron (i looked at one in the store) - i don't know if it was my method or what? i put it in aperture mode, and you can shoot wide open @ 2.8 throughout the whole zoom range - but you still lose light when you zoom out to 85mm. maybe someone can verify this. autofocus on something so it meters (in aperture mode) @ 28mm and then zoom out to 75mm. does the shutter speed go down? to me this is losing light, which is what we're trying not to do with fast glass right? i know that naturally @ longer focal length the lens gets longer meaning you will lose some light - but i tried the nikkor 28-70 @ the store and i didn't lose any speed by zooming out. ah whatever - i'm probably just 'confused' as always. it's probably more likely the way the camera was metering. i didn't point the nikon lens at the same thing i pointed the tamron lens @ when i was checking them both out. of course, at a wider angle you are metering more surface, i guess i should have tried it using the spot-meter.

[Reefer Addict]

As you already know, I did.

I just couldn't wait for D200 any longer and seeing and having what I have now, I don't think I will look back at D200. Since D70 Day #1, I complained about lack of grip and wished that I had one. I patiently waited for 3rd party release from Harbotronics and as many others, I was disappointed. It was waist of time in my opinion. Since Day #1, I complained about small and "dark" looking viewfinder. Since Day #1, I complained about the speed of the camera.

Well, maybe "complained" is a big word and I would be a fool to say that D70 is not a good camera but once you get D2X, you will know why I mentioned the above. D70 and D2X are world apart when it comes to performance….. but price as well :) I paid 1200$ for my D70 kit and I can honestly say that I already made my money back freelancing for newspapers and doing local assignments. I still have D70 which will go on E-bay sooner or later so I really had advantage when it comes to D2X's $5000 price tag.

I played with D100 w/ grip and loved the size, the weight, the ergonomics and balance with small or large lenses. I also had a pleasure to test Francine's (aka. MSCichlid) D1X and enjoyed Pro size, big viewfinder and speed. Recently, after meeting with Benny, I tested another Pro body Canon MK II 1D and although I'm not a Canon guy, I really enjoyed the whole nine yards about the camera.

I went home, thought about pros and cons and ordered D2X.

Buying D2X is NOT only 5000$

Things to consider right away:

- New Computer. Your 1GHz processor will not handle Nikon Capture / PhotoShop CS2 and D2X HUGE NEF files. After converting D2X file into TIFF, you get 70MB per file. So basically if you know how to build computers (that's what I will do) you need to get new MotherBoard, new CPU (Athlon 64 3500 is good unless wait for Ath Dual Core), new RAM (* at least 1GB) and of course, fans, heatsink, PSU etc.
- Of course new Hard Drive unless you are ready to burn your DVD right away
- A lot of cards. 1GB Ultra 2 in plain RAW fits only 41 pictures. The best alternative is 2GB Ultra 2 which runs about 180$ or if you want to take advantage of speed, Extreme III 2GB - if you can find one)
- bigger bags etc …. List goes on

As for as performance of D2X vs. everything else. D2X is endless success but you have to know how to use it properly. I can honestly say that I can smoke any "newbie" w/ D2X using my D70. It is all about practice. D2X will NOT give you better pictures if you simply don't know how to take advantage. The weight of D2X is very noticeable. My first few pictures were simply out of focus b/c I'm not used to holding such heavy camera. I didn't get a chance to do any major photography but from what I did, I really enjoyed:

- HUGE and BRIGHT viewfinder. My wife took few shots and quickly forgot about the weight after being amazed with viewfinder.
- GRIP is amazing. I can easily take vertical portraits without hanging my elbow in the air. After few hours at the wedding you will start complaining, I know I did.
- SPEED. This this is like a Uzzi. People standing next to me thought I was shooting with a gun.
- BALANCE - When I used my D70 with 70-200VR, lens would take all the weight and camera would stay on "the top". With D2X, everything is horizontal and even. I could easily hold D2X w/ 70-200 using one hand and this setup with stay still horizontally without too much effort.
- AUTO WHITEBALANCE used outdoor and indoor is right on the money.

Having said all that, I STILL enjoy D70 and if I didn't need to pay for m D2X, I would still keep both bodies. This is not only my opinion but a lot of other D2X owners. If you are looking for miracle camera that will do anything and everything for you without owners effort, don't get D2X. You need to put your mind and skill into it and take advantage of all the settings (* there is tons of them). If you are family / picnic type shooter than I wouldn't spend $5000 on body. I would probably buy D70 and get 2 top quality lenses or wait for D100 replacement. If you are looking for Large Prints (20x30) or so with GREAT quality, SPEED, QUALITY, GRIP, VIEWFINDER, and other endless options - GET D2X !!!. You will never look back at anything else.

Good luck with your decisions. I know I made a right one !!!

Great info. You bringing up issues concerning potential 'computer' upgrades opens up a totally new can of worms.. I need to go back and see what my current configuration is.

[meriadoc]

hir0 - the lighting also depends on it.. if you're zooming out to a darker object, you're going to lose light.

if on the other hand you tried a nikon one, and were zooming out to a lighter portion, you may gain more speed, or keep it the same. all depends on the situation :)

[RazorBlade]

Jay, happy to know that you're having a great time with your D2X. ^_^

The way you reviewed it, it looks like the 'holy grail' of DSLR photography for us. :P

[JerseyJay]

300mm f/2.8 would be really nice, but talk about a hefty price tag. Too much for me right now and I settled for the 300mm f/4 AF-S instead and am still awaiting delivery of the lens. :)
Congratulations Eric. This is one sweet lens. I have heard nothing but good things about this well priced glass. I thought about this lens (* MINT condition for 700$) but decided to buy 1.7 TC in the near future for for 70-200VR. I know that quality will not be the same but I prefer 300$ and use on other lenses and maybe, only maybe I will be able to afford 300 or higher VR lenses.

I'm in love with 28-70. This lens is a monster. I really have to decide if I want 17-55 or 12-24 + 28-70. Second combo comes with a another huge price tag :).

[JerseyJay]

BTW. There is only 1 minus, for us - aquatic photographers, when it comes to D2X. D70 has On-Board flash which is used to take advantage of Commander Mode / Remote with SB-800. D2X doesn't have on-board flash and doesn't have Commander Mode, which means that you either have to use off-shoe cable, 2nd flash on the camera to set-off "aquarium" flash or simply find some type of transmitter aka. Canon ST-E2.

Any ideas ?

[Ibn]

Thanks, guys. Can't wait to test out the lens. Already picked up a 1.4x TC for it and will be putting it through some testing (versus the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 w/1.4x TC) once I receive it. I took a look at the non-AFS model, but wanted the faster focusing speed and shorter working distance. BTW, that's a very nice price for such a lens.

It's a slow progression towards the going Nikkor glass (NAS :) )and the next lens on the list will be the 70-200mm VR.

That second combo there is another big hit on the wallet, Jay. It'll allow you to fully cover your range throughout. I'm thinking 17-55 versus the combo of the other two, since I don't do much landscapes and wide angles, but after seeing so many with the 12-24, it's really tempting.

[benny]

Sticking that baby on a film body is fantastic.. wide is great, but when you see 12mm on a full frame.. WOW...

Yup. It's fantastic on a full frame. So is the distortion.


if the 500 is cheaper than the 400 2.8, i'd get the 500 ;)

Well...then it looks like the EF 500 mm F4 L IS for you.

my wish list is too freakin long ;)

Join the club!

Cheers,

[benny]

I know I made a right one !!!

Jay!

Glad to hear that it's here and you are having fun with it!

Cheers,

[ccplim]

Thanks, guys. Can't wait to test out the lens. Already picked up a 1.4x TC for it and will be putting it through some testing (versus the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 w/1.4x TC) once I receive it. I took a look at the non-AFS model, but wanted the faster focusing speed and shorter working distance. BTW, that's a very nice price for such a lens.

It's a slow progression towards the going Nikkor glass (NAS :) )and the next lens on the list will be the 70-200mm VR.

That second combo there is another big hit on the wallet, Jay. It'll allow you to fully cover your range throughout. I'm thinking 17-55 versus the combo of the other two, since I don't do much landscapes and wide angles, but after seeing so many with the 12-24, it's really tempting.

I have personally tried the 300mm f/4 and though I like the fast AF, it simply cannot make it when you use it with a TC. I am quite surprise about this given the fact that it is an AF-S lens :confused: