So a friend of mine who mostly does studio work bought his wife a D90 when it came out. He started using it over his old D2 (something). When the D2 died he got a used D700 to use.

Yes +1 jeri the camera is completely obsolete. Its not like the film era when you can pick up an F100 and not worry about anything! The D2X usually fetches around $500 here in Korea and can jump to $700 if it is new, but why would you buy one? The D300 and even D200 made huge jumps on the D2X unless you want a pro body. I'd rather have a nice used F100 if I had the extra cash lying around for a body. Just my thoughts chaddwebphotography, but don't pay very much for it if you decide to purchase it.

Personally, I wouldn't pay anything to get a D2x- as already mentioned, the fundamental technology is a bit old and superceded by many other cheaper cameras. However, I only say that because I don't need the high end build quality, weather sealing frame rates, autofocus or integrated grip. I suspect if you really needed that and you didn't care too much about image quality (ie. you just care about getting the shot or not) and were on a shoe string budget, then I guess a D2x might make sense.

TaoTeJared said:
D300 surpassed the D2x in almost all respects. At this point it is a 6-8 year old tech and not worth $100 unless you plan on attaching it to a balloon and sending over a volcano. There is no reason to drop that far behind current standards.

Agreed- I'm not sure why one wouldn't go for a D90. Other than build quality and frame rate, you're not really giving up anything at all, plus it's much cheaper.

They usually go for $1,200 - being that is is barely used, not unusual. I really can't figure out why. In a month it will be 4 pro bodies behind the current state of Nikons.

so the d2xs actually went for 1600 USD, auction ended. nice sale by that guy.

D300 surpassed the D2x in almost all respects. At this point it is a 6-8 year old tech and not worth $100 unless you plan on attaching it to a balloon and sending over a volcano. There is no reason to drop that far behind current standards.

I guess the guy never used it, I like the body and If i was in the market for a camera Ide probably go for it, even over a d7000. Its very rare to find one of these in this good shape.

Ive been investing on nice clothes this holiday season aside from a Gitzo tripod, so im passing on it.

Anyways Im curious if the d2x has alot of grain at ISO 400-800? I barely pass these ISO on my D300s if i can get the shot with them. It is nice that I have the chance to go further, and the layout of the controls is to my liking. But the D2x is also nice i think.

120 shots? really? seems odd.

I dont have a d2x, i do have the previous model, a d2h. Im still surprised by the low shot count, because even now, I occasionally use my d2h as a backup.

I'm no professional. And mine has around 8,000 shots.

In good light, or even ok light, i still get some good shots from it (in comparison to the d300). I would imagine the d2x with its equivalent MP would be very close to the d300 except for the ISO. For the price quoted, I think its worth it. (assuming you like the body, which of course is bigger than the d300)

I have never sold it, because for the amount i could realistically get for it (400-700, on a good day), id rather keep it as a backup.

theres one on ebay for 1200 at the moment, ending soon, with only 120 shots..i wonder how well it would perform now days compared to the other Nikon cameras out..any thoughts? I know its an old sensor and ISO 800...is the IQ really far behind though? compared to DX only. thoughts....

Odd focus for choosing a camera or gauging how good it is. Just my thought.

If the comparison was between the D3 series and the D7k I would understand but Nikon beefed up a consumer line camera. I would think most would be rejoicing rather than where if COULD fall short of something.

I choose to accept that any beefed up body is a good thing.

Birds_I77 - I understood what you said and I do see the humor in the replies. ;)

poster said:
LOL does D7k have any crumple zones?

No, but I think the added expense for the new battery grip comes from the built-in airbags.

I find it hard to believe a D7000 will fail after one wedding session when in fact Mamiya RZ67s and Bronica ETRs and SQ-Ais are also made primarily from hardened polycarbonate with metal underlying shells.

Ever notice there's no Mamiya Rumors or Hasselblad Rumors sites?

LOL does D7k have any crumple zones?

Only thing I wanna know is how someone has already tested the D7k to find out it can't last a single wedding season...

Let's save the personal reviews for when you get your hands on one, eh? ;)

It's like my Mustang, how new Mustang owners think they're better than older ones or vise versa... The main thing is, it's a Mustang, you're all winners, or losers if you're looking at it from Chevy's perspective. Likewise, It's a Nikon! We're all winners! And probably losers from Canon's perspective... But come on... who cares about them :p. JP

Birds_I77 said:
As they say the current super model is old hat in 18 months. Lenses.

Yeah! Birds_I77 everybody, recognize! Lenses!

lol

Somewhere on youtube a guy in South East Asia abuses the hell out of Canon and Nikon consumer bodies (drops, torching, water) in a less than scientific test. You guys should check that out (don't have link handy).

A friend's F4 has suffered a much worse fall without damage. As an investment, I think magnesium alloy makes sense. However, the N90 was an awesome block of polycarbonate and I have seen professionals in Europe using them alot (not everyone can afford the top end stuff). Whether it will survive you landing on it when you slip on spilt champagne in a dance hall I can't say, but an alternative is having backup bodies and insurance.

Personally I like the partial magnesium for how I assume it will feel in the hand, how much flex it will have. It should make it more mechanically robust, but the connections between the lense and body are where I'd worry most -- If that part isn't fully metal, I'd need to see alot of information to believe it is as good as an alloy body. Thankfully the 18-105 I'll have on the camera as a default is almost designed to break apart and protect the body ;)

maybe birds_177 used google translate for his/her post.

Yes... and... uh... We love bananas because they have no bones.

uh, what?

The makers of Canons and Nikons have hired the best PR people in the world. I haven't seen such bickering since Roger Maris broke the Babe's record. Marketing geniuses. I think behind the curtain we'll see reps of both companies laughing their sides off as photographers square off on this. One thing I do know the next gen of Canon DIGIC processor will make everyone wish they waited. And the improvements to the prosumer Nikons will also knock everyones socks off. So I guess you can't lose which ever u buy. Enjoy it. As they say the current super model is old hat in 18 months. Lenses.

Yeah, honesty guys the build quality of the consumer cameras from Nikon are very good, and the D700 is about as good as it gets for a consumer camera! I never felt like I couldn't trust the build quality of my D50, D80 or D90, although I didn't like taking them out in the rain for more than a minute or two.

drpeters said:
A D7000 would give up the ghost after a single wedding season.

wow ! this is the first time I'm hearing such comments :o.I've used my D90 in rains ,dust etc and its still working flawlessly .Seems like you drop your gear a lot .

do you use your gear like this

youtube.com/watch?v=-UBGWOpEVcU&feature=related

or like this

youtube.com/watch?v=cueq-lqWK9c

I hope posting funny youtube links isn't banned :)

Hi all,

My D90 has made it through two seasons of weddings and everything else, to include Montana's extreme Winters and the hot heat of Hawaii beaches, and it exceeded it's shutter actuation expectations by far. It seems okay.

I think the metal parts above and below are to correct some issues with connectivity on the battery pack and beef up the top, to include the hot shoe connection and, I'm guessing, help with weather proofing the knobs.

My best to all,

Mike

Resolved, found a cnet article that confirms that its an all metal chassis with mag-alloy top and rear covers. The rest of it is polycarbonate.