Is it worth upgrading from a Nikon D200, or should I invest in lenses instead?
Asked 3/9/2011
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2 answers
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I currently use a Nikon D200 with an AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm lens and an SB-800 Speedlight. I'm considering selling this kit and moving to something substantially better with improved specs and easier-to-use features that will still serve me well for the next few years. Is the D200 still capable enough to keep using, and would I be better off improving my lenses instead of replacing the camera body?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
5
That all depends how you define "substantially better", "better specs", and "more advanced easier-to-use".
The D200 was/is a nice camera and plenty of photographers have created lots of visually pleasing and revenue-generating images with that camera.
If you're learning photography, the D200 is quite capable and I'd focus on learning things about shutter speeds, aperture, lighting, and composition before spending more money on gear.
If you understand those things and there are some specific features you desire or usability concerns that you have, provide a bit more information with details and we can probably address them.
Originally by user89. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user89
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The D200 is still a very capable camera, and whether an upgrade is worthwhile depends on what it cannot do for you now. If you don’t have specific limitations in mind, you may get more benefit from improving technique—exposure, lighting, and composition—than from replacing the body.
Based on the answers, the weakest part of your kit is more likely the 18-200mm superzoom than the D200 itself. Superzooms are convenient, but they usually trade away image quality and low-light performance. A fast prime such as a 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8 would likely make a noticeable difference, especially for indoor, available-light, and action shooting.
So before selling everything, identify the exact features you feel are missing. If the D200 is meeting your needs, investing in better lenses may be a smarter upgrade path than replacing the camera body.
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