In case anyone doesn't know, I have a disease. It's called GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome. It causes me to constantly buy and sell gear, that I use very little, in an attempt to find the perfect kit - which will probably never happen. I have owned almost every DSLR on the planet from the 10D to the S2 to my current cam the 1D. I truly love the 1D, but my disease is telling me it's time for a change. My dilemma is this. If you take cost out of the picture, and speak strictly of image quality and ergonomics, what are the ups and downs of the D2H vs the 1D MkII (aside from the obvious crop factor, megapixels, etc). I would rather not move up to 8Mp due to file size issues - I NEVER print anything bigger than an 8x10, and 4Mp seems to be perfect for my needs. If the image quality of the D2H is not up to par though, I would take the 8Mp in a heartbeat. I also LOVE Nikon glass. The 70-200 VR is insane, as are the 28-70 and 17-35 AFS - light years above Canon's similar offerings if you ask me (and I've owned them all - Nikon and Canon). I like Canon glass (my current fave being the 85mm f/1.2), but I find that the Nikon glass just seemed a notch above Canon in the time that I used it. I also think Canon is EXTREMELY outclassed in the flash department (athough my flash technique isn't the greatest to begin with!!)

What am I getting at? Well, if anyone has any D2H sample pics, please send me some links. I'm particularly looking for high ISO files (1600, 3200, etc) as I've heard of issues with noise. I'm trying not to get too involved with reading the techy reviews, as much as I'd like to see real world samples. I'd also appreciate anyone's personal recommendations on the camera. How does it feel, how does it respond, any quality issues, etc. I only ask that no one post with statements like "why not hang on to the 1D - you'll lose too much money in switching to Nikon." I've done the math - it won't be that bad. L glass holds it's value VERY well. I'm really looking for concrete facts - pics and real world experiences. Think of me as more of a gear-trader with a photography hobby, than a photographer with a gear-trading hobby...

I apologize for the long-windedness of this post, but I thank you in advance for your assistance in helping me make this decision.

Thanks

Bobby

What you need to understand is that noise isn't a deal breaker anymore , Canon's approach is to build it Into the camera it is called Digic and it gets applied to Every image you shoot , with the D2h you are in control of the reduction if necessary. HTe D2h produces such beautiful images straight out of the camera , crisp, and punchy and colorful and Nikon Capture is a great solution for RAW processing , the out of camera jpegs need really nothing done to them if you want to shoot jpeg . If you are familiar with my work you know i have the best glass and am very picky, the D2h's feel is surpassed by no other camera even the F5 for which it is based on , it is Light for a pro body and it delivers the goods , the iTTL flash system is too easy

I just finished a shoot up in northern Minnesota much of it in bitter cold rain on the water and everything was getting water on it , the H preformed flawlessly, the files interpolate very well I find it the best value in the current crop of DSLR cameras

J

rlcramer wrote:
In case anyone doesn't know, I have a disease. It's called GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome. It causes me to constantly buy and sell gear, that I use very little, in an attempt to find the perfect kit - which will probably never happen. I have owned almost every DSLR on the planet from the 10D to the S2 to my current cam the 1D. I truly love the 1D, but my disease is telling me it's time for a change. My dilemma is this. If you take cost out of the picture, and speak strictly of image quality and ergonomics, what are the ups and downs of the D2H vs the 1D MkII (aside from the obvious crop factor, megapixels, etc). I would rather not move up to 8Mp due to file size issues - I NEVER print anything bigger than an 8x10, and 4Mp seems to be perfect for my needs. If the image quality of the D2H is not up to par though, I would take the 8Mp in a heartbeat. I also LOVE Nikon glass. The 70-200 VR is insane, as are the 28-70 and 17-35 AFS - light years above Canon's similar offerings if you ask me (and I've owned them all - Nikon and Canon). I like Canon glass (my current fave being the 85mm f/1.2), but I find that the Nikon glass just seemed a notch above Canon in the time that I used it. I also think Canon is EXTREMELY outclassed in the flash department (athough my flash technique isn't the greatest to begin with!!)

What am I getting at? Well, if anyone has any D2H sample pics, please send me some links. I'm particularly looking for high ISO files (1600, 3200, etc) as I've heard of issues with noise. I'm trying not to get too involved with reading the techy reviews, as much as I'd like to see real world samples. I'd also appreciate anyone's personal recommendations on the camera. How does it feel, how does it respond, any quality issues, etc. I only ask that no one post with statements like "why not hang on to the 1D - you'll lose too much money in switching to Nikon." I've done the math - it won't be that bad. L glass holds it's value VERY well. I'm really looking for concrete facts - pics and real world experiences. Think of me as more of a gear-trader with a photography hobby, than a photographer with a gear-trading hobby...

I apologize for the long-windedness of this post, but I thank you in advance for your assistance in helping me make this decision.

Thanks

Bobby

**********************************************************************

Buy a Nikon D1x and be done with it. Taken with a D1x with 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G Zoom-Nikkor, handheld, manual focus, manual exposure....

Scott

Picture Title:

"Slingshot"

Here are a few of my D2h shots.

This one was shot as ISO 3200 with an 85 1.8. I did some NR in Neat Image 4 and used Intellisharpen II to bring back the edges.

Thanks for the help so far guys. It's nice to get the opinion of people who obviously know how to work the machine. I'm pretty much sold on the whole conversion. I'm going on vacation next week, after which I'll probably put the whole Canon kit up on ebay. Jim - I've heard so many people talk about the feel and quality of output of the D2H, but you really summed it up the best. It seems like you're loving it. I'd be curious to see how you feel about the D2H vs the D70 (before you did the IR conversion?). I'm assuming there was no comparison, but it can't hurt to ask. Michael - those ISO 1000 orchestra shots were amazing - exactly what I needed to see. Scott - I'm not too crazy about the D1X though - it just didn't have the "feel" that I was looking for. I'm actually off to B&H today to give the D2H one last test before I get rid of all things Canon. I must say I can't wait to get back into the Nikon glass though - that 70-200 VR lens has me drooling (not to mention the 17-35 f/2.8, etc....)

I'm going to repost this thread in the Canon forum to see if I get any dissenting opinions. Here's hoping I don't start a flame war (you know how those Canon guys are!!)

Thanks again.

Bobby

rlcramer wrotenot to mention the 17-35 f/2.8, etc....)

Bobby, just as a side note, on the MTF tests, the new 17-55 f/2.8 DX lens is beating out the legendary performance of that 17-35. I know there is a set of test photos out there that shows the 17-55, the 18-70, the 17-35, and the 28-70 taken side by side. I was really surprised at how much more sharp and contrasty (yes, both!) the 17-55 was. That coupled with some great advice from people who have used the lens caused me to go out and buy it. I highly recommend that option if you are going to be staying with digital in the future.

Andrew

Bobby

FIrst off my name is John , I just go by "J" at FM cuz there are so many John's around here

2nd , get the 17-55 if you can find it , perhaps the sharpest zoom I have ever used and SO much Lighter than the 17-35 , I love this new lens Wow the pop and sharpness are amazing


J

rlcramer wrote:
In case anyone doesn't know, I have a disease. It's called GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome. It causes me to constantly buy and sell gear, that I use very little, in an attempt to find the perfect kit - which will probably never happen. ...[snip]
Bobby

I'm so sorry to hear that. I came down with the same disease when I first purchased my D100 (when it first came out), so I know what you are going through. Mine flared up pretty bad for a few months... but I've been doing much better lately. Yes... I was in therapy at one time for it. However, I'm doing much better now and have not had to go to one of those meetings for quite a while (the local chapter of AA here... I mean Acquisition Anonymous).

They helped me to understand how to more carefully select my equipment purchases and consolidate as much as possible. I've decreased the number of lenses I have and purchased higher quality ones that I should have from the start. I'm not where I want to be yet... but I'm moving that direction at a slower pace and more carefully. I have a couple more lenses to sell and a couple more to buy... but I'll get there... and without GAS doing the thinking for me.




jmcfadden wrote:
[snip...]I find it the best value in the current crop of DSLR cameras
J

In all of my limited experience... I believe everything John said. He was instrumental in my decision to try the D2H. He even offered to buy it from me if I didn't like if after I got it. He probably forgot about that... but I never had to inquire if he meant it. Seriously, the D2H is a masterpiece and is more camera than I need. Hey, but we all have to have a few luxuries.

And something you mentioned Bobby, that most people never consider... the file size. The D2H file sizes are so small and manageable compared to higher MP cameras. Plus, they interpolate up so nice if needed... the image quality is awesome. It's like having a 6 or 8MP camera with smaller files.

Good luck!

Oops. Sorry about that John. Ironically, my boss's name is Jim McFadden, so you'll have to excuse me!!

Thanks again for the info. I have had such great luck with the 17-35 f/2.8 that I would have never looked at another wide zoom, but with these recommendations, it will be moved to the top of the list of lenses that I need to try before jumping.

Bobby

just wanted to chime in and say that i LOVE my D2h. The file size is perfect for me about 95% of the time.

Chris