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So I will be able to upgrade from my (Nikon D40, kit lens, 55-200mm VR, SB-600) to the D80 with 18-135mm and keep my SB-600 in about 3 weeks or so.

But no lie, this is how much this decision is troubling me, my dream last night was that I had gotten the D200. This raised my thoughts about waiting it out for the D200 body.

I was almost certain until this morning that I wanted to upgrade to the D80 and wait until later next year to maybe get a D300 body, but now I am thinking it might be better if I can wait until after Christmas to buy a D200 body. Since the D300 comes out next month I am sure that the D200 body price will drop lower than it already has to say $1500 or even somewhere in teh $1400 section. I have wanted a D200 since the first time I saw it and began photography so I have no idea what I want to do.

I really wouldn't need a D300 seeing as the D200 has everything I need. I have no use for live view, HDMI ports and all the crazy new stuff. I would be more than happy with what the D200 offers. I will feel more solid about my purchase to becasue as of right now I am not even sure when I could get a D80 since I will have to get a friend to buy my old gear off me and I am not sure how long that will take.

I think it will be a wise choice to wait because I will feel more solid about teh buy seeing as how it took me longer to raise the money, I really would like to have a weather-sealed metal body, the fact that is doesn't have auto modes(which I havn't used since I got my D40) will make me more confident in my skill, and that I would not need to worry about upgrading bodies till I graduate probably, it is just a better camera in my eyes.

I am sure that everyone is tired of hearing about me upgrading but I just really need to make the decision, and right now it is in favor of the D200.

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

To make weather sealing work, you'd have to buy one of the Nikkor lenses listed here.

The D80 is perfectly good. Go with it.

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Nikon D90 + MB-D80 + SB-600 + AF-S VR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 + AF-S 35mm f/1.8 + AF 85mm f/1.8 | My photos on Flickr.

I know that the D80 is good but the camera I really want is the D200, and I planned on getting a 18-70mm when I get the body. I wish I could be satisfied with a D80 and just wait another like 8 months to get a D300 body or something, but I just feel that I won't be satisfied. That is what I am worried about.

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

You'll get better results, pound for pound, with a D80 and a quality lens than you will with a D200 and a kit lens.

Zorro.

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http://zorrofox4.deviantart.com/



Various lenses, SB800 & Manfrotto 190 with 460MG head

get what YOU want

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Nikon D40 + 18-135
My Flickr.

I agree with Rob, I want the D200. It is all a matter of how patient I am, becase if I do wait it out I will be able to have a D200, 18-70mm, SB-600, ML-L3 Infared Remote, aswell as some lighting stuff. That sounds pretty good to me, and really I will only need to wait out for another like 2 months, so I think it will be worth the wait.

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

Hi Nathan, while a D80 with a better lens will be superior to a D200 with a poor lens, the two questions I'd pose are:

1: Do you anticipate being able to buy a better lens for a D200 in the near future...

and

2: If you bought a D80 would you forever feel disappointed you didn't get the D200 instead?

If you answer yes and yes, then I'd go for a D200 - it really sounds like you want one.

Exactly Gordon, I think that if I buy the D80 I will not be good with myself about not waiting to get a D200, and I think the 18-70mm is a great lens, and personally I wouldn't need a zoom much larger than that of 70mm. The next lenses I would buy after the body and 18-70mm would be a 50mm f/1.8 and then either a Sigma 10-20mm or Nikkor 10.5 Fisheye. After I can achive having a D200 cody, 18-70mm, wide lense(Sigma or Nikkor) and a 50mm the only things I would need to think about buying would be maybe studio lighting or stuff like that, becasue that is all I really need camera wise.

I really think that it is best for me to get a D200 with 18-70mm, becasue I won't live with buyers remorse from getting the D80 becasue I am impatient(although it is a great camera, it isn't what I want).

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

Hi Nathan,

The D200 looks like it's the camera for you so go with your heart: get the D200 and enjoy!

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Although, with the D200, you'd be buying a camera that will be outdated in a matter of weeks. No such problem with the D80.

Besides, a D80 with a battery grip has more of a pro "look and feel" than an out of the box D200.

What kind of photo would you antecipate being able to take with a D200, that you would not be able to with a D80?

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Nikon D90 + MB-D80 + SB-600 + AF-S VR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 + AF-S 35mm f/1.8 + AF 85mm f/1.8 | My photos on Flickr.

Well, it seems you cant make your mind up Nathan .

If the D200 is the body you really want then go for it, but i can see when it comes to you buying the D200, there wil be another camera on the market that will tempt you into spending even more money and swaying away from the D200.

I'd say go with the D80 and be pleased that you have an excellent camera and also have enough money for a very nice lense. Thats my opinion.

Jay

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Nikon D80 | Nikkor 18-200mm VR | SB-600 | Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW | ML-L3 | Bits'N'Bobs |

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the D80 just a D200 without the weather sealing?

D80 + 2 Good Lenses + SB-600/800? + Other Lighting Equitment

Then get a D300 near the end of next year, as the D80 can do everything the D200...although...Does the D80 have a pc sync port? Does the D200 have one?

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

Well the fact it will be outdated doesn't bother me. I know that it will be but I still would have all I need with the D200, I know the D80 is a good camera but I would rather have teh D200 body.

I want the D200 because :

1) Stronger body/ weather sealed
2) A great camera with all I need
3) A pretty low price as soon as the D300 comes out, and for what it cost...awesome for what it's capable of.
4)Its what I want

The D80 has :
1)Cheaper and about the same IQ
2)Thats about it.

I know that I will get about the same IQ with a D80 as I would with a D200, and after all IQ is what matters. But I want the D200 for what it has over the D80, the fact that I would spend like $1250 on a D80 with 18-135mm and possibly $1700 on a D200 with 18-70mm, the D80 tempts because I want an upgrade and it has almost everything I need, I think I could even buy the D80 and maybe sometime into next year buy a D200 off amazon or something for about $1400 body alone.

Final Verdict(maybe

I could and should get a D80 with 18-135mm when I can( like 3 weeks) and after maybe next year (around June) I can get a D300 or possibly a D200 body no problem. I would not be bothered at all that it would be outdated because the IQ is still awesome and really has what I need. So I think I will get the D80. And save my anticipation of a semi-pro camera till when I am 16.haha.since my b-day is on June 29.

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

Have a look at this thread where bulls23_mj is considering upgrading from his D200 to a D300. You are both based in the States (albeit different timezones) so his experiences with the D200 may be relevant.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I myself will probably be getting the D300 in a year or two.

For now the D80 has all i need and the price of the D300 was a bit out of my range.

You will probably be able to get a sweet deal on the D200 next June Nathan. Unless you are perfectly satisfied with the D80 of course .

Who knows you may change your mind again though (hehe)

Jay

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Nikon D80 | Nikkor 18-200mm VR | SB-600 | Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW | ML-L3 | Bits'N'Bobs |