Review 1 of 11
Price Paid:
$4800.00
from B&H Photo Summary:
This is the best camera that Nikon has ever developed. Having worked with amature 35mm cameras like the N80 as well as professional work horses like the F100 and F5 I have spent a great deal of time with the later icons of the film era. Prior to Nikon I worked with Minolta and Canon bodies and a variety of lenses. I chose to stay with Nikon as I perfered its control layout and ergonomics. The grip has always felt secure, even on the N80, and of a durable quality. When I crossed into digital, I began with the D70. I still feel that bang for dollar it was the first real breakthrough in the digtial SLR market. I was always attracted to the D1 series, but could not justify the price at the time. Enter Nikon and the D2H. An incredible build quality, blistering speed, and superb ergonomics. Finally on the brink of committing to the D2 series and Nikon blows the doors wide open with the release of the incredible D2X. For the first time a camera body offered professional build, superb handeling, excellent resolution, and a high speed crop mode up to 8 fps for actions shots required above the acceptable 5 fps - all of this while maintaining almost 7 megapixels of resolution. Priced in between the Canon 1D Mark II and the 1Ds Mark II and offering the perfect combination of freatures, the D2X was the obvious choice for me.
Many shooters where contemplating switching to Canon, but the D2X proved that Nikon is thinking ahead and that it's products are among the best in the world. The D2X offers the best build of any SLR I have EVER used. It offers wicked fast focusing, superb features, and breathtacking images. If you are looking for the best... this is it.
Buyers Note: Most of those looking to upgrade to this camera may also be considering switching to Canon. I know because I was there. Before you drop a ton of bills for a new camera, you need to make sure the other guys don't offer something better. I am in NO WAY knocking Canon as they make superb cameras and lenses and anyone would be happy with their products. I was shooting Canon before Nikon. But there is something to consider when looking at this and other cameras... sensor size. Nikon uses the APS size DX sensor which creates a 1.5x crop factor on regular lenses. Canon (and others reviewers out there) like to focus on the full frame sensor and it's benefits. However, Canon offers cameras with 1.3x, 1.4x, 1.5x, and NO cropping. I think this is more confusing to tell you the truth. Besides, you get a nice camera like the 5D or 1Ds with the full frame sensor and yes you get wider wides with their lenses, but a lot of their great new leses like the 10-22 and the 17-55 will NOT work with them because they are designed for the 30D and lower models. The 16-35mm is an alternative to the 17-55, but it is shorter on the long end and does not offer IS (image stabelizer). That means you can't pick and choose any lens... you have to be careful about compatibility. So far, Nikon has remained constant and at this point in time all of the Nikon leses fit all fo the Nikon bodies. It's nice and easy. Besides, with all of the new wide glass availabe from Nikon, Tokina, Sigma, and Tamron, why worry about it? A 10-17mm lens like the new Tokina willl be the equiv. of a 15-26mm... that's wide in my book. Just keep that in mind before making your decision. ;) Strengths:
Construction - its a tank
Speed - start up, shot to shot, and focusing speeds are superb
Large LCD - largest in a Pro SLR at the time of this post
Features abound - the latest firmware update is the most extensive that I can recall by any manufacturer... offers BW mode, new ISO settings, and tons more.
Fully compatible with all of the superb Nikon glass and industry leading flash technology.
Image quality is stellar - 12.5 MP is excellent. Yes, the 1D Mark II offers 16% res boost, but at double the price.
Image quality at 8 fps still double the D2Hs and only a 1 MP shy of the 1D Mark II N!!!
Excellent Battery Life
Two pro bodies in One!!!
Weaknesses:
Price - though LOW by industry standards - is high for most buyers (like me)
To shoot at 8fps you must shoot at a 2x crop factor instead of 1.5. This is fine on the field but in doors it can be limiting.
Slightly higher image noise at higher ISOs than Canon
A bit heavy versus say the D200, but it feels sturdy
No built in flash (no pro SLRs offer it) so it requires a flash at an additonal $200-300.
Some say the DX (APS) size sensor is a drawback. However this is the sweet spot for most lenses and allows it to work with ALL Nikon's lenses. Also keeps price down. Similar Products Used:
Construction wise the D2H/s is similar, but there is really nothing like it in the photographic world. Customer Service:
Not Needed.
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