How About the D2H?

[Tom Nolle]

Some of you know that I'm a wildlife/outdoor shooter, and I'm concerned that the new S3 isn't going to focus and write fast enough for me--the S2 has come up short in that area even though I love it overall. Do those of you who have or have used the D2H think it might fit the bill? Comments much appreciated.

Tom

[Swampy]

Some of you know that I'm a wildlife/outdoor shooter, and I'm concerned that the new S3 isn't going to focus and write fast enough for me--the S2 has come up short in that area even though I love it overall. Do those of you who have or have used the D2H think it might fit the bill? Comments much appreciated.

Tom

I'd wait for the D2x Tom. I feel the D2h is a little short in the resolution side of things for it to be even good, let alone great camera for wildlife. Ron Green has had some good success with it, but as he told me, he longs for his S2 when out in the field. After using the D2h a few times, I've come to the conclusion that I'll make myself lose frame rate and focus speed by shooting with my S2 before I'd buy a D2h.

However, for sitting on the sideline at a basketball game, the D2h rocked. :)

There's just no room for cropping and still get decent sized prints. If you're willing to spend the money on the D2h, you should just wait for the D2x for just a little more money most likely.

[jasonbrian007]

[QUOTE=Swampy]However, for sitting on the sideline at a basketball game, the D2h rocked. :) [QUOTE]

My friend has just traded his D1X in for the D2H. As he's a sports photographer its a superb, must have camera he's informed me. He lent me the D1x for a while and the fps on it was superb for sports photography so the new bit's n pieces they put on the D2H must have improved on that. I did feel the S2 image quality was better than the results I saw from the D1x. But I suppose there are those that would disagree. For wildlife/outdoor photography the obvious benefit would be the speed of the D2H but as of yet I have not seen the image quality of the D2H so cant really comment.

Jason :D

[Tom Nolle]

Thanks, Bryan and Jason. I really have high hopes for either the D2X or the S3, but there's a nagging issue with both of them. On the S3 it's write speed and buffer, and on the D2X it's just an issue of is it really coming out? As much as I'd love a D2X with some of the specs posted here, there's also a risk that if the thing came out for about six grand US, my wife would shudder (as opposed to "shutter" I guess) at the thought. I also like the D70, but I'm just a tad concerned about build quality and durability. Do you think it's at least as solid as the S2 in build?

Tom

[ianmcc]

Thouch quality is a subjective concept, you should still read this thread, 20X30's from D2H files

http://www.robgalbraith.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=247761&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

[Tom Nolle]

Thanks, Ian. I'm really in a quandry on this stuff because I'm doing two very significant trips next year (Patagonia and the Norwegian Arctic at Spitzbergen) and I need two backs. I've absolutely loved the quality of the S2, but it does fall short some times in focus speed and accuracy and in shooting speed when I have an active wildlife shot like sparring polar bears. If the S3 were to be at least as good as the S2 in write speed even with the larger files, and if it had the faster focus of the D70, I'd probably go for it. If the D2X is available in time and is essentially an up-resolution model of the D2H, I'd go for that if the cost wasn't astronomical enough to invoke wifely wrath. The challenge will be if neither the S3 nor the D2X cuts it. The D70 seems to produce really nice images, but I've handled it and it seems a bit lightweight to be throwing around in zodiacs or bouncing across tundras with. If the D2H can print even 9x12s well, it would at least offer me a fast-action option.

Tom

[Tom Nolle]

Thanks, Theo. You've captured my concerns about the D70 perfectly. I'm careful with the S2 and I've had nothing but good luck with it in some pretty hairy places (the arctic is my favorite area, and it's pretty unforgiving even when it's not winter), but I'm really concerned that the D70 won't perform under the same conditions.

I just wish that Fuji would release the write/shooting specs on the S3 so I could at least know if they'll be in the running. Some of the stuff culled from the Japanese site suggests that they write the larger files at half the speed, implying that write and buffer performance is the same as the S2. I know the D2X will be better, and there's now rumor of another N80-based successor to the D100 also appearing at Photokina. I love the performance of the D2H as a fast-shot image, but wildlife is the hardest thing to set up, so cropping is a factor in many shots and there's not much of D2H resolution to work with.

Tom

[jesd]

I would also wait for the D2X, but I know that Moose Peterson use the D2H for his wildlife photography. You can take a look at his web site where he also writes about the camera here : http://www.moose395.net/

Cheers,

Jes

[Tom Nolle]

You're right; his stuff is great and I didn't realize he uses the D2H!

I will try to wait for the D2X but since Nikon (unlike Fuji) isn't even admitting that it's coming, I have the problem of needing the second back by early spring.

Tom

[Melody]

Tom,

If we can talk Bryan into it I'll take the d2h down for him to test it again after the firmware update. I do believe it is improved, I got shots of the herons and egrets I couldn't before.

I really love the feel of it and don't have an issue with the birds anymore although I haven't had much luck with my dogs yet, and for some reason I know they aren't moving quite as fast as a bird!

I used the settings on it Moose recommends and got his backpack bag too I love that thing!

Melody

[jesd]

You're right; his stuff is great and I didn't realize he uses the D2H!

I will try to wait for the D2X but since Nikon (unlike Fuji) isn't even admitting that it's coming, I have the problem of needing the second back by early spring.

Tom

and before the D2H he used D1H! I just bought a fantastic book by him with incredible wildlife photos - most of them taken with the D1H!

But I share your concern about the D2X. Let's hope that when they announce it, it will not take long before it is available... And lets hope that they will announce it soon!!! What really makes me interested in it is if it has the focus system of the D2H.... That would be GREAT, and is just what I would like in my next camera. That combined with more fps would make it a winner!!!!

Jes

[Tom Nolle]

That would be great Melody! Since Bryan likes the D70, he'd be a good source.

Jes, I've also looked at his books, and it certainly makes me feel better to know he can get that kind of shot with the D2H, and even before it with the D1H. It kind of makes me realize, as do your bird comments Melody, that some of my blown shots are probably from the S2's relatively slow focus process.

I keep hearing that both the D2X and D90 are coming out at Photokina in October. I sure hope it's true!

Tom

[Melody]

That would be great Melody! Since Bryan likes the D70, he'd be a good source.



I keep hearing that both the D2X and D90 are coming out at Photokina in October. I sure hope it's true!

Tom

It's up to Bryan I'll be happy to run it down to him for it.

I like the S2 but I do love the feel of the D2h it is very sturdy too (unfortunatley I found out by watching it, my tripod, and the 400 2.8 go down the side of an embankment :eek: ) so much for standing near the edge of anything for me! The hood came off my lens, got a tiny scratch, and a nick on the d2h now I can tell it really is a metal body, all three still work perfectly though :)

I'm as anxious as anyone for the D2x. I got the d2h a few months ago just because I couldn't stand waiting anymore for a second camera I did get the d70 and had it a few weeks upon getting the d2h I sold the d70 I just like the feel of it much more.

I wish the D2x was here now I'd order one, thank goodness I don't have a "wife" to tell me no. All my husband knows is that my cameras are black and it's usually in front of my face if we are out and that there are two of them he couldn't honestly tell you the brand or name of either one :lol: Can you tell he has NO interest in it other then it keeps me quiet, I guess if I'm taking a picture I'm not watching the road to tell him how to drive so it works out just fine :D

Melody

[Tom Nolle]

Thanks for the offer, Theo. I'll be waiting eagerly for your news!

Melody, it's not that Linda would tell me "no" on the camera as much as the number of concessions I'd have to make would go up with the price to the point where my life would be reduced to abject slavery! :lol:

Tom

[Melody]

my life would be reduced to abject slavery! :lol:

Tom

There's the difference I'm already a slave! :lol:

Melody

[ianmcc]

Wow he really likes this camera!

http://www.moose395.net/gear/d2h.html

I like Moose's attitude toward tests. You can't beat real world usage!

[proberts]

Thanks, Theo. You've captured my concerns about the D70 perfectly. I'm careful with the S2 and I've had nothing but good luck with it in some pretty hairy places (the arctic is my favorite area, and it's pretty unforgiving even when it's not winter), but I'm really concerned that the D70 won't perform under the same conditions.


Well, since it's your backup body, it's just a matter of "Will it work if I *need* it to?"- and in that case, the price of the D70 makes it pretty attactive- depening on where you're going, and the availability of FedEx, you might just want to check the availability of the Dwhatever before you go, and have B&H's non-toll free number handy- or get a D70, and if it sucks, have B&H's number handy...

What I'd probably do though, is pick up a used F5 cheap, call that and a couple days worth of film "insurance" and have B&H's number handy. Unless the D2x really rocks.

Paul

[robinp]

I don't very often get to see a "real" camera shop, but on Saturday I was in Bath & saw lots of the popular bodies in one shop window - the D2H stood out straight away as a bigger, tougher looking beast! Looked too big for me but I'd think it would shrink if you regularly use long lenses.

Cheers, Robin

[Tom Nolle]

I saw it on TV during the Olympics a couple times, Robin, and I had the same impression; it almost looks like a medium-format. As long as it fits in the camera bag, though, it'll pale under a 500mm!

Tom

[bushman]

I've got the same problem, aggravated by the fact that I've just sold my S2 and at the moment am without a digital body. As usual I've timed it impeccably, with a horse drawn vehicle event this weekend, plus four days in the Austrian Alps next week and a game fair back in the UK next weekend.

The question is, do I stick to film and wait for Nikon to announce that they have a new body being launched, or Fuji to stop messing about with the spec of the S3 and actually start selling the thing!

I've seen some pretty impressive results from the D2, but can't convince myself about the low MP rating, but with Autumn and the deer rut fast approaching I can't afford to wait too long, especially as I'm hoping to get across to Sweden at some point in the next few weeks to photograph moose.

I thought I had a good deal on a D1X last week, but it turned out to be a scam which I spotted in time to stop the transaction. So it's watch this space, but the D2H does look very tempting................

PS My wife wouldn't know a D2H from a box Brownie, but unfortunatly my two daughters are a a lot more observant!!!
Cheers, John

[daryll]

If anyone wants to drool over the specs of the D2H.
Thet are HERE (http://www.nikon.co.uk/customer_services/brochure_request/pdfs/digital_slr/d2h_24p.pdf)

Careful...its a +3mb pdf file.

:cheers:

Daryll