Dilemma! What do you think.

-Paul-

-Paul-

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Paul.
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I want to upgrade my camera (nikon d50) and had more or less decided on the d200. Now heres the catch I read on here that someone had used mpbphotographic in Brighton. So I went on their website saw the camera I wanted was just about to buy it when I noticed the alternatives which were the Nikon D3100 or the D5000. So my next step was that I went on dpreview to get a side by side comparison of the three of them. Now considering that I spend most of my camera time taking pictures of my sons rugby, obviously outside in all weathers and the D200 is weather proofed and the other two aren't and that it has better frames per second rate I am still leaning towards the d200. So is ther anything that i've missed or is my reasoning sound thanks for your thoughts.
 
Why do you want to upgrade?

If you are doing side by side comparisons, but are not sure about the numbers, then you are upgrading for upgradings sake. Spend the money on getting soeone to teach you on extracting every last drop out of the D50. When you get to the point where you are consistently saying - i run out of low light performance by 1 stop, or... when I print a larger print I am running out of resolution, then upgrade
 
I have to agree with Richard! The change of camera alone may not be that important. Have you also considered changing your lens? I do not know what you are using now, but they can make a noticeable difference. A faster zoom or maybe a prime can help with sports photos - cutting down the blur and separating your son from the players around him.
 
Their nothing wrong with upgrading,i would say the D200 is better sealed than the other two,also maybe it might be worth saving up a bit more and have a look at the D300 :)
 
buy a rain cover :)

seriously.. i use weather sealed equipment but i still use rain covers.. i wouldn purchase a camera based on weather sealed as its no use to someone like me who would buy a rain cover either way..
 
IMO, the high ISO performance of the D200 is rather poor - one of the reasons I kept my D70 rather than the 200. The D50 is a remarkably capable little body - will (IIRC) take and AF with all Nikon fit AF lenses (again, IIRC, it has the in bodt AF motor) and has a high flash synchro shutter speed (a result of (yet again, IIRC!) a combination mechanical and electronic shutter). Not a massively high continuous fps rate or a fast buffer clearance speed but should be enough for most purposes.

I'm another who would suggest saving for a while longer and leapfrogging the D200 in favour of the D300. Oh, and using a rain cover even if the body/lens combination purports to be weather sealed!
 
All points well taken guys. I must admit I am very happy with the D50 and there are no doubt things about it that I still have to learn. One actually has just popped up in Nods post.... What is IIRC?
Thanks again guys good advice.
 
If I Remember Correctly.

Over the years I have had a D70, D40x, D90 and D300 and I have just bought a D50 for my son to use and the biggest improvement has always been buying better lenses. Having said this I think if you were to save a little more and go for a D300 you would notice an amazing difference. Up to ISO 800 the noise levels are really well controlled and stick a fast lens on the front and for sports you are up and running.

Cheers

Andy
 
Sorry, yes - at my great age (OK, I'm only 49 but it's a lot older than (TBH [to be honest]) I expected to live at a few points in my past!), my memory is a bit flaky on occasion, hence the IIRC (which does, indeed mean If I Remember Correctly).

BTW, don't just take my word on the less than good high ISO performance of the D200 - set it to ISO 800 or 1600 and see what you think - it's your money so your choice! OK for snaps and prints at 6x4 but not so good from A5 upwards. Of course, I'm totally spoiled now with the incredible high ISO performance of the D700 BUT, that's probably nearly 10 times the price of a D200.
 
Paul, I would leapfrog the D200 and go to the D300.
As well as better ISO etc, the D200 is battery hungry (if I go out for a day I will at least be on the 2nd battery). As an example, borrowed a friends D7000 and taking 150 images, the battery level didn't even move.
If you do upgrade, grab a D300 and get a grip for faster fps for the sports.
 
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