hello D2H, nice to meet you

DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
edited January 5, 2006 in Cameras
50187636-M.jpg

looking forward to some good times together :D
Erik
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


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Comments

  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2005
    Man would i love to own one of them....you can keep the turtle neck though :uhoh
  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited December 30, 2005
    Humungus wrote:
    Man would i love to own one of them....you can keep the turtle neck though :uhoh
    You can own one too. :D

    In the swap, I'll basically lose one lens (from 3 to 2). With D200 fever really gripping everyone, I practically stole this one, it's MINT!
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • robscomputerrobscomputer Registered Users Posts: 326 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2005
    I would like to hear your comments on this camera compred to your previous Canon. The D2H is a really nice camera, good price in the used market as well.

    Rob
    Enjoying photography since 1980.
  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited December 30, 2005
    I would like to hear your comments on this camera compred to your previous Canon. The D2H is a really nice camera, good price in the used market as well.

    Rob
    Gimme a couple days. I have a decent zoom coming in the mail (maybe tomorrow), but I started this thread hoping to fill it in with some reviews later.

    Initial impression, though:
    1. fits my hands very well, the XT was just too small, but that was my error in not trying it out.
    2. lighter, much better handling than 1DmkII. I now have a day shooting with both bodies, and you can keep that brick of a Canon, even if the sensor is better.
    3. I love having a switch or lever rather than menus. I bet I'll be able to do everything without taking my eye out of the viewfinder in no time.
    4. 2 control dials are awesome, right hand does everything. Manual shooting will be much easier than on 300D, 10D, and XT (all I've owned).
    5. viewfinder is SO bright and clear! In all fairness, I think this is true of most all pro-bodies, but this is my first. Not fair to compare with Rebel's and 10D's here.
    6. AWB is better than my Canons were. First shot out of the camera is the one above, and it was on Auto. It was taken in my bathroom. Typically, all my Canon's would have produced a nasty yellow cast in there.
    7. Auto exposure is more right on (I ran -1/3 EV almost all the time with my Canons, to compensate when shooting in A or S priority, on the D2H looks like it'll stay on 0)
    I have a lot to learn. And to reiterate, I never owned a pro Canon body so its almost not fair to compare this machine to a 10D or Rebel XT. I did shoot with a mkII, but only for a day.
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • marlofmarlof Registered Users Posts: 1,833 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2005
    Dude, that camera looks good on you. I know what you mean when you grab a camera, and it just feels right. I had the same thing with the Olympus E-1. I tried a 20D in the store, and I thought it was just the DSLR thing that made it feel weird, coming from a prosumer. But when I grabbed the E-1, I felt right at home. Nothing like new gear to spark the creative juices, so I'm looking forward to your shots with this thing.
    enjoy being here while getting there
  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited December 30, 2005
    marlof wrote:
    Nothing like new gear to spark the creative juices, so I'm looking forward to your shots with this thing.
    me too! lol3.gif
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • 3rdPlanetPhotography3rdPlanetPhotography Banned Posts: 920 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2005
    It looks "almost" as good as a 20d would look on you! Congrats though if it makes you smile. As for the turtle neck... I own them too. :D
  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited December 30, 2005
    It's actually not a turtleneck, it's a zipup fleece, sorry to disappoint you all. Pretty much all I wear in the winter. I usually look like EMS or REI threw up all over me.
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • DanielBDanielB Registered Users Posts: 2,362 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2005
    :nah i'm disapointed in you erik... lol


    tisk, tisk, tisk... going to nikon.:crazy





    all i can say, is that once that 20D replacement hits the market this is gonna be youuuu... :bash




    lol3.gif
    Daniel Bauer
    smugmug: www.StandOutphoto.smugmug.com

  • david_hdavid_h Registered Users Posts: 463 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2005
    Smart move. I've always been impressed by what those 4MP can do for me.

    I currently use a D2H and D70 and I'm looking to get a new body before the next wedding season. Despite all the hype, I'm not convinced that a D200 is the way to go and I'm seriously thinking of either a D2Hs or finding a good slightly used D2H.

    The controls on the D2 series are just great, I felt at home the first time I picked up the camera.

    Have fun!
    ____________
    Cheers!
    David
    www.uniqueday.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2005
    Congrats Erik. You will love this camera. This is the best handling camera I have ever used. I had a chance to try out a D200 this week and I'm staying with the D2h.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • JusticeiroJusticeiro Registered Users Posts: 1,177 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2005
    Harryb wrote:
    Congrats Erik. You will love this camera. This is the best handling camera I have ever used. I had a chance to try out a D200 this week and I'm staying with the D2h.

    That looks like a really nice camera. And you are right, once you get away from menu based controls, its hard to go back. I would be worried about the 4mp though, let us know how the resolution is in real life.

    Then again, some of my best photos were taken with a crappy low mp Finepix s5000, in my pre-SLR days.
    Cave ab homine unius libri
  • StefStef Registered Users Posts: 225 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2005
    Congrats on making the switch! Like everyone says... it's not the gear, it's the photographer. Nikon, Canon, Olympus... just have fun with what you have! ( I'm a Nikon person, but hey... it just felt right ):D
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,938 moderator
    edited December 31, 2005
    Looking forward to the new stuff Doc!

    I was having a conversation with one of the guys at work about this very
    same camera. I sure hope he picks it up as it's a nice camera.

    Ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • ScottMcLeodScottMcLeod Registered Users Posts: 753 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2005
    Justiceiro wrote:
    I would be worried about the 4mp though, let us know how the resolution is in real life.
    .

    Remember, 3 megapixel is like 8x12... so 4mp is like... 10x13.

    More than enough for most printing uses... just nothing too huge, and in that case, you just put a big matte on the photo rolleyes1.gif
    - Scott
    http://framebyframe.ca
    [Bodies] Canon EOS 20D - Canon EOS 500
    [Lenses] Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 - Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - Tamron XR Di 28-75mm f/2.8 - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
    [Flash] Sigma EF500 Super DG Flash
    [Tripod]
    Manfrotto 055 Pro Black
    [Head] 484RC2, 200RC2
  • SeymoreSeymore Banned Posts: 1,539 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2005
    Right on DrIT... Fit you well. Looking forward to seeing your results.
  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,245 moderator
    edited December 31, 2005
    Well gosh darn it Erik, happy new year with your new toy!
    My Smugmug
    "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited December 31, 2005
    Thanks all!

    Now if only I didn't have fluid in my inner ear causing everything from chewing to turning my head to feel like a hot iron poker is being shoved in my head. Can you believe it? 27 years without one, through colds and flu galore. This week, very minor cold (and I get lots of them) and I get my first ear infection. Hoo ray.
    umph.gif

    Scott, glad you pointed out the 4mp thing for those who are in doubt. I've only printed one photo larger than 8x10 in the past three years, so I traded mp for speed and handling. That was basically what made my decision for me. Frankly, now I really scratch my head and wonder why people who shoot with a Rebel XT need 8mp for.

    But anyway. I've got a few pages left in the manual, and then maybe I'll see if I can muster up some good equilibrium for some shots.
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • JabbaJabba Registered Users Posts: 40 Big grins
    edited December 31, 2005
    Hey Eric- Nice choice! I'm currently starting my due dilligence on a Dig SLR set-up. Going back to the Alps with Gringo and his wife in September...gotta capture some of the riding over there! I've been looking at the 20D and the 5D- but the 20 has never really turned me on that much- and the 5 is just too big for my needs. I'd wreck the Rebel in short time. It feels way too small to me, and I just don't like plastic cameras. I'm now thinking of going with a 10D for a start and then maybe adding the 20D's replacement sometime down the road. A 10D for about $700 is a heck of a bargain from where I sit- and it's the right size and "feel", too. What do you think- having owned the 10D and now the Nikon- stay Canon or switch and start from scratch with Nikon stuff??? I've got a 28-105 USM and a 100-300 USM that I really like- so I'm motivated to stay with Canon and add a third zoom with a wider field of view.
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2005
    got an Hs some months ago.

    No regrets not a one !!
    Just need more glass :D
  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited December 31, 2005
    bfjr wrote:
    Just need more glass :D
    don't we all.
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited December 31, 2005
    Jabba wrote:
    Going back to the Alps with Gringo and his wife in September...gotta capture some of the riding over there!
    Lucky. My dad is planning a Norway tour this year, but I don't think I'll have the funds to go along.
    I've been looking at the 20D and the 5D- but the 20 has never really turned me on that much- and the 5 is just too big for my needs. I'd wreck the Rebel in short time. It feels way too small to me, and I just don't like plastic cameras. I'm now thinking of going with a 10D for a start and then maybe adding the 20D's replacement sometime down the road. A 10D for about $700 is a heck of a bargain from where I sit- and it's the right size and "feel", too. What do you think- having owned the 10D...
    The 10D was a great camera, I really liked it. I shot great sports with it, but one day, on a whim, I decided I needed better high ISO performance but couldn't afford a 20D (which are now a dime a dozen), so I got the XT. The XT was neat, but its one I'll regret. Then again, without it, I may not have the gun I do now. 10D's are a deal, sure, but the 20D feels virtually the same - almost all the command dial actions are the same - and its clearly a better, faster camera. Wait just a little bit longer and you can get a 20D for probably $800. Granted, at that point, you'll be able to get a 10D for even less.
    ...and now the Nikon- stay Canon or switch and start from scratch with Nikon stuff??? I've got a 28-105 USM and a 100-300 USM that I really like- so I'm motivated to stay with Canon and add a third zoom with a wider field of view.
    Stay Canon.

    Did I just say that? Of course I did. My decision was based on some real reasons, and some whim. First and foremost, I wanted a pro-body, and Canon's pro-bodies didn't do it for me. The 1D was less than stellar, the mkII was still way too much $$$, and they're both bad-handling compared to the D2H (IMO). If I didn't get this whim of needing a pro-body, I'd most likely have a 20D right now. Luckily, lenses hold value, and I had 2 decent ones, so I was able to swap without a huge loss.

    So I got to do some more shooting today. No post processing yet, as I'm concentrating on learning the camera today. It really is FAST! I had to do the machine gun trick, man, its SCARY! The dog ran to the other room! I left it on high, and after that, had a really hard time squeezing off just one frame.

    More later.
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited January 2, 2006
    Some sample photos... I just cross posted the portraits, but these are from a hike today. Most (except for the one closer portrait) have almost no post work done to them - except for raw conversion. I'm very happy with the colors I'm getting from the D2h. The AWB puts the Canons I've had to shame. Sharpness and contrast are also quite good, I found myself making much fewer adjustments in these two departments.

    50703343-M.jpg

    50701800-M.jpg

    50700809-M.jpg

    50702010-M.jpg

    the clouds were closing in (big storm coming) from the time we left the house, so these last two had some nasty gray light to deal with

    50700486-M.jpg

    50701156-M.jpg

    who looks more unhappy, T or Gus? lol3.gif
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • JamesJWegJamesJWeg Registered Users Posts: 795 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2006
    Congrats, I love my D2H, and as of a few days ago D2X. mwink.gif The D2 body is just a dream to use. FYI, I printed this photo

    http://pics.jamesjweg.com/gallery/626351/1/26553240/Large

    at 10X15 and while I can see that it is pushing the limits for the D2H most non- photographers would not notice.

    James.
  • JohnRJohnR Registered Users Posts: 732 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2006
    Congrats! Glad you were able to get a D2H. Sorry I couldn't sell mine at your price, but I'm sure by now you understand. :):

    I still have mine and have decided to just use it.
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,938 moderator
    edited January 3, 2006
    Doc, you need to feed the dog something...he looks skinny :uhoh

    Nice looking colors too. Gotta admit, out of the camera, it looks pretty
    good. However, I'm curious what, if any, in camera processing is done?

    Ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited January 3, 2006
    ian408 wrote:
    Doc, you need to feed the dog something...he looks skinny :uhoh

    Nice looking colors too. Gotta admit, out of the camera, it looks pretty
    good. However, I'm curious what, if any, in camera processing is done?

    Ian
    the dog's only ours for 2 weeks. He's weird, never had a dog like this, he grazes. You fill up his bowl in the morning and he picks at it over the course of the day, so I keep it full, but its weird. All my dogs got their meal, devoured it and counted the minutes to the next one!

    As for the D2H, the first 2 in the above set were JPG, so yes, there's a boatload of settings in there for in cam processing, I have most of them on default. However, the rest were RAW, and really, I only tweaked exposure a bit. For the most part, WB was spot on (I used AWB).
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • patch29patch29 Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 2,928 Major grins
    edited January 5, 2006
    Time to start saving for your new D3H. deal.gif:D Who doesn't love rumor season? Where are all the good Canon rumors. headscratch.gifear.gif
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,938 moderator
    edited January 5, 2006
    patch29 wrote:
    Time to start saving for your new D3H. deal.gif:D Who doesn't love rumor season? Where are all the good Canon rumors. headscratch.gifear.gif

    Interesting. But hardly new. Canon's is a remote device that pops under the
    camera. But then I think that's ok as I don't believe you're going to find many users
    that need that instant upload feature. So why pay for it?

    The large LCD would be worth it (having just tried out the 1dmkIIn's new large
    larger screen).

    What I like about these rumors is that they tend to keep mfg'ers working on new
    an better features. In some ways, win-win regardless of the brand you shoot with thumb.gif
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,938 moderator
    edited January 5, 2006
    DoctorIt wrote:
    the dog's only ours for 2 weeks. He's weird, never had a dog like this, he grazes. You fill up his bowl in the morning and he picks at it over the course of the day, so I keep it full, but its weird. All my dogs got their meal, devoured it and counted the minutes to the next one!

    As for the D2H, the first 2 in the above set were JPG, so yes, there's a boatload of settings in there for in cam processing, I have most of them on default. However, the rest were RAW, and really, I only tweaked exposure a bit. For the most part, WB was spot on (I used AWB).

    Dogs and cats are different. Leave a 50# bag of dog food out and the dog looks at it
    like it fell from heaven and will eat every last morsel as quickly as possible. Cats on the
    other hand will eat as required for as many days as the food lasts. So you're right,
    that's one weird dog.

    Those are great colors for just a bit of tweaking. Have you tried bright blue skies or
    large amounts of green yet?
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
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