D200+18-200VR walk-around example

[Franglais]

There's some really useful technology out there today. I just did something that would have been impossible without a tripod if I'd been using film.

On Sunday morning I was covering the arrival of the 30 mile night walk from Paris to Mantes-la-jolie. While I was waiting I went into the Collegiale (13th century) and admired the stained-glass windows. It was really dim but I didn't change anything on the camera. Here's the technology:

Auto-ISO - the camera automatically increased the ISO to 1600 in the dim light.
VR - I zoomed out to 60mm (=90mm in film terms). Shutter speed was only 1/30 so I relied on the VR feature of the lens to avoid camera shake.

Here's the result, with a 200% pixel peep from the center of the field. Note that it's quite sharp and I don't see any noise even on a A3 blowup. Amazing.

Charles

[OBie]

Wow. Nice. As I'm not in the market for a new camera, I was not aware that the D200 had auto ISO. That would be a feature that I desperately need, as I STILL can't seem to remember to adjust it when needed ("I can't believe that there's not enough light in here for this shot!" DUH!). Someday I'll get it. Too many years of shooting film, I guess. I did pass on the many extra $$$ for the VR on my new 70-200. Wish I could have afforded it.

[shutterman]

Charles,

It is nice indeed. I have not experimented with the auto ISO. do you find that combo to be pretty heavy to walk around with? did you get the verticle grip for the D200?

Keep on walkin!

thanks,
Wes

[Franglais]

Charles,

It is nice indeed. I have not experimented with the auto ISO. do you find that combo to be pretty heavy to walk around with? did you get the verticle grip for the D200?

Keep on walkin!

thanks,
Wes

The D200 always seems heavy when I put in in the backpack but not when I have it in my hand.

I use Auto-ISO in my custom programs (pay attention if you haven't used this very useful feature in the first and second custom menus). I have mine set up as follows:

Landscape: 100 ISO, gridlines active, auto white balance
Walkabout: 400 ISO with auto-ISO enabled, gridlines, auto white balance
Flash: 650 ISO, gridlines off, flash white balance
Studio: 100 ISO, gridlines off, flash white balance, built-in flash manual 1/16 power

That covers about 99% of my picture-taking needs. I find I just switch from one custom menu to another according to the situation. The technology is making me lazy..

Charles

[Mr Yuck]

VR is Nikon's version of Canon's IS correct?

Looks good.

[Speed]

Hey Charles,

One of the complaints I've heard about Nikon, is that their VR wasn't as good as Canon's IS. I've also read that while that was true with the old Nikon VR (think 80-400, which I've used, and was impressed with it), it isn't true anymore. The latest Nikon VR systems really deliver, and your photos show it.

My big lens is the 80-200mm f2.8. I would have loved to have gotten the 70-200mm f2.8 VR, but I didn't have the money. Maybe one day...

Thanks for posting this!

[MJS]

Beautiful shots Charles, VR is cool, but out of my price range till the lottery commission does their job right and pulls my numbers.