MarcSummer of 2009, I had just switched from a Nikon D70 to a D300. Heavier, but still doable, I’m 6’4 and my hands are notoriously big. The D300 was a joy and we went on many adventures, projects in places and climates that would have bricked many cameras of other brands.
In 2011 or so, I got to borrow a D700 with awesome glass, but I gave it back, as I figured the smaller D300 would meet my travel requirements much better. And how much difference do 2 megapixels really make? It’s still a Nikon.
Generally speaking, I’m easily satisfied with a camera. Over time, I don’t mind the perceived limitations, after every other ‘latest, greatest’ iteration being launched. Of course, talking about a timespan of 15 years, I regularly surrendered to ‘progress’, certainly when mirrorless cameras arrived on the scene. Samsung, Sigma, Sony. Professionally, I worked with Sony and Fujifilm. Magic reliability vs magic colours.
A few years ago I finally recognised the unmatched character of the older cameras. No, not out of nostalgia, but only from comparison and stepping out of your bubble. It had become clear as day to me that today’s gear has become stale, with features increasingly getting in the way (the Efficiency Paradox). Not in the least, the development of lenses wasn’t to my taste, flat and boring. I craved 3D pop, smooth renditions and real colours.
So in 2023 I bought a D200, to kick off with both the CCD goodness and massive limitations. Oh, the fun! I matched it with all my old Nikon SLR glass and got me some G-lenses for dirt cheap. It quickly became my daily and guilty pleasure.
Earlier this year I remembered how intriguing that short stint with the D700 had been and I figured its popularity back then would make today’s availability and pricing very appealing. The YT-algo caught on quickly… so fast, in fact, it got me worried for a second. ‘Legend’ was the number one keyword. Uh-oh.
Well, I managed to circumvent the hyped and inflated deals and I nailed a good one. 2010, 51k clicks, with a 24mm AF-D. I still had the 85mm f/1.8 AF-D and the 50mm f/1.8, aside from all the F-glass.
Its heft is very serious, the colours are real and the rendition is old school silky and poppy. I absolutely love it.
I traded the D200, 6 DX and 2 Canon EF zoom lenses, as I didn’t see the point of those anymore and my wallet would still have something to show for :).
Given the first week, I can proclaim that I’m extremely satisfied for the foreseeable future. I’ll keep you posted on how that goes…
