Nikon D2H - What to use it for?

[raysnkaysmom]

I've grown to love my little Canon Rebel and it's clarity, but we came across a great deal on an older model Nikon today, a D2H full frame.
It has a 50mm 1.8 lens with it...but what kind of shots are these best for? We've heard sports and action...and we can see it with the quick shutter speed, but does that mean it's not going to be much use to us doing still shots, or is it just because we dont' know what we are doing yet??

 

[photo_chick]

How old is your Rebel? You'd probably get better image quality (esp. ISO performance) form a newer Rebel (like the T1i or T2i) than you would with the D2H. The D2H came out in 2003 so it's technology is pretty outdated. Unlike film cameras digital gets outmoded pretty fast. Not that it isn't capable of producing great images, it's just old technology.

The 50mm f/1.8 is an entry level prime. It's wider aperture makes it handy for when you want a faster shutter speed or shallower depth of field.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

How old is your Rebel? You'd probably get better image quality (esp. ISO perfromance) form a newer Rebel (like the T1i or T2i) than you would with the D2H. The D2H came out in 2003 so it's technology is pretty outdated. Unlike film cameras digital gets outmoded pretty fast. Not that it isn't capable of producing great images, it's just old.

The 50mm f/1.8 is an entry level prime. It's wider aperture makes it handy for when you want a faster shutter speed or shallower depth of field.

my Rebel is just an xs... but as my first, I'm happy with it...

We (he/DF) wants something bigger and badder...lol - so he bought this D2H.. but we're seeing the low MP is making for a not so crisp shot...
of course, we've only had it a few hrs...so we'll play with it more tomorrow. It didnt' come with a flash, so we have to get one of those as well....
Just want to know if it will take respectable/beautiful shots?

As far as my Canon..we bought the 50mm...but I'm finding I like the kit lens better, but maybe thats' because I haven't learned the settings yet

 

[disneyboy2003]

We've heard sports and action...and we can see it with the quick shutter speed, but does that mean it's not going to be much use to us doing still shots, or is it just because we dont' know what we are doing yet??

The reason the Nikon D2H is good for sports and action photography is because it can shoot up to 8 frames per second (fps). If you're a Sports Illustrated photographer and your job depends on you catching THE decisive moment in a game (ie. NOT the 1/10 second before the moment, and NOT the 1/10 second after the moment), then you NEED the 8 frames per second.

If you have the Canon Rebel T2i, on the other hand, you're shooting at 3.5 - 4 frames per second. If you're serious about sports & action photography, this may be slightly too slow for you. However, for general everyday folks, this should be plenty enough speed.

Just because a camera is "good for sports & action photography", doesn't mean it can't take other photos, too. It's like saying a Porsche sports car is super fast on the freeway, but asking if it's okay for everyday driving around the neighborhood or to the grocery store.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The D2H was a cool camera in its time, but that time has long passed. I don't think it was full frame, but I might be mistaken.

 

[VVFF]

The D2H was a cool camera in its time, but that time has long passed. I don't think it was full frame, but I might be mistaken.

Correct, not full frame

 

[photo_chick]

We (he/DF) wants something bigger and badder...lol - so he bought this D2H.. but we're seeing the low MP is making for a not so crisp shot...
of course, we've only had it a few hrs...so we'll play with it more tomorrow. It didnt' come with a flash, so we have to get one of those as well....
Just want to know if it will take respectable/beautiful shots?

That depends entirely on the photographer. The camera doesn't make the shot, the photographer does.

 

[mabas9395]

That depends entirely on the photographer. The camera doesn't make the shot, the photographer does.

On some forums, those are fighting words.

 

[photo_chick]

On some forums, those are fighting words.

Probably. They're are many forums full of camera snobs who hide behind thier equipment. It's one thing to love high end toys, it's something else to insist a certain level of equipment is necessary.

My recent obsession with a Kodak Brownie has reminded me once again though that the camera really does not matter.

 

[handicap18]

The D2H was a GREAT camera body when it first came out. It was a top of the line model for Nikon and was considered a "Pro" body. It is quite a few years old an has been upgraded a number of times since then.

The 8fps will definitely come in handy for sports or other action shots (ie: birds in flight).

To get a better understanding of it, check out dpreview.com's review of it. They pretty much go over it with a fine tooth comb.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

The D2H was a GREAT camera body when it first came out. It was a top of the line model for Nikon and was considered a "Pro" body. It is quite a few years old an has been upgraded a number of times since then.

The 8fps will definitely come in handy for sports or other action shots (ie: birds in flight).

To get a better understanding of it, check out dpreview.com's review of it. They pretty much go over it with a fine tooth comb.

Thanks!

 

[Geoff_M]

My D2h is my back-up body, but it still gets use. I use it as a 2nd body every year at the Indy 500. As long as you don't need high ISO, it's a great body.