upgrading to Nikon D200, any advice?

[beagle2]

I am most likely going to upgrade from my current Nikon D70 to a D200 within a week or two. I will be buying from Discount Digital Photographics - a grey importer in Nth Sydney that provides Aus warranty back through them (rather than go to the service centre direct). I may also get a AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF DX VR (haven't fully decided yet) which is a step up from the el cheapo Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G that came with the D70.

I've heard tons of good things about the D200, like that many photogs claim it's the best camera they've ever owned. I've also heard good things about the store, including a recommendation from another photog who buys all his gear there. But before I fork over my cash, does anyone else have some wisdom to share with me?

[The Duke]

provides Aus warranty back through them (rather than go to the service centre direct).

Provide an Australian warranty? or they send it back to the country of origin where the warranty is valid?

[sneekers]

its International warranty.

i buy my canon gear from them, just recently bought a 580ex and canon 100mm macro lens

[The Duke]

Does everyone here buy from them?

I've bought a few things from them just yesterday :lol:

[beagle2]

Re the warranty, the way that he explained it was that they buy an Australian warranty for the gear (at least with Nikon gear that is, may be different for Canon as they do say on the site that warranties vary between brands). You return the defective gear to them and they send it to a local repairer. Anyways I believe that Nikon gear is generally rock solid (touch wood) but then I wouldn't want get the lemon that escaped quality control.

[bassfreak]

I also own a Nikon D70. Got it when they first came out. Am hoping to upgrade to th D200 sometime soon!

Check this guy out, very good prices

www.photobuff.com.au

I'm also hoping to get a Nikkor VR 70-200 f2.8 from this guy as well, looks like a very nice lens!

[ghettro]

I would love a D200, I am just so used to solid metal bodies from my film days so moving to a plastic D80 was a change. Yeah, buying from dd photographics means that Aus warranty is void, dont know what country they import from. I think the warranty they have is from this place called Mack or something. Havent had any experience with them. Have you considered digitalrev.com?? its $1700 body only
http://www.digitalrev.com/en/product_details.php?item_id=982&currency_code=AUD
They have a good reputation, official nikon warranty is still valid, you have to send it to HK though.

or ECS is good http://www.cameras.net.au/ they have 2 years warranty with any new Nikon gear, that is offical Aus warranty. $2200 D200 body only

[rancho]

ive bought gear from both photobuff.com.au and digitalrev.

personally i wouldnt buy anything more than $1000 from overseas because you have to pay gst when it arrives so ends up costing about the same as an aussie distributor.

was very pleased with the service i received from both companies but.

[Hobietje]

I have the D70s and will be upgrading to a D200 someday soon myself I think. Re. the lenses, I haven't tried the 70-300mm you mention but I can highly recommend the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-200mm/f2.8. It it fairly expensive, but is incredibly sharp and with f2.8 gives great bokeh and allows you to shoot in low light conditions (e.g. concerts/festivals). Also, check out prices on Vanbar, they're pretty good from time to time... can't post the url, so PM me or google it.

[beagle2]

I'm not comfortable buying this type of thing direct from overseas, I have this sneeky suspicion that 20,000,000 GBP is going to end up in my bank acct LOL. (Though I do buy books from Amazon and lingerie for the Mrs from the US all the time, I just draw the line here.)

Vanbar is really good for accessories and other gizmos but they can't match DD for cameras and lenses, since they go through the Aus distributor.

I've heard that the 70-200/f2.8 VR is excellent but alas it is mucho grande $$. And I use the 200-300 range more than the large aperture - but maybe I only do that cause that's what I've got. I've also heard that the 18-200/f3.5 VR is an excellent all rounder, but I already some great lenses in the 18-105 range, and the 70-300 outperforms the 18-200 at longer focal lengths, so I guess that's the decision made for me.