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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
D2H firmware upgrade procedure..
Chris Lekhavanija, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 10:55 PM on 02.06.04 |
->> Finally, I got the conclusion...., yeah.
Just got confirmation from Nikon today, they said, The d2h will be upgradeable over the internet. Typically you download the file and then copy it to a compact flash card. Power up the camera and you are prompted to proceed with the firmware upgrade. Fairly straight forward.
Next is to wait and see when the new firmware will become available for us. |
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Denny Medley, Photographer
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Kansas City | MO | USA | Posted: 11:31 PM on 02.06.04 |
| ->> I just got my D2H this week, and haven't even had the chance to shoot a game (of any kind) YET with it! Can't wait, though - keeping my fingers crossed! |
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Joshua Corsa, Photographer
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Kill Devil Hills | NC | USA | Posted: 12:53 AM on 02.07.04 |
| ->> So do we have an ETA on a firmware update yet? |
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Gene Blevins, Photographer
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Woodland Hills | CA | USA | Posted: 1:38 AM on 02.07.04 |
| ->> Just a FYI...Over here at the paper we heard that besides a firmware update that Nikon is also replacing the chip inside the D2H camera and they are already doing it over in Asia and Japan, I'll try to find out more info at the PMA next week in Vegas to see if their going to do this in the USA? |
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Michael Troutman, Photographer
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Carmel | CA | USA | Posted: 2:13 AM on 02.07.04 |
| ->> You've got to be kidding, a possible hardware recall on the chip?! That would be an astonishing move, let's hope so. After shooting with the camera for two months, there is no question that there are significant color and noise issues that arise in certain situations and are very frustrating to deal with. Between the sensor problems, no D2x announcement and the EOS 1DII, Nikon has a lot (more) to lose right now by doing nothing, imho. |
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Sam Cooper, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Oxford | OH | USA | Posted: 8:56 AM on 02.07.04 |
| ->> That would be incredible. I really hope they fix some of the noise issues and if i need to send in my d2h so they can do this, i don't mind one bit! Keep us updated if you find some more information. |
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Jake Schoellkopf, Photographer
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Albuquerque | NM | USA | Posted: 11:44 AM on 02.07.04 |
| ->> I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the chip recall and user upgradeable firmware. Boy, NIkon would win back a lot of disgruntled shooters if this is the case. If they do the chip recall that would be a complete about face from prior procedures. Remember the D1 "silent upgrade?" They never openly admitted to all those banding and noise problems but would make a modification to the D1 when it was sent in for something else to correct those problems. I sure hope that they come clean... hell, even if they don't and do another "silent upgrade" I'd be happy! |
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Ed Betz, Photographer
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Nesconset | NY | USA | Posted: 12:32 PM on 02.07.04 |
->> I've discovered my own way to "upgrade" the Nikon D2H, firmware, chip, hardware etc.... EBAY! - My personal upgrade included a logo change, white lenses that zoom the other way and soon enough an 8.2 megapixel chip with very low noise.
Sorry, couldn't resist... |
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Chris Lekhavanija, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 5:45 PM on 02.07.04 |
->> Oh, well...
It's a personal preference though. I'm quite satisfied with my set up, D1X + D2H, at this moment. And wouldn't mind at all if Nikon would improve their D2H performance.
I'm glad to know that the D2H is user upgradeable, also glad to hear that they might put a better the chip in the D2H. Good for us.
I know at this moment Canon is ahead, tell you what, I really don't care. I'm happy using my Nikons, I like the feels, the looks and performance (D2H+SB800s combination is a killer). I'm feel more confidence and more comfortable using Nikon than using others brand, that's all. |
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Kevin Saitta, Photographer
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Groveland | CA | USA | Posted: 6:20 PM on 02.07.04 |
->> Chris I second that. Every camera has their problems and I am not going to start the jump back and forth syndrome. I love the D2H camera that I bought 2. And if they do replace the sensor fine that is cool if they don’t I am happy with the results I am getting. The firmware upgrade is another bonus!
Honeslty I have never held a camera that has felt good in your hands as the D2H. It is a pleasure to shoot with.
Kev |
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Colin Corneau, Photographer
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Brandon | MB | Canada | Posted: 6:36 PM on 02.07.04 |
->> I'm more interested in a skills upgrade for me...cameras come and go. But there's always room for improvement in me, I think.
Although some people think I too have a noise issue. 8^) |
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Larry W. Smith, Photographer
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Valley Center | KS | USA | Posted: 7:07 PM on 02.07.04 |
| ->> The D2H is a great camera if you don't like it fine nobody is making anyone buy them. If they have upgrades that's great I think every digital camera so far has had firmware upgrages for them that improved their performance just like a computer. As far as noise goes I'm happy with my 2 bodies could be better and when it is that's great. I have nothing against Canon I think their great cameras and even thought of switching once or twice myself but figured my Nikon's get me pictures. Kinda like a car a Ford will get me across town and so will a Chevy one might be a little faster or fansier but both will do their jobs. I read the article about the SI add on the Mark II and didn't it say they used a gaussian blur to mute the noise, noise at ISO 800 on a raw file they all have it some are better than others but it's still there. Film had grain some better than others but it was still there. I don't understand why people have to put down one system over the other they are both great systems and I feel greatful I have the oppurtunity to use either one with all the benefits they offer all of us. |
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Jan Langsner, Photographer
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Lloyd | AB | Canada | Posted: 8:32 PM on 02.07.04 |
->> Larry, Kevin and Chris! I applaud and second your statements.
The D2H has been just like using my F5 was. A pleasure to use. The end result depends on the person not the camera.
You know it's funny. Back in film days, I would really go off on someone when they said, "you take really good pictures, you must have a good camera." I know I'm not the only one that did that, but in the last couple of years all I seem to hear about is how the camera makes all the difference in the world. NO! It's the photographer! |
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Matt Strasen, Photographer
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McKinney | TX | USA | Posted: 9:33 PM on 02.07.04 |
| ->> Well said Jan, the camera is just a tool. It's the photographer that makes the pictures, be it with a Canon or a Nikon camera. I just got the D2H yesterday, and I think it is a great camera. Is it noisy? Yes, but its really not that bad, at least I don't think so. Justlast week when I was shooting with the D1, I would cringe at shooting over 400 ISO. Now, I don't mind shooting at 1600+1. After all, film was grainy at 1600 and 3200 too. |
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Kevin Saitta, Photographer
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Groveland | CA | USA | Posted: 10:25 PM on 02.07.04 |
->> And the nice thing with the D2H Matt is that the grain resembles film grain not digital noise.
I shoot this camera without hesitation at 1000-1600 and the reults are good.
It is a tool and I am happy to have it. I used to live on 400 and 3200 Kodak B&W films!! |
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Dave Amorde, Photographer
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Lake Forest | CA | USA | Posted: 11:28 PM on 02.07.04 |
->> Yes, I would prefer less noise. But thankfully, software like NeatImage makes most of it a non-issue. My biggest disappointment is with the touchy white balance. Since I usually shoot in indoor arenas with a smorgasbord of light sources, poor performing auto balance is a real PITA.
Other than that, the D2H is pure sweetness. |
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Matt Strasen, Photographer
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McKinney | TX | USA | Posted: 11:57 PM on 02.07.04 |
->> I gotta agree with you Dave on the WB...I've been burned with it twice already. But the noise does remind me of film grain, and that is very nice.
Sweetness is right. |
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Chris Lekhavanija, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 12:01 AM on 02.08.04 |
->> Shoot indoor game with available light at high ISO, 1600 or sometimes even 3200.
(Unfortunately, Fairfax county schools, VA., by rule, do not allow us using flash to photograph indoor sports)
Back home, download images to computer and run NN (Noise Ninja), Then go to bed.
Wake up in the morning, pictures are ready for further edit.
No noise issue...he he he. |
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Mark J. Rebilas, Photographer
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Baltimore | MD | USA | Posted: 12:46 AM on 02.08.04 |
| ->> I totally love my d2h, there isn't another nikon digiral that compares. Regardless what anyone says its noise levels are lower than a d1x, especially with time exposures |
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Ed Betz, Photographer
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Nesconset | NY | USA | Posted: 10:04 AM on 02.08.04 |
->> OK,
Go back and read what I said again. It was HUMOR. But, I know how it is, when I was a D2H owner I was a little sensitive too.
Finally, for the person who marked my comments inapproriate, might I suggest you read the definitions again.
Inapproriate - when checked here refers to:
"Something rude, racist, or blatantly disrespectful. This is NOT used to disagree with a person's opinion"
It was non of the above, it was HUMOR! |
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Robert Longhitano, Photographer
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North Wales | PA | USA | Posted: 1:04 PM on 02.08.04 |
| ->> Come on Guys give Ed a break it was a "tong in cheek" statement. I thought it was pretty funny even though I don't share the same option as him. |
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Colin Corneau, Photographer
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Brandon | MB | Canada | Posted: 1:34 PM on 02.08.04 |
| ->> I'm a Nikon guy, but Ed's still a hero in my books for his amazingly detailed posts on this camera. Lighten up folks! |
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Ed Betz, Photographer
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Nesconset | NY | USA | Posted: 1:59 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Maybe I'm being a little hard on Nikon right now. Perhaps a little history will help. When the Nikon D1 first came out in 1999 (if I remember right), I bought one. The camera produced banding lines that were very clear for all to see. Heck, a company even made software fix called Band Aide to help with this banding problem. At that time, this site wasn’t around, but I described in detail the problems I was having on the Galbraith site. Many people wrote on that board that they were "VERY HAPPY" with the D1 and if there was any banding problem, they didn't see it and it didn't bother them.
You see, they had just spent thousands on the D1 and they didn't want to hear about it.
Every person who wrote that there was no problem was in fact part of the problem. Nikon would read and I imagine they would think, well, the people for the most part are happy. No need to admit anything or fix anything.
Several years went buy before Nikon started changing "oscillator circuits" without ever saying why. They never admitted the problem. It was a problem, there was a fix, but it took Nikon much longer to address the problem, because the masses were saying, I don't see a problem, or I can fix it with software...
My point is, it isn't easy to admit that the camera you just plunked down $3200 for has any problem at all.
Yes, the D2H can make wonderful images and at times it cam make images that look almost as bad as the original D1. Saying that the camera is perfect - or even acceptable when it isn't perfect or at times acceptable is a dis-service to yourself, the D2H and Nikon.
If it works for you and you're really happy with it that is great.
Many of the problems I have clearly documented, on this site and others.
I was a Nikon shooter since before I started shooting professionally. I left Nikon two weeks ago for several reasons, the biggest of which is that the people I was dealing with at Nikon just stopped answering my emails and didn't return my calls.
It was an expensive proposition for me and a decision I didn't make in haste. Perhaps, in the end and at some point in time, Nikon will leap frog over Canon. Based on the last 5 years, I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Finally, to address the question - is it the camera that matters, the answer is yes and no. A talented photographer could make a great photo with a point and shoot, but if you start to lose confidence in your camera, it will affect your work.
Ed |
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Michael Troutman, Photographer
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Carmel | CA | USA | Posted: 2:05 PM on 02.08.04 |
| ->> Exactly. |
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Rob Miracle, Photographer
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Cary | NC | USA | Posted: 3:57 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Ed, I wish you the best of luck in the Canon Camp. I sincerly do. But I know several Canon owners who too have had problems. That aside, I wanted to address a couple of comments you made above.
1. The D1 ocsillator replacment. The D1's hit the street in the Fall of 1999 (October?) I bougt my D1 in March of 2000. My oscillator circuit was replaced in June or July of 2000. It wasn't "years". This repair started showing up in either April or May of that year.
Nikon didn't "advertise" this because it would be stupid of them too. If your not having a problem, why tie up a repair bench fixing it? They only fixed cameras that were asked to be fixed. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Your looking for a conspiracy when there isn't one.
Canon is similar. When the 1Ds came out and was demonstrating CA problems at wide angles. Canon didn't bring the cameras to fix the CA problem. Instead they put out a lens that got around the problem. Only the people that complained got a fix.
2. The D2H has a problem with its LCD and that has caused a lot of frustration around early D2H owners. Somewhere along the way, we have come to believe that we have a RIGHT to call or email Nikon's non-support staff and ask questions. I don't think anyone on this list or anywhere else should be emailing or calling Bill Peckla, NPS director directly about camera technical issues. I'm guilty too. We shouldn't be encouraging everyone else to do so either. There is a right way to get tech support and there is a wrong way. Unfortunatly we have gotten "contacts" outside the normal support branch and we have been abusing them. I used to email Bill all the time about stuff. Finally Bill stopped resonding and I realized after the fact that I abused my connection.
Now for practicality on information flow in a large international corporation. Nikon USA takes a complaint. They filter out what is real and what isn't. The real complaints have to get translated to Japanese and sent to Japan where they are having to deal with all the different Nikon branches sending in reports. Many times, these reports are incomplete, poorly translated, etc. Someone at Nikon Japan has to filter through them, again seperating out real problems from ones that should have bene resolved elsewhere.
Finally, the complaints make it to the Engineering staff who have to figure out how widespread a problem is. Decide what kind of fix, if any is needed. Then the fix has to be engineered and run through testing to make sure it doesn't break anything and that it really fixes the problem. Its then put into the patch kit. When enough of these fixes are accumulated in to one patch kit that is tested and working, then it gets sent back out to the Nikon branches like Nikon USA. They have to translate it all from Japanese (who's transltor is busy translating stuff to go to Japan) to English and then they have to repackage it for our consumption.
In other words, this doesn't happen over night. I would expect a firmware patch perhaps 6 months after the release unless there is a major bug (like it keeps switching languages uncontrollably). I also don't expect to get a direct answer back from Japan about a question I asked either. You let them know what problems you are having. Work around it if you can. When the fix comes out, and the fix takes care of your problem, you update. |
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Michael McNamara, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | USA | Posted: 4:29 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> "A talented photographer could make a great photo with a point and shoot, but if you start to lose confidence in your camera, it will affect your work."
Ed, you are exactly right. I'm still shooting with a DCS 620, and with its constant back-focusing, crazy noise above 640 ISO, slow FPS, long shutter lag, slow buffer and horrible flash metering, I have begged my editor for a D2H since it was introduced. It's now on order. |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Philadelphia | PA | US | Posted: 4:36 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Rob...you make some good points. However most of us in the US could care less about stuff being translated to/from Japanese. That's just the way business is done. You wanna sell a ton of cameras in the US? Speak/Read/Write English. Im very sensitive to this becuase I went through the proper procedure with a question in December...it took Nikon USA 3 weeks to get back to me...they cited the fact that they did have the manual, only that it was in Japanese and they couldn't read it.
My one problem with Nikon is that I simply don't think that Nikon Japan listens to the consumer. They might listen to some of the "big boys", i.e. Sports Illustrated, AP, etc. but they definitely don't listen to the average joe photographer. Have you ever heard of a person that sat in on a focus group with Nikon? |
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David Wagner, Photographer
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Lenoir | NC | USA | Posted: 5:31 PM on 02.08.04 |
| ->> I only have one point to make...green cast in jpgs shot with the 1D. I traded emails with Chuck Westfall and the only answer I, or anyone else to my knowledge ever got was to white balance with a gray card and that would take care of the problem...The only problems was that I and everyone else was using custom wb and shooting gray cards on site...still green. You caould apply a custom tone, which solved some problems but created others, or shoot RAW files. Has this changed yet? Why hasn't Canon acknowledged the problem and come up with a fix. Ultimately that's why I switched from Canon to Nikon. (well the overall image quality is better through Nikon optics, if Canon switched mounts and could provide jpgs without the cast of the dead... |
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Ed Betz, Photographer
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Nesconset | NY | USA | Posted: 5:47 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Rob,
As far as the people I was dealing with at Nikon, They were the people I was told to contact by people in the service department.
As for the other points you addressed, you're right about one thing, every system has good points and bad points.
I'm not sure that in the long run that this will have been the best decision only time will tell. I am looning foward to having 8.2 Megapixels. |
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Chris Lekhavanija, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 6:10 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Guys, don't take it too serious.
Camera , no matter what brand, is one of our tools for making picture (I rather use a word "making" than "taking" now a day though).
The key is to master your tool as if it's a part of your body, know every functions and features of your tool, use it wisely. Make the tool works for you, help you achieve your goal (make good pictures and more money, he he). I think, that is important. |
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Robert Dall, Photographer, Assistant
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Portage la Prairie | MB | Canada | Posted: 6:45 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> I don't own a D2H I don't know anyone in my area who does yet and I have never seen one in person because I live in the boonies and the camera shops in Winnipeg don't think they would be able to sell one if they brough it in on spec. (seriously)
But lets say you purchased a car and it had a recall notice on it. If the problem didn't effect you would you still return the car for the replacement part.
Oh course you would, it would be silly not to. I had many problems with my D1H but since it's last and fouth time to the shop in less then a year it has been working with out delay. Although if their was a problem with a 3,000 dollar camera I did just purchased I'd like to know about and get it replaced or fixed. As these camera are of higher cost then any 35mm SLR film camera you'll ever purchase would you accept it if something was wrong? |
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Robert Longhitano, Photographer
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North Wales | PA | USA | Posted: 6:47 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Chris,
That's very true but at 8.2 Megapixels and 8.5 fps that one heck of a "tool"!
;-) |
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Chris Lekhavanija, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 7:45 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Rob D,
I agree with you. That's why I try to update with Nikon regarding to the firmware and so on. I'm happy with the result from the camera at the moment but I won't be hesitate at all to send it back to Nikon, if there will be anything to make the camera perform better.
and Rob L,
I love to have both the speed and resolution, and hopefully Nikon will come up with something close to that and plus other good features from the D2H. Then it'll be the time to give my D1X a long vacation. |
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John Lea, Photographer
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 8:32 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Ed:
Your comments are right on....I think some people are being blinded by the lack of cash in there wallet after buying the d2h. The d2h seems to compete with that 2 year old canon. As for me I am a nikon guy...for now. I believe that nikon was forced to do some because of all the great,honest posting that were made. When you buy someing new it should be better than old....nikon should take a good hard look at digital program "check nikons history" it's not the best as far as there digital cameras go. I think this nikon launch is equal to the ps2 launch of some years ago......if anyone remembers.
For all of those people that love there d2h that's great....for all of us who watched and waited for the posting to come in....we truly thank people like ED and everyone else that paid there money and said nope it's not good enough....try again. As shooters we all need to hold are camera companies in check.....there should be a reason that we pick pro series gear....
thanks for letting me sound off
john lea |
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Larry W. Smith, Photographer
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Valley Center | KS | USA | Posted: 9:01 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Let me see from what I understand from a couple of the posters here is if we like our D2H cameras, then we don't know what we're doing and are to stupid to realize we are shooting bad images. After being blinded by the lack of cash in my wallet after a month of shooting with my first D2H I was so blinded I bought another one with that empty wallet. I am feeling much better now that I've been told I my pictures are bad and I am too stupid to make a decision on my own about the gear I use everyday.
You know if you don't like how an apple taste then don't eat it, but don't try and convince everyone else that apples taste bad just because you don't like them. What I can't figure out is why some people try and convince others to follow them no matter if those people are happy were they are.
This post was started as people discussing firmware and I'm sorry it has gotten turned into something else. |
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Charlie Hicks, Photographer
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Papillion | NE | USA | Posted: 9:25 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> I have the D2H, D1X, and D100. I love the speed, handling, ease of use, big LCD and overall results from the D2H. I have experienced some problems that I'm working out in post on the NEFs.
That said, I greatly respect Ed in who he is, his word, his hard work trying to make the D2H work, and his sharing his knowledge with all of us in the process. He's been in the business a lot longer than me and is willing to take the time to help us all.
The fact that he made the switch speaks volumes to me.
Besides sports I shoot wildlife and some weddings (sometimes one in the same??!). The D2H is fine for most sports, most wildlife and lots of candids. But when it comes to the large group formals or team shots it is a bit shy on resolution. The Canon 1DS and now the new Mark II would be great for this purpose.
My concern: "where is Nikon right now?" What products will they be releasing in the near term (summer and into fall)? Will they have anything equivalent to the Mark II or even the 1DS? Will it be another two years before they match what Canon is offering now? How much market share can Nikon loose before it's too late to respond?
I can pick up a used 1DS now between $5,0000 and $6,000 (just passed one up) and the Mark II in early summer for $4,500. Or I can just wait and get two Mark II's. The 1DS is real appealing, though.
Should I start the change now? Is Canon glass as good as Nikkor glass? I have heard it isn't quite a good. I have so much invested in good Nikkor glass now I hate the thought of selling it and replacing it. Will Nikon be there with higher-res bodies in the next 6 months, year?
I know, megapixels aren't everything, but they sure make a difference in some applications such as the studio and large group or team shots. Or even scenics destined for large prints.
Can I make do with what I have for now? Yes, I have been. But at what point is the law of diminishing returns going to hit if I do switch to where the value of my current equipment starts dropping significantly? Should I start the move now?
Anyone have a 1DS they want to sell?
Charlie |
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John Lea, Photographer
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 9:37 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> charlie:
You hit the nail right on the head.....Larry I'm soory if I offened you, or anyone else. If you look at all the posting and "who made them", you have to believe that that nikon has came up way short on this.....The question I have can nikon answer? and how soon?? If nikon is going to bow out in the years to come should we start switching now???
john lea |
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Charlie Hicks, Photographer
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Papillion | NE | USA | Posted: 9:41 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> Just one more comment and bringing this thread back on track:
If Nikon is seeing a loss of market share (and they are) and they have plans in place to upgrade firmware, offer additional products to bring them up to par with the competition, and generally compete with equivalent technological updates, then wouldn't it be to their advantage to stop the bleeding and loss of business by saying something about their plans?
Shouldn't they start marketing their strengths big time in whatever feature/benefits they do have over Canon? Shouldn't they start conveying to the market that they will be releasing a firmware update for the D2H in X amount of time to help calm the masses and build the confidence of those that bought it?
What is the future of LBCAST? I think the D2H handles great. Is LBCAST with some tweaks to address the current issues capable of 8 - 10 Megapixels? Tell the world they have it the lab.
IBM used to market rings around their competition with inferior products but they kept their loyal customer base because they took care of them (at a cost, of course). Perhaps some lessons to learn?
I'll be quiet now. Sorry for the long posts.
Charlie |
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Matt Strasen, Photographer
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McKinney | TX | USA | Posted: 9:46 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> I wish Nikon would fix the quirks in the D2H. I have realized them in the three days that I have shot with it. BUT, it is a lot better than shooting with the D1. $3,000+ is alot of money, don't get me wrong, and I am very intrigued by Canon and the Mark II, but for someone that is less than two years removed from college, switching systems right now is ludicrous.
I am very happy with my D2H, and not just because I just dropped alot of cash on it. I think it is a great camera, and like any camera, it has things that need to be worked out. If firmware does not correct these things, then maybe I might need to start thinking about switching, but right now, I am happy with the upgrade over the D1. |
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Ryan Van Scotter, Photographer
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Laguna Beach | CA | United States | Posted: 10:15 PM on 02.08.04 |
->> I just want the Firmware upgrade so I can maximize my cameras potential. It's just amazing to see how the Canon v. Nikon rivalry emerges in these messages. I find it entertaining to say the least. So please stop reading my message now unless you want to know my reason for choosing Nikon.
I exercise my rights as a consumer and buy products from companies that I beleive in and I avoid companies that I don't. When it comes right down to it Nikon and Canon produce great cameras, and nothing is ever perfect, flaws always exist and improvements will always be made. So when products are virtually disimilar I look at other aspects, the company and their beliefs. Point in case while reading a couple of magazines one day I saw an add that showed at tennis pro and a caption saying "...we see 32 of our lenses dominating a tennis match" and another add paying tribute to photographer Sal Veder and his 1974 Pulitzer prize photo of a returning US POW from Vietnam. In that add Nikon showed what it is that photography can do, not what their equipment can do. The Canon add just showed me how they too love to play in this silly rivalry. Maybe you don't care what I think and you're probably smarter and a better photographer than me, but I believe in Nikon and they belive in photgraphy, not how many lenses they can count.
And just in case someone has some great dirty Nikon add from the past they want to bring up to show me how foolish I was, then let it be known that I made my decision based on what I saw at the time. And should Nikon let me down then I'll make a new decisions if the time comes. Until then I'll wait patiently for my Firmware upgrade... |
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Larry W. Smith, Photographer
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Valley Center | KS | USA | Posted: 11:12 PM on 02.08.04 |
| ->> John Lea you did not offend me, nor did Ed Betz I have spent a lot of my time learning what I know and I will never know or be as good as many photographers on this site but I do believe in myself and my abilities and think I can make my own decision wether my equipment is working for me or not. I have respect for all people and for their abilities, I am greatful for Ed's testing and for all others that did the same. I for one would not have stayed with a camera system that made me as upset as many here have emplied. I owned two D1's and I enjoyed shooting with them was they the best thing out, NO were they as good as the Canon 1D NO but nobody made me stay with Nikon I chose to did I complain everyday about my camera no, it was my choice to stay I was thinking of switching at one time not because I didn't like the images but because I wanted the better speed and AF the Canon had to offer, well now I have it and I'm happy. Bottom line is if you don't like the camera sell it take the loss and move on, if you like it buy another one and keep shooting nobody is making you stay with Nikon if you've been that unhappy with them for the last five years then quit fooling yourself and sell we live in a free country and everyone has that option in their lives, and life is too short to spend it upset and hating a camera system. |
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Jeffrey Racette, Photographer, Assistant
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Montreal | Qc. | Canada | Posted: 10:32 AM on 02.09.04 |
| ->> I justed picked up my D2H on Friday and so far no problems...very nice and what a great change from a D1H/X. Maybe I got lucky or maybe I like all of you out there realize that this is a DIGITAL camera.....DIGITAL and so I realize that NOTHING will be prfect, regardless of the name on the front of the camera. It gets the job done, gets it done fast and does it really matter in the end if it says Canon or Nikon. If they ( Nikon ) up-grades the chip...cool, if they do not, hey I am still ok with that as I find this camera to be great. Hey it's only a camera in the BIGGER picture of LIFE... |
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Peter Aiken, Photographer
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Manhattan | KS | USA | Posted: 2:47 PM on 02.09.04 |
->> I'm very happy with my D2H. I love the feel and the speed of the camera and image results have been great so far. The only problem I had with the camera, was the white balance. I went back to the manual on custom white balance and haven't had a problem since. I just custom white balance when I shoot indoor events and the results have been great. If Nikon offers some firmware updates to the camera, I'll be more than happy to update the camera.
I was a Canon user for about 15 years, going back to the Canon F-1 when I was a photographer in the Navy. Canon cameras were great, but what made me change to Nikon was the glass. When I looked at what I shot with Canon glass and what I shot with Nikon glass, the Nikon glass was sharper.
I just look at it as, I'm very lucky to do something I enjoy doing for a living, taking pictures, and not sitting behind a desk all day! |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 3:58 PM on 02.09.04 |
->> Japanese companies are something else. Either they are a lot like Nikon - very low key and secretive - or they're very aggressive.
Most are quiet and very low key - at least the ones I'm acquainted with in the real world. I have experience with them as suppliers.
If you read Ed's complaints - it was Nikon's attitude more than anything else. That's something that's easily correctable - but you "gotta wanna" in the first place. The question is - does Nikon "wanna"?
My only complaint with my D2H has been when it was VERY cold out and I was shooting a guy who was sitting in a sauna, he would get out and go snow mobiling or do the polar bear thing and jump in the lake (it was zero out to 10 above) the images appeared to be blurred/out of focus with a 70-200 f2.8 Nikon lens. Not sure if it was the temp, the steam coming off the subject (he was wearing a swim suit - that was it) or what..or the nut behind the viewfinder. |
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Mark Bialek, Photographer
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Kalamazoo | MI | United States | Posted: 10:27 PM on 05.20.04 |
| ->> I've been shooting daily newspaper stuff with the D2H for about 6 months now. I like the camera a lot but the D1H is still sharper. Where I really see a difference is in sports, and I've shot tons of it. Stuff just is not totally sharp. Outdoor sports with great light should yield at least SOME tack images. It's acceptable but could be better. Back focus is also an issue at times. Hope this firmware thing is real. |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Ontario | CA | USA | Posted: 11:05 PM on 05.20.04 |
| ->> I got mine two days ago and have shot one playoff game with it, and I am just so pleased with it, images are great and my client loved them. I have not missed a step with the D2H,and that is all that matters. Yes, I am a longtime Nikon user and my wallet is not empty and anytime a firmware upgrade comes along I am for it. |
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Bob Warner, Photographer
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Maysville | KY | USA | Posted: 11:38 PM on 05.20.04 |
| ->> Several photogs, including myself, had the beta version of the firmware upgrade loaded at the Kentucky Derby. Some had it done at The Masters. The tech rep had it on a cf card and it took about 5 minutes. It addressed some color issues and focusing issue. This is my second D2h. The first one was replaced and I can tell you this one is a different creature. I would not, and do not, hesitate shooting at 3200 at any time I need. Love the camera. Wish I had another. I shot Canon for 26 years and switched when the D1 came out. My thought, I'd be happy owning either one. Bob |
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Chris Lekhavanija, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 11:56 PM on 05.20.04 |
| ->> Good news..good news.. |
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Mark Bialek, Photographer
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Kalamazoo | MI | United States | Posted: 11:57 PM on 05.20.04 |
| ->> Did they replace your first D2H because of the problems? I'm considering contacting a rep to see what can be done. |
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Rick Rickman, Photographer
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Laguna Niguel | CA | USA | Posted: 12:04 AM on 05.21.04 |
->> I'm sure that Nikon is broken hearted that Ed has changed brands. This is the same guy that has always had the best interest of the industry of photography at heart. (Naught) Incidentally, humor is the only thing that is more subjective than photography itself.
I think it's safe to say that when people on a public forum chime in with personal opinions it's always best to consider the informational source.
Some people are valuable sources of information and some people just love to hear themselves chirp.
Rick Rickman |
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