Returned to Nikon four times as camera would shut down for no reason. It was never fixed. Plugs-ins bent twice and had camera was repaired twice. Rude techs with a "don't care" attitude.
Read the manual a couple of times, it is typical Nikonese.
My D200 sits in the closet, non-functioning.

I recently picked up a D200 used @ B&H and can't be happier. One of the best features on this cammera is the ability to use mannuel lenses. For $600 (used) it's a great investment.

I've used other cameras both digital and film. From point & shoot cameras to digital SLR. I chose to go to digital SLR because I do lot of hi-resolution digital artwork. In March of this year after reviewing the options and budget constraint I bought Canon Rebel XTI or known also as 400D. The camera was small and light, and had SLR type of features and resolution. I even swapped lenses to get a zoom lense and a wide-angle lense. They were both just above a consumer level. After few months of taking picture I started getting little annoyed with the quality and the way it received lights. The colors were bland and seem nothing special, it had good tones like typical Canon cameras but the pictures didn't come out sharp enough for me. The auto-focus was very good but the rest was just blase. I owned Nikon Coolpix 4700 and compared to the picture taken with the Nikon, it fell flat. I decided to trade in Canon with the two lenses for Nikon D200 (I also bought 18-200mm VR and the battery pack). It was a hefty camera for sure but the feel when you hold it, even just the body alone made your senses come alive. It's difficult to put it in words. After taking few pictures both outdoor and indoor, and downloading picture files to my notebook I was completely blown-away by the quality. I'm a visual artist and have worked in the field for nearly 25 years and I must say the colors were spectacular, and the way it captured light. Someone warned me about the lense and camera being made in Thailand these days, however, that's just a myth broken by Nikon quality which has prevailed in this model. After owning other Nikon - I've decided I'm a Nikonian - no other way to put it. All I can say is if you can afford this camera go for it. www.edleeart.com

I was very happy with my D70 , it was fast and lighter than my film Nikons. However, for over 30 years I have been upgrading Nikons - basically for the lenses compatibility they continue to offer.During the 80's I grumbled about having to have my old lenses modified for AI, but the change was worth it when the Auto exposure cameras came out! The D70 made using my old manual focus lenses a chore. The D200 allows me to use ANY AI compatible Nikon mount lens, even say a Vivitar. Just be very careful that there is a proper AI notch on the aperture ring and you are good to go with FULL auto and metering and TTL Flash even!!! I programmed the CUSTOM BUTTON to set up my manual lens settings, and it works great. Incidentally - while the D70 does not offer any metering with non- cpu lenses it does offer the most lens compatibility since it has no AI coupling ring to get damaged.

Only problem is - the newer AF lenses really do work well and make life really painless with the AMAZING FOCUS TRACKING of the D200.D70 not as good here, but still OK.

On the D200 I used my "new" 180 f2.8 IF AFD, which is now about ten years old too, at the 2007 INDY 500 and got great car /accident shots at 5fps in situations where I would not have reacted fast enough with a film camera. Sudden accidents at 250MPH hurtling toward you , all in sharp focus . Wish it had Image Stabilization so I could lose the monopod, but still AMAZING!!!

Only down side for me in D200 is weight, while not as heavy as an F3 or F4 it still weighs almost a pound more than the D70, so if you are planning a hiking trip the smaller D70/ 40/50 may be a better choice if you do not need all the high speed power of the D200. The D200 does offer a larger 10Mp versus the 6Mp of the older D70, but I see no real difference in Image quality yet. I have gotten good 16x20 with both cameras and believe you have to really big to see any difference.

This is a camera for all the guys and girls that want to take it to the highest level. Any camera above this is really for professional Sports level Photographers. All of my photos at ChicagoClout.com are taken with the Nikon D200. Make sure your get the best lens possible, I suggest f2.8 Nikon. I am very happy with the level this puts me at. Patrick McDonough.

This camera is still new to me, owned it only 3 months. I have shot multiple weddings on it, Child photography sessions, Seniors, Family portrait sessions. The camera is great!! I had a Nikon D70 before this, still have it as a backup.
I liked the D70, but this is a strong step forward. The D200 focuses faster and has better exposure control. Simplified controls makes the camera a dream. It is worth while to read the manual for the Nikon SB800 flash and command system, I now want a second SB800. For best sharpness go to the Nikon Pro 2.8 lenses 17-55 & 28-70

I'm a true nikon guy. I'm not a professional by any means. I also own the 8700 & D70s, and all were very good as I learned my way around the shooting and understanding of good photography. It has a good feel and I carry it where ever I go.

Got the D200 last month after doing a lot of reviews of similar DSLRs and I am so happy with this camera. It is certainly close to a pro model camera with a lot of features and things to learn but so far the results have been excellent. It is solidly built and just feels right when you pick it up. I also got the Nikon 18-200mm VR lens (highly recommended) and images are sharp. I am not a pro photographer and this camera requires significant learning to really get the best from it. Highly recommend for serious amateur photographers who want to move beyond the point and shoot stage.

Very reliable and beautiful pix but battery dont last long before req charging. Body too heavy. maybe aimed at male users only. If shootg under "P" without using sb600 or sb800 flash, pic is blur, like slow shutter,not like the previous d50 or d70 i used.

I do a lot of digital potrait photography and weddings. I had the D100, and upgraded to the D200 as soon as it was released. I LOVE it. So much camera for the money. Works beautifully with every piece of equipment I already owned (SB80, Lenses, etc.) LOVE IT! Would definitely recommend!!

After the change from D100 the feeling is excellent. But the top LCD was broken after 10 days of use (not only my problem as Nikon service point said). Very good resolution, nice handling but not an F5 construction

The D200 is certainly an improvement on the D100 camera that I previously owned; it is quicker for multiple shots have a larger buffer for the continuous shooting. There are so many new or improved functions that it is difficult to find something that has not been covered. The camera is light and ergonomically designed. It has a larger LCD display at the rear for image review. Overall Nikon have certainly done there homework to find out what is needed from there camera and it looks like that they have succeeded.

For the money, this is a no brainer. I switched from an Olympus E-1 Pro, which in my opinion offers much better out of the camera shots. The olympus was a dream for me but was unforgiveably slow. I need more MP's. I was used to 5 now I have 10...WOW. I can take a relativley boreing photo and crop out a selection and have a wonderfull picture. I will go back to the olympus system once the e-3 comes out (because of the dust free sensors) but for now I have a great studio work horse. The small sized jpgs are very suitable for everyday use and product shots. I love the camera.

After owning a Canon G-1, then a 10D and a 20D, I decided to switch back to Nikon due to overall quality and lens sharpness of Nikkor lenses. I was a Nikon man all my life (I am 62!). THe Canon 20D was quite good, but all Canons seem to have problems with accurate flash exposures. The D-200 was right on with the pop-up flash and the SB 800 is just perfect. I own he 18-200 ED VR and use it as my main lens. It is very sharp and the focus is right on. I also have a 105 VR Macro and a Sigma 80-400 for nature and sports. I should have bought the Nikkor 80-400 or if I could afford it the 300mm with a 1.4 extender. But it is too late now.

It has been my experience that I post process everything image. I had to USM the Canon images just as I do the D-200's. I like to control how the image looks in Photoshop. It is very important to learn how to use the camera! Most people will never use all the available features.

As I shoot weddings, I have found that the whites are not blown out at all. Many pros are using it as their prime camera even tho they may have the D2Xs.

I never shoot RAW as I don't have the time to mess with it. So far I am able to get a decent 16 X 20 print without a RAW file. I also crop a lot. Learn to expose correctly and to read the histograms! They are there for a reason.

Yes, there are better cameras out there. Canon's 5D is superb and Canon's 1DS Mk II is great. But most people don't have $8,000 to spend on a body. The D-200, therefore represents the best value for your money in my opinion. And the D-300 or whatever will have further refinements that you will not want to live without! <BIG GRIN>

The biggest drawback to this camera is its soft image. There are too few steps in the sharpening function to fine tune the images. RAW presharpening is a must and virtually every shot needs some unsharp mask or sharpening to be useable.

It gives a very good low ISO raw image. The flash is superb but the exposures are tricky. Almost every flash exposure in really low light needs to be compensated by -2/3 to - 1 1/3 stop.

If you are buying this camera, take the time to read the manual. It is normal cryptic Nikon but once you "get it," you get it. Really get to know this camera. Otherwise, you will be frustrated by the image quality and will not know how to easily fix the deficiencies.

Nikon has built a real winner here. Upgrading from a D70 the camera feels and works sensationally. Excellent build quality and like a Mclaren F1 in speed. AF performance is improved from the D70 especially in AF-C mode. Love the 10 mps for cropping and the exposure meter is a hugh step from the 70.

As a serious photography enthusiast, I have owned digital cameras for over ten years, starting with the Kodak DC-50. Over time I��ve researched, recommended and bought numerous digital cameras for work and personal use. When the Nikon D70 came out I scooped one up, delighted to finally have an affordable Digital SLR. It did almost everything I wanted. When the D200 was announced, I was impressed with it��s controls, LCD, resolution and options (like B&W mode) and was very fortunate to procure one over-the-counter nearly three months ago. I am absolutely thrilled with the camera! It��s photos are noticeably superior to the D70 and to a variety of ��pro-sumer�� digital SLR��s used by members of a photography group I belong to. I like the control setup, solid construction, expanded menu controls.

Though I��ve had it only a short time, I��ve gotten some outstanding results. I was able to get a close up (400mm from 20��) of a Blue Heron in a lily pond. The feather detail and color fidelity are amazing. It��s what I refer to as a ��National Geographic�� quality nature shot. I am so looking forward the late Spring, Summer and early Fall seasons because I know I��m going to get fantastic results from my D200.

I found the exposures in the P,A,& S modes to be very good. Focussing in low light was commendable with the new lenses. It took a little more time with the older 28-200 AF D lens & the 80-400 AF VR ED LENS.
Overall a very good performer.

THE BEST DIGITAL CAMERA EVER MADE... COULNDT BE MUCH BETTER.... A+ RATED X 10!!!

Things I like:
Intuitive Controls - Qual, WB ISO etc + one press hold facility in custom set-up;4 presets for White balance;4 preset banks for different shooting styles which you can rename; Vivid and more vivid modes; metering is close to perfect - very little clipping of highlights in any of the RGB channels; produces very nearly realistic colours including purple, but still not up to Canon standards or Nikon D50; Nikon's excellent flash system with pop-up flash in commander mode and SB800/600 flashguns; weather and dust sealing; Build quality except for pop-up flash and on-off switch which are flimsier than my D70S.

What I don't like:
The camera body is too small for my big hands and it is heavy so my fingers get numb;
Native sharpening is way too low - have to use USM and noise reduction post-processing for virtually every shot; Menu system is not logical; Noise at all ISOs levels in NEF Raw files if photo is not exposed absolutely right; Unacceptable noise levels above ISO400 in Raw and above ISO800 in jpeg - really degrades edges in photos; transition in colours and black and white too sudden - does not make for a smooth image especially when combined with the very noisy ccd; focussing in low light without the intrusive focus assist lamp is poor for a camera at this price point; heavy lenses like my 70-200 f2.8G AFS VR Nikkor and my Nikkor 28-70 2.8D AFS do not balance well on this body; battery performance is very poor - I hated this about my D1X (love the D1x more than this camera though); focussing is slower than my D1X in low light even with AF assist lamp which the D1X does not have or need; I get the same resolution (with some interpolation to access the data) out of D1X RAW files as the D200 but they process much faster in Photoshop and Nikon Capture Editor; in-camera high ISO and long exposure noise reduction is too harsh even at low settings and mattes hair and fine detail; viewfinder is nowhere near as clear as the D1X and the diopter adjustment is too fiddly and stiff.

Overall a hugely overpriced, over-rated, over-complicated consumer camera with massive marketing hype and pro pretensions. I would rate it somewhere between average and good but there is something about the camera that makes me want to like it and perfect my shooting. Perhaps once I have set up the presets for the way I like to take photos and thus reduce my post-processing time I will grow to like the camera. Currently I am considering switching to the D2X or switching brands altogether and going for the Canon EOS 5D with the 30D as back up - expensive alternative though.

Nikon user since 1980, When I switched to Digital in 2003 I traded all the F-stuff for 2 D100s. I felt like they were the cats meow, all for a few things. The new D200s are amazing in all the ways that the D100 is lacking. Faster flash sync, a pc for external studio flash, larger lcd display, and better flash metering with the SB800. This camera is the bomb. The only fault I can find is the fact that I couldn't afford two of them.

having tinkered with the D70 and D2x the D200 is very impressive. it has that 'get the job done' feel a lot more than the D70. cause i've become a lot more lazy with framing shots since digital, I really enjoy the higher resolution of the D200 which allows me to reframe in CS2 with minimal loss. my only gripes, which are minor: the on/off switch is flimsy and imprecise compared to the D70 and the MB 200 battery pack quivers a bit when packing a bit heavy lens around (could do with a more solid connection to the camera.

I have cameras from the last thirty years stacked up like cordwood here, and never have I been so excited by a camera purchase.

I have owned a Nikon N70 film SLR for the past 10 years and found that good picture taking required more photography knowledge than I had. I also have less expensive, and simple to operate digital cameras from Kodak, and also a Fuji digital. Therefore, when my husband decided to purchase the D200 as a gift, I was a bit reluctant. However, I cannot tell you how easy it is to use this camera. The picture quality is absolutely out of this world, the thing that makes buying this camera worth every penny. I also find that using the digital lenses generates a much better picture. I love my D200.

This is the best Digital camera for the price on the planet. Pure quality from build to picture, it's amazing. I used to own Canon cameras, and then started having problems at the worst time with the Canon hardware. My buddies use Nikons, and now so do I. The D200 is truly amazing, perfect white balance right out of the box. I will end up with 2 more D200's as part of my inventory.

Thanks Nikon, I can see why you are the world leader in Photographic equipment.

After working and learning digital on a D-70 Ifeel I did not have to go to a DX2 to get the absolute best camera on the market today, Such an array of custom features and ease of handling is amazing. Get one if you can find one!!!

This is a great handling camera with a lot of photographer centric features. The display is a joy to use, the viewfinder is large and bright, and the shutter is smooth, quiet and fast. Mirror lock-up modes, 5 FPS, ISO in the viewfinder, setting memory banks, enhanced histograms, the list goes on. The battery does get eaten faster than the D70, but that is a tradeoff that is easily taken. Playing about with all the features using that big display is a lot of fun. Navigation from shot to shot slows if enhanced display modes are selected, but snappy with less displayed data. The image quality is great. Initial shots show improved tonal gradations and highlight exposures. The compressed RAW files accept large adjustments very well. With Nikon Capture Editor there is good control over all parameters of image quality. A RAM upgrade might go on you list of 'peripheral damage'. For those times when larger enlargements or croppings are in order, the D200 is a definite notch above the D70. The D200 feels like a precise machine, a compliant tool. The autofocus performance impresses, with a lot of flexibility in the modes. Immediately I found the tripod mounting very solid due to the rigidity of the body. This and the brilliant 'Exposure Delay' mode (mirror lockup)created substantially sharper shots with long lenses at slower shutter speeds than the D70.

I've used Nikon Film cameras for 15 years, and have found the hype for Nikon a little overrated. I used Olympus and Kodak digital cameras for the last 2 years, and finally moved up to the D200. All I can say is WoW.......... Out of the Box with minimal setup, the pictures were far superior to any I have EVER been able to get. The 5 fps shoot rate, the auto focus assist light, the 10+ megapixel clarity, and on and on and on........