JennT Loc: South Central PA

Totally need learning curve-- best to get some help on set up-- Once you get it going you will be astonished and delighted with the images!

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

You will notice the lack of noise.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

There may be Mother's Day/Father's Day sales if you can wait another couple months.

sclay1234 Loc: Ocean county nj

Thanks. I have no plans to get rid of the 200 it's a great camera for me. It just time to upgrade and I wanted the video option.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I had the D200 and went to the D300... vast improvement. I then went from the D300 to the D810. Light years difference. Not sure I know what camera I will jump to next. As for the D500... GO FOR IT! I am sure you will be amazed at the next round of photos you take. A hint though... you have to use it and frequently because there was a learning curve between the D200, 300 and 810. All work great but the array of controls and options on each is different. This will be true between the D200 and D500. Practice practice practice before you try and take once in a lifetime photos of your daughter. Also may want to take the 200 along with you as a back up in case you hit some snags first time out. Good luck Scott.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Due to dropping my D-200 during a wedding, I ended up going to the D7000. I continued to miss my D-200. Eventually, my D-70 back up camera stopped turning on, so I got a D7100 for my main, and the d7000 was the back up. I still missed my D-200. After purchasing the D-500, I feel like I've "gone home" with an old friend. I'm still using the 7100 as a back up, but will more than likely think about a second D-500 within the next year or so, once they come down a bit in price in refurbs. Even if they come out with a D5xx, I'm so thrilled with my D500, I'll continue with this model until there is some reason (that I can't come up with) that I "have" to go with a different body. The 20 mp is plenty for any size photo I shoot. (and I regularly sell 30x40 and 40x60 images)

I can't imagine a reason why you wouldn't be thrilled with the D-500.

The one drawback is the short supply of XQD cards. You may wan to start looking now, and have that before the body arrives. When I got mine, I could only use the SD card (no back up, means no using it during a wedding) and it took me almost a month until they got back in stock.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I had a D200 many years ago. I upgraded to a D3 and the D200 sat on the shelf except for an occasional use with "studio" shots where I could use the on-camera flash as a commander for off-camera speedlights. Eventually I gave it to a kid who was interested in getting started in photography.

The D3 gave me a great advance in capability, particularly with low light (indoor) shots. The D500 will allow you to get more shots where the D200 was marginal.

You might want to put on your wish list a battery grip for the D500. The grip contains a vertical release and other controls that make portrait orientation really easy. No more contorting your hand to turn the camera 90 degrees. It sounds like something you can probably do without, but once you have one you'll love it.

sclay1234 Loc: Ocean county nj

Thank you for that tip, nikon is throwing the grip in for me.
Scott

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Yeah, I have the grips on all my camera bodies, even a spare for the D-200 that I no longer have.
Not only are they handy for vertical shots, and the extra battery capacity (which I find the D-500 doesn't really need, even after all day at a wedding) but they "look cool" too. Whip out a camera with the grip on it, and people will always comment on it. Most "normal people" (non photographers) don't get the difference between a D-5 and a D-500, especially with a grip on it. After all, isn't a D-500, D-495 better than a D-5? LOL

Festus Loc: North Dakota

If you don't know what to expect, you haven't researched the D500 enough. You should probably wait until you know what your needs and expectations are.

sclay1234 Loc: Ocean county nj

Really ? I know what to expect, I have done my research and homework. Just thought it would be nice to hear what other people that have made the move might something better to say then what you have said. Thanks for the good talk. Have a great day.

tomcat

Download Steve Perry's guide "Secrets to the Nikon Autofocus System" tonight while you are waiting to get your camera. This is an incredible upgrade from the D200 and the focus options are astounding. For your daughter's marching band shots, you will need to set up the AF-C/51-points/BBF/Focus tracking with lock on-------these may be Greek terms right now, so you need to get his book and start reading. This is pretty much the standard for action sports shooting. You will absolutely love this camera and be blown away by the images. I would not want to see you disappointed at how complicated this camera is, so please get his guide and starting reading. Enjoy!!

sclay1234 Loc: Ocean county nj

Now that is the kind of response I like to hear thank you very much.

tomcat

You are most welcome. The father instinct in me does not want to see you disappointed or exasperated and so I say to go without abandonment and jump into this camera. It is a technical marvel compared to the D200's that we both had. But it will take a lot of reading to understand it. Also go to Amazon and purchase "David Busch’s Nikon D500 Guide to Digital SLR Photography". It is the best $30 you'll spend and it's a thick book but it is very comprehensive with a logical layman's understanding without the technical jargon. Let us know how you are doing and you can always PM me with questions.