Nikon D2Hchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Many commenters love the moody, contrasty, film-like colors the LBCAST sensor produces, especially for street and B&W photography. Some compare the look to Kodachrome or Provia film stock.

@bigstick5278

Lets not forget the massive inventory of Ai and Ai-s manual lenses that can be used on this camera.\nI use a Nikkor 55mm f3.5 Macro for portraits on a D2H stunning.launch

smart_display

December 31, 2025

@sorbongkiyoshi

I have D2H, D3S, and D300\nD3S is my workhorse, D300 is good for back up or when you don’t want to workout, while D2H produces the colour I liked most. That Nikon in-house lbcast sensor is great, although struggling in low light🥲launch

smart_display

July 16, 2025

@likeawhispr

The D2hs DOES offer clear and sharp photos and does so quite easily. The camera produced sharp imagery back in 2005 and it still does so today. It's a $3,500 camera with Nikon's own LBCAST sensor tech based on CMOS, and in some respects offering better performance over available CMOS equipped cameras of that day. Of course 1600 iso is noisy - but what you failed to mention is that at the time, the D2hs was better at 1600 iso than most cameras on the market. Flat colors? No. The colors aren't flat at all. People today are just used to overly boosted colors by some manufacturers like Fuji. The Nikon D2hs is a very capable camera that easily offers sharp, colorful results to any halfway competent photographer. The camera is extremely capable, and is easily still relevant to day in jobs destined to be used for online imagery. Whether the camera sells for $50 today or $3,500 in 2005/6 doesn't change the camera's excellent performance.launch

smart_display

July 16, 2025

@lanatrzczka

It DOES look like chrome film. With a little color tweaking I bet it could look like Provia even. You have given be some creative ideas, as I already have Nikkor lenses for my F6.launch

smart_display

February 14, 2025

Users repeatedly highlight the D2H's 8fps continuous shooting as excellent for sports and action, calling it 'incredible' for its time and still useful today. The large buffer supports sustained bursts for tracking fast subjects like track and field.

@daveslastchance

I love my D2h and D2hs. I've captured amazing nature photos with both of these cameras. Stay within the camera's limits and you won't be disappointed. I am disappointed that Nikon would release a product with that \"ERR\" issue, even tho' it's not a big deal in actual use. The lab rats who review this camera and love to trash it seem to forget that it is what it is. At the time, it was a great pro sports camera with its 8fps and build quality. Interesting discussion about the infrared. I wasn't aware of that.launch

smart_display

January 27, 2026

@bigstick5278

Were talking 2003 era.\nAnd that is exactly what it was made for PRESS and Sports..\nGet the Image send it off to your papers sub location get it in the paper or Magazines small format.\nSlight noise wasn't an issue on a front cover of Sports Illustrated, U.S.A. Today or Time magazine.\n4\"X 5\" size wasn't an issue on page two of the news paper.\nNo one who reads the magazine or paper never even noticed, it was the story and the Images were just the part of that.\nSo don't snub the beauty of the D2H it had it's place.\nWhen it comes to sports 8fps meant when a Soccer player missed or hit their mark the expressions on their face was important, 2.5 second lag could mean a better than good photo or the greatest thrill or disappointment moment captured of that play with 8fps.launch

smart_display

January 1, 2026

@dct124

Just don't go over 800 iso and use fast glass. The camera is ok for online use which is in most part 1mp or smaller files like 600x400. Real estate sites max out at 1.7mp.\n\nThis camera for low light needs f1.8, f1.4, f1.2 or faster lenses.\n\nThe main problem with the D2H is its meter. The only other problem would be the user.\n\nAi within the 2yrs of this video have drastically and quickly improved over that time frame. So much so they can fully repair/restore images.\n\nThe choice of glass is very important as well on a low mp camera. You need pro glass or at least the newest versions of Nikon glass for the f-mount. The 50mm f1.8E or f1.8D are two of the cheapest sharpest f mount lenses from the past that still hold up.\n\nFrom what I saw from your images, you were shooting too slow. If you're ever gonna review old bodies and shoot slow, please use mirror lock up or a stabilizer.\n\nI agree if you're just gonna use it for general use, you're probably better off just using your phone. But if someone is just starting out. I don't see it as a bad camera especially as it can be used for content. 8fps is still 8fps if you actually need it and don't require big files.launch

smart_display

November 22, 2025

@terrygoyan

That was my first real digital camera body. The LBCAST sensor was very good. Of course by todays standards 4 mega pixels is laughable but I had no problems getting 11\" by 17\" prints. Being able to shoot eight frames per second was pretty incredible back then! I really liked the little LCD under the main screen. It allowed easy viewing of camera setting such as ISO. It harkens back to the F-5, which I think is the greatest camera body Nikon ever made. Thanks for this trip down memory lane.....launch

smart_display

November 23, 2024

Despite only 4.1MP, owners have made large prints (11x17, 13x19, 20x30 inches) with sharp detail and minimal pixelation when shooting RAW/TIFF properly. Many say pixel count matters less than composition and story.

@megnatarnorth2879

Thank you for making this review. I just got one in mint condition for not much. At the end, it's more of user than the gear. I've gotten some amazing photos from Olympus E10, which is far less capable camera.launch

smart_display

April 23, 2026

@terrygoyan

That was my first real digital camera body. The LBCAST sensor was very good. Of course by todays standards 4 mega pixels is laughable but I had no problems getting 11\" by 17\" prints. Being able to shoot eight frames per second was pretty incredible back then! I really liked the little LCD under the main screen. It allowed easy viewing of camera setting such as ISO. It harkens back to the F-5, which I think is the greatest camera body Nikon ever made. Thanks for this trip down memory lane.....launch

smart_display

November 23, 2024

@davidjb9199

I have had mine for quite a while now ( about 5 years) and I did not expect much out of the 4.1 MP sensor. I agree that if you shoot over 800 ISO JPEGs there will be noise. At 1600 it is pretty severe. However, I captured a head shot of my dog (filled the frame) at 800, indoors using bounced flash, and as a TIFF file, that absolutely blew me away. I printed it to 13\"X19\" and I would challenge anyone to guess what the sensor size was that captured that image. No pixelation at all, each hair on his face cleanly defined, absolutely stunning. There is something going o with the file processing since these TIFF files seem to larger than the ones I get from my D3s (12 vs 9.4 MB). Of course the detail in the scene influences that heavily, but I have shot enough of each to know that the D2Hs TIFF files are larger. I think what limits the D2Hs is the narrow range of conditions under which good results can be had. As someone else in this thread commented, just get a D3 (I would say D3s) and be done with it. Still have my D3s and will not part with it. I am convinced the D2Hs is a hidden gem if you have the patience to use it in its narrow range of good performance.launch

smart_display

September 1, 2024

@jeffreypetchharrison4363

just got one after watching this only 8200 shots plus 2 batterns and bt unit all boxt 270.00 pounds, thought it was 12 meg but only 4.1 meg but as i art my pictures pixels are not an issue ..jeff .. i shoot raw anyway so 4.1 meg is plenty for thatlaunch

smart_display

December 30, 2020

Commenters frequently report picking up D2H bodies for extremely low prices (25-270 euros/pounds/dollars), sometimes bundled with lenses and accessories, making it an accessible entry into pro-body shooting.

@bigstick5278

I just scored a D2Hs body for $34.00 shipped off Ebay the seller didn't have a battery so was selling parts repair.\nPopped a battery in it right off the top LCD does it's thing hit the menu button the rear comes to life.\nPopped a 32G card in and a 35mm f1.8G lens and By God it works perfectly, has 320k on the shutter but what a beast.\nI own like four other D2H bodies and three D2X and one D2Xs.\nI do a lot of black and white conversion the D2H is already pretty contrasty out of the box gives me nice Street photography images, just enough noise at 400 ISO for that Kodak Plus-X effect good enough for 11X14 prints.\nUse good glass ED or prime on these old birds and you'll be rewarded.\nThe D2h was made for Photojournalism and sports photographers first, when the last film pro was the f6 you didn't need any more than a front cover of a magazine at the time so 4.1 mega pixels was enough.\nThe F5 became the body double for the CCD sensor D1 series I owned a couple D1X bodies the battery life made me sell both in the end.launch

smart_display

June 28, 2026

@TheKafirKing

Great that you criticize the camera, that makes it cheaper for me to get! Now getting one for 100 euro incl shipping, a cf card, a flash, the afs 50mm 1.8g. So the camera itself is about 25 euro. The shutterxount is 45k and it misses a rubber (nothing sugru cant fix). If i like the camera i might try a d3 or d2x toolaunch

smart_display

November 12, 2025

@TheKafirKing

Great video, love the old nikons. Have a few d70’s d200’s and d700’s. I am gonna a buy a d2h with afs 50mm 1.8g with 45k shutter and one missing rubber (gonna use sugru for that), for about 100 euro! Well i cant go wrong for that amount i suppose. Nikon f has some killer deals these day second handlaunch

smart_display

November 8, 2025

@dct124

Last thing, keep in mind that images taken on the Nikon D2H, D200, and some Canons from back then (2004 Summer Olympics) all still self for $150-$500 with the max resolution being around 8mp, but most are 4mp, 5mp, and 6mp in 2023 on Getty Images. Someone might have a Z9 or Hasselblad XD and get a fraction of that per mp. $500 for 4mp vs $500 for 45mp. What matters most, isn't the camera body or the gear, but the moment, and the story being told.\n\nI went through a bunch of images. Guy's were shooting the D200 at 5.5mp for the Olympics and those images still hold up today.launch

smart_display

February 3, 2024

Multiple owners describe the D2H surviving years of neglect, mould, and full water soakings and still working perfectly, calling it a 'tank' and 'the Chuck Norris of the camera world.' The build quality is described as satisfying to hold and shoot.

@bigstick5278

Another misconception that I read is it is not weathered sealed, it is..\nI've also read this in major reviews as well.\nI've taken one apart and it does have rubber seam seals.launch

smart_display

July 5, 2026

@bigstick5278

Wonder if the Lab sensor has anything to do with the ERR.\nSome have speculated it's the board on the shutter.\nNever the less I still use two of my D2H both with ridiculous well surpassed Nikon's shutter life expectancy, I'm pretty use to the ERR.launch

smart_display

January 25, 2026

@SD-ff1je

I got the D2hs when it came out. Today just over 2500 shots. True story. It got mouldy sitting around in a damp house forgotten about. As I have many, many cameras, I thought it was lost when I came across it again. So, I soaked it in anti-mould for 2 days. Everywhere inside and out. Then showered it inside and out. Yes, full shower hot. (nothing to lose). Sat it in a box of rice. Three days later, battery in, lens on. Now sat on my shelf working perfectly. A tank...launch

smart_display

November 28, 2025

@SD-ff1je

In the last week:\nI had a significant amount of fungus in my D2hs after opening the bag. I thought it was toast. So, with the fungus in the sigma 70-300mm lens too, I decided to go for broke. \nI opened every orifice (on the camera, to be clear, lol) and emptied 1/2 of de-fungus spray and let it sit for a day to soak in the bag. The next day I turned the shower on medium and full blast filling said orifices with water for 15 minutes. Battery and card were not in.\n\nI put it in rice for 2 days then left it next to my fan for 3hrs.\n\nBattery in, card in.\nFull function no problems. Result? New camera that's now mint clean, lol.😊\nI DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU DO THIS.\n\nThis is the Chuck Norris of the camera world.launch

smart_display

October 24, 2025

Owners using the D2H/D2HS for sports and track & field note the autofocus remains fast and reliable, supporting the camera's continued use for action photography.

@dct124

Just don't go over 800 iso and use fast glass. The camera is ok for online use which is in most part 1mp or smaller files like 600x400. Real estate sites max out at 1.7mp.\n\nThis camera for low light needs f1.8, f1.4, f1.2 or faster lenses.\n\nThe main problem with the D2H is its meter. The only other problem would be the user.\n\nAi within the 2yrs of this video have drastically and quickly improved over that time frame. So much so they can fully repair/restore images.\n\nThe choice of glass is very important as well on a low mp camera. You need pro glass or at least the newest versions of Nikon glass for the f-mount. The 50mm f1.8E or f1.8D are two of the cheapest sharpest f mount lenses from the past that still hold up.\n\nFrom what I saw from your images, you were shooting too slow. If you're ever gonna review old bodies and shoot slow, please use mirror lock up or a stabilizer.\n\nI agree if you're just gonna use it for general use, you're probably better off just using your phone. But if someone is just starting out. I don't see it as a bad camera especially as it can be used for content. 8fps is still 8fps if you actually need it and don't require big files.launch

smart_display

November 22, 2025

@Alicia-bt6kc

\"I still use the Nikon D2HS for tracks & fields. Its autofocus is fast and the buffer size is large. RAW're very good!launch

smart_display

July 16, 2023