Its old, only 2.7 megapixels, was a news paper’s camera and I bought it off of eBay for only $440! The body is a bit banged up because this old Nikon D1H was in serious use, and still is! I have no idea how many shutter actuations, but I would guess a LOT more than I would like to know.
It quickly replaced my new Nikon D70s, of course the D1H is a pro body and compared to the D70, well, there is no comparison. This is a solid, reliable work horse.
Focus speed of the D1H is lightning fast, faster than even the newer Nikon D2Hs & D2Xs. So far there is nothing Nikon has produced that will focus faster or more accurate than the D1H & D1X, lets wait and see how the new D3 compares in this department. For an in depth review of the D1H click here.
Everything about this old camera in my opinion is perfect. It is a fast camera, in that I mean it focuses fast, can shoot clean high ISO like no other Nikon, (that is until the new D3 arrives and possibly the D300) 5 frames per-second (fast enough for most of what I do), with a large buffer. Its also one of the best JPG shooters I have ever played with. The sensor produces silky smooth noise free images and colours all the way up to ISO 1600, typically I leave it on 500 to 640 ISO most of the time. There is no IN camera noise reduction in this camera, but if needed Nikon NX can provide when necessary.
Auto white balance does a good job, not perfect but if you shoot raw NEF files this is easily changed in the NX software. At only 2.7 megapixels it does have its limits in print size, but if you don’t plan on printing anything over 13″, this wont be a problem. Small files are very easy to work with, but at the same time you don’t have a lot to work with when it comes to cropping an image for print. Basically you need full frame shots (or very close to full frame) to produce large 13″ prints.
At bargain basement prices the D1H is a must have camera, considering these bodies 6 years ago sold for $5,000.00!
Another option, not as fast (3 frames per second), not as clean at high ISO is the D1X body at 5.4 megapixels. For an in depth review on the D1X click here.
If you are looking for a pro body DSLR at amazingly low (dirt cheap) prices look no further!