D300s now? Or wait?
Thinking of a D300s. Looked at a D800...maybe in another life? Any real advantage with a 300s over my D200? I'm a hobbyist at best.
Thanks guys
Lyle
Thanks guys
Lyle
Gear: D200, G9, Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6, Nikkor 35 f/1.8, Vivitar Series 1 28-105 f/2.8-3.8, Sigma 18-200 f/3.5-6.3
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Comments
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
Having said that, if a D400 happens it will be an AWESOME camera too, with incredible steps forward if it is anything like the D800. It may not be as FPS-intensive as the D300s, (8 FPS with a grip) ...but it could rock in every other respect.
I'd wait, if only to see if a D400 can cause the price of a used D300s to drop like a rock.
The only reason I'd go for a D300s now is if I found a screaming deal on a mint condition one, and / or if I had a ton of work / shooting to do with the camera in the next few months.
Of course let me make one thing clear- I'd MUCH rather have a D700, compared to either a D300s or a D400. But that's just for my line of work, which is low-light photojournalism and portraiture. In that respect, the D300s can't hold a candle to the D700, and the D400 may also fall short depending on the ISO performance and overall reliability in low light.
Sorry for only adding to the confusion!
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
I used a D700 and both D7000/D300s, and I really enjoyed that the D300s had the same layout as the D700.
But I favored the lighter D7000 when I was travelling..
For what it's worth, I got rid of the D300s and kept the D7000.
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
Really the only reason to go with a D300s over a D7000 is, control and performance. If you need 8 FPS and you need certain functions of the pro body button layout & customization, then you need at least a D300. However for most casual shooting, and even professional shooting, a D7000 is probably the best camera on the market.
A D400 would surely beat the D7000, however. Again, the main reason to go with a 3-digit series Nikon is the affordable pro-grade control and functionality. If you'd rather save some weight, size, money, ...and yet not forfeit any bells or whistles, then the D7000 is it...
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Thanks for all the input.
Lyle
Nikon states weather-sealed magnesium body.
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
The D7000 is a perfect "adventure" camera thanks to this rugged construction, however it still forfeits a few of the functionalities that a D300s would provide. Personally, I prefer how the buttons are laid out on the 3-digit series bodies, in fact almost moreso than the 1-digit flagship series bodies.
But, if you're not the type to need all sorts of nerdy customizations at your fingertips, a D7000 is not going to feel like a shortcoming at all.
The one main feature I miss on a D7000, FYI, is the one-click zooming during image playback. On the semi-pro bodies, all you gotta do is tap the joypad center button and you get 100% image playback zoom, even off-center if you used an off-center focus point. Super handy for shooting in any fast-paced situation. (Which happens to be how I make a living, lol...)
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Lyle
http://www.youtube.com/user/NYCFilmmakersGroup
http://www.meetup.com/NYC-Filmmakers-and-Actors-Meetup-Group/
Was it announced by nikon?
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
So, it'll shoot fUll frame with the correct lens, otherwise cropped frame? Just looked it up. Release 13 September. Sneaking it in between the D300s and the D800? Will there be a place for a D400? I'm waiting to have a look at the 600.
Lyle
Even if a D600 comes out at around $1999, which it certainly could now that the D700 is discontinued, the lenses required to take full advantage of the FX frame will cost hundreds more. (A couple / few thousand, by the time it's all said and done...)
Yes, you can set the camera to automatically crop to a DX mode when a DX lens is used. However it is a little difficult to go back and forth between shooting full-frame and trying to remember to frame your subject within the little DX box outline that shows up in your viewfinder. I've done this before and it makes precise composition kinda tough.
But of course these are not long-term reasons to avoid FX, only short-term reasons. The only reason I'd like to have a D7000 and a 16-85 DX, for example, would be portability and affordability. No matter how small and how cheap they make the D600 and the 24-120 FX, the DX equivalent will always be smaller and cheaper.
Also, the last thing to consider is that the D600, like the D7000, will miss out on a handful of the flagship-style control buttons and customizability / functionality. Personally for me, this is a deal-breaker for my full-time work, (weddings and other active type things) ...and almost a deal breaker for my part-time hobbies. (Nature and architecture, but also various types of action...)
Sorry for perpetually trying to muddy the decision making! Just remember, there will always be a new camera worth waiting for; but each day you wait you may be missing out on something. Or, just get out there with the gear you've got, and keep shooting until something comes along that you just KNOW you need, even without seeking advice from crazy people like us!
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Lyle
http://www.youtube.com/user/NYCFilmmakersGroup
http://www.meetup.com/NYC-Filmmakers-and-Actors-Meetup-Group/
I have a 300s, what is the joypad your talking about? One click zooming, i didnt know about this feature? Please explain!
Nikon 18-105mm,Nikon 18-200mm,Sigma 24-70mm f2.8, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
http://LouRusso.SmugMug.com
Just my advice.
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
Thank you
Nikon 18-105mm,Nikon 18-200mm,Sigma 24-70mm f2.8, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
http://LouRusso.SmugMug.com
Lyle
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735002-REG/Nikon_25468_D7000_DSLR_Camera_Body.html
http://www.adorama.com/INKD7000.html?gclid=CLim9ZWxmbICFYhFMgodmDEAjg
http://www.tallyns.com/tpp/amazing/itemdesc.asp?ic=25468&eq=&Tp=
http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/nikon_d7000_16_2mp_dx_format_cmos_digital_slr_with_3_0_inch_lcd_body_only_/nz0701
Each of the above are legitimate Nikon dealers with an excellent record of service, before and after the sale. None are able to offer the price that you quoted but I can vouch that you will get a very fair deal from all of them.
Be sure to check out our threads:
Buying a Camera? How To Not Get Ripped Off.
Where to Buy and Where to Rent, Thread Index
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Lyle