Nikon D300/D3 users question?

[Gene C. Callison]

For you guys and gals using the new Nikons, what is the big attraction to the D3 for wildlife or isn't there any? I read a couple comments mentioning buying the D3 over the D300 for bird shooters. It seems like the D300 would be the top choice here since they have the same focusing system. The full frame would be frequently used with a TC where the D300 with a 1.5 crop built in should focus better and be better optically. Or possibly it is the pixel size? Just wondering, I am thinking of buying one or the other to fool around with. Which one should it be for wildlife mostly?

Gene

[Larry Daniel]

The advantage for the D3 is the high ISO capability. The advantage for the D300 is the crop factor. Preference may depend on whether one has long enough lenses or can get close enough to the subject without the crop factor. If not then the crop factor may be preferred unless one wishes or has to work in low light situations.

[Alfred Forns]

Gene I have both You are right about the AF system It is the same Other than that they are very different

The D3 has the best ISO performance on the planet Can shoot at 3200 and have keepers Withe the D300 prefer not go over 800 but under good condition s1250 is fine The image quality is not the same on both Also is you shoo in 14 bit the D300 slows down to 2.5 frames per second

It is nice having the crop factor and at times I will use it as a converter Use the D3 most of the time One good feature of the D300 is the built in flash which allows me to use the remote flash without the commander unit !!!

btw if you could send me your full name will be doing the update , Thanks

[Fabs Forns]

If you don't need the extra reach, the D3 wins hands down by far. Image quality and real high ISO capabilities make it my choice, unless I know birds will be real far away. You can't go wrong.
I can tell when I see my image which camera was used without looking at the EXIF ;)

[George DeCamp]

....for small birds and no 600 a D300 is awesome. For bigger birds and other larger wildlife the D3 is just plain sweet. Depends on where you live, what you like to shoot and what else you may use the camera for.

I kept my D2x for the little stuff. Same battery, same feel as the D3 so good for travel, etc.

[Rene de Heer]

I have been debating exactly the same. The D3 seems to have a better high ISO performance but to be honest i dont care about that much as i never shoot anything over 400ISO. Saying that the D300 has also a good higher ISO performance. Another factor was the crop factor. I prefer to have more compact equipment, especially with all the luggage restrictions in europe. I opted for the 200-400 with 2 converters and got myself 2 D300 bodies + drives. It suits my shooting style well and of course the package is very versatile and it all fits in my thinktank rolling case.

Another difference is the fact that with the D300 in 14 bit you lose the high speed drive whereas with the D3 is remains unchanged.Differences in 14 and 12 bit are not hugh if you read the various threads on the various websites.

Both are excellent camera's. I dont see a lot of difference between the 2 to be honest but if full frame is important for you then the D3 is the way to go.If you live in Florida i guess a D3 would be fine as frame filling images are easier then overhere in Europe. In that case i would get a D300. Image quality of both bodies are excellent. Also cost wise: for the price of one D3, you could get overhere almost a D300 and a 300/2.8 VR

Rene de Heer

[Gene C. Callison]

Good feedback all of it, thanks everyone! I am currently using Canon and have been for the last 15 years but I have previously used both systems at the same time . I am thinking of picking up another Nikon body so that I can take advantage of both systems again. So it seems like the ISO on the D300 is good up to about 800, that's usually as high as I go anyway, the D300 is probably good enough if that is the case. I see the Nikon lens line has a lot of open slots. Since I don't earn a living with my camera I will be looking for some decent glass for birding at a realistic price for a hobbiest. Curently I am using lenses from a 17-40L to a 400 5.6 which include a 70-200 F4 is, 300 F4L, 100-400 5.6L. My 1D3 is my most used camera. I was thinking of a 70-200 2.8 VR and a 300 F4 with converters to start. Anyone have any suggestions as far as glass? Thanks again.

Gene

[Ed Erkes]

The advantages for the D300 are lower cost and crop factor.
The only real advantage to the D3 is image quality at high ISO. For me, that is not worth the significant price difference, especially when you consider how quickly new camera models come out. Photography is an expensive hobby and you have to weigh available funds vs cameras, lenses, computers, printers, etc.

The 200-400 lens is a great lens. I'd definitely buy or save money for this lens instead of buying the D3.

[Fabs Forns]

200-400/4 VR is great!

[Gene C. Callison]

200-400/4 VR is great!

Yes Fabs, I know that well;) but how about the alternatives particually those I mentioned. I was at Bosque 2 weeks ago, there was a guy with a D300 that was using a Sigma 100-300. I really don't want to go to 3rd party lenses. I don't believe the 80-400 is good enough for BIF but I could be wrong. How about the 300 F4 AFS for BIF adding a converter if necessary? Anybody have comments on the 300 F4 AFS?

Gene

[Gene C. Callison]

Anybody on the preceeding post?

Gene

[Howard Burkert]

Gene, I feel the Nikon 300mm F4 EDIF AF-S lens is awesome for hand held in flight captures. Also works great with the 1.4 extender. Super fast focusing. Nice and light, you will love it!
Best,
Howard

[Alfred Forns]

Gene I'm getting a 300 f4.0 Agree with Howard !!!

If you use it with the D300 it becomes a 450 f4.0 and with the converter 570 f4.0 Have not tested but will probably do very well with the 1.7X The AF will slow down but totally usable!!!

[Phil Colla]

The 300 f/4 EDIF is one of the real Nikon gems, I shot it on whales and on my boat for years, a great lens.

[Howard Burkert]

Just a added note for the Nikon 300mm f 4 lens.....Make sure it is a S lens if it will be used for in flight images.
Best,
Howard

[Harry Behret]

The 300mm f/4 is a gem! With the D200 and D2X it worked fine with the 1.4 TC but the 1.7 TC slowed down the AF way too much for action shots.

With the D3 and D300 I found that the 1.7 works very well. I would say that's the AF speed with them and the 1.7 to be about the same as the 1.4 was with the D2X and D200.

[Gene C. Callison]

Thanks everyone for your comments..........

Gene

[Meint Sijp]

Hi Gene
Here is a link i just got Dont know if it helps you

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1190999366.html