Jumping Ship

Sorry Canon, but the allure of the D300 beckons me... Well, not yet...
I'm currently using a 1D2, 400 f/5.6L, and a 24-105L. Obviously since I subscribe to this forum, I am primarily a Nature Shooter. And let me say that if not for the great Canon 400mm I would probably already have gone to Nikon. I am just worried that I will get buyer's from losing my 400. Has anyone that made to switch weigh in on some options for me or what they did? Keep in mind that $1400 is probably the most that I will spend on a lens at this point in my life (college coming up soon). What would be a good package for me assuming that I switch? Thanks for the help guys, I'll elaborate if more info is necessary.

Hi Brian I did make the change close to a year ago. The D300 is one fine camera.

I do miss two lenses from the Canon lineup, the one you mention and the 70-200 f4.0 IS. For replacing the 400 5.6 I would suggest the 300 4.0 It works very well with converters both 1.4 and 1.7 I usually carry it all the time either over the shoulder along with the 600 VR or in a pouch/vest.

Excellent flight lens and good for macro. Versatile !!!

btw might want to check out all the features of the D300 The ability to make up to nine exposures and blend them is a neat feature !! Can download the info from the Nikon site Hope you make it over to the dark side !!!

Hey Brian, I will be out there in July you are welcome to try my D300. I will email you when i am there if you have time we can get out and shoot!

I have been using Canon DSLRs since the D30 was introduced in 2001 or so and I now use both systems.

Robert

Thanks guys. I will definitily take you up on that offer Robert. Thanks for helping out guys. I am certainly leaning towards the Dark side with their excellent systems now. I just hope that I can still keep a good system for not so much $$.

Just out of curiosity, what is driving you to switch in the first place?

I wanted a large crop sensor camera with excellent AF, high resolution, and 14-bit images. I don't have $$ for the 500 and 600mm lenses due to college coming up so the crop would help me quite a bit. Also, i have always liked the colors produced by Nikon.

Sounds to me like you should look at the Canon 40D. It has very good color, is 14 bit and has a larger crop than the dark side. Also has a high FPS.

Bill

The only thing about the 40D is it's AF sensors. I just couldn't make the jump down. I use all 45 points frequently, so I'm not going for the 40D

I own the 40D and the D300 and there is no comparison between the 2 when it comes to AF.

The 40D is a good camera but it is severely handicapped by the entry level AF. The D300 AF is excellent and better than any current Canon IMHO. Also the 40D is really only 6 fps vs the advertised 6.5 and the D300 can go up to 8 fps with the grip. BTW I know the D300 fps drops with 14 bit settings but I dont see any gain with 14 bit so I dont use it anyway.

Anyway they are both good cameras but one is outdated and under gunned.

Robert

Sorry to jump in on a thread several days old, but I just wanted to add a couple thoughts. Since Brian mentions twice up above that he will soon be going to college (this fall?) I'd just urge him to very carefully weigh his finances. If you determine a switch to Nikon and the D300 is financially feasible without sacrificing your education, then maybe that's a move you should make. If the financial picture is not crystal clear then please hold off a little while. Chasing equipment can become a huge financial drain and not something that you want to take too lightly...there is no reason you can't continue to take great photographs with the 1D2 as long as you keep practicing and improving techniques. Good luck!