Nikon D300... still worth to buy?

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Hi Friends,

I am on the way to change my photo gear to Nikon. As I am pretty sure which lens to procure I am still hesitating which mid level body to choose.
Earlier I had two ideas: D300 with the crop factor and D700 with the beautiful 14-24mm lens. As time goes by over those products (bodies), especially the D300, and the purchase is still ahead I am thinking to wait a bit for the successor.

Anyone has an idea when it should be expected? D300 announced on Aug 2007 while the younger brother D700 last July. I guess D300 should be updated soon but could this happen still in 2009? How do you see it clever buying D300 now in the first half of 2009 considering that an update should come sooner or later. I don't wanna raise rumor on the possible products but I wanna know other's opinion if it is reasonable to buy a D300 in 2009.
I would like to avoid the situation when I buy a relatively old model (old at least in the digital world) then within a few months the successor is shipping.

Any idea or input is greatly appreciated.

Szimi

[Randy Stout]

Szimi:

I have both the D300 and D700. They both have their roles. If you do a lot of bird work, you need a crop body. The D300 is the current king of the DX hill in Nikon. My guess is that there will be a replacement in the next year, but this is uncertain.

The D300 is a very capable camera, and I have really enjoyed it. When the light is good enough, and I need the reach, I will use it over the D700 with a TC.

Its high ISO performance is adequate. The dynamic range isn't as good as the D700, but probably no crop body will be with the current state of the art.

Its really a question of your need. If you need a crop body now, its the best choice. If you don't need it now, then wait.

Cheers

Randy

[Bill McCrystyn]

Hi Gyorgy.

I recently changed over to Nikon from first a Canon 20D & then a 40. Shooting BIF is my thing so the reach was a big factor in running DX. Noise and MP was my real complaint. The D300 for 16x20 prints was my answer solving both prior problems. I am using a 200-400VR with a 1.7X that gets me out to 1022mm and at ISO400/800 is quiet as a mouse. I avioded staying with Canon on the 50D after hearing of continuing croma noise problems in the shadows. I couldn't be happier with my decision. 8 fps with the battery pack and very fast "stays locked up AF".

With any body you buy it will shortly be replaced. The question is, have you got enough to do the job you need. After that, glass is really the key. As far as FX goes you might want to look at a good clean used D3 like Al's or elsewhere over the 700.

Good hunting - Bill

PS. My step dad came from Budapest during the Hungarian conflict and has been an American citizen for over 30 years. He still has family in Hungary.

[Juan Aragonés]

Szimi you can´t go wrong with bothe bodies. State of the art machines. Yesterday I spend some hours shooting with the D300 and I am really impressed with the quality of the files this camera produces. Very fast AF performance and terrific screen. I am very tempeted to order one but I miss the "pro" feeling of my D2X. On the other hand, instead of the fact that it is full frame, I absolutely love the D700, much better building, more like my D2X, and much better performance in terms of dynamic range, AF and high ISO (too bad that it is not a APS body).
Considering the price of a brand new D300, and the nice price of an used one, you can´t go wrong with that body.

[Fabs Forns]

I am selling one D300 with 17k actuations if you are interested.

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Thanks for your offer.
Could you clarify what 17k means :D In my terminology 17k means 17.000 :D :D

Szimi

[Fabs Forns]

Thanks for your offer.
Could you clarify what 17k means :D In my terminology 17k means 17.000 :D :D

Szimi

yes, 17,000 actuations :)

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

By the way B&H offers it for a total of $ 1,598.70 incl. shipping costs to Hungary so not sure I understand the 17,000. :)

Szimi

[Fabs Forns]

Szimi, first, the camera is gone.
17,000 refers to the number of clicks you used in the shutter and something everyone wants to know when you buy a used body.

Hope this explains :)

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

:D :D :D :D
Sure helps... never tried to buy a used body so I am a virgin :) Sorry for that.
What is the price for a used?

Szimi

[Fabs Forns]

They run between $1100 and $1500, depending on the extras included. Mine had the motor drive and the D3 battery adapter, plus 4 batteries (two of each) and it went for $1400