With the new Nikons out and no successor to the D300s I see no reason the change my D700 with a D800 or D4. The D4 is too expensive and the D800 is going in a direction that I am not too sure that I need. So why not take a D300s as a second body with my D700. The grip and batteries are the same and my lenses can all be used on the D300s. The video is not quite last fashion, but it works for my modest use of it and menus, build, evreything is like a D700. It also makes using only primes easier; a 20mm on my D300 and the 85mm on the D700, I am all covered. I never print larger than A3, so 12mp is all I need, no!? Finally, investment wise, I can hardly get a better deal than a D300s, at 900 used and 1150 new!
Does it sound stupid? What are your opinions?
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1329735432' post='15952']
With the new Nikons out and no successor to the D300s I see no reason the change my D700 with a D800 or D4. The D4 is too expensive and the D800 is going in a direction that I am not too sure that I need. So why not take a D300s as a second body with my D700. The grip and batteries are the same and my lenses can all be used on the D300s. The video is not quite last fashion, but it works for my modest use of it and menus, build, evreything is like a D700. It also makes using only primes easier; a 20mm on my D300 and the 85mm on the D700, I am all covered. I never print larger than A3, so 12mp is all I need, no!? Finally, investment wise, I can hardly get a better deal than a D300s, at 900 used and 1150 new!
Does it sound stupid? What are your opinions?
[/quote]
Why are you in a need for a DX body VL? Are you (like me) frustrated because of the new 36mp and the ongoing discussions concerning 75mb nef files, diffraction limits and motion blurs? If yes, join the club <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />... But still the question, what will the D300s give you , which you cannot get from the D700?
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1329735432' post='15952']
With the new Nikons out and no successor to the D300s I see no reason the change my D700 with a D800 or D4. The D4 is too expensive and the D800 is going in a direction that I am not too sure that I need. So why not take a D300s as a second body with my D700. The grip and batteries are the same and my lenses can all be used on the D300s. The video is not quite last fashion, but it works for my modest use of it and menus, build, evreything is like a D700. It also makes using only primes easier; a 20mm on my D300 and the 85mm on the D700, I am all covered. I never print larger than A3, so 12mp is all I need, no!? Finally, investment wise, I can hardly get a better deal than a D300s, at 900 used and 1150 new!
Does it sound stupid? What are your opinions?
[/quote]
Not stupid - it sounds like the thing to do if you don't want to spend thousands of €
You don't have to spend €€€€ every few years because the manufacturer's adverts say so
Buying digital is like buying cars if you're not careful - the only guarantee is that you lose money!
Go D300 or D300s
The question is: why a second camera at all?
It makes sense if you want to extend the range of your lenses by adding a DX camera. But then the D7000 would also be an option. It couldn't take your accessories (like the battery grip), but its advantage would its small size and weight, offering a more portable option when needed.
Apart from that, I'm sure that Nikon's DSLR portfolio will look different in September <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />
-- Markus
Even if the rumours are slow at the moment, I think a D400 is inevitable. However, that doesn't make the D300 any less great so if it serves a need, why not go for it?
It always come down to what you want to do, but is another D700 an option? Or perhaps going for some of the new toys (and limitations) of the D7000?
I too wonder why the need for a 2nd body? If you have that need, you would know which body would fill that role best, of course.
But didn't you get rid of your D300s almost as soon as you bought it, replacing it with your D700? So something clearly did bother you about that D300S...
If you are in need of a 2nd body, maybe a 2nd D700 might be a better choice?
[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1329741379' post='15961']
I too wonder why the need for a 2nd body? If you have that need, you would know which body would fill that role best, of course.
But didn't you get rid of your D300s almost as soon as you bought it, replacing it with your D700? So something clearly did bother you about that D300S...
If you are in need of a 2nd body, maybe a 2nd D700 might be a better choice?
[/quote]
The decision to buy a second body is personal.
For me, it's a no-brainer - I hate juggling lenses outdoors with my slightly arthritic hands.
Assuming VL has made that decision, the availability of pro-level D300/s bodies at low cost makes great sense (to me). As he already has an FX body then presumably he can make an informed decision.
I suspect he has decided already and needs to convince somebody else too
[quote name='AAC7man' timestamp='1329743153' post='15965']
The decision to buy a second body is personal.
For me, it's a no-brainer - I hate juggling lenses outdoors with my slightly arthritic hands.
Assuming VL has made that decision, the availability of pro-level D300/s bodies at low cost makes great sense (to me). As he already has an FX body then presumably he can make an informed decision.
I suspect he has decided already and needs to convince somebody else too
[/quote]
Thanks AAC7, I subscribe to all you say, including the arthritic hands.My perfect set up is a D300s with a 20mm or 35mm and the D700 with an 85mm, one in my hands and one in my bag. The one in my bag is half the weight of a heavy zoom and takes a lot less space. All my primes now have two focal lengths, vey useful. Same grip is also very useful.
The choice is a D300S or wait for the successor <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />
The successor will most likely be a 24mp DX camera. Are you sure you need/want such a camera?
Personally I see nothing wrong with a good old (and cheap!) D300, which is still my main camera.
I was sort of hoping Nikon would go for a 18MP DX sensor, but there is nothing wrong with 24MP in principle, if that is what it takes to have decent video. But to answer your question, there is certainly nothing wrong with a 12MP D300. Just open any photo mag and count the number of pics shot with a D300 or D300s. I've had one and I loved it and would still love it. I am not in a real hurry, so I can wait to see what Nikon has up its sleeves.