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D3 or D300

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Pedro Dias

Pedro Dias

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If you take a moment to ignore fullframe and dual CF cards,

what reasons are left for me to buy a D3 instead of a D300?

I am considering both, but I'm having a hard time finding good arguments for the D3, at least at my current level of photo amateurism. It is easy to argue in favour of the D300, price for one, also that my zoom lenses loose the range that I've become used to, and that a few of my lenses, including the 17-55 f/2.8 aren't made for fullframe.

The description of the D3 also includes much positive talk about the sealing and metals used in the body - is it so that the D300 is more plastic?

I appreciate all your input.

--
http://www.digitaldias.com
 
I'm sure there are many threads on this issue and many reasons fro someone to choose one over the other.

I have both and both are excellent cameras. I've used the D300 since December and just got the D3 last week. I bought the D3 for it's performance in low light. I shoot a lot of weddings in churches that have much less light than I would like and the D3 gives me the extra ISO performance that I need for those situations.

I'm also looking at a studio that is not quite as wide as I would like, so I knew that not having the DX crop would give me some more flexibility with my lenses.

If I were a sports shooter, I would also be pleased with the high speed--9 to 11 fps is very fast.

Having said that, the D300 creates excellent images as well, and is definitely not plastic. It's very well built and worthy of consideration.
 
I read Thom's early review on the subject, but the new search feature here on DpReview is hard to find good threads on the subject.

I am not a pro, only a very, very avid hobby photographer. I do have some good glass lying around already that I can use. Occasionally I will do a baptism or wedding, but for the most part, I will be using my home studio, or go outdoor to take macro images, or shoot animals in motion.

Is the focus THAT much faster on the D3? If I buy the D300 it will be at the same time that I also get the battery grip.

--
http://www.digitaldias.com
 
I have never used a D3 (I have a D300). The two reasons I would love to get one are high-ISO performance and ability to shoot wide.

Having said that, I as an amateur, I would never consider spending that much on a camera.

I can't imagine that the build quality is any better then the D300. The D300 is a tank.

Michael

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelthek/
 
I don't think that the D3 is justified by any of the uses that you mention. The focus is faster but I notice this mostly when shooting in darker situations.

I'm not sure what animals you are shooting, but I would imagine that the D300 paired with a good lens in the daylight is going to work great for you. Plus you have the extra reach with the DX crop factor, so that's a plus in that line of work.
 
Most of us amateur photographers use the camera for vacations and kids and then view the photos on a 19" monitor or develop, at max, a 10x14, so the D300 is perfect.

I was in Luxor and saw this German guy with the full gear, D3, 70-200 2.8 on the camera, probably another 2.8 in the bag, plus tripod, etc. etc. and in the heat and long walks, he was suffering. Then I saw the photos he took, full face portrait of his subject filling the entire screen and you would never know where the person was so could have just save the time and money and stayed at home to take the photos.

I have the D300 and love it but my photos are marginally better than the ones I took with my old D70 which I loved for its size and versatility but hated the auto-focus points. I also took some great shots with my old Canon G2!

The person behind the viewfinder makes the photo and not necessarily the camera. Save the money and go with the D300. Left over bucks can go to the fantastic SB800 and Adobe Lightroom software. Also the D300 is cheaper so you won't feel so bad if you drop it or something.
Best setup, D300, 70~200VR, SB800 and Adobe Lightroom!!
 
Max of 10x14????

I've made prints from my D300 on an Epson graphics printer 36 inches wide and even up close the detail is sharp. 10x14 isn't even a challenge for the D300.

Unless you are a pro there is no way to justify a D3 except by saying "It exists, therefore I want one."
waltersun64 said:
Most of us amateur photographers use the camera for vacations and
kids and then view the photos on a 19" monitor or develop, at max, a
10x14, so the D300 is perfect.
I was in Luxor and saw this German guy with the full gear, D3, 70-200
2.8 on the camera, probably another 2.8 in the bag, plus tripod, etc.
etc. and in the heat and long walks, he was suffering. Then I saw
the photos he took, full face portrait of his subject filling the
entire screen and you would never know where the person was so could
have just save the time and money and stayed at home to take the
photos.
I have the D300 and love it but my photos are marginally better than
the ones I took with my old D70 which I loved for its size and
versatility but hated the auto-focus points. I also took some great
shots with my old Canon G2!
The person behind the viewfinder makes the photo and not necessarily
the camera. Save the money and go with the D300. Left over bucks can
go to the fantastic SB800 and Adobe Lightroom software. Also the
D300 is cheaper so you won't feel so bad if you drop it or something.
Best setup, D300, 70~200VR, SB800 and Adobe Lightroom!!
Click to expand...
 
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