Upgrade to D300 - over D90?

Thanks and your right about the decision between the two relative closely related models and the decision to go in what direction. There will always be something that attracts you to a newer model, such as the video feature in the D90 now, but I am definitely the kind of person who will hold onto a model until I feel there is a definite overall value in replacing. I have no doubt each will suit me just fine and I appreciate your reply as it certainly makes sense.

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated.

squeamish said:

Image-quality-wise there is no difference between the two, especially
no difference that, in the hands of 99.99% of the population, would
show up as a result of the camera rather than the photographer.

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There is a difference when shooting high ISO RAW. It seems that the D300 applies less noise reduction when set to NR OFF, so when looking at RAW files at 100%, the D300 may seem to be a bit noisier at high ISO vs. the D90. What's happening is that it looks like there is less detail with the D90 at high ISO when NR is OFF which leads me to the conclusion that the D90 applies some Noise Reduction even when it's turned off. BTW...both cameras have Picture Control.

squeamish said:

1. Better AF

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There is no doubt, the biggest advantage is the 51-point AF system. This is just great for sports any anything that moves around in an unpredictable manner (like little kids).

squeamish said:

2. Ability to use the MB-D10 for portrait shooting

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I personally don't like the MB-D10. Adds too much weight and I don't need the 8fps.

squeamish said:

3. Ability to use old, great, cheap manual lenses

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I have some old Nikon pre-AI that have not been converted. Unfortunately, they don't work with the D300. Since I have the equivalent in a modern design, it doesn't matter.

squeamish said:

4. CLS Commander mode from the on-board flash, meaning you can have
off-camera flash for the price of an SB-600 instead of the price of
an SB-900 and an SB-600.

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The commander mode is available for the D90 through Custom Setting e2. I have used the commander mode before when setting up an impromptu portrait session. Commander mode allows you to control multiple flash units (I use an SP-900 as the main light, an SB-800 as the fill light, and the SB-600 as the background light.

squeamish said:

Whether or not that it worth $600 isn't something somebody here can
answer for you.

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For me there was no question. I just wish the D300 was lighter but that's what you pay for a professional camera.

I'm also not happy with the way Nikon setup accessories for the D90. For instance, in the case of the GP-1 GPS attachment, you connect it to the D90 using the USB connector on the side of the camera. That makes the use of the camera kind of cumbersome because there is something sticking out the left side of the camera. With the D300, the GP-1 connects through the 10-pin connector on the front of the camera using a right angle cable, a much easier proposition to handle. The 10-pin connector is also weather resistant where the USB is not.

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Cliff

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Cliff

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Cliff

• TC-16AS AF teleconverter
• Non-AI lenses

• Lenses that require the AU-1 focusing unit (400mm f/4.5, 600mm f/5.6, 800mm f/8, 1200mm f/11)
• Fisheye (6mm f/5.6, 7.5mm f/5.6, 8mm f/8, OP 10mm f/5.6)
• 2.1cm f/4
• Extension Ring K2
• 180–600mm f/8 ED (serial numbers 174041–174180)
• 360–1200mm f/11 ED (serial numbers 174031–174127)
• 200–600mm f/9.5 (serial numbers 280001–300490)

• AF lenses for the F3AF (AF 80mm f/2.8, AF 200mm f/3.5 ED, AF Teleconverter TC-16)
• PC 28mm f/4 (serial number 180900 or earlier)
• PC 35mm f/2.8 (serial numbers 851001–906200)
• PC 35mm f/3.5 (old type)
• Reflex 1000mm f/6.3 (old type)
• Reflex 1000mm f/11 (serial numbers 142361–143000)
• Reflex 2000mm f/11 (serial numbers 200111–200310)

There are some non-CPU lenses that will work with the D90 (of course, not all features are supported)

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Cliff

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Cliff

Go for the D300 in every case except cost and multimedia feature. The D90 is possibly popular because it is not too bad but the any extra is probably better spent going for the D300 or you could wait to see what the next DX pro brings.

Mike

If you plan to hold on to your D70 replacement for a few years, after spreading out the $$, it might not amount to much in terms of the additional cost per year. Nowadays when almost all of us lost BIG $$ from our retirement accounts, it appears just pennies when we are concerned about a few hundred $$.

One thing to remember is that a more expensive body would almost always induce more spending on other things, such as a better flash, a faster tele lens (so you could finally achieve your dream of an amateur sports photographer shooting your kids' or grandkid's soccer or indoor ball games!).
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Harry

If you have to ask that kind of question of the D300 versus the D90, then you don't know what the D300 is all about... more importantly, you do not need a D300.
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Crazy about Nikon

Tom,

Great question. I have been through the same dilemma. I have a D80, want to get either a D90 or D300. Decided I'll go for a D300 in January (tax free out of Heathrow). When I bought the D80 I did so over the D200; the price difference was not huge as I had to buy SD cards when I already had CF cards. Image quality, sensor and AF engine were the same. Weather sealing, exposure meter 1005 and other features were additional advantages over the D80. What swung it was same image quality and AF engine vs weight/bulk for travel.

Why D300? It was not image quality; as some people above have said that to all intents and purposes they are the same. But I now think that focus and exposure accuracy are are more relevant to the overall effect of the photograph and here CAM3500 and meter 1005 beat CAM1000 and meter 420. They now provide an advantage over weight/bulk. Thus, for me the difference in price is worth it. I just hope that between now and January my investments/savings don't continue to dumble as they have done over recent months!

Oh, how dilemmas stimulate thinking! Happy holidays.

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J.

http://jules7.smugmug.com/

I do not know the D90, but I do know the D300 very well and with regard to its 14bit NEF recording, I disagree with most other forum members:

There is a significant difference between 12bit and 14bit image quality, in particular regarding dynamic range and noise in deep shadow areas.

Deep shadow areas tend to have vertical stripes in 12bit mode, which are absent in 14bit mode. Also, colour of 7 stop underexposed areas is retained in 14bit mode athough most raw converters (including Capture NX2) do not show it. I use ufraw (on linux and Mac OS X) to recover deep shadow areas without loss of colour information.

My own sample pictures demonstratin this will be posted within the next days.

In short, the 14bit mode of the D300 is very effective for scenes with LARGE dynamic range. Up to 12 stop DR can be achieved at low ISO.

My interpretation of these results is as follows:

In 12bit mode, the D300 uses the column ADCs which cover 12bit range. In the slow 14bit mode, there is a separate ADC channel which does not only yield 2 more bits, but read- and quantization noise are reduced in this mode of operation. It may be that this method is responsible also for the extremely high quality of 14bit mode in the D3x.
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Rudolf

Thank you and I appreciate your answer especially given that you were in a similar situation with the D80/D200. Your response gives me perspective that it is not only the "specs" that matter, but real world usage of the camera. The focus issue is something that I noticed immediately when I have used a D300, but not enough usage to miss it when I went back to the D70. I will get my hands on a D300 for another shoot hopefully in January and then I will really pay attention to the small details of the camera - I think that day will really make the decision for me.

Thank you and although I do enough PP to know what you are describing, but I lack the real world experience of thoroughly understanding the details of your post and what 12 stops of DR can mean in digital. Not sure exactly what the DR is of the D70 is on the top of my head, but I know it's no where close to that. That level of PP is something that I would certainly delve into once I own my next camera, regardless of which one. Much appreciated.

the D90 can do timed interval shooting if tethered to a computer running either Breeze D90 Remote software or Nikon camera control software

maybe not sufficient for your purposes though

Scott B
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WSSA #112

NikonCrazy said:

If you have to ask that kind of question of the D300 versus the D90,
then you don't know what the D300 is all about... more importantly,
you do not need a D300.
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Crazy about Nikon

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Aye aye, Captain Helpful the Zen Nikon Master in the house.

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Andrew

I ran a D300 for 9 months and have just sold it to downgrade to a D90. For me, like it sounds for you, the tension was between a technical tick off list and what I actually use the camera for. I guess another way to put it would be toy fiend heart versus practical head.

My profile is very similar - first, foremost and 95% of what matters ... family. The added interest comes from trying out other techniques (chiefly land/townscapes to broaden my skills). With the arrival of the D90, I came to the conclusion that the only D300 attribute that I might miss was the AF but then only rarely. For that loss I gained something that's broadly similar on high ISO, has similar levels of dedicated controls (for parity use the My Menu/AF area on Fn button cheat) was attractively lighter, smaller and less intimidating to the people being pointed at.

So out with the D300, in with the D90, sold the kit lens and released £300 in cash as a nice bonus.

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Andrew

A comment on your comment about the mind wasting picture controls. If you are to really appreciate the D90, you will need to appreciate the picture controls. They are what allow you to make the images straight from the camera the way you want them. You can make the results from the D90 match almost anything you want with the availability of these adjustments. Also, does the D300 not have picture controls also. I thought it did. How else would you set sharpness, saturation, contrast, etc to your tastes.

Now that I know how much difference this small feature makes, I will never buy another camera w/o AF fine-tuning. My Tamron 17-50 lens is a gem D300. Until I switched from D80, I didn't realize that most of those "not really sharp" images were due to the lens front focusing. Even though I did focus tests/etc. when I first purchased the lens and results look good, only after trying tune AF on D300 that I realized what I was missing.

The list of D300's advantages is vast. Even when it comes to image quality, although both cameras share the same sensor.

Don't decide any further. Get D300 and you will NOT regret it.

the D300 does have 4 picture controls pre-loaded and other controls can be downloaded and added such the as portrait, landscape, D2x 1, 2 and 3 variations

I like the portrait settings for people shots. all can be modified for your individual preference

I now have both a D90 and a D300 and plan to sell the D90. The video is a nice added bonus but doesn't override the faster autofocus, fine focus adjust, better metering, weather-sealing, stronger frame to hold heavier lenses without fear of ri[[ing off the lens mount from the plastic body, quicker access to white balance, iso etc. For me, the little door that held the SD card on the D90 was a major annoyance and I would interfere with my quick reaction to situations when it popped open inadvertently dozens of times. The D300 has a latch that keeps the door closed...

the best solution may be to buy both, one for lightweight travel (D90 perhaps) and one as backup for the other during event photography...then you have it all

the D300 looks to me better suited to an african photo safari though...
Scott B

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WSSA #112