So I have a d7000. I should love it but I don't. Am I crazy to get rid of it for the d300 or the d300s. I find the focus inferior and the response time poor. I also find the frames per second is somewhat lagging. I've gotta flack for my feelings but I primarily shoot fast action sports(TKD) and have been getting pretty frustrated! Help! I pretty much use my 70-200 2.8 all the time. We are getting ready to leave for the national championships and I want to be able to get some high quality photos this time around!
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D300/d300s- am I nuts?!?
- Thread starter tkdmom
- Start date
DezM
Forum Pro
No, you aren't nuts. The D300/D300s is quite capable.
Not sports but the same combo you mentioned in the D300 & 70-200 VR II:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=41680817
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Dez
http://dezsantana.com
Not sports but the same combo you mentioned in the D300 & 70-200 VR II:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=41680817
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Dez
http://dezsantana.com
Kerry Pierce
Forum Pro
The pro AF and high performance features of the d300, make it much better suited to the task that you are trying to do, than the d7000. I own a d7000. It's a good camera for many things, but it's not really suited to fast action shooting. You can make it work for action shooting, to a certain degree, but with the d300, you should be able to get many more keepers, more easily.
John Friend has a good web article on setting up the d300 for action shooting. If you decide to buy a d300, you might find his article quite useful.
If the price of the d300 is a problem, I'd suggest looking at the used cameras at KEH.com. Last I looked, they had d300 bodies listed in EX condition, for less than $1,000. The d300s bodies are a little higher priced, but if you don't want/need the features of the d300s, then the d300 bodies are a bargain, IMO. I've been thinking of getting another d300 from them, for a spare.
Good luck
Kerry
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my gallery of so-so photos
http://www.pbase.com/kerrypierce/root
PRW_Photo
Leading Member
No, you're not nuts. The D300 is probably the best camera for youth sports that Nikon makes (only the D2H might be a better option). And a used D300 is actually cheaper than a D7000. If you look at the D300/D7000 comparison threads, sports-type shooting is the one area everyone agrees the D300 has the advantage over the D7000. This is the main reason I went with a used D300 instead of a new D7000 when I upgraded from a D70 a little over a year ago.
Having said all that, realize that a better camera is no guarantee of better photos. The D7000 is no slouch. I would think that a D7000/70-200VRII combo should get you some high quality shots. A D300 may give you more "keepers", but if you're not getting anything good right now a better camera won't help. You may just need to tweak the settings for your D7000.
Earlier this year I shot an indoor swimmeet. My second shooter used a D7000/70-200 combo and the results he got were quite nice.
Paul Wossidlo
http://www.PaulRichardWossidlo.com
If your nuts, I'm right there with you! I sold my D7000 that I had since November 2010 and bought a lightly used D300s on fleebay last month. I miss the D7000 sensor, but have no regrets.
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Robbie
D300s | Powershot S100
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvaughn
pixbyrob.com
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Robbie
D300s | Powershot S100
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvaughn
pixbyrob.com
Zvonko
Forum Enthusiast
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great advice Paul. The only thing I would change is instead of D2h... I would suggest maybe you meant D2hs??
S
Schroedingers_cat
Guest
Had both, sold the D7000.
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One day long ago, a sorcerer and a warrior did battle, as such things were commonplace in that age. Sometimes the sorcerer won, and the sum value of human abilities was improved some trifling amount. Sometimes the warrior won, and again the human race improved by some insignificant amount, for a sorcerer who can't defeat one miserable warrior is a poor sorcerer indeed.
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One day long ago, a sorcerer and a warrior did battle, as such things were commonplace in that age. Sometimes the sorcerer won, and the sum value of human abilities was improved some trifling amount. Sometimes the warrior won, and again the human race improved by some insignificant amount, for a sorcerer who can't defeat one miserable warrior is a poor sorcerer indeed.
John Cerra2
Forum Enthusiast
TKDmom,
I shoot a ton of TKD. I upgraded from a D200 to the D300s looking for better low light performance. The D200 is superb in a well lit room, or a room with low ceilings where I can bounce my flash and make it work. Usually, I am shooting with the 18-200mm vr1 lens, but need a fast shutter speed.
Having worked with the D300s and fooled around with a D7000, I would offer the following comments: Even if the AF of the D300s is better than the D7000, it isn't going to improve tkd shooting much if you are using existing light. Sometimes these rooms are dark, so you need a fast shutter speed, and a high iso. The D300s is better than the D200 at high iso, but I did consider the full frame d700, which is supposedly much better than the d300s at low light. You could rent one for the week, shot at 1600, and use your f2.8 zoom.
John
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Currently shooting a D300s, D200, D70 and N50. Have a 'F.'
Also shooting with Konica 35mm SLRS (T3 and FT-1) with numerous Hexanon Lenses. Printer: Canon i9900.
I shoot a ton of TKD. I upgraded from a D200 to the D300s looking for better low light performance. The D200 is superb in a well lit room, or a room with low ceilings where I can bounce my flash and make it work. Usually, I am shooting with the 18-200mm vr1 lens, but need a fast shutter speed.
Having worked with the D300s and fooled around with a D7000, I would offer the following comments: Even if the AF of the D300s is better than the D7000, it isn't going to improve tkd shooting much if you are using existing light. Sometimes these rooms are dark, so you need a fast shutter speed, and a high iso. The D300s is better than the D200 at high iso, but I did consider the full frame d700, which is supposedly much better than the d300s at low light. You could rent one for the week, shot at 1600, and use your f2.8 zoom.
John
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Currently shooting a D300s, D200, D70 and N50. Have a 'F.'
Also shooting with Konica 35mm SLRS (T3 and FT-1) with numerous Hexanon Lenses. Printer: Canon i9900.
All I can suggest is add +1 for renting D300, but if you are certain you'd like one to own - just go for it.
I own d300 and 70-200 and use the combo in gymnastic meets. Sure D300 is a bit too slow on ISO there, but I wouldn't switch to d7k anyway. Not sure what sports you shoot - if it demands high ISO - I would actually suggest D700 instead, but if there is plenty of light, the D300 will do just right!
Nik
I own d300 and 70-200 and use the combo in gymnastic meets. Sure D300 is a bit too slow on ISO there, but I wouldn't switch to d7k anyway. Not sure what sports you shoot - if it demands high ISO - I would actually suggest D700 instead, but if there is plenty of light, the D300 will do just right!
Nik
John Cerra2
Forum Enthusiast
I sent you a private message.
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Currently shooting aD300s, a D200, D70 and N50. Have a 'F.'
Also shooting with Konica 35mm SLRS (T3 and FT-1) with numerous Hexanon Lenses. Printer: Canon i9900.
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Currently shooting aD300s, a D200, D70 and N50. Have a 'F.'
Also shooting with Konica 35mm SLRS (T3 and FT-1) with numerous Hexanon Lenses. Printer: Canon i9900.
inlawbiker
Senior Member
TKD Mom, I am watching your posts. I'm a TKD Dad. I got some good shots with my D5100 and 85mm f/1.8g this weekend. I'm trying to talk myself into the D300s but I'm going to wait to see what Nikon comes out with next. It would be hard to go back to an older generation sensor now that I'm a bit spoiled. The lighting in those gyms is terrible.
I have used an older-sensor camera for TKD that peaked out at ISO 1600 and that was iffy. I totally love the sensor on this D5100 but I recognize the AF system is chimpy. I didn't see that the D7000 offered much more that was worth the extra cost. I'm quite alright with 4fps for now.
In short, there is no easy answer. We need to see the D300s replacement with the D3200 sensor soon - I hope. Please post back with your findings!
I have used an older-sensor camera for TKD that peaked out at ISO 1600 and that was iffy. I totally love the sensor on this D5100 but I recognize the AF system is chimpy. I didn't see that the D7000 offered much more that was worth the extra cost. I'm quite alright with 4fps for now.
In short, there is no easy answer. We need to see the D300s replacement with the D3200 sensor soon - I hope. Please post back with your findings!
Michael Firstlight
Veteran Member
Check out the For Sale forum on dPreview 
Teleboy
Well-known member
A definite +1 for D700 in low light gyms. I'd say D3 but your climbing in price significantly. The D300 is awesome for daylight sports. I've shot a lot with it anyway and have used the results no problem.
The D300s is my favorite Nikon body (of the one i've had). I have had a d2h, d200, d90, d300, d300s, d7000 and d700; d300s is my favorite hands down. Of course that is me personally. Everything about it "for me" just fits.
I too bought a D7000 when they first came out and just have never been able to warm to it. Well, I ordother another D300s today, delivery tomorrow and I'm excited.
Hope you enjoy your new toy!!
Bob
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Bob (formerly bobmax)
I too bought a D7000 when they first came out and just have never been able to warm to it. Well, I ordother another D300s today, delivery tomorrow and I'm excited.
Hope you enjoy your new toy!!
Bob
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Bob (formerly bobmax)
Mikec087
Active member
NO.
I have a D7000 and now a D300s. About 8 months ago I sold my old D300 thinking that the D7000 would be all I need.
I have found the D7000 is great in some situations like low light inside, but for out doors and sports (ie motor racing) it lacked in AF speed and the buffer would fill etc etc. Plus it feels better and the controls are way better than the D7000.
So about 3 weeks ago I got a very good used D300s and I am very happy. I also got an AF 300mm f4 Nikon lens too. Can't wait to get to the race track.
I have a D7000 and now a D300s. About 8 months ago I sold my old D300 thinking that the D7000 would be all I need.
I have found the D7000 is great in some situations like low light inside, but for out doors and sports (ie motor racing) it lacked in AF speed and the buffer would fill etc etc. Plus it feels better and the controls are way better than the D7000.
So about 3 weeks ago I got a very good used D300s and I am very happy. I also got an AF 300mm f4 Nikon lens too. Can't wait to get to the race track.
Griffo59
Well-known member
No you're not nuts at all.
The D300/D300s is one of the best digital cameras Nikon has ever made, in my opinion. It reminds me a little of the old F3. Nothing fancy or slick, but entirely solid and dependable.
It's quite weighty but still managable, unlike the big Dx bricks which tire me if I have to carry them all day.
If the mythical D400 comes out I will certainly buy it, but I may also take advantage of the inevitable price drop to get another D300s before they vanish.
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Concatenation: the process of glueing one cats nose to another cats tail.
The D300/D300s is one of the best digital cameras Nikon has ever made, in my opinion. It reminds me a little of the old F3. Nothing fancy or slick, but entirely solid and dependable.
It's quite weighty but still managable, unlike the big Dx bricks which tire me if I have to carry them all day.
If the mythical D400 comes out I will certainly buy it, but I may also take advantage of the inevitable price drop to get another D300s before they vanish.
--
Concatenation: the process of glueing one cats nose to another cats tail.
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