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D300 replacement - any ideas?

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Melvil

Melvil

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Hi all,

My trusty D300 has gone and died on me (it has an absurdly bad problem with dust that 4+ professional cleanings and a rebuild has not fixed) so I'm looking to replace it. Trouble is I can't see myself shelling out for a D300s as I see from the specs that the D7000 has higher resolution and only lags a little behind in speed. Also tempted by the D700 but I'm wondering how long it is before both of the D300 and the D700 replacements come out.

Anyone got any thoughts on what I should get?

By the way my lens collection at the moment is a Sigma 50mm F1.4, a Nikon 18-70 F3.5-4 and a Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 as well as a Sigma 70-200 F2.8.

Cheers!

Stewart.
 
I'm sure you've read the many many many threads on similar subjects over the last few months (subjects like "D300 replacement" or "D400") so no need to repeat them.

The only thing to add is that the earthquake and tsunami disruption in Japan may delay the D300(s) replacement, but (my guess) not by much, as manufacturing will probably be in the Thailand plant.

Sorry to hear your D300 has died; I've had more pleasure using the D300 than any other camera I've ever owned. As to what you should do - nothing else to add to the other answers (or previous threads), I'm afraid. I guess it's a very personal choice.
--
Simon
 
My 'old' D300 keeps plugging along, but as I wait for the D400, who knows when we can get our hands on it, I decided to get a D7000 for now. Like it or not, I think video is here to stay in some segments of the photo world...And the D7000 video is quite interesting. Even though the D7000 is smaller, lighter and a little 'plasticky' feeling, the electronics are quite impressive. I have no regrets purchasing this camera ( be sure to get the battery grip). Good Luck...Brent
 
You can get a good price, you know how to use it, you already have the battery, charger, and other accessories.
 
Whichever route you take, you'll always be able to get $100 to $250 for a used non-working D300. Just describe it honestly (i.e., write " NON-WORKING +++AS-IS CONDITION, NO WARRANTY+++ & put it up on E-Bay, Craigslist, Amazon or Fred Miranda.

Buying a used D300 would be my vote as well.

Used D300:
$775 to $1,000

Used D200:
$400 to $600

Well worth the extra $375.
 
Whilst abroad, I picked up what I would call a reliable tip regarding the D4 / D400 product launch as being scheduled for August 2011.
The info received was prior to the Japanese tradgedy.

Cheers - Herman
 
Yep same ol same ol-just keep dissing the D7000 it will walk all over a 200 and even the D300 in the right hands, I would say just go and try both, The D7000 takes some getting used to after the D300 and i think takes some time to get to know to get the best from it but the IQ is truly excellent although i only use mine with Nikon pro lenses and i am sure that makes a big difference

Dave

http://www.wildlifeinfocus.com
Facebook-David Courtenay Photography (www.wildlifeinfocus.com)
 


Easy decision, get a referb D300 and wait for the new model.
You have the spare parts and lenses and nohow for the D300.
Even when the new model is released it takes some time to
work out all the bugs ...;-)
.
--
Jon in Thailand

http://www.flickr.com/photos/af2899/
.
 
Used D300/D300s is the way to go for current owners.
I had the D7000 and wasn't impressed overal as others have.
 
with the unfortunate situation in Japan. Prices on all Japanese items are beginning to rise. The used market will now demand more. I see BHPHOTO is now selling the D700 for $2699. It used to be $2499. However I've noticed that Canon is holding it's price point. It's all supply and demand.
 
Melvil said:
Hi all,

My trusty D300 has gone and died on me (it has an absurdly bad problem with dust that 4+ professional cleanings and a rebuild has not fixed) so I'm looking to replace it. Trouble is I can't see myself shelling out for a D300s as I see from the specs that the D7000 has higher resolution and only lags a little behind in speed. Also tempted by the D700 but I'm wondering how long it is before both of the D300 and the D700 replacements come out.

Anyone got any thoughts on what I should get?
Click to expand...
you cann't compare d300 to d7000, d300 has a much better AF system then d7000, I will either get d300s or d700 maybe d3s, these are the best camera for great AF.
 
I recently added a D7000 to my D300, and I'm really having fun with it. I mainly wanted to have a video option for a 3 week trip to China in April. Also, an extra stop of ISO is a big one for me, as my daughter in in 2 choruses and also theater. Plus, I traded my 70-200 VRI up for a 70-200 VRII (got $400 off when bought both, sold my VRI for $1,450, so the VRII was a "deal"). As I'm staying with DX, I did this for the extra stop of VR, which I can report is really there. So, the D7000 with VRII is really buying me 2 stops in low light situations.

The D7000 from D300 is a transition in progress. To be honest, the size difference is the main issue for me (I like the bigger camera a lot better). The MB-D11 helps a lot. The D7000 is MUCH more rugged than the D70/80/90. But it's no D300, which is a tank. I'm a "dad photographer," so this is ok with me.

Video is a nice feature to play with. Can't stand using a camcorder, so the ability to catch a minute or two at times is a plus.

So, my advice is to check out a D7000. Play with one in the store. See if the tradeoffs work for you. D700 is nice, but much more money, and you're basically starting from scratch with your lenses. Good luck.

--
Bryan
 
I shoot with a 12-24, 28-75 and an 80-200 ....

Settled on this kit at the D50, carried it to the D80, then the D300 .....

Then Nikon started to run rebates ..... for what my used D300/ Tamron 28-75 will fetch, I get a new body, and a 24-70 Nikon 2.8 and only have to pay the cost of the body. That was a pretty good deal .... D300's are holding price.

That said, the shooting experience is not the same, I find the D300 handled better. The bit bigger body gives just and extra bit of stability. The button ergonomics and menus are just different, but that is no big deal.

The DR and tonal transitions the D7000 are better IMHO ... I shot a lot of studio, and the extra mpix and stop of light is not that big a deal, but that extra DR in a well exposed photo does show. If I do get the lights set wrong, I can pull the shadows better w/ D7000.

Had the D400 been out w/ same rebate, I probably would have gone that route, but the timing was right for the D7000. Even when the D400 does come out, I will most likely wait for the D800 or perhaps even skip a generation like I did this time.

YMMV

JMHO

Dave
 
I'm totally happy with my 300, but if it exploded tomorrow I'd only replace it with the same if I found a really good deal. I much prefer the idea of moving forwards.

Prices aren't ideal right now and no real bargains to be had. It could be your best opportunity to switch to FX while your lens investment isn't killing that option. if you don't do it now, will you ever? Does that matter? If it does, then I know I'd take a careful look at the 5DII before stumping up the cash. Put some pressure on the good old boys of N.

Like I say, I'm glad I don't need to decide! Hope it works out well for you.
--
http://www.johnleechstudio.co.uk
 
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