D300s user looking to upgrade

Alnitak wrote:

Some great feedback from everyone...thank you....much to think about.

i’ve seen the D4s mentioned as à possibility... any reaction to that vs. D500?

Alnitak wrote:

In my eyes they’re so different. I love the D4S files- juicy, rich, flexible but not a ton of resolution. (Not often a problem for me). The D4S build quality is superior too (I can feel memory card door creaking a bit on the D500- It "gives" ever so slightly). D4S however is much heavier and the controls aren't customizable like the D500 which is a HUGE plus for me.

The AF on a D4S isn't as sure as D500 but on a DX body, sometimes the AF indicators slightly obscure the view as the squares are larger. (I primarily shoot in AF-C dynamic 9 or Single point on D4S, and AF-C Dynamic 25 or Single point on D500. I have to say- if you're trying to very quickly catch a fleeting object in almost any light, as long as you can line up that center AF point on a contrasty edge, the D500 will lock on and get it. Very often I'm still surprised when I thought: "there's no way I caught that," but the D500 did. Very impressive.

Some random qualities/ observations I'll ramble off- D500 files are more detailed, but in some textures, (rough seas, windy day comes to mind) I've felt the images "a little crunchy." D4S files are almost film-like, humanistic, a good thing. High ISO D500 files are amazingly good. I can't compare them to the D4S though as my shooting has changed a bit of late. The AWB in the D500 is better than D4S. D500 has highlight weighted metering which is kinda necessary as it tends to clip highlights. Having the ability to program various AF modes into the Pv, Fn1, back button and to a degree the Fn2 button on the D500 is invaluable. It's a huge part of my shooting experience. I can be just as comfortable with a D4S though if I know ahead of time my subject will be more or less predictable. (Distant surfer for example).

Hope these observations are of use.

Very useful feedback. I like the experiences that all have shared and the subtle differences you note in the various cameras, functionality and shooting mechanics. Those perspective are invaluable to me in my evaluation.

I sometimes feel like I should have one of each, e.g., some of the best pictures I have ever taken were with the D100 and to this day I miss the skin tones of the CCD D200. The D4S has always struck me as a to die for camera, as does the D500 and D850 now. When I was used to shooting indoor sports with the D200 and D300s, I thought something like the D500 would be the "forever" camera for me. Now I wonder about things like dynamic range, high ISO shooting, tonal quality, etc. I imagine five years from now I'll be pining after the latest and greatest mirrorless camera, shooting at 60 fps, 12800 ISO, automatically adjusting focus (even after shooting) and stacking HDR images, etc. Then again, I guess my cell phone will eventually do all of that, so why bother with a huge DSLR.

Decisions, decisions...

Leonard Shepherd wrote:

Wahrsager wrote:

D500. It's simply awesome.

Awesome for what?

It is big, heavy and has la little ess resolution than a D7200, costs a lot more money and is probably worse rather than better for a lot of things like landscapes, portraits and macro.

WHY, exactly, would it be "worse rather than better" for landscapes, portraits, and macro? Because it has approximately 3MP less resolution? That's BARELY noticeable, and then ONLY if you're pixel peeping. With the number of AF points, I would think that would make it BETTER for many of those things, as well. Further, it has MUCH better build quality, and the pro-level control layout. This comment REALLY makes no sense, except that it's made by someone that hates the D500, for some odd reason.

For action and some AF applications I agree the D500 is awesome.

-- hide signature --

Leonard Shepherd
In lots of ways good photography is much more about how equipment is used rather than the equipment being used.

Sam

Alnitak wrote:

Very useful feedback. I like the experiences that all have shared and the subtle differences you note in the various cameras, functionality and shooting mechanics. Those perspective are invaluable to me in my evaluation.

I sometimes feel like I should have one of each, e.g., some of the best pictures I have ever taken were with the D100 and to this day I miss the skin tones of the CCD D200. The D4S has always struck me as a to die for camera, as does the D500 and D850 now. When I was used to shooting indoor sports with the D200 and D300s, I thought something like the D500 would be the "forever" camera for me. Now I wonder about things like dynamic range, high ISO shooting, tonal quality, etc. I imagine five years from now I'll be pining after the latest and greatest mirrorless camera, shooting at 60 fps, 12800 ISO, automatically adjusting focus (even after shooting) and stacking HDR images, etc. Then again, I guess my cell phone will eventually do all of that, so why bother with a huge DSLR.

Decisions, decisions...

I'm glad you've benefited! That is what this forum (should be) all about!

I think if you appreciate delving into the nuances of the file output fo different bodies by all means get two! I still use my old D800E for portraits and I still love it. I'm holding onto my D4S. This shouldn't matter- but I've always loved the shape of the D3-D4 series. Beautiful industrial design, particularly that line that forms the brown of the pentaprism and travels over the "Nikon" label and blends into both sides of the pentaprism. It's a sexy looking camera! I've got to add- Capture One and .NEF files are made for each other.. Just luscious output!

D500 currently on sale..