LeoIsNoPro
Active member
haha. happy new year
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Recommend D300 for first time DSLR user?
- Thread starter digitalj
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proudestmonkey
Forum Enthusiast
I was in more or less your situation a few years ago. I had a decent P&S. It took decent pictures, but I had little control, and it was pretty limited. I wanted to move to a DSLR. At the time, on the Nikon side, which I wanted so I could buy old lenses, there was the D70, D100, and D2 series. I bought a D70. The D100 was actually a step down in many ways from the D70, and the D2 was way out of my price range or need.
Had there been a choice like the D300 at the time, as opposed to a D80, I probably would have gone for the D300. I liked the D70, but I knew it had limitations (body size, viewfinder, dynamic range) when I bought it.
I actually think the D300 is much easier to use in many ways than my D70 was. When I am somewhere indoors where I want to take snapshots, I can set it to Jpeg Fine, set Picture control to Neutral, set it to Aperture mode, hit the flash pop up and start shooting. I could never ever do that with my D70. More than half the pictures would turn out useless, or require significant post-processing.
Get a D300. You'll love the way it handles, and you'll love how easy it is to get good pictures straight out of the camera, and even better pictures when you get used to it.
Oh, one other thing that really helped me with the D70. I bought Thom Hogan's eBook. I will be buying his eBook on the D300 when he comes out with it. The manual is good on the D300, but Thom seems to be able to add enough information and tell things differently enough that his manuals are worth it. He's also got a good review of the D300. http://www.bythom.com .
Good luck, and have fun with your new D300 (you seem to already know anything less is going to be a disappointment for you).
--
Imagine no religion--and please don't be offended
D300, 18-70mm; 70-300mm VR; Tamron 90mm Macro; SB-600; Canon Pro9000 printer
Had there been a choice like the D300 at the time, as opposed to a D80, I probably would have gone for the D300. I liked the D70, but I knew it had limitations (body size, viewfinder, dynamic range) when I bought it.
I actually think the D300 is much easier to use in many ways than my D70 was. When I am somewhere indoors where I want to take snapshots, I can set it to Jpeg Fine, set Picture control to Neutral, set it to Aperture mode, hit the flash pop up and start shooting. I could never ever do that with my D70. More than half the pictures would turn out useless, or require significant post-processing.
Get a D300. You'll love the way it handles, and you'll love how easy it is to get good pictures straight out of the camera, and even better pictures when you get used to it.
Oh, one other thing that really helped me with the D70. I bought Thom Hogan's eBook. I will be buying his eBook on the D300 when he comes out with it. The manual is good on the D300, but Thom seems to be able to add enough information and tell things differently enough that his manuals are worth it. He's also got a good review of the D300. http://www.bythom.com .
Good luck, and have fun with your new D300 (you seem to already know anything less is going to be a disappointment for you).
--
Imagine no religion--and please don't be offended
D300, 18-70mm; 70-300mm VR; Tamron 90mm Macro; SB-600; Canon Pro9000 printer
digitalj, I have read all the replies and I agree with Monte.
I have had my D300 for 2 weeks and I am just beginning to grasp it. It is undoubtedly the most complex piece of electronics I have ever used!
For a novice, it would be overwhelming. The problem is that if you change something that requires a trip into the menu system, you will be likely to forget that you made the change after several hours. Then, when you next pick up the camera, that change will be there...it's persistent. So you take a bunch of pix and afterwards you notice something looks funny. @#$%...you remember that you changed the settings!
This is my #1 problem with the camera. I have printed out a "cheat-sheet" to help me check the D300 before I start taking pix. The "cheat-sheet" is up to 5 pages at the moment. It's like a flight check-off for a 737! Without a co-pilot!!!
The only way you should consider a D300 is if you have the will to totally avoid all the flexibility built into it. Just take pix at the default settings for quite a while! Unfortunately, when you start learning what all the features do, you will unfortunately change something and forget it. :-(
But the camera has a "reset all changes back to the default" option...the real problem will begin when you LIKE one of the revised settings and hesitate to use the global reset.
A much better approach would be to get a lesser version to start. If you insist on having a NEW camera, get a D40, but honestly a lightly used D50 or D70 would be a better value. At the beginning, avoid the "kit" lenses and invest money in really good glass. After a year, sell the D40/50/70 and get a D80. Spend a year learning how to master it. Collect a few more lenses. Then in the 2nd year buy a used D300 (by then, the D400 will be out...and the D10 too!). Use the D300 until you can't stand not having the D10... ;-)
Why do I get the feeling that with you it's more about possessing a neat tool than taking great pix?
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700, Sony R1, Nikon D300
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
Bridge Blog: http://www.here-ugo.com/BridgeBlog/
I have had my D300 for 2 weeks and I am just beginning to grasp it. It is undoubtedly the most complex piece of electronics I have ever used!
For a novice, it would be overwhelming. The problem is that if you change something that requires a trip into the menu system, you will be likely to forget that you made the change after several hours. Then, when you next pick up the camera, that change will be there...it's persistent. So you take a bunch of pix and afterwards you notice something looks funny. @#$%...you remember that you changed the settings!
This is my #1 problem with the camera. I have printed out a "cheat-sheet" to help me check the D300 before I start taking pix. The "cheat-sheet" is up to 5 pages at the moment. It's like a flight check-off for a 737! Without a co-pilot!!!
The only way you should consider a D300 is if you have the will to totally avoid all the flexibility built into it. Just take pix at the default settings for quite a while! Unfortunately, when you start learning what all the features do, you will unfortunately change something and forget it. :-(
But the camera has a "reset all changes back to the default" option...the real problem will begin when you LIKE one of the revised settings and hesitate to use the global reset.
A much better approach would be to get a lesser version to start. If you insist on having a NEW camera, get a D40, but honestly a lightly used D50 or D70 would be a better value. At the beginning, avoid the "kit" lenses and invest money in really good glass. After a year, sell the D40/50/70 and get a D80. Spend a year learning how to master it. Collect a few more lenses. Then in the 2nd year buy a used D300 (by then, the D400 will be out...and the D10 too!). Use the D300 until you can't stand not having the D10... ;-)
Why do I get the feeling that with you it's more about possessing a neat tool than taking great pix?
--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700, Sony R1, Nikon D300
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
Bridge Blog: http://www.here-ugo.com/BridgeBlog/
Clark Hampton
Senior Member
Know there is a learning curve. You WILL think after shooting your first few pictures the following: "These suck. they are fuzzy (although this was more so in earlier digitals) and look all flat"
But learn the camera and learn digital photography and image optimization (both in-camera and on the computer) and you will NEVER shoot film again.
I came to digital from shooting slide film so the learning wasn't so bad since digital and slides seemed to me to expose in similiar ways. If you shoot negative film now and are used to the wide latitude and forgiveness of it, you may be surprised how digital really needs a good exposure to really shine.
Also, get ready to learn white balance as well.
Now these things are now as big a deal as they were a few years ago but they still exist when moving from film to digital but the switch is worth it.
Get ready to get more "hands on" with your images.
--
But learn the camera and learn digital photography and image optimization (both in-camera and on the computer) and you will NEVER shoot film again.
I came to digital from shooting slide film so the learning wasn't so bad since digital and slides seemed to me to expose in similiar ways. If you shoot negative film now and are used to the wide latitude and forgiveness of it, you may be surprised how digital really needs a good exposure to really shine.
Also, get ready to learn white balance as well.
Now these things are now as big a deal as they were a few years ago but they still exist when moving from film to digital but the switch is worth it.
Get ready to get more "hands on" with your images.
--
M
munro harrap
Guest
You know why you are here.
If I were back at college "doing" photography and had a family, would I blow my entire grant on a D300?
No.
That said there are lots of good machines that qualify. And do everything you want for less.
The small machine bit is an interesting one, because it does depend on the way it is designed as much as size.
Sony R1- good for still lifes because of the waist-level swivallable screen on top-perfect for kids and pets too, with the best 24-120mm f2.8-4.8 zoom there is and completely silent-with live histogram- at discount in UK £400. Macro add-on lens from Sony £80, but you can get much cheaper entire 4 lens sets off Ebay for £20 (quality not as good!).
Noise at 400 ISO is BETTER than the D300, but not as good as the Canon 40D above that, and the Canon is half the price of a 300D and has live view.
Live view without a tilting screen as the R1, or the new Lumix, or the Oly 330 and all the old Powershot G canons and early coolpixes, is of NO use at all, since you are on your knees even lower down than the viewfinder!
The D40x is fantastic with that lens and the quietest SLR around now........shhh, but slow.
If I were back at college "doing" photography and had a family, would I blow my entire grant on a D300?
No.
That said there are lots of good machines that qualify. And do everything you want for less.
The small machine bit is an interesting one, because it does depend on the way it is designed as much as size.
Sony R1- good for still lifes because of the waist-level swivallable screen on top-perfect for kids and pets too, with the best 24-120mm f2.8-4.8 zoom there is and completely silent-with live histogram- at discount in UK £400. Macro add-on lens from Sony £80, but you can get much cheaper entire 4 lens sets off Ebay for £20 (quality not as good!).
Noise at 400 ISO is BETTER than the D300, but not as good as the Canon 40D above that, and the Canon is half the price of a 300D and has live view.
Live view without a tilting screen as the R1, or the new Lumix, or the Oly 330 and all the old Powershot G canons and early coolpixes, is of NO use at all, since you are on your knees even lower down than the viewfinder!
The D40x is fantastic with that lens and the quietest SLR around now........shhh, but slow.
aekn
Forum Enthusiast
Kind of reminds me of back in 1987. I was 16 years old, and wanted a brand new Buick Grand National (fastest American car made that year) so bad I can taste it.
A guy down the street from my house buys one for his wife to use as a grocery getter. I had to watch her drive it all summer (and all winter), crawling about 15 MPH past my house each day.
Yeah, a D300 would be great for a first time user. Just don't bring it by my house and use it in front of me! ;-)
A guy down the street from my house buys one for his wife to use as a grocery getter. I had to watch her drive it all summer (and all winter), crawling about 15 MPH past my house each day.
Yeah, a D300 would be great for a first time user. Just don't bring it by my house and use it in front of me! ;-)
I just sold my D40 & 18-55mm kit lens after a year of use to upgrade to the D300 & 50mm 1.8 prime. After 2 weeks of experimentation, forum-scouring, and reading the manual over (and over), I'm still feeling over my head. It's a good thing to overwhelmed and learning but I've had a couple of missed shots & forehead-slapping moments when I forgot about a custom WB or exposure delay setting.
My advice: Don't risk missing your babies first steps because your settings are wrong or you can't handle the size/weight of the D300 with one hand compared to the P&S quality of the D40. You'll definitely outgrow the D40 but, as others have said, by then the D300 will have dropped in price and your DSLR will be ready for the next level.
My advice: Don't risk missing your babies first steps because your settings are wrong or you can't handle the size/weight of the D300 with one hand compared to the P&S quality of the D40. You'll definitely outgrow the D40 but, as others have said, by then the D300 will have dropped in price and your DSLR will be ready for the next level.
rzarbo
Senior Member
The D300 is a very interesting piece of equipment and I have been following as many of the threads as I can as well. 
I have the Pentax k10d and it too is a VERY customizable camera. VERY, and therein lies the trouble for a beginner. I have had my k10d for about 6 months but I am still very much a beginner both with dslrs and photography in general so when something is wrong with a picture I don't know enough to know if it was me or an incorrect setting in camera. So, the result is that you wont know whether to change what you are doing with the shot or if you need to go to the menus and try and figure out what setting you screwed up. It can be very frustrating and disheartening.
There is a very steep learning curve and you will need to experiment lots and lots but don't do it with important shots or you will be bound to miss a lot of great ones of your kids. I spend hours playing and experimenting but then, because I have learned the hard way, hit the reset button to set the camera back to default settings and put it in auto mode when I need to take shots I don't want to risk screwing up. I have actually passed a personal milestone and now shoot in AV mode with almost the same confidence as auto mode. LOL
There are, however, advantages for a beginner with such a camera, at least in my opinion. ALL those buttons are actually quite helpful (I can see why the pros like them!) As a beginner, a hundred things to remember are going through your head with each shot and it is a serious disturbance to the thought process to have to go menu diving. It did not take me very long to become comfortable with those external buttons and I don't think I would ever want a camera again without them.
If you are really committed to learning to use it and don't mind the most likely disappointing initial results then by all means get the D300 as it is a fantastic camera. I am sure you will love it (eventually) LOL
--
Robin
The fault is not in the stars, dear Brutus, but in ourselves.......
Shakespeare
I have the Pentax k10d and it too is a VERY customizable camera. VERY, and therein lies the trouble for a beginner. I have had my k10d for about 6 months but I am still very much a beginner both with dslrs and photography in general so when something is wrong with a picture I don't know enough to know if it was me or an incorrect setting in camera. So, the result is that you wont know whether to change what you are doing with the shot or if you need to go to the menus and try and figure out what setting you screwed up.
It can be very frustrating and disheartening.There is a very steep learning curve and you will need to experiment lots and lots but don't do it with important shots or you will be bound to miss a lot of great ones of your kids. I spend hours playing and experimenting but then, because I have learned the hard way, hit the reset button to set the camera back to default settings and put it in auto mode when I need to take shots I don't want to risk screwing up. I have actually passed a personal milestone and now shoot in AV mode with almost the same confidence as auto mode. LOL
There are, however, advantages for a beginner with such a camera, at least in my opinion. ALL those buttons are actually quite helpful (I can see why the pros like them!) As a beginner, a hundred things to remember are going through your head with each shot and it is a serious disturbance to the thought process to have to go menu diving. It did not take me very long to become comfortable with those external buttons and I don't think I would ever want a camera again without them.
If you are really committed to learning to use it and don't mind the most likely disappointing initial results then by all means get the D300 as it is a fantastic camera. I am sure you will love it (eventually) LOL
--
Robin
The fault is not in the stars, dear Brutus, but in ourselves.......
Shakespeare
Aaron Williams
Active member
I would second this. I went from a Canon SD100 3MP point and shoot to a Nikon D70s with the kit 18-70mm lens. Over time I spent money on additional lenses. Recently I made the switch from my D70s to the D300. It's a big jump if you use any of the automatic modes, which are available on cameras like the D40 and D80. If you want a camera that's fast that you can still handle like a P&S, go with a D80. My only big complaint with the D40 is the lack of support for autofocus with a lot of lenses (especially primes).
I spent 3 years using my D70s before I upgraded, though in that time I learned a lot by not using the automatic modes.
In the automatic mode, for example, my D70s would pop up the flash for fill flash or to light up a dark scene. Not so with the D300. It requires a lot more tweaking and knowledge on how to set things up to get the picture you want.
Think of a lower end camera as a learner's camera, but with the advantage that all of the lenses and accessories you buy for it can be used on the higher end cameras as well. Use the money you save for lenses and an external flash (I love my SB600 flash!) A few primes are also nice, the 50mm f1.8 is cheap yet very sharp. For wider angle you might also consider a 24mm, 28, or 35. You could also use the money you save to get some good zoom lenses. The Nikon 18-200 is a great general purpose lens as are a number of their other zooms.
Remember, you can always sell your camera and buy a better back in the future yet keep your investment in lenses.
I spent 3 years using my D70s before I upgraded, though in that time I learned a lot by not using the automatic modes.
In the automatic mode, for example, my D70s would pop up the flash for fill flash or to light up a dark scene. Not so with the D300. It requires a lot more tweaking and knowledge on how to set things up to get the picture you want.
Think of a lower end camera as a learner's camera, but with the advantage that all of the lenses and accessories you buy for it can be used on the higher end cameras as well. Use the money you save for lenses and an external flash (I love my SB600 flash!) A few primes are also nice, the 50mm f1.8 is cheap yet very sharp. For wider angle you might also consider a 24mm, 28, or 35. You could also use the money you save to get some good zoom lenses. The Nikon 18-200 is a great general purpose lens as are a number of their other zooms.
Remember, you can always sell your camera and buy a better back in the future yet keep your investment in lenses.
Aaron Williams
Active member
I second this as well. I took a lot of great pictures with my D70s, and since it's an old model you can get it pretty cheap. The nice thing is that you can spend the extra money on good lenses and things like an external flash and other goodies. When you're ready to upgrade, all of your old lenses and whatnot will continue to work great. I went from a D70s 3 years ago to a D300 and am still learning a lot.
The D70s is well built, and even with 13K pictures on it it still was solid and ran great when I sold it to my father so he can upgrade from his point-and-shoot.
The D70s is well built, and even with 13K pictures on it it still was solid and ran great when I sold it to my father so he can upgrade from his point-and-shoot.
zwartgat
New member
It's hard to know whether you will be happy with a digital SLR without
knowing if you would be happy with an SLR at all. Many people expect
that an SLR is a P&S with better image quality ... it is not. Many people
like the P&S mode of operation (point ... look at screen ... press shutter ...)
and think that an SLR is like this only faster. They're not. If you don't
like viewfinders, then an SLR is not for you ... (I don't think the D300's
live view really changes this).
So, if you have had experience with a film SLR, then you'll have a better
idea of what's in store for you. My advice ... beg, borrow, or steal a DSLR
before you buy. You are correct in that an SLR is not like a P&S when
it comes to the convenience of carrying it. Keep in mind that the SLR is
the tip of the iceberg with respect to equipment, you'll need lenses,
flash, tripods, etc.
I'll relate my experiences, and maybe you can extract something from
them. I started off in high school with an old manual focus 35mm SLR.
Bought and sold several of these and finally had a Nikon 6006 that I loved,
but it was stolen. Got a Nikon Coolpix 950 as an insurance replacement,
and was instantly hooked on digital, but I really missed my SLR (my wife
and I travelled to China for several weeks with the 950 and her 6006 and
we realized that SLRs still had many advantages). I later bought a D1 and
loved it, although the lens lust was constant and expensive. It took a while
with the D1 and lenses before I was liked my results better than I did with
the CP 950. I don't like P&S screens, much preferring a viewfinder. You are
absolutely correct in that the best SLR in the world can't take good photos
if you don't carry it, and people do treat you differently if you have an
SLR (if I had $1.00 for every time someone looked at my 70-200 VR and
said "you have a really big lens" or "I bet you can see all of the way up my
nose with that" (ugh!) I could retire ...). I think the point is that an SLR
requires a bigger investment in your time and money than a P&S, for which
you will be greatly rewarded ... IF you keep up your end of the bargain
and have it with you, always.
I have (had ... it just died, RIP) an S230 also. I love the ELPH size and style,
but the image quality was always suspect to me. You don't mention whether
or not you liked your ELPH's image quality. I mention this because the payback
on the investment in time, money, and effort lugging around an SLR is image
quality, not just speed. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to realize this image
quality, though. The D300 does not have any sort of "preset" or "automatic"
modes ... you will be responsible for knowing how to configure it. I have no
doubt that you can, but the question is do you want to invest the effort?
Again, I'd recommend that you beg, borrow, or steal a D80 and/or a D40
before you go for a D300 ... not because it can't be a first DSLR but more
because it will require more investment (in time and effort) as a first DSLR.
Sorry for the length ... and Happy New Year!
-bill
knowing if you would be happy with an SLR at all. Many people expect
that an SLR is a P&S with better image quality ... it is not. Many people
like the P&S mode of operation (point ... look at screen ... press shutter ...)
and think that an SLR is like this only faster. They're not. If you don't
like viewfinders, then an SLR is not for you ... (I don't think the D300's
live view really changes this).
So, if you have had experience with a film SLR, then you'll have a better
idea of what's in store for you. My advice ... beg, borrow, or steal a DSLR
before you buy. You are correct in that an SLR is not like a P&S when
it comes to the convenience of carrying it. Keep in mind that the SLR is
the tip of the iceberg with respect to equipment, you'll need lenses,
flash, tripods, etc.
I'll relate my experiences, and maybe you can extract something from
them. I started off in high school with an old manual focus 35mm SLR.
Bought and sold several of these and finally had a Nikon 6006 that I loved,
but it was stolen. Got a Nikon Coolpix 950 as an insurance replacement,
and was instantly hooked on digital, but I really missed my SLR (my wife
and I travelled to China for several weeks with the 950 and her 6006 and
we realized that SLRs still had many advantages). I later bought a D1 and
loved it, although the lens lust was constant and expensive. It took a while
with the D1 and lenses before I was liked my results better than I did with
the CP 950. I don't like P&S screens, much preferring a viewfinder. You are
absolutely correct in that the best SLR in the world can't take good photos
if you don't carry it, and people do treat you differently if you have an
SLR (if I had $1.00 for every time someone looked at my 70-200 VR and
said "you have a really big lens" or "I bet you can see all of the way up my
nose with that" (ugh!) I could retire ...). I think the point is that an SLR
requires a bigger investment in your time and money than a P&S, for which
you will be greatly rewarded ... IF you keep up your end of the bargain
and have it with you, always.
I have (had ... it just died, RIP) an S230 also. I love the ELPH size and style,
but the image quality was always suspect to me. You don't mention whether
or not you liked your ELPH's image quality. I mention this because the payback
on the investment in time, money, and effort lugging around an SLR is image
quality, not just speed. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to realize this image
quality, though. The D300 does not have any sort of "preset" or "automatic"
modes ... you will be responsible for knowing how to configure it. I have no
doubt that you can, but the question is do you want to invest the effort?
Again, I'd recommend that you beg, borrow, or steal a D80 and/or a D40
before you go for a D300 ... not because it can't be a first DSLR but more
because it will require more investment (in time and effort) as a first DSLR.
Sorry for the length ... and Happy New Year!
-bill
I am not at all about wanting to own a nice toy. My thought is that the D300 has all the features that I want which I have described above. I don't want to buy a camera this year, upgrade to another one a year from now, and then buy a new one after that. I can't afford to buy 3 cameras in 3 years. I wanted to just get some advice from people who have purchased the D300 as their first slr to see how they liked it as their first slr. I don't mind a learning curve but I just feel that if I am going to spend this kind of money on a slr, why not get the nicest one I could afford now and learn how to use it? My point here is just to see what the learning curve would be right and to see how people feel about purchasing it as their first slr. Are they overwhelmed, or regretting going with the 300 as their first slr.
You have some valid points here. I think definately I will pass on the D40. It just doesn't seem comfortable for me to hold. I have large hands and I can only fit 2 1/2 fingers on the handle. I don't have anything against the D40. I just am looking forward to the future and don't want to be someone upgrading a year from now because I want something with more features. I want to use a camera for the next 3-5 years and not feel that I have outgrown it. Thank you for you valid points.
Thank you for the information on how you feel about the d300. You are the first person that has said it is kind of easy to use. I am not the type of person that is going to get upset with it or get tired of trying to make it work. I am interested in the d300 very much and appreciate user opinions.
I am a college student but I would not be buying this camera with a college grant. I have saved up my own money for something like a nice camera and part of it is my Christmas present. I may or may not go with the d300 based on opinions for my first dslr, but it would definately not be purchased on a school grant.
Do you want a DSLR that will give you out-of-camera high quality, directly usable .JPGs like your P&S does???
It really matters because the D200/D300's are NOT good .JPGs out-of-the-camera DSLRs.
--
Andy_F
[Equipment in use -- see profile]
It really matters because the D200/D300's are NOT good .JPGs out-of-the-camera DSLRs.
--
Andy_F
[Equipment in use -- see profile]
Really? You have a D300, I assume?
I do, and the out of camera .jpegs are fantastic. Better than the ones I get out of a D50.
The D200 I'd agree with you on...
I do, and the out of camera .jpegs are fantastic. Better than the ones I get out of a D50.
The D200 I'd agree with you on...
SillyChris
Well-known member
Yeah the D300 is a big jump from a P & S. It seemed big for me since i have been using my D50 for 1.5 years. I nevered really used the pre programmed modes much though which made it a bit easier for me to grasp my D300.
It has almost been 1.5months since i have owned my D300 and there are still heaps to learn. My photos are finally looking pretty close to the way i would like them to look.
Something you would notice from a P and S and jumping to a DSLR is your need to rely on the optical viewfinder a lot and not the LCD screen. The D300 live view i hardly use only on the odd occasion however it doesn't work exactly as a P and S's liveview does, so don't expect it to. in dark situations the optical view finder can see more anyways. If your eye sight isn't up to scratch peering into a OVF all the time is gonna take some getting use to.
It funny nowadays sometimes i get asked to take photos with someone else's P n S and find my self looking into the OVF instead of the LCD screen. but that's just a force of habit.
If you do have a P n S at the moment just play with the P A S M modes if they have it that is, cause they are the only modes on the D300. IF you don't even know what the mean you've got a long way before you can get a decent photograph.
I would suggest the D80 for a beginner, but however if you have a lot of patience and time and don't expect to be a genius in photography straight away go for the D300 or even the D3.
I suggested a friend a few months back to get a D80 and he loves it. So don't think that the D80 is any less of a camera.
It has almost been 1.5months since i have owned my D300 and there are still heaps to learn. My photos are finally looking pretty close to the way i would like them to look.
Something you would notice from a P and S and jumping to a DSLR is your need to rely on the optical viewfinder a lot and not the LCD screen. The D300 live view i hardly use only on the odd occasion however it doesn't work exactly as a P and S's liveview does, so don't expect it to. in dark situations the optical view finder can see more anyways. If your eye sight isn't up to scratch peering into a OVF all the time is gonna take some getting use to.
It funny nowadays sometimes i get asked to take photos with someone else's P n S and find my self looking into the OVF instead of the LCD screen. but that's just a force of habit.
If you do have a P n S at the moment just play with the P A S M modes if they have it that is, cause they are the only modes on the D300. IF you don't even know what the mean you've got a long way before you can get a decent photograph.
I would suggest the D80 for a beginner, but however if you have a lot of patience and time and don't expect to be a genius in photography straight away go for the D300 or even the D3.
I suggested a friend a few months back to get a D80 and he loves it. So don't think that the D80 is any less of a camera.
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