D300(s) worth a punt?

Auraomega

Auraomega

Suspended / Banned
Messages
40
Name
Robert
Edit My Images
No
I got my first DSLR back in January (D3100) and I've rediscovered how much I love photography, I've spent quite a bit of money on kit and now I'm finding myself limited by the bodies lack of autofocus motor and capabilities, and fps. I want to remain with crop bodies because I do a lot of bird photography so appreciate the extra reach and also have a DX ultra wide angle lens, however I can't bring myself to buy the D7000 at almost £900! I've looked at the D300 and D300s which are selling second hand comparatively cheaply and tick all the boxes for me as far as I can see. I know they are all great cameras however would you recommend spending that extra on the D7000 or just going for a second hand D300?

Am I right in thinking that the only real difference between the D300 and D300s is the dual memory card slots, and the video recording capabilities?
 
Hi there,

I went from a D5000 to a D300s some time ago and I think it was worth it. There was a massive upgrade for me and I just wasn't happy with the D5000 but absolutely love my D300s now :) Ultimately it is going to depend what you want to use the camera for, if the video feature is key to you then a D7000 might be a better option. Whatever you decide on, don't settle for the second best. Even if what you want is a few hundred more, save a bit longer otherwise you will kick yourself that you didn't just wait that little bit longer.

The D300s is fantastic and so is the D300, if you can, get to a shop and have a play!

:)
 
the d300 and d300s are awsome, the af will blow you away, as will the build, the only advantage the d7000 has is more mps(if thats important to you) and better high iso, the d300 can be used to 3200 as long as the exposure is ok and you dont wanna crop loads.
heres a pic from my d300.
SJB_8422.jpg
 
Get D300 or D300s on which ever one you can get hold of. I'm a D7000 user and i recommend you on D300 lol.

I choose D7k because the iso and mega pixel for crop and low light etc.

Reason why you need D300 is because the AF point, FPS (it shoot 8fps with grip and the D7k only shoot 6 FPS).

Since you shoot bird alot then i guess you won't use the high iso as much since you shoot alot during day light i guess?

Some burst is your friend.
 
I want my camera just to take photos, video holds no interest to me.

I've checked out loads of reviews and the D7000s only advantage that I can see was the high ISO and resolution, while I like to print off my photos as large as possible I do wonder how realistic it is to print a 16mpx shot at max size. The ISO is something I'd like but I'm not sure it's worth the extra money to me.

Am I right in thinking that the D300 will af faster than my current D3100 as well as be more accurate? On the D3100 I've had a lot of issue focusing on birds in flight.
 
Auraomega said:
I want my camera just to take photos, video holds no interest to me.

I've checked out loads of reviews and the D7000s only advantage that I can see was the high ISO and resolution, while I like to print off my photos as large as possible I do wonder how realistic it is to print a 16mpx shot at max size. The ISO is something I'd like but I'm not sure it's worth the extra money to me.

Am I right in thinking that the D300 will af faster than my current D3100 as well as be more accurate? On the D3100 I've had a lot of issue focusing on birds in flight.
Click to expand...

Depend how big is big to you when print, in realistic even 6-8 mega pixel is enough. High ISO performance is personal preference and what you shoot. For shooting bird it doesn't matter for me i shoot quite alot of wedding and band stuff where flash is not allow then it does make a different to me ......
D300(s) burst is very fast and the buffer is higher too. That 51 AF point is very good on the D300(s). I say go for D300(s) used like you mention and it sound like you want D300(s) as well.
 
I use a D700 and D300.

I have shots from the D300 printed 4 foot by 3 foot and the quality is amazing.
I frequently use the 51 point AF in 3D mode to focus on running animals and it does what it says on the tin.
 
One for sale on the forums here (D300)

but you need 25 posts and sixty days to access the classifieds. Priced at 530 with 20k shutter clicks.
 
If your willing to wait a bit, until 24th aug theres likely an anouncement for some new nikon bodies.
If the D400 (D300s replacement) is announced that should send d300s prices further down.
 
tee_tee said:
If your willing to wait a bit, until 24th aug theres likely an anouncement for some new nikon bodies.
If the D400 (D300s replacement) is announced that should send d300s prices further down.
Click to expand...

Thats good lol, i want a D300s as a second camera to my D7000, may even use it as first choice lol
 
I use a 300s for bird photography (as well as bands and landscapes). I upgraded from the D80 about a year and a half ago.

I find it an excellent camera in all conditions. Because I am starting to do more wildlife I would love a Full Frame camera (but that is dreamland).

Honestly, I doubt you will be disappointed should you purchase one.
 
tee_tee said:
If your willing to wait a bit, until 24th aug theres likely an anouncement for some new nikon bodies.
If the D400 (D300s replacement) is announced that should send d300s prices further down.
Click to expand...

Only if the new ones do actually exist and stock is available this year.
 
tee_tee said:
If your willing to wait a bit, until 24th aug theres likely an anouncement for some new nikon bodies.
If the D400 (D300s replacement) is announced that should send d300s prices further down.
Click to expand...

They may be announced then, but back when the D300 came out you had to wait until December before any appeared in the shops and even then they were at full rrp, so I don't think pries will start dropping on the D300s until well into the new year.....
 
Well the D300 seems to be the way forward for me so I'll keep my eyes open for any second hand bargains. How easy/difficult is it to get hold of a battery grip for these cameras?
 
Auraomega said:
Well the D300 seems to be the way forward for me so I'll keep my eyes open for any second hand bargains. How easy/difficult is it to get hold of a battery grip for these cameras?
Click to expand...

Dead easy, the genuine magnesium Nikon ones turn up in the TP classifieds all the time and there are a couple of decent copies (plenty of reviews on TP if you do a wee search) that are very well thought of :thumbs:
 
If you want to play, I will be at the Warwick tp meet on Sunday (probably - dependant on weather). Hopefully my colleague at work will be going with his d7k too :)

For pics, check the flickr links below (in the sig).

If video isn't required, then def go for the d300. If required tho, d300s or d7k.
If going new, check whether Jessops still do an interest free option? As long as you pay it off with in a year.

Good luck with the hunt.
 
scottthehat said:
the d300 and d300s are awsome, the af will blow you away, as will the build, the only advantage the d7000 has is more mps(if thats important to you) and better high iso, the d300 can be used to 3200 as long as the exposure is ok and you dont wanna crop loads.
heres a pic from my d300.
Click to expand...

I have both and it is not the only advantage, mate. The D7000 has just wonderful files compared to the d300. I love the 300, but I always go WOW at the 7000. Even more so than my D700.
 
The23rdman said:
I have both and it is not the only advantage, mate. The D7000 has just wonderful files compared to the d300. I love the 300, but I always go WOW at the 7000. Even more so than my D700.
Click to expand...
only played with a d7000 for a while, but use a k5 alot,(same sensor) and yeah its good but image quality i find no better than the d300 and certainly not as good as the d700.
 
WP-UK said:
Hi there,

I went from a D5000 to a D300s some time ago and I think it was worth it. There was a massive upgrade for me and I just wasn't happy with the D5000 but absolutely love my D300s now :) Ultimately it is going to depend what you want to use the camera for, if the video feature is key to you then a D7000 might be a better option. Whatever you decide on, don't settle for the second best. Even if what you want is a few hundred more, save a bit longer otherwise you will kick yourself that you didn't just wait that little bit longer.

The D300s is fantastic and so is the D300, if you can, get to a shop and have a play!

:)
Click to expand...

Same as me

I liked the D5000 at first then started not to like it and made the move to the D300s and have not look back since

DO IT
 
If you don't need video, D300 bodies are currently a freaking STEAL. £550 for a camera that can take great photos up to 3200? Pro body and lightning fast AF, the same as in the D3? Especially with the D700 just not having dropped price in well... ever... they're an absolute best buy.

They were a bargain 12 months ago at £750, even moreso now.
 
Last edited:
there are some bargain's to be had out there i have just bought a d300 done around 18000 clicks with a mb d10 battery grip for £550 ,so far i've only had time to have a quick play and it's great runs rings round my old d80
 
I got a SH D300 from someone off here and it's a stunning camera, would echo what everyone said and also add another positive for me when I upgraded from the D40

Because of the fps and bracketing function you can easily hand hold a 3 frame bracket for HDR, I've gone higher when the camera is on the floor or on a wall

Buy it, for the price it's a no-brainer
 
scottthehat said:
the d300 and d300s are awsome, the af will blow you away, as will the build, the only advantage the d7000 has is more mps(if thats important to you) and better high iso, the d300 can be used to 3200 as long as the exposure is ok and you dont wanna crop loads.
heres a pic from my d300.
SJB_8422.jpg
Click to expand...

Got to say i love this shot. It is so clear and the colours are wonderful.
 
I got a D7k and i looking for a second camera so i don't have to change lens, i think i will look for a D300.

I think if i have a D300 along with my current d7k it is a killer combo ......

low light performance and high burst speed :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top