New Nikon D300s

[TommyGun]

Here we go again , Nikon has announced another new camera , the D300s which is basically a D300 with video capability and dual card slots and an extra frame per second. Technically nothing to gain over the D300 but no doubt we will see hundreds if not thousands of D300 owners looking to upgrade to this new wonder. I suppose the good think about this is that the prices of second hand D300's and D200's will drop so great news if you are looking to pick up a bargain.

I would rather that Nikon worked on improving the still image quality instead of introducing stupid gimmicks to keep up with the other manufacturers.

I would like to see the following improvements:

1. An improved or new sensor to give even better resolution and lower noise or have the limits already been reached in that department ?

2. An improved sensor design that gives dynamic range similar to black & white film.

3. A faster flash sync speed such as 1/1000sec or higher

Are these simple things not possible ?

If I wanted video I would buy a camcorder not a camera!!!!
:bang:

 

[Snapper73]

Technically nothing to gain over the D300 but no doubt we will see hundreds if not thousands of D300 owners looking to upgrade to this new wonder. I suppose the good think about this is that the prices of second hand D300's and D200's will drop so great news if you are looking to pick up a bargain.

I don't think this will be the case, yes it is a new d300 with a few extra's but how many people dumped there D90 when the D5000 came out. I think most D300 owners would only sell to move upto a D700.

 

[TommyGun]

Lots of people dumped their D200's when the D300 came out. It's a fact people want the latest model thinking it is better than what they already have.

 

[cowasaki]

The improvements are just that improvements they are good extras that I would be pleased to have. I have no need for a video camera as I have one that I never use anyway BUT the reality is that once you have liveview the jump to video is mainly software BUT it adds a feature that may sell a few more. I wouldn't discount a camera due to the addition of video but I wouldn't use it.

The dual memory card slots IS a decent addition and the mixture would be my choice. I have a Macbook pro which has one of those small expansion slots that it too small for someone to make a flush memory card reader for compact flash but there are cards for SD memory. So I could plug that in and leave it in then just push the SD card in when I need it rather than having an external reader. Plus I could use the compact flash card for JPG images or an overflow or backup.

I would have loved the D700 to have had dual cards but hay ho!

 

[Snapper73]

Lots of people dumped their D200's when the D300 came out. It's a fact people want the latest model thinking it is better than what they already have.

Yes but the D300 offered a lot more than the D200. Better screen, better ISO new sensor etc. The D300s is not really offering much more then HD video.

 

[cowasaki]

Yes but the D300 offered a lot more than the D200. Better screen, better ISO new sensor etc. The D300s is not really offering much more then HD video.

I didn't even think that the D300 was a big enough upgrade to bother with from the D200 so the D300s certainly wouldn't be a big enough jump from the D300.
I will probably be getting a D300 in November to replace the D200 but only because I will be giving the D200 to Mrs C to upgrade her D40x and because the grip and transmitter will be compatible with the D700. I am pleased about the D300s but only because it means that I will have to spend less dosh on the D300.

 

[Snapper73]

I didn't even think that the D300 was a big enough upgrade to bother with from the D200 so the D300s certainly wouldn't be a big enough jump from the D300.
I will probably be getting a D300 in November to replace the D200 but only because I will be giving the D200 to Mrs C to upgrade her D40x and because the grip and transmitter will be compatible with the D700. I am pleased about the D300s but only because it means that I will have to spend less dosh on the D300.

I still think the D300 will still hold its current second hand price for at least another 6-8 months if not more.

 

[cowasaki]

I still think the D300 will still hold its current second hand price for at least another 6-8 months if not more.

It will until the D300s is in plenty supply and the price has dropped to current D300 levels so yes I would tend to agree. The 2nd hand price of D200 is around £400-450 and D300 is £700-750 it might knock a little off these but I cannot see either dropping too much before the D400 comes in.

 

[Snapper73]

It will until the D300s is in plenty supply and the price has dropped to current D300 levels so yes I would tend to agree. The 2nd hand price of D200 is around £400-450 and D300 is £700-750 it might knock a little off these but I cannot see either dropping too much before the D400 comes in.

Yeh I think thats when you might see a good price drop of the D300 when the D400 comes out, but i've no idea when that could be

 

[cowasaki]

Yeh I think thats when you might see a good price drop of the D300 when the D400 comes out, but i've no idea when that could be

Oh it will be a while, clearly, as the D300s has only been out a few days! I would guess next summer late on maybe longer and possibly into 2011. The D200 lasted 5 years!

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Here we go again , Nikon has announced another new camera , the D300s which is basically a D300 with video capability and dual card slots and an extra frame per second. Technically nothing to gain over the D300 but no doubt we will see hundreds if not thousands of D300 owners looking to upgrade to this new wonder. I suppose the good think about this is that the prices of second hand D300's and D200's will drop so great news if you are looking to pick up a bargain.

I would rather that Nikon worked on improving the still image quality instead of introducing stupid gimmicks to keep up with the other manufacturers.

I would like to see the following improvements:

1. An improved or new sensor to give even better resolution and lower noise or have the limits already been reached in that department ?

2. An improved sensor design that gives dynamic range similar to black & white film.

3. A faster flash sync speed such as 1/1000sec or higher

Are these simple things not possible ?

If I wanted video I would buy a camcorder not a camera!!!!
:bang:

I don't think it'll make much, if any difference to the used price of the D300 as the 300s will be around £1300 in the shops. As far as your wishlist goes...

1) Probably due in the D400

2) Fuji S5 R.I.P.

3) Not technically possible with a mechanical shutter - buy a D70 or D70s and enjoy the 1/8000 flash sync speed you can get with one of those :nuts:

 

[TommyGun]

Are you sure the D70/70s had a flash sync speed of 1/8000sec ?
I'm sure it was the the same as the D50 which was 1/500sec
That is what I find surprising the D50 being an entry level camera but having 1/500sec flash sync speed yet most modern pro cameras can only manage 1/250 sec ( not talking about Auto FP Sync here ). So why is it not possible in the Pro cameras ????

 

[boyfalldown]

Are you sure the D70/70s had a flash sync speed of 1/8000sec ?
I'm sure it was the the same as the D50 which was 1/500sec
That is what I find surprising the D50 being an entry level camera but having 1/500sec flash sync speed yet most modern pro cameras can only manage 1/250 sec ( not talking about Auto FP Sync here ). So why is it not possible in the Pro cameras ????

because all the cameras you've listed have an electronic shutter. You can't sync at 1/8000 with a mechanical shutter. Thats why you need to auto FP at higher speeds

 

[allanm]

and D300 is £700-750 .......

I dont think I'd be selling mine as cheap as this ( if I was going to.!) Second hand D300 seem to be going for more like £900 in places like Mifsuds and Ffordes ( £949)
The D300s seems to me to be an alternative with video mode rather than an upgrade. I wont be getting one!

Allan

 

[cowasaki]

I dont think I'd be selling mine as cheap as this ( if I was going to.!) Second hand D300 seem to be going for more like £900 in places like Mifsuds and Ffordes ( £949)
The D300s seems to me to be an alternative with video mode rather than an upgrade. I wont be getting one!

Allan

At those places the D200 will be £500 no doubt !

I am quoting the last couple that were sold on here. Remember shops sell with vat and warranty so will be more expensive.

 

[Mangelwurzel]

I would like to see the following improvements:

1. An improved or new sensor to give even better resolution and lower noise or have the limits already been reached in that department ?

So does the 300s have the same sensor as the 300? Just asking as i haven't seen any reviews yet and would have hoped to a noise performance similar to the D700 (probably asking too much).

If I wanted video I would buy a camcorder not a camera!!!!
:bang:

I thought the same thing a few weeks ago but i recently bought a D90 and with 2 small kids having video on a DSLR is really handy. I'm capturing memories that i know i wouldn't have without it.
Yes you can buy a camcorder, but most photographers have a DSLR in their hand most of the time so it's much easier just to hit the record button in between snaps instead of carrying 2 cameras.

I think the 300s looks good initially, it's just a bit too closely priced to the D700 but it will probably drop a few months after release.

 

[darthsmidge]

To go against the flow... the D300S is basicly my dream camera

I've always thought the D90 was brilliant with the HD movie recording, and would have sold my D80 and made the upgrade if it wernt for the facts that
1)D90 is still plastic, i would want my next body to be metal+weather sealed
2)Cant auto focus in movie recording.

But the D300S ticks those boxes as well.

So if i wasnt an empty pocketed 16 year old, i'd have one

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Are you sure the D70/70s had a flash sync speed of 1/8000sec ?
I'm sure it was the the same as the D50 which was 1/500sec
That is what I find surprising the D50 being an entry level camera but having 1/500sec flash sync speed yet most modern pro cameras can only manage 1/250 sec ( not talking about Auto FP Sync here ). So why is it not possible in the Pro cameras ????

No, like the D50 (and D40) it had a flash sync of 1/500, however you can trick it into allowing up to 1/8000 very easily. Same applies to the D40 and D50, although iirc it's 1/4000 for those.

The reason the these cameras can sync to 1/500 and below is that they have a hybrid electronic/mechanical shutter mechanism, whereas later Nikons, from the D80 on,have mechanical shutters and so are limited to between 1/200 and 1/320.