Recommend me an upgrade....

Y15HAL

Y15HAL

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Morning All,

I'm starting the hunt for a new (used) DSLR.

I currently have a Nikon D50, and think its about time i upgraded to something beastier! :cool::bat:

I have been looking at the D300...looks like a good prospect.... But whats the difference between this and the D300s?

I mainly use the camera to take pictures of the little one, and do some family events from time to time......

I have approximately £600-700 to spend.......

Any input would be mucho appreciated! :D
 
Canon will always be an upgrade from any Nikon ;)

Unforutnately I don't know much about the Nikon range but I'm sure someone will be along with real advice soon enough
 
The main diffrences between a 300s and 300 is that the 300s is an improved version of its older brother. It has better movie support (with autofocus), a non-latched mem card door and a few other improvements. Bear in mind that the 300s is a semi-pro camera, and while endlessly great, it might confuse a lot of users. If all you do is to take pics of your kids and family, you might want to look into a cheaper alternative, like the D5000 or D90, and rather invest in some good glass (better than the kit lens, at least).
 
The D5000 doesn't have an in built AF motor though does it?

I have some relevantly decent glass - 17-70 2.8, nifty fifty, and without spending ridiculous amounts of money, i won't be able to get anything decent....

I doubt in this case then that it would be worth spending the extra money on the D300s then......the D300 should be fine for my needs.

Appreciate your comment about the D90, but the D300 looks niiiiiiiiice! :)
 
The D90 has the inbuilt motor and also has the same sensor as the D300/s. You could get a new D90 for less then a second hand D300.
 
Anyone else?

I can get a D90 brand new with kit lens (18-105) for £650 or a used D300 for the same price?

Decisions decisions!??!?!!??
 
If you can get a D90 new for £650 in kit lens then go for that as you will have the 2yr warranty then (as warranty cant be tranferred) you could always sell the 18-105mm & get some cash back...

I've had the D90 (before my D300s) & was a nice camera.... Not that that helps in anyway :lol:

As our "Colin" (blind date) used to say - "the decision is yours" ;)
 
Thanks for the input Steve! :)

If you had the choice, you'd go for the D90 then? I'm not really bothered if its new or used....

Any ideas what the lens would be worth if i sold it on?
 
Y15HAL said:
Thanks for the input Steve! :)

If you had the choice, you'd go for the D90 then? I'm not really bothered if its new or used....

Any ideas what the lens would be worth if i sold it on?
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For what you want it for then I'd say yeah.... I sold my 18-105 kit lens when I got the D90 & brought the 18-200mm VR..

I will have look at what I sold mine for (brand new) - or you can always have a look in the for sale archives for ones that have been sold or on ebay....

Get the grip as well as that compliments in even more :thumbs:

edit: sold my 18-105mm for £170.00 but that was 18mths ago
 
The reasons to get the D300 over the D90 are if you use it a lot outdoors, might get chucked about a bit, 51 focus points over 11 focus points, and generally a better body build. For family events and just general kids/family portraits the D90 is a much better choice because it's lighter and easier to carry around. Plus you can get a new one for the same price and get a warranty :thumbs:
 
karmagarda said:
The reasons to get the D300 over the D90 are if you use it a lot outdoors, might get chucked about a bit, 51 focus points over 11 focus points, and generally a better body build. For family events and just general kids/family portraits the D90 is a much better choice because it's lighter and easier to carry around. Plus you can get a new one for the same price and get a warranty :thumbs:
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rarely use the camera outdoors, unless if we're going away somewhere.....

51 focus points would come in handy though! ;)
 
I love the D90 and for the money. I'd never buy a D300 for the little extra that it gives, though of course it is an excellent camera.

If you're into portrait photography you might want to have a look for a Fuji S5 which go for around £450 2nd hand now I think. Not as easy to use as a D90 or D300 but fantastic skin tones and a unique twin sensor that gives a really high dynamic range. It has a slow shutter rate though so pretty poor if you're planning on something like sports photography.
 
Y15HAL said:
rarely use the camera outdoors, unless if we're going away somewhere.....

51 focus points would come in handy though! ;)
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Sounds like the D90 is more than adequate. You'd never notice the 51 focus points apart from the sensors flashing through the viewfinder :lol:. I have a D300, but I shoot outdoors quite a bit, and sometimes in damp weather. So it was a no brainer for me.
 
Matt, thanks for the info about the fuji, but i already have nikon accessories/lenses, and don't want to go through the hassle of going through everything and would rather stick with Nikon.

Conor, sounds like you know your stuff! :)
 
No action shots here.....not that i can think of anyways! :suspect:

Mainly indoor used with an SB900 and some outdoor shots......static.....
 
Y15HAL said:
Matt, thanks for the info about the fuji, but i already have nikon accessories/lenses, and don't want to go through the hassle of going through everything and would rather stick with Nikon.

Conor, sounds like you know your stuff! :)
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I dunno, I might just be a stat junky! :lol:

The others are spot on about action too, but as you've mentioned you won't be shooting action. Main reasons for choosing the D300 for action is down to the AF system and it's higher FPS.

Anyway, there's no point buying it if you're not going to utilise all of that! And D90 is a fantastic piece of kit, you won't regret it. A friend at work has one, and I tell you what, I would have bought one myself and saved a bit of cash at the time, but I just needed that confidence when shooting in crap conditions!

And damn you with you SB-900... making me jealous :lol:... although, for what I shoot an SB-600 is more than adequate. Just getting gear envy now :nuts:
 
hmmm, swaying towards the D90 now......brand new, for £650 with the 18-105.....

as for the SB900, it was an impulse buy, but i'm glad i did! improves the indoor shots with poor lighting ten-fold! :D
 
Y15HAL said:
Matt, thanks for the info about the fuji, but i already have nikon accessories/lenses, and don't want to go through the hassle of going through everything and would rather stick with Nikon.
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The Fuji is Nikon mount so you can use all your lenses. :) It has the same body as a D200.
 
You should go and handle them both. I was torn between a D90 and a second hand Canon 40D. I was about to buy the Nikon when I went and tried it again and compared it with the 50D (more or less the same feel as the 40D) and it just didn't feel as comfortable in my hand (or as chuncky build quality). I ended up buying the 50D there and then though if I had got my hands on a D300 maybe I would've made a different choice!

Edited to add that I also think having more focus points is something I would really like.
 
why get anything beastier? if you're happy with the camera you have then keep it and invest in a good quality lens instead
 
Dan, hopefully i will be doing just that this week. I went to jessops the other day, but they sold out of D90's! :O

John, because i need something with better images, ISO and more AF points......AND its about time i upgraded :D
 
Y15HAL said:
John, because i need something with better images, ISO and more AF points......AND its about time i upgraded :D
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I can understand the AF (I'm a bit fed up with having only 3), but useable ISO difference between D90 and D50 can't be more than one stop, no? ISO1600 vs. ISO3200.

My advice would be to get some good lighting equipment or faster glass for indoors. The 50mm is a little tight for this.

Just my 2cents though. I'm sure you'd be super-happy about the extra switches and buttons as well as the great display on the D90. :)
 
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