Upgrading my D70s - guidance please

[Astrokev]

Hi All,

I currently use a D70s and Tamron 200-500. Whilst these can deliver great shots, I've been promising myself an upgrade of both camera and lens for quite a while.

Whilst obviously interested in all bird photography, I'm particularly keen on the challenge of in-flight shots.

For the body, I am considering the D300. This has received much praise in the majority of reviews I've read - fast and more accurate AF, much improved noise at high ISO, high rapid fire rate. However, I've also seen the odd (inevitable) negative review, one of which reported noise in shadow detail.

Now that I'm in a position to take the plunge, I find myself getting a little nervous!

Please could those with experience of the D300 help me out? I'm looking for honest pro's and con's of this body. Is this shadow noise anything I should be concerned about? Compared to the D70s, will I see the noticeable improvement in handling and, more importantly, image quality than I hope to get?

For the lens upgrade, I'm currently considering the Nikon 300 f4 AFS (possibly with the TC14) which has also had good reviews.

Any help based on personal experience would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks
Kev

[rezMole]

I had a D70 and upgraded to the D300. Noise levels on the D300 are lower, but I still try not to use higher ISO than 400. Occassionally i'll go to 800, but noise starts to set in at this setting.

I expected noise levels to be lower, and they can be if you use the built in noise reduction, but I don't like the way that this reduces detail. Personally I don't think a little noise is a bad thing. Having said this, I have absolutely no regrets about upgrading - the D300 really is a cracking camera.

[RJM]

The D400 will probably be out by Summer. I'd wait.

cheers,
Rick

[Gentoo]

The D400 will probably be out by Summer. I'd wait.

cheers,
RickTrue, it may be announced this week which would make it available by summer.

However, to answer the question, the D300 is a great camera. You will not regret getting it. I generally don't shoot much about ISO800 myself as others have said. If you shoot in raw and use Capture NX, the noise reduction there works great (for me anyway). Not sure if the full version comes with the D300 outside the USA but mine came with it.

[rezMole]

Capture NX comes with the D300 here in the UK - well, it did with mine, but it also came bundled with my D70 as well.

[WHIMBREL]

I upgraded from the Nikon D70 to the D300 just over a year ago, I have to say I've been more than pleased. As regards the noise issue, I for one have not found it to be any problem.

Before you decide to spend unnecessary on a new lens, try out your existing Tamron 200-500 on the D300 at a dealers if possible before purchase, to see how it goes, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[pduxon]

fwiw I'd say ISO is clean to 800. its useable beyond that but I seldom do, occasionally in a particularly dark church. usually if shooting indoors or wildlife I shoot 800 if its landscapes I shoot 200.

Autofocus is certainly faster than a d70/s or d80.

Capture NX doesn't come with the d300 - boo hiss. It did for a while I believe.

this was ISO 800

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oG9pguvp-2c/ScZTXkEbCNI/AAAAAAAAUtc/DVcrLEz59NI/s1600-h/DSC_5942.JPG

it was shot in JPEG with a Nikon 80-400 (so not a fast lens) and has had minimal processing. please accept that I'm not very good!

also with the Nikon
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oG9pguvp-2c/SM1BtKT27cI/AAAAAAAAM0U/JXYJw9IxQ8g/s1600-h/dsc_2212.jpg

with a Tamron 18-250
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oG9pguvp-2c/SG-szm_9I5I/AAAAAAAAKrw/7ceRTiRqCz0/s1600-h/DSC_0104.JPG

if you shoot JPEG I'd advise turning up the sharpness.

It's heavy. you get used to it but when I picked up a d80 recently the difference was noticeable. Something to consider.

you may want to consider the d90. Ok it has a less sophisticated a/f mechanism and frame rate is 4.5 per second but image quality is virtually the same.

snaffled from Mr Hogan what you gain "faster frame rate (6 fps), wider autofocus coverage, more robust body and sealing, weight/size, better viewfinder, 10-pin connector, mirror lock-up, 14-bits. Loses: video."

You will love the screen of the d300/d90.

as to a d400? who knows when it will come out. various rumours doing the rounds. There is always something coming out! and we have no way of knowing how it will perform. The d300 will certainly be a step up to your d70s for high ISO.

as to lens? I'd try it first with the Tammy. alternatives? your only realistic choice would be a 300f4 with a 1.4 TC or we're talking loads of money!

[Duke Leto]

mifsuds are selling surplus D2X bodies for £599.00 make em an offer. They also gave me a very good trade in on a D70s against a D90 for my daughter.

[pduxon]

mifsuds are selling surplus D2X bodies for £599.00 make em an offer. They also gave me a very good trade in on a D70s against a D90 for my daughter.

Steve, the D2x is meant to be superb at base ISO (200) but not at high iso. no experience of said but what I've read.

[Gentoo]

I'm not very good!

also with the Nikon
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oG9pguvp-2...h/dsc_2212.jpgI disagree ;)

[Vespa]

If you shoot in raw and use Capture NX, the noise reduction there works great (for me anyway). Not sure if the full version comes with the D300 outside the USA but mine came with it.

The D300 currently comes with a 60 day trial of Capture NX2, if that is any use!

[Chalky W]

I bought a D300 just before xmas and while I can't say that I've mastered it yet (or photography - what's a fstop again!!), I can't say a bad word about it, it does everything it says on the box and a whole lot more.

I think noise is a subjective thing not an objective thing, a good photo is a good photo even with a bit of noise. Shooting at a high ISO gives us the option of getting a photo in lower light conditions if shutter and aperture are becoming unworkable. Noise is a consequence of the situation not the camera, the D300 handles it brilliantly. We forget all the great photos that are taken on film where ISO noise can be unavoidable at times. A bad craftsman blames his tools but a good one blames himself!!!

It's a great camera and advances in technology will make greater ones but you have to start from somewhere and I think the D300 is a great place to start.

I'm not an expert as I'm still learning and I'm sure the experts could pick great big holes in my recently started gallery but just my two pence worth on the D300.

[postcardcv]

mifsuds are selling surplus D2X bodies for £599.00 make em an offer. They also gave me a very good trade in on a D70s against a D90 for my daughter.

blimey - that's enough to make me wish I was using Nikon... at that price you get a lot of camera for your money.

[Gentoo]

I bought a D300 just before xmas and while I can't say that I've mastered it yet (or photography - what's a fstop again!!), I can't say a bad word about it, it does everything it says on the box and a whole lot more.

I think noise is a subjective thing not an objective thing, a good photo is a good photo even with a bit of noise. Shooting at a high ISO gives us the option of getting a photo in lower light conditions if shutter and aperture are becoming unworkable. Noise is a consequence of the situation not the camera, the D300 handles it brilliantly. We forget all the great photos that are taken on film where ISO noise can be unavoidable at times. A bad craftsman blames his tools but a good one blames himself!!!

It's a great camera and advances in technology will make greater ones but you have to start from somewhere and I think the D300 is a great place to start.

I'm not an expert as I'm still learning and I'm sure the experts could pick great big holes in my recently started gallery but just my two pence worth on the D300.Basically, I'd have to agree. I upgraded from a D40 to a D300. If you like vibrant colors, the D300 ( as all the gen 2 Nikons), will allow you to really select how it handles color as well as the other things mentioned. If you get a D300 you will not by any means be disappointed.

[Astrokev]

Hi Gentoo,

Thanks for your views on the D300. How do you find the 300f4 ? Although not in the same price league as the f2.8 or longer primes, it's still serious money. Since I already have the Tamron zoom, I'm hoping the 300 prime will give me the pin sharp images I can't quite get with the Tamron. Would you recommend it?

cheers

[Gentoo]

Hi Gentoo,

Thanks for your views on the D300. How do you find the 300f4 ? Although not in the same price league as the f2.8 or longer primes, it's still serious money. Since I already have the Tamron zoom, I'm hoping the 300 prime will give me the pin sharp images I can't quite get with the Tamron. Would you recommend it?

cheersIn short, yes I would recommend it. I have the AF-D version, the older one. This one would be cheaper than the AF-S version. I've not used the newer one but Steve (Duke Leto) has and tells me that they produce the same quality. Tom Hogan says pretty much the same thing.

Almost all of my recent photos (since November) have been taken with this lens. Here are a few samples:

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/109692809

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/109692923

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/109692972

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/109346659

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/109695516

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/105479659

I find the focus to be very accurate on the D300 and this is with the screw drive which some consider slow but not in my experience with this combination. This older D lens out performs my newer 70-300 consumer lens which is AF-S.

[nirofo]

I think you'll find the sharpness on your images with the Tamron 200-500 coupled to a D300 will make your eyes water. I use this lens and a 500 f4 with the D300 and find it difficult to tell the difference sometimes! 800 ASA is no problem for the D300, very little noise problem, I use it at this setting regularly for birds in flight.

nirofo.

[DOC]

I have gone through the same process - from a D70+Tamron 200-500, to a D300 ( a year ago ) , and still got my Tammy glued to the D300 .
The D300 is faster than the D70 , autofocus is better , and high Iso is no longer an issue ( Big problem with the D70 ) . Shooting at Iso 800 gives very nice shots , but i always preffer lower iso.
As for the lens - Now - that's starting to be a problem . The D300 has autofocus capabilities that outrun the Tamron , and it's like riding a horse who wants to sprint , but you keep holding it back . The D300 NEEDS a good prime lens ,that can keep up with the camera . The Tamron is just not good enough .If You want to squeeze the juice out of the camera - get a good prime .:t:
Saying that - I should mention that i still use the Tamron , and i get outstanding images , but I have recently started to glance at the 300 or maybe 400 2.8 .....|^||^|.
Boy, this hobby costs...

[Astrokev]

Thanks Doc,

I think you've just settled my dilemma and confirmed my decision to go for the D300 plus new f4 prime! Sadly, my budget won't stretch to the f2.8 !!

Regards
Kevin