Nikon D300

[Peewit]

Hi there

My OH and I want to invest in a new camera when we come back from Spain in the middle of this year.
All we have now is a Coolpix S200 Digital camera at the most basic level.

We have our eye on the Nikon D300.

Can we have other peoples opinions about the pros and cons of this particular Nikon camera.

We would like to know what is the cheapest, and most expensive version of the same camera found via the website, shops etc...

Love to hear peoples thoughts, and experiences ;)

[pduxon]

Hi Kathy

cheapest and most expensive? I'm a bit suspicious of really cheap websites. IF you have a problem......

the camera is excellent. but what do you want to use it for? is it for bird photograpy or general photography?

bear in mind that essentially the cheaper d90 will give the same image quality (same sensor). the d300, has a faster frame rate (6 fps), wider autofocus coverage (51 poinst v 11), more robust body and sealing and a better viewfinder. the d90 is lighter! has video and as I say has essentially the same image quality.

[postcardcv]

When looking for good prcies on cameras this website is worth checking - http://www.camerapricebuster.com/cat4.html I too and always a bit suspicious when the price is too good.

[Gentoo]

Well the D300 will be a steep learning curve if you've never used an SLR before. Besides that I would have to say it's an excellent camera! I would gather sense you asked the question here that you would be using for bird photography so I would again say that it's a good choice.

As far as cheapest, I would have to agree with pduxon that I would be suspicious of cheap/expensive cameras. Those are usually scams.

[Duke Leto]

Kathy, my opening gambit with these questions is go and hold one, check out the D300 and say a 50D, what feels right, you have to live with the choice so get one that works for you. You may want to consider the lenses that you want to buy as well as deals with lenses available. I have a D300 and my friend has a 50D, I'd be happy with either.
My D300 has quick and accurate focusing and the metering is normally accurate, its weatherproofed when compared with a D90.
My daughter had a D90 now and going through the menus with her there were a few things I like that is missing from the D90 especially the 4 configurable modes so you can set up the general options for varying shoots i.e. I have wildlife/sport as one, HQ 14bit raw as another, general point and shoot for a 3rd and jpeg for a 4th.
Its really down to what you want. Both would be a superb choice but don't discount the Canon equivalents.

[Duke Leto]

I would be suspicious of cheap/expensive cameras. Those are usually scams.

shop for cheap cameras may be a scam, to pay over the top is just dumb.......3:-)

[Astrokev]

Hi Kathy,
What part of Bedford are you from? As you can see I'm also from the Bedford area.

I've just bought a D300 last week. Was tempted by some cheaper websites but for what is a fairly sunstantil outlay I eventually decided not to risk it.
I got mine from Jessops, and was able to knock their price down since I also bought a lens from them.

Excellent camera - the fantastic monitor is one of the more visible strengths, but, as others have said, it's a big leap from a Coolpix. Canon also tend to be less expensive on a broadly like for like basis.

Good hunting
Kevin

[rezMole]

It's a cracking camera with the added bonus of being well built. I have dropped mine three times! Twice onto a concrete floor - no damage. The third time I dropped it onto some rocks and the monitor cracked inside - but this only cost £200 to fix. Glad I had a D300 rather than the D90, but the D300 does cost a lot more.

[pduxon]

Kathy, my opening gambit with these questions is go and hold one, check out the D300 and say a 50D, what feels right, you have to live with the choice so get one that works for you. You may want to consider the lenses that you want to buy as well as deals with lenses available. I have a D300 and my friend has a 50D, I'd be happy with either.
My D300 has quick and accurate focusing and the metering is normally accurate, its weatherproofed when compared with a D90.
My daughter had a D90 now and going through the menus with her there were a few things I like that is missing from the D90 especially the 4 configurable modes so you can set up the general options for varying shoots i.e. I have wildlife/sport as one, HQ 14bit raw as another, general point and shoot for a 3rd and jpeg for a 4th.
Its really down to what you want. Both would be a superb choice but don't discount the Canon equivalents.

I totally agree with that! if you can't get a good shot with one of 'em then its not the camera!!

actually holding one is a VERY good idea. a few weeks ago I was using a d80 and a d300 and the lens on both cameras weighed the same. The increased weight of the body was VERY noticeable - but you pay for the build etc

I must admit I don't use the d300 as well as I should. I should play with the various modes more and experiment. I'm probably more a d90 user than a d300 user BUT I've ended up with a d300 because of the much improved autofocus especially in low light.

I really ought to set up a special mode for B&W! yes I know you can convert but knowing you are shooting B&W does make you think and I do like B&W for some things

[Stephen Fletcher]

knowing you are shooting B&W does make you think

I couldnt agree more.

[Gentoo]

I agree with the comments about holding one. This is exactly what I did. I held one in a local camera store (but didn't buy it there, as Steve said, paying over the top is just dumb, he's not the only one who knows that lol). I came home and ordered it.

Also as mentioned, hold both a D300 and a good Canon like the 40 or 50D. I like the feel of both the 40D and the D300. For me the ergonomics are not as borderline mental illness in the layout on the D300, just my opinion but you may find the Canon layout fits you better.

[pduxon]

I couldnt agree more.

I must admit that I am tempted to buy one of those 35mm f1.8 primes for the same reason. With Zooms its easier to just snap away and crop rather than frame and try and get a good picture. Guess its discipline.

[Gentoo]

I must admit that I am tempted to buy one of those 35mm f1.8 primes for the same reason. With Zooms its easier to just snap away and crop rather than frame and try and get a good picture. Guess its discipline.I'd have to agree. I'm much more careful when shooting with my prime than with the 70-200.

[Peewit]

Hi everyone

Sorry for the slow reply as other things took over here.

PostcardCV your link is great, and useful, and it will be there for us to compare prices. Thank you a lot for your help.

OH has an idea about purchasing a 500mm lens for the D300 Nikon in question. Clueless about this end of the technology, but it will make sense to all people who have contributed to this thread.

We are also thinking about getting a half way camera between our Coolpix S200 we have and our Nikon D300. We want a camera still in the Nikon range?

Any suggestions would be helpful here. :t:

I will try to answer any question from all of the posts that has been posted here and take note what has been said too. All the experience from other people is so useful.

It is so much appreciated here and I thank you all a lot. I can see this thread going on a bit yeat. Another question springs up here and there? ;)

:t:

[Peewit]

Hi Kathy
The camera is excellent. but what do you want to use it for? is it for bird photograpy or general photography?

The d300, has a faster frame rate (6 fps), wider autofocus coverage (51 poinst v 11), more robust body and sealing and a better viewfinder. the d90 is lighter! has video and as I say has essentially the same image quality.

Hi pduxton

I would say the reason why we want the D300 Nikon camera is to get a better shutter speed (frame rate) and to have an all round picture which is good enough for the BF Gallery if it came down to practice. We all have to start somewhere.

Well the D300 will be a steep learning curve if you've never used an SLR before. Besides that I would have to say it's an excellent camera! I would gather sense you asked the question here that you would be using for bird photography so I would again say that it's a good choice.
As far as cheapest, I would have to agree with pduxon that I would be suspicious of cheap/expensive cameras. Those are usually scams.

Hi Gentoo

Thank your for your reply.

I think what people have said like youself, Puxdon and PostcardCV about being careful where we buy the product
from makes sense!

We need to be careful. We are not short of money as such but we would like to get the best deal going.

[Peewit]

Kathy, my opening gambit with these questions is go and hold one, check out the D300 and say a 50D, what feels right, you have to live with the choice so get one that works for you. You may want to consider the lenses that you want to buy as well as deals with lenses available. I have a D300 and my friend has a 50D, I'd be happy with either.
My D300 has quick and accurate focusing and the metering is normally accurate, its weatherproofed when compared with a D90.
My daughter had a D90 now and going through the menus with her there were a few things I like that is missing from the D90 especially the 4 configurable modes so you can set up the general options for varying shoots i.e. I have wildlife/sport as one, HQ 14bit raw as another, general point and shoot for a 3rd and jpeg for a 4th.
Its really down to what you want. Both would be a superb choice but don't discount the Canon equivalents.

hi Puxido

How does the 500mm lens work. Is it a lens that works with a D300 and with a D90 or both? interested to know?

We want to have good quality pictures which we need to have. As one I like to write a lot of reports and I would like to write my reports and to have hard evidence to go with the report.

shop for cheap cameras may be a scam, to pay over the top is just dumb.......3:-)

I am thinking that too Duke. :t:

Hi Kathy,
What part of Bedford are you from? As you can see I'm also from the Bedford area.

I've just bought a D300 last week. Was tempted by some cheaper websites but for what is a fairly sunstantil outlay I eventually decided not to risk it.
I got mine from Jessops, and was able to knock their price down since I also bought a lens from them.

Excellent camera - the fantastic monitor is one of the more visible strengths, but, as others have said, it's a big leap from a Coolpix. Canon also tend to be less expensive on a broadly like for like basis.

Good hunting
Kevin

hi Kevin

We live at the Putnoe end of Bedford.

Where is the nearest Jessops in Bedford (keeping all doors open here!)

Sounds a good idea about the knock down lens to go with the camera. Can you you tell me how much for the camera and the lens, or PM if you wish to state price for privacy if you feel inclined!

I think Coolpix is a baby camera for babies.

[Peewit]

It's a cracking camera with the added bonus of being well built. I have dropped mine three times! Twice onto a concrete floor - no damage. The third time I dropped it onto some rocks and the monitor cracked inside - but this only cost £200 to fix. Glad I had a D300 rather than the D90, but the D300 does cost a lot more.

Hi rezmole

Blooming Frig... to drop it is a no no, Still a costly thing to do if you drop the camera. At least the D300 sounds a bit more robust thna the D90

I totally agree with that! if you can't get a good shot with one of 'em then its not the camera!!

actually holding one is a VERY good idea. a few weeks ago I was using a d80 and a d300 and the lens on both cameras weighed the same. The increased weight of the body was VERY noticeable - but you pay for the build etc

I must admit I don't use the d300 as well as I should. I should play with the various modes more and experiment. I'm probably more a d90 user than a d300 user BUT I've ended up with a d300 because of the much improved autofocus especially in low light.

I really ought to set up a special mode for B&W! yes I know you can convert but knowing you are shooting B&W does make you think and I do like B&W for some things

sounds good pduxon

Autofocus especially in low light.

Sounds a bonus in itself

I couldnt agree more.

Well said, and it helps the cuase here!

I agree with the comments about holding one. This is exactly what I did. I held one in a local camera store (but didn't buy it there, as Steve said, paying over the top is just dumb, he's not the only one who knows that lol). I came home and ordered it.

Also as mentioned, hold both a D300 and a good Canon like the 40 or 50D. I like the feel of both the 40D and the D300. For me the ergonomics are not as borderline mental illness in the layout on the D300, just my opinion but you may find the Canon layout fits you better.

Hi Gentoo

As you say sticking to practicalities is the name of the game with prices.

I must admit that I am tempted to buy one of those 35mm f1.8 primes for the same reason. With Zooms its easier to just snap away and crop rather than frame and try and get a good picture. Guess its discipline.

The 35mm sounds good but what about the 500mm - hoe does it compare? This is stiuff from my OH not me!

I'd have to agree. I'm much more careful when shooting with my prime than with the 70-200.

Another interesting view to the situation here!

Once more I thank you all who have given us food for thought here. We wlil let you know what we decide, and we need to get an inbetween camera too. so that puts a different view on the situation.

So we end up with our digital, our inbetween Nikon camera and our full Nikon D300 camera with a 500 mm lens in a oner.

[pduxon]

what do you mean by inbetween camera?

[Astrokev]

hi Puxido

How does the 500mm lens work. Is it a lens that works with a D300 and with a D90 or both? interested to know?

We want to have good quality pictures which we need to have.


Where is the nearest Jessops in Bedford (keeping all doors open here!)

Sounds a good idea about the knock down lens to go with the camera. Can you you tell me how much for the camera and the lens, or PM if you wish to state price for privacy if you feel inclined!



Kathy,
Jessops is in the high street - you can't miss it. Regarding price - probably best not to say in the open forum! The final price was not as low as some you see advertised on Camerabuster, but the cheaper sites have a very mixed bag of reports, some of which suggest you shouldn't go near them with a barge-pole. I was happy with the Jessops deal and at the end of the day, that's what matters. Drop me a PM if you wish.

Regarding 500mm lenses - so long as you get one with a Nikon mount you should be ok, though some makes may not give full AF support. I'd suggest you do a search on the forum for such lenses; there's a wealth of useful info on hear if you look for it. This should give all the info you need.

However, if you don't mind me saying, if you're not sure how a 500mm lens works, are you sure this is what you should go for? This is a step into the big league and it may be worth getting experience with a less demanding package first.

You say you want good pics - lots of cameras will give you good pics for far less money than a D300 and may be more suited to your current experience. Search the forum - many pics are submitted from cameras far less advanced than the D300. Don't forget, the quality of the final pic is as much about (and possibly more about!) the ability of the person standing behind the technology rather than the technology itself!!

I personally love Ferrari's, but doubt that it's a good idea to learn to drive in one and expect to realise the full potential from the car!

Kev

[pduxon]

on that 500mm lens do you mean a prime lens or a zoom?

[mike nesbitt]

Kathy,
Bear in mind if you buy an SLR + 500mm lens you will also need A damn good tripod + a head for it. You will then need remote release, convertors, spare batteries, bag to carry it all.
The list of extras can easily add up to a couple of £000
Mike.

[Peewit]

what do you mean by inbetween camera?

Hi pduxon

The reference to the inbetween camera: I am meaning a more upmarket version of our Coolpix camera. At the moment we have a Coolpix S200.
I also have an older Ricoh camera that uses a normal 35mm spool, a good quality, expensive camera in its heyday. Still useable but not as flexible as a digital camera.

We would like an inbetween camera based on the model I have, the Ricoh, and our Coolpix relating to the D300 - if this makes sense. So it is a more sophicated version of the 2 older cameras mentioned on this post.

Any ideas and suggestions would be a bonus for us anyday!

on that 500mm lens do you mean a prime lens or a zoom?

I am meaning a 500 lens. :t:

[Peewit]

Kathy,
Jessops is in the high street - you can't miss it. Regarding price - probably best not to say in the open forum! The final price was not as low as some you see advertised on Camerabuster, but the cheaper sites have a very mixed bag of reports, some of which suggest you shouldn't go near them with a barge-pole. I was happy with the Jessops deal and at the end of the day, that's what matters. Drop me a PM if you wish.

Regarding 500mm lenses - so long as you get one with a Nikon mount you should be ok, though some makes may not give full AF support. I'd suggest you do a search on the forum for such lenses; there's a wealth of useful info on hear if you look for it. This should give all the info you need.

However, if you don't mind me saying, if you're not sure how a 500mm lens works, are you sure this is what you should go for? This is a step into the big league and it may be worth getting experience with a less demanding package first.

You say you want good pics - lots of cameras will give you good pics for far less money than a D300 and may be more suited to your current experience. Search the forum - many pics are submitted from cameras far less advanced than the D300. Don't forget, the quality of the final pic is as much about (and possibly more about!) the ability of the person standing behind the technology rather than the technology itself!!

I personally love Ferrari's, but doubt that it's a good idea to learn to drive in one and expect to realise the full potential from the car!

Kev

hi Kev

I will send you a PM

Kathy,
Bear in mind if you buy an SLR + 500mm lens you will also need A damn good tripod + a head for it. You will then need remote release, convertors, spare batteries, bag to carry it all.
The list of extras can easily add up to a couple of £000
Mike.

Hi Mike

We have a Tripod at the moment called a G5 665 Scope. HR Eyepiece, Swingout Triangle, and Travel Tripod (free gift) as part of the Nikon kit (hope i have read the writing correctly on the quote correctly!)

All this stuff was all bought from a company called SRB-Griturn Ltd, and it was part of companies involved with the Birdfair 2008. We ordered our equipment last year from the company mentioned.

Mike, Do we cover most things here? We are total beginners, still determined, and still fumbling our way through all the high tech stuff. We will get there. Spare Batteries er!!

OH would love a bag for his Tripod at the moment. How do we get on of those?

Please set us on the straight and narrow? Money is not the main issue with us just getting the right equipment for our needs

Thank you for you help:t:

[Fozzybear]

Kathy, one thing you need to consider moving from a compact to an SLR and big lens is that it weighs an awful lot - I know people who have bought SLR kits and ended up never using them because of the size and weight. I find it rather a lump at times and I'm used to lugging stuff around!

From skim-reading this thread I'm a little concerned you might find yourselves really in at the deep end here, the kind of kit you are looking at is pretty specialised and takes a lot of work to master. 500mm lenses need very good technique to use well and the D300 was a very complex camera for me to set up and use, and I've been using Nikon D-SLRs for quite some time. This is completely different territory.

If you are serious about your photography then the D300 and a long lens is a great combo for that, but you really must be prepared for a very hard ride and the need for a lot of reading up and experimenting. You do need dedication to get the most out of it and it can be frustrating getting there. Personally I'd go for the D90, same image quality but in a package that's easier to handle and learn. Plus I'd suggest a lens like the Nikon 70-300mm VR to start with. A 300mm is a little short for bird photography at a distance, but it's a very good lens, manageable and a lot easier to learn with than a huge 500mm monster. I've used 300mm lenses for ages and managed to get pretty good bird shots with them, I've only just recently moved on to a 500mm lens (Sigma 150-500mm) which is huge, weighs a ton (the camera and lens together are around three kilos!) and as it's so long is not simple to aim! For walking around I'll still be mostly using my 70-300 as it's far, far more manageable and less tiring to carry.

Last year I used the 70-300mm lens on a D80 (the older version of the D90 but definitely not as good!) for bird photography a lot and it worked very well, and I find it works really well on the D300 too, so the D90 would be good with that lens - I took these with that setup:

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/222736/ppuser/69297

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/245594/ppuser/69297

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/220135/ppuser/69297


Digital SLRs have got to the stage where although the high-end models are really good, you don't 'need' one to be able to take good wildlife photos. If money is not a question then I'd still recommend D90 and 70-300, if only because that lens is a lot easier to handle and learn with and is pretty versatile and would still have a use if you bought a BIG lens.

[Ian Hardy]

Hi Duke,

I have just got a D300 where do i find the menus you can set up?

Cheers

Ian

[rezMole]

Hi Duke,

I have just got a D300 where do i find the menus you can set up?

Cheers

Ian


Read the manual

[Gentoo]

Hi Duke,

I have just got a D300 where do i find the menus you can set up?

Cheers

IanWhat are you trying to set up?

[Astrokev]

Hi Duke,

I have just got a D300 where do i find the menus you can set up?

Cheers

Ian


Incredible.

[Astrokev]

If you are serious about your photography then the D300 and a long lens is a great combo for that, but you really must be prepared for a very hard ride and the need for a lot of reading up and experimenting.



Very well said.

I'm often surprised at the number of folks who seem reluctant to experiment to learn how their camera works. Same goes for reading-up. The D300 manual is 400+ pages long and, though a little daunting to some, is laid out in a pretty easy to digest format. All the answers are in there.

Perhaps the key problem is that many people seem not to understand the basics of photography and, without this, a lot of the manual may be difficult to understand. The manuals for the more advanced DSLR's these days I think assume (not unreasonably) that the user has a basic understanding of the rudiments.

Kevin

[Duke Leto]

In case there is still a problem pg 264 and beyond of the Nikon D300 manual refers to customisation of the D300, the key word is custom settings bank.

[Duke Leto]

Peewit, I hope you got out of this what you needed, I've tried to take away the other discussion on the new Nikon D300 thread.

[Peewit]

Peewit, I hope you got out of this what you needed, I've tried to take away the other discussion on the new Nikon D300 thread.

hi there everyone

Sorry I have been very slow to answer this thread. My apolgise for that.

I will now answer everyone as best as I can. ;)

[Peewit]

Peewit, I hope you got out of this what you needed, I've tried to take away the other discussion on the new Nikon D300 thread.

Hi Duke.

Thank you for your thoughtfullness as I know that there will be lots to talk about and you will want to know other areas which are mote for experiences camera users like yourself.

Now I will work my way through this thread from a more basic level, and answer everyone best i can, and stick to the point too.

[Indiana]

Hallo

I want to buy D90/D300.

Question: Will I see the different between AF (speed and precism) with my Sigma 400 APO?:-)

Thank

[paddyenglishman]

Hi I bought a D300 earlier this year and i am very pleased with it . I moved up from P5100 digiscoping . I have very little SLr camera experiance and at first my results were terrible . I have know bought Sigma 50 -500 and it has /is a steep learning curve, Combined the two weigh a ton and hand held shooting ,so far, seems impossible . Ive been using a monopod as well and this still doesnt sort out all the Vibration.
My only criticism with the Sigma part is it appears to need lots of light to take good pics. I am a beginner as i said and i have enjoyed playing with set up immensly .As for the manual it can be daunting and i have found the Magic Lantern guide very helpful.
Have fun with it .
Dave

[Peewit]

Hi I bought a D300 earlier this year and i am very pleased with it . I moved up from P5100 digiscoping . I have very little SLr camera experiance and at first my results were terrible . I have know bought Sigma 50 -500 and it has /is a steep learning curve, Combined the two weigh a ton and hand held shooting ,so far, seems impossible . Ive been using a monopod as well and this still doesnt sort out all the Vibration.
My only criticism with the Sigma part is it appears to need lots of light to take good pics. I am a beginner as i said and i have enjoyed playing with set up immensly .As for the manual it can be daunting and i have found the Magic Lantern guide very helpful.
Have fun with it .
Dave

hi Paddy

Thank you for your information and telling us your experiences of how you are progressing with your camera.

We still have to get some bits and peices but all through time. You sound although you are doing well at the moment with all your additional equipment.

We have a digiscope, and can attact our Coolpix Camera onto it, but only tried it once and found it a bit fiddly. The picture we took was not all that good either. We need to look more into the facts behind it. There is always time to have another go at it.

[Gentoo]

Hallo

I want to buy D90/D300.

Question: Will I see the different between AF (speed and precism) with my Sigma 400 APO?:-)

Thank

I just bought a D90 as my second camera. There is a difference in it's AF speed and accuracy. It requires a bit more attention and skill as compared to the D300's AF, the D90 won't "do it for you as much" so to speak.

[Gentoo]

I'll expand on this a little. The motor drive seems just a touch slower on the D90 compared to the D300. It's not too bad though. One feature that seems to be missing from the AF system is the ability to lock the shutter if you're not in focus. The D90 will fire off anyway giving you a beautiful bokeh filled shot with no discernible subject. This feature may be hidden as I haven't looked around for it too much but if it's there it's not in the AF menu settings.

In poor light, it tends to hunt a bit more with the same lenses. It will find it's target it just takes 1/2 to 1 second longer. I took it out yesterday morning to test it in the dull overcast morning skies typical of coastal California. Once the sun came out I went back to the same location which provides direct sunlight and shade under trees.

Overall a skilled photographer will have no issues using a D90 at all. Those willing to improve their skills shouldn't have much trouble either.

[Duke Leto]

I believe the AF system in th eD90 the multi-cam 1000 is the same as the D200, the D300 has the multi-cam 3500DX like the D3 which has the multi-cam 3500FX.
If you had a D200 I wouldn't recommend moving to a D90 as the AF should be the same, if you go from a D200 to a D300 or a D90 to a D300 you should notice a difference. If you want a 2nd body the D200 has better weather proofing than the D90 but the D90 has a better CCD and benefits such as sensor cleaning etc.

[Gentoo]

I believe the AF system in th eD90 the multi-cam 1000 is the same as the D200, the D300 has the multi-cam 3500DX like the D3 which has the multi-cam 3500FX.
If you had a D200 I wouldn't recommend moving to a D90 as the AF should be the same, if you go from a D200 to a D300 or a D90 to a D300 you should notice a difference. If you want a 2nd body the D200 has better weather proofing than the D90 but the D90 has a better CCD and benefits such as sensor cleaning etc.
It's a CMOS;) There are also the picture controls which are great as well.

[Duke Leto]

CDD is old school, every camera has one they just might be called something else, its like you say gas I say petrol..........

[deanlewis]

I have a d300 has my main camera, its a great piece of kit, I was lucky with mine found someone selling a brand new body not opened on e-bay, they had spelt it wrong on the listing so it got no views and I was lucky enough to stumble across it and got a bargain !!

Dean

[Indiana]

So Now I have D70 i want to upgrade only for better AF accurancy and AF speed. (Mainly with my sigma 400/5,6 APO) I want to photo mainly birds and animals. (other telephoto lens i will not to buy, i havent so mucgh money)

so I was asked on the D90 / D300 speed and accurancy. Is the D300 AF better than the AF D90
thank

[Duke Leto]

Michal, read 5 threads down the AF on the D90 will be slower than the D300.

[Indiana]

Duke : Thank
I want to knowe if this different will be perceptible with my non AFS (HSM lens)


and different between accurancy?

Thank you very much for your information

[Duke Leto]

without trying it would be difficult to express an opinion, on my D300 my 500/4.5 is better than on my D200 but when both focus correctly they deliver excellent results. I can only suggest that go for the best possible body to ensure the optimum set up. To be fair for static images I only use a single focus point so it really would only benefit me with moving targets.

[Stephen Fletcher]

Having been a Canon user for 45 years, i have never realy used a Nikon, but last week i was in the Pyrenees with a client and borrowed his D300, with a 300/2.8 and 1.7 converter, it was an absolutely brilliant piece of kit. I used manual and turned everything else off, and the resolution and speed was amazing, if i didnt have so many Canon lenses i would get one straight away.

You have no idea how much it pains me to say that !!!!!!!!!

[Gentoo]

Having been a Canon user for 45 years, i have never realy used a Nikon, but last week i was in the Pyrenees with a client and borrowed his D300, with a 300/2.8 and 1.7 converter, it was an absolutely brilliant piece of kit. I used manual and turned everything else off, and the resolution and speed was amazing, if i didnt have so many Canon lenses i would get one straight away.

You have no idea how much it pains me to say that !!!!!!!!!That friend of mine at work who has the 40D just sid the same thing to another mutual friend of ours. She didn't want to tell me but our friend told me that when she held and played around with my D300 she wanted to cry.

Now to be fair, you were using it with one of the best lenses on the market too.

[Duke Leto]

I'm gonna stick my neck out and put it squarely on the block..... I challenge any average user on this forum (myself very much included) to prove one way or another that Nikon or Canon are better. To a pro they may well have specifics that can only be met by one or the other manufacturer.
For the rest of us its whats been said earlier, we make a choice and after a semi pro / pro few lenses have been purchased unless you are very fortunate you can't change for simple financial reasons. I shoot with more Canon users than Nikon users and on any given day no one has an advantage and the results do not form any opinion.
I'm all for technical specs and test bench data but when you get out in the field with all that nature can offer it all goes pear shaped, irrespective if you have 10 or 20Mpixels or your sensor has 1 micron smalled pixels than joe's camera it always comes down to the brain of the body connected to the finger that's on the shutter release button, its not down to what you bought or how good it is on paper.
off me soap box now over to all of you.

[Fozzybear]

Yup, too true Steve! There are 'differences' between Canon and Nikon but personal preference is now a huge part of the decision between one or the other, the performance gap is very small and swings between the two depending on the criteria you choose. They both offer phenomenal performance and differences are going to be influenced as much by how the camera ergonomics fit your shooting needs than by raw performance.

It's too often said but is so true - there never has been a better time to buy a camera. The quality and widgets you get now are beyond belief really!

[Astrokev]

it always comes down to the brain of the body connected to the finger that's on the shutter release button, its not down to what you bought or how good it is on paper.


Agree totally with this. Personal preference and experience counts for so much, and I don't think it's possible to give a fully objective opinion of both makes unless you have significant experience of using both in the field. By this, I don't mean the odd day down the local gravel pit! It takes a good while to learn the full operation of any camera, as I'm sure most folks would agree. I've had my D300 for several weeks now and still only feel comfortable with less than half of it.

I doubt there's many people out there with sufficient experience of both to ever provide a definitive statement on this. But then, do we really want to know the definitive answer? Armed with this, there would be no reason to continue with interesting debates such as this!

Kevin