D90 or D300?

[Bonhomme Richard]

I made a slight mistake a year or so ago. I bought a new Nikon N80 film camera. Not that I don't like the camera but it is aggravating working through settings and not knowing the result until the film is processed and the cost of the processing.
It turns out that my company is having a good year and I decided to go digital. I want to stick with nikon and ask if you have any recommendations as to the advantages or disadvantages of the D90 versus the D300. I am aware of the hd video feature of the D90 but am not sure how important it would be.. I do wildlife photography so frame speed is an issue.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. 300

700 if you have the bucks

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. Thanks. I'll look into the 700. n/t

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

3. sorry, I did not have time when I

posted before... my thoughts, and I am in about the same boat

D90's are still consumer models, they are fine cameras, and if you want or need the video... go for it

d300 is a dx format, and almost as much (unless you get a serious discount) as d700 which is a pro model

it will last forever, and will retain some value like d2's

read all you want at kenrockwell.com some peoplet don'tlike him,but I think he tells it straight

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. Thanks. I did go to the Rockwell site. Good info.

Having spent the money on the n80 I only want to do this once so I want the best I can afford. Not that I won't use the n80 but I will carry both in my pack. I am convinced that the digital will help improve my photographs.
The thing is my company has a need for a good camera for product, marketing, etc. photos so I figure I might as well take advantage and kill two birds with one stone. As a bonus I get the right off.

[Shipwack]

5. For what little it is worth

I'm a Canon Digital Rebel user, but I got to play with a D300 last Saturday afternoon at a Nikon seminar... I liked how customizable it was (and fell in love with its LCD display). The only problems I had with it were from trying to learn a whole new camera, but even that wasn't too hard.

[ManiacJoe]

6. D300 if you can swing the price difference.

The d90 and d300 probably have the same sensor, so the noise levels should be roughly the same (accounting for the software difference). The d300 definitely has a better auto-focus system. When I upgraded from the d70s to the d200, besides the much nicer viewfinder, I greatly liked the more external controls so that I did not need to use the menus.

The full-frame d700 is $1000+ over the DX d300. If you needed the high ISO capabilities, you might go in that direction. However, the DX sensors give you that apparent 1.5x length multiplier which might come in handy for the wildlife.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

7. no, d90 has a newer, better sensor

than d300

[ET Awful]

8. D300 for the better auto-focus, frame rate and weather sealing

Weather sealing is VERY handy doing wildlife shooting.

[Bonhomme Richard]

9. After some research and help from you folks I decided................

on the D300 hands down. The big factors were AF and the ruggedness. Most of my shooting is outdoors and the elements can be a big factor. I also like the advantage of the mirror lock-up on the D300.
Seems it would be the wisest long term choice. The D700 is overkill for me and the D300 is probably the same for my current skill level but the point is to advance my skills and have some fun.
I thought I would buy it with the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AFS DX VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens and the MB-D10 grip.
Any other thoughts appreciated.

[Richard D]

22. That's the setup I have

though without the grip. I love it. It's a great lens.

[Bonhomme Richard]

10. Turns out I will not go with that lens.

I realized that the DX will not mount on my N80 without and adapter which can cause vignetting. I'll get the body with the grip and deal with the lens later.

[Bonhomme Richard]

11. I am going with the Tamron............

SP 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD-IF lens. I think it would round out my kit. I have the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD lens that I currently use on my N80 and I am happy with it.

[priller]

12. Sorry I'm late hopping in here

I think the D300 is the better choice. I previously had the D80 before moving up to the D300. I was surprised just how much better the D300 is. Faster, more rugged, better color, awesome auto-focus, tremendously good high ISO results. Easily one of the best cameras you can buy if you don't want to move up to full-frame. And it's a very "deep" camera, with lots of capabilities that aren't apparent at first.

[Bonhomme Richard]

13. Thanks. You confirm what..............

I am already thinking. The hd video would be nice but that isn't an overwhelming reason to buy the D90.

[Bonhomme Richard]

14. Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the D300.

I ordered it from Adorama with the MB-D10 battery pack. I like having the option of using AA batteries and the 8 FPS is a nice feature. I did decide to hold off on getting a new lens. For the time being I will work with my existing lenses until I get a feel for the operation of the unit.
Hope to post some pictures soon.
Thanks for all your help.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

15. I am sure you will be happy

I almost got one, but at the last min decided the 401k I had (which dropped from 102k to less than 6k since summer started) was worth nothing to me, so the new camera appeared.

And the lens. Ooooh, the lens. Love me some 14-24 2.8

[Bonhomme Richard]

16. Received my D300. All I can say is.........

WOW.
I'm not familiar with digital at all so I have a lot of learning to do. Fortunately a lot of the controls are similar to my N80.
I'll post some pics as soon as I have something worth posting.

[CC]

17. Congrats.

Photography is addictive and even more so with digital. Hope you enjoy the new camera and post lots of pictures to the group.

Here is a link to a great overview of the camera and its controls. http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/nikon_d300.html The actual controls start on page 5. I like that he uses real pictures. I always get frustrated at the manuals that come with the cameras so start with his site.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

18. very cool start with this

Nikon Posts D300 Firmware Update 1.10
Nikon has released the firmware A version 1.10 ; B version 1.10 firmware upgrade for the D300 digital SLR. Note for users of the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 and Thumbnail Selector:

When using D300 A firmware and B firmware Ver. 1.10, be sure to upgrade to the latest versions of WT-4 firmware, and WT-4 Setup Utility and Thumbnail Selector software applications. If you are using any of the firmware or software versions listed below, be sure to download the latest version(s) from our website and perform the necessary upgrades.

* WT-4 firmware Ver.1.0
* Thumbnail Selector Ver.1.0.0 or Ver.1.0.1
* WT-4 Setup Utility Ver. 1.0.0

There are many, many fixes and changes, please see the Nikon Support site for all the details.

[Bonhomme Richard]

19. OK. Now you are freaking me out.

What is the firmware all about? Is it a download into my camera or does it have to do with the nikon software in my computer.
Maybe I haven't gotten that far in my manual.

[CC]

20. It is an upgrade for the

software in your camera. You download it to your flashcard to to install it to your camera. The Nikon site has easy to follow directions with the download. It is kind of scary the first time but really not that bad. I like that as things come out that might be bad they can fix them with a download.

[ManiacJoe]

21. Congrats and have fun!

If you are already used to using a film SLR, digital SLRs are just the same. It is all still ISO, aperture, shutter speed. Of course, with digital you get immediate feedback with the view screen on the back.

Learn to use the histogram; it makes getting the exposures easy.

The tricky part for most people is the auto-focus system. Reading about it and experimenting seem to work well. Yes, the Nikon manuals suck. See http://bythom.com for some good eBooks.

Lots of good info and smart people up at http://www.nikonians.org .