Decisions, decisions!!

[Epoc]

As some of you know, one of my beloved D300's suffered a life ending injury a couple of weeks ago R.I.P :sad68:

I am looking to replace it as I am way to used to having 2 bodies and hate changing lenses all the time.

I am considering 2 options that are in my budget. Find myself another nice 2nd hand D300 around the 650-$700 mark, OR drop a few bucks more and get myself a grey import D7000. Eglobal has a fantastic deal on until 9th July for $859 delivered. :eek:

I like shooting everything as you can see by my lenses. Landscapes, animals, people, sports, macro, you name it, I like it. I love the AF, tank like build, customisability and bang for buck of the 300 which is what persuaded me to buy 2 initially. What is making the 7000 come into contention is 1, the price 2, newer technology 3,the better low ISO, 4, it's new so I know it's history, 5, the price!

Now I know the AF on the 7000 is not up to the 300, but here's my thinking. I will mainly use my longer lenses, 70-200 & 150-500 Siggy's on the 300 for anything that moves quickly and requires the better AF. My wider lenses, Tammy 17-50, Tammy 90 Macro, nifty 35 and Toky 11-16 will live mainly on the 7000 as most things I shoot with these don't need quick AF and will benefit from the higher IQ.

So where's the question I hear you say. I guess I'd just like you APers valued opinion on what you'd do if you were in my situation. Stick with the known and loved 300 or go out on the limb and drop for the 7000.

Any input is greatly appreciated,
Epoc

[Darey]

A totally biased opinion is get the D7000 and when you realize just how snappy the AF is on the D7000 you may consider upgrading the other D300. :)
The Dynamic range on the D7000 at ISO 100 is much wider for landscapes and the High ISO noise performance is excellent too.

P.S. I love my D7000. :D

Have a look at this link it may help you make a decision: http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?81049-D7000-AF-performance

[Epoc]

Cheers Darey. I will admit that link you posted is certainly helping me make my decision :th3:

[J.davis]

Have alook here at the D7000
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?81049-D7000-AF-performance

[Epoc]

Thanks for that but I think Sar would produce those results on a Kodak Brownie :D

Show me some of your D7000 extreme AF shots John :p

On a side note, maybe a few of us Ippy shooters should meet up one day for a chinwag and maybe a group shoot somewhere :th3:

[J.davis]

Here you go - let me know what you think.


http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?106849-The-sun-was-out

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?105825-On-any-Friday

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?94913-Skyraider-A6-at-the-RC-field

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?99823-Some-more-RC-planes

[WhoDo]

I had my hands on a D4 this weekend, with full permission to play all I liked! :eek: At the end of the session the first thing I thought was "Geez, I'm glad I've got a D7000"! Cured my GAS good.

For me, any situation that requires fast AF is all about "balance". If the gear feels uncomfortable then the AF won't make up for that. If the gear feels good then you will be able to "anticipate and compensate" for any issues you may have. I'm still working at getting decent shots of birds, large and small, but after a play with the D4 I just knew I'd have a better shot at success with the D7000. JMHO of course.

Bottom line? There are NO apparent shortcomings in the D7000 that can't be managed if it feels right. If it doesn't, then it won't matter. :confused013

[reaction]

Mate, depends on your hands but the D7000 is too cramped for mine.

If it's not good, I'd think the decision is D300s or D800?
If you want buttons vs menu options, that's the way to go. And 36MP for your landscapes!

[rellik666]

Just a quick Q as I haven't played with D7000 but what is the build quality like?

I recently dropped my D300s from a fair height and it came out little more than a scratch.

All the toys in the world are great until I drop them! I love the fact the D300s is built like a tank.

Just a thought from someone who doesn't exactly look after their gear all the time.

[Darey]

The D7000 is a solidly built camara with a magnesium body similar to the D300s.
I've had a few red wines but not enough to be dropping my camera so I don't know how it would fare. :D

I am not certain but I think the D300s has better weather proofing than the D7000.

[Epoc]

Here you go - let me know what you think.


http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?106849-The-sun-was-out

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?105825-On-any-Friday

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?94913-Skyraider-A6-at-the-RC-field

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?99823-Some-more-RC-planes

Nice cruiser Jim. Those R/C plane captures are superb. Thanks for the links :th3: The Eglobal deal is on until the 9th, so im keeping all options open until then, but at the moment I'm dropping my coin on a 7000.

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Mate, depends on your hands but the D7000 is too cramped for mine.

If it's not good, I'd think the decision is D300s or D800?
If you want buttons vs menu options, that's the way to go. And 36MP for your landscapes!

The 800 is totally out of the question. Much as I'd love one, the Minister of Finance would have me in irons if I even mentioned that sort of coin :eek:. I do prefer buttons though.

[reaction]

If you point out that the D800 over the 7+ years of you you may get out of it vs the 2-3years for the D7000 it may compare favorably :th3:

[Tommo1965]

just had a look at egobal...but couldn't find that deal..could you post a link?....for $859 its the camera Id buy..not just because or the price..but lighter newer tech....I had a D300s..but now I have the D700 Im finding Id like a smaller unit for days when i don't want the extra weight ..Id like to try a D7000...

[Epoc]

Thommo, you have to pay via Paypal. Gives you $50 off, Priority shipping and a free lenspen. http://www.eglobaldigitalcameras.com.au/paypal-special.html

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If you point out that the D800 over the 7+ years of you you may get out of it vs the 2-3years for the D7000 it may compare favorably :th3:

Didn't work :confused013

[rellik666]

At that price I can see why you want it! :th3:

[Sar NOP]

Mate, depends on your hands but the D7000 is too cramped for mine.


For me, it's the opposite : my D7000 feels much better in my hands than my D800, with wide angle or long telelens.

[Epoc]

Well I just popped for the 7000. Eglobal were excellent still honouring the voucher even after all the vouchers were sold. I also popped for a new Tokina 11-16mm $535. So total for body and lens $1394 delivered :-)

[Sar NOP]

It's a bargain !!! :eek:

[Epoc]

Tommo, did you end up buying one?

[Tommo1965]

no I didn't as the vouchers were all gone

[Epoc]

Mate if your still interested, PM me.

[Epoc]

Body and lens arrived today. Now to take some piccies! :-)

[MarkOD]

Why not look for a tidy 300s while theres still a few around... ?

Its a very sound camera which will be totally comfortable for you coming from the 300 - you wouldnt be losing any features at all - its all upside.
I love the rich feature set since its essentially a cut down D3 and is aimed squarely at the pro-sumer level

I am currently waiting, waiting, waiting to get a better idea of the product strategy re the 800/400/600/750/4 etc before I add an FX camera to my kit bag.
Not at all convinced about the direction or coherency of the 800, 700 and 4 models - and not sure I want any of them bad enough.
Hopefully it'll become clearer by the end of the year.

I'm hoping there'll be more emphasis on ISO and noise reduction rather than the race for ever more megapixels

And of course the best use of pennies is in better glass - my biggest frustration is usually having to push ISO in order to get enough speed
In hindsight I have several 'good' tele Nikkors - eg 18-200 VR, 70-300 VR - and while they're very flexible and convenient I wish I had gone for higher quality and brighter lenses...

Mark

[Sar NOP]

And of course the best use of pennies is in better glass - my biggest frustration is usually having to push ISO in order to get enough speed
In hindsight I have several 'good' tele Nikkors - eg 18-200 VR, 70-300 VR - and while they're very flexible and convenient I wish I had gone for higher quality and brighter lenses...

Mark
Agreed : a 200mm f/2 on a D300s is much better than a 70-300 VR on a D800 !