What would you buy and why - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/09/2009 07:13:15 AM · #1

I will be changing my beloved D50 for something a little more, er, modern in the next couple of weeks - hopefully.

I think I have settled on the D300, no wait, the D90 but, I have to say, I am not at all interested in video. So what do you think I should go for and why?

I don't want this to come down to a coin toss so any help with making my mind up will be greatly appreciated.

Message edited by author 2009-04-09 07:14:23.

shalrath

Nikon D200

04/09/2009 07:22:26 AM · #2

The D300 is a whole different beast from the D90...

Although both will produce brilliant images... the D300's handling and extra little features will give you something to grow into. I had the same debate about going from my D50 to the D80/D200... I went for the D200, and I have since handled D80s... they are so cumbersome in comparison... handle them both and see which you like the feel of. Remember that the D300 is a massive, heavy camera in comparison to the D50... whereas the D90 is somewhere in between.

04/09/2009 07:32:46 AM · #3

Originally posted by shalrath:

I am a massive heavy guy so the D300 should be right up my alley! I have handled both cameras but not to compare them. I will now though

jettyimages

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/09/2009 07:57:06 AM · #4

Originally posted by mileskea:

Originally posted by shalrath:
The D300 is a whole different beast from the D90...

Although both will produce brilliant images... the D300's handling and extra little features will give you something to grow into. I had the same debate about going from my D50 to the D80/D200... I went for the D200, and I have since handled D80s... they are so cumbersome in comparison... handle them both and see which you like the feel of. Remember that the D300 is a massive, heavy camera in comparison to the D50... whereas the D90 is somewhere in between.

I am a massive heavy guy so the D300 should be right up my alley! I have handled both cameras but not to compare them. I will now though

I'm not too big at all, and I LOVE the weight of the D300, it feels like really quality equipment in my hands. To be honest though, if you are really wanting a huge difference in what you can do, I would go the D90 and get a 17-55mm 2.8 lens if you can - and if you can't, just get the lens - you won't know yourself once you get off the 18-55. Don't upgrade to D300 if you have to stay with the lenses you have, you won't be able to get the best out of the camera and will regret it. I've been looking through some great portfolios here over the last few days, and many of them have been taken with D50,60 or D90's, and Canon 50D etc. - the big difference is the lenses have all been first class.

The D90 looks like a great camera, it was released after the D300 (I think it was that way) and has great reviews. Then when you've really got the bug and made a fortune with your trusty new lenses and D90, (or D50), jump straight past the D300 and go the D700! :-)

shalrath

Nikon D200

04/09/2009 07:58:23 AM · #5

So now it's down to features...

I'd buy the D300 just for the "lens fine tune" option... allowing you to adjust the exact focus of some of the older lenses, and some of the ones with really narrow depths of field (f1.4, etc).

Bear in mind also that all the faults of your "cheaper" "kit" lenses will show through on the D300 more clearly. Your macro, and your 50mm will be your friends on the D300.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/09/2009 11:23:16 AM · #6

Originally posted by shalrath:

This is also part of my dilemma. I could go D90 and upgrade a lens or go D300 and cope with the lenses I have.

shalrath

Nikon D200

04/09/2009 12:15:45 PM · #7

You could always do what I did and take the plunge, then as the cash comes in, gradually upgrade your lens arsenal. It really does depend on how serious about this you really are as well.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

04/09/2009 01:06:29 PM · #8

Originally posted by shalrath:

You could always do what I did and take the plunge, then as the cash comes in, gradually upgrade your lens arsenal. It really does depend on how serious about this you really are as well.

This is an opportunity that is as rare as rocking horse droppings so I am very serious about making the right choice. I like the idea of a lens replacement plan. I have a macro and a 50 so I could get by:)

jdannels

Nikon D300s

04/09/2009 01:10:53 PM · #9

A huge plus to the D300 would be the autofocus points, all 51 one of them, compared to the four on the D50 and the 11 on the D90. A minus somewhat with the D300 and your current lenses is that shortcomings of your lenses will be amplified with the larger pixels and resolution capabilities of the camera. Although I am not sure this would not also be evident with the D90 since they are both 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensors. For the price of a D300, you could get two new lenses.
Look at theses two items on bh.
D90 plus 18-105mm VR and 70-300 VR for $1589
D300 camera body only for $1499
Just the D90.
D90 camera body only for $899 That would give some room for lens upgrades of your choice. :)

I have never used either but this way you get two new lenses. Of course you are upgrading from old kit lenses to new kit lenses. I think the quality of them shold be much better and you get some VR to help out also. Just some thoughts. :)

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

04/09/2009 02:42:50 PM · #10

Well, I chose the d90 and I am happy with it. I added the battery grip, which brings the weight and vertical grip position to Just Right for me. My reasoning was slightly different, though: The D90 had several good improvements over my d80, plus common batteries, grip, etc.

But more importantly, for me, was that the extra money I saved went to Full Frame lenses.

So I was not looking for the D300 as my dream camera, but at the d700. Now, while I save up for that, I can add maybe one more full frame lens in the meantime. I get full use of the lenses on the great d90 while I save up, the price of the D700 should come down, and I have the Very Nice d90. And, no, I don't use the video either. But the d90 has much in common with the d300, and is a significant upgrade over the d80.

If you are jumping all the way from a D50 to a D90, you will be overjoyed with the performance of it, as you would with the D300. I doubt you could make "wrong" choice there. For me, I just wanted to move toward FF without the Huge HUGE one-time cost hit to get the D700 and FX lenses.

04/09/2009 03:21:26 PM · #11

If you are jumping all the way from a D50 to a D90, you will be overjoyed with the performance of it, as you would with the D300. I doubt you could make "wrong" choice there. For me, I just wanted to move toward FF without the Huge HUGE one-time cost hit to get the D700 and FX lenses.

Good point well made. I had ruled out a FF camera for that reason. I am coming into a little extra cash not the combination to the vault at Ft Knox!

The way I look at it whichever camera I do go with will be an improvement so it's all about the smiles!

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

04/09/2009 03:45:26 PM · #12

Originally posted by mileskea:

And SMILE you will, sir! The move from just the d80 to the d90 still has me smiling, so a D90 or a D300 will have your cheeks hurting from all the grinning!

The advice to get your hands on both of them is excellent. You might find the d90 feels small/light--I did, but I put the battery grip on it and it was right where I wanted it to be. Enjoy the choosing, too :-)

04/28/2009 09:16:02 AM · #13

Just a quick update the purchase may be delayed but I think I am coming down on the side of the D90.

I think I am seeing more 'bang per buck' and will also be able to throw in a 10-20 wide zoom and stay within my budget.

That's this weeks vascillation anyway:)

citymars

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

04/28/2009 10:08:16 AM · #14

As others have said, either choice will be a happy one! Just a couple of conflicting points: in your OP you said you weren't interested in the video aspect, so for me that's a vote in the D300 column. However, someone mentioned the lens fine-tune option on the D300. I think that's an option best left to experts, and not a selling point for most of us.

Prof_Fate

04/28/2009 10:15:35 AM · #15

When I had a choice of what to buy I bought Canon. :P
Probably not gonna help you much though, is it? LOL

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

04/28/2009 12:55:21 PM · #16

I'm was going through the same dilemma, but having played around with a friend of mine's D300 last week, it's so much like my D70s in weight and feel that it's a no-brainer. It's quite substantial, and I didn't ask him how to do anything, yet I was able to figure out in less than a minute how to set it up the way I'm shooting with my D70s. It's important to me not to have to learn something all over again, and although there will be many things that are added and updated from my body, I felt comfortable with the D300 instantly.

As he had an 18-200 on it, it was an easy comparison.

What a lovely camera!

I'm saving my pennies, a D300 *IS* my next equipment purchase!

TonyT

Fujifilm X-T5

04/28/2009 12:59:04 PM · #17

I have the D300 and I love it. I also have the D200 and I still love that. I carry the D200 with me everywhere and use the D300 for my business stuff (and DPC) The D200 is still an awesome camera.

Best Buy has it on sale for $599. I co-worker just bought one. I posted this earlier today: Thread

04/28/2009 12:59:15 PM · #18

Originally posted by citymars:

I stand by my original - I'm not interested in video. Reports I have read suggest the D90 has better noise handling but there isn't much in it.

So the D300 gets a tick in the column as does the D90:)