Nikon D300 durability - DPChallenge Forums

04/23/2008 07:45:35 PM · #1

Hi again, it is me with more wonderfully noobish questions for everybody!

The D300 is my first "real" camera. It is heavy... well it seems to get lighter every day* it seems well built, lots of metal and stuff. I have heard the thing is "built like a tank".

I would like to know, just how durable are "real" cameras. I read a warning earlier for lens extensions warning to support the lens since the front of the camera (non-specific) might crack. That got me to wondering exactly what is durable and what is not. What does, built like a tank really mean anyway.

My old G2 is mostly plastic with some metal, and I admit I babied it when it was new, but as it got older it got tossed here and there and dropped a couple times. Seems to have held up well, just standard wear and tear on the gears and lcd screen.

So, how "Strong" is a D300 with its all metal body. I dread to think of dropping it, but will it withstand it? Do I need to make a spot in my bedroom with a pillow and set it down softly with both hands? What about getting knocked on the floor of the car from the seat, tossed on a bed, knocked into a wall? etc. these might be trivial bumps to some people, or extremely abusive to others. So what is the reality of it?

Edit: And what about self-defense. If I am attacked by an angry mob of; midgets, concerned parents, security guards, trolls, or lepricons can the camera be safely swung by the strap as a weapon? Will it be able to take pictures afterwards?

Thanks again much in advance!

* I didn't think I would get used to the weight but less than a week later I am using it one handed for some shots and it feels like an extension of my arm and hand. My old G2 on the other hand has not really been picked up in a week, I did so and almost dropped it because it was so light weight it almost flipped out of my hand. hehe

Message edited by author 2008-04-23 19:49:14.

kosmikkreeper

Nikon D300s

04/23/2008 08:01:37 PM · #2

Hi Scott

The D300 IS a tank! :) I went to an SB-800 seminar a few months back and the teacher dropped his D300 about 3 feet on solid concrete. There was a moment of dreaded silence in the room and I could see the cold sweat on the teacher..... he picked it up... shook it(no noise)... took a few test shots and all was well!

I have my 80-400mm lens most of the time on my lens now to shoot birds. It's a heavy lens but I let it dangle from my D300 (and my ex-D200) without worry.

It's a tank! :)

Nald

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/23/2008 08:16:39 PM · #3

Now where did that youtube vid go with that dumb ass and a D3?

As Han Solo once said "Don't worry, she'll hold together...."

04/23/2008 08:18:44 PM · #4

I can't specificaly comment on the durability of the D300, i can with tons of comfort comment on the durability of other Nikons I have and still own. For the record, the D200 and D300 are built FOR THE MOST PART ALIKE. Not identical but the was they are built is a formula Nikon has used since the F4. Your body is magnesium wrapped in a "shock resistant" rubber. In real terms, it gives good grip and doesn't dent easily. The weather sealing is top notch. Trust me I have put the D200, D70, N90s, F4, N80, N70, and the venerable old F3 through the worst weather over the course of almost 20 yrs. I have only had a Nikon Fail on me personally once. It was -40 degrees with a 50mph wind coming from my right in white out conditions during a ski race. I will post shot. With that it was only a matter of the shutter getting to cold to work after only 3 hours. You be the judge on that one. The lens mounts are tough as hell and again have never had one crack, break, or fail me in any way. Enjoy the D300, baby it, love it, cradle it. BUT don't be afraid to use it as it was intended. Hope this helps in some small way.

Chris

Message edited by author 2008-04-23 20:20:00.

04/23/2008 08:30:12 PM · #5

Awesome, thank you. I will be careful but will stop fearing for its life every minute now :)

I bumped it on a door frame the other day and almost went into a panic that I might have knocked something loose or angered it.

04/23/2008 08:32:33 PM · #6

Never anger the Nikon GODS. Bad things happen. Pics keep coming out blurry. JK. Sorry, I'm in a very sarcastic mood due to work. You will have to excuse me.

04/23/2008 08:33:00 PM · #7

Originally posted by cryan:

Nicely done :) I guess it doesn't have too much problems with low temps either, shouldn't be a problem in florida regardless, hehe. :)

04/23/2008 08:37:27 PM · #8

Just watch the gators. With that shoot i actually had to reshoot. The college I was shooting for could never have used them. I was fortunate enough to have had another winter carnival near where I live. With that i was able to get some great shots.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

04/23/2008 08:49:24 PM · #9

I would actually like to get a picture of a gator, my only photo of one was using my G2 and a homemade telephoto (monocular scope) held over the lenses. Nice job on those shots, they seem just a touch over-saturated though maybe?

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

04/24/2008 11:49:14 AM · #10

OK, this is actually relevant to me as well.

If the weather sealing is very good, would I have any worries were I to shoot in pouring rain (not that I would have anything, but if I did)? Would I need one of the sealed lenses as well, like the 70-200VR with the rubber gasket, or would my 50mm f/1.8 be just fine?

04/24/2008 12:18:22 PM · #11

If you are shooting in the rain, the best advise I can give is to get a rain cover. There are many companies out there that make them. Rain Jacket, Kama are just two. However if you don't have one, your 50 should be ok.

citymars

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/24/2008 02:27:54 PM · #12

As long as we're on the subject...
I carry my D300 around in a padded camera bag. The bag pretty much bounces (gently) against my hip as I walk everywhere. Over time, is that too much careless jostling? I didn't think so, but I saw someone carrying their Nikon the other day as if they were cradling a wounded bird in their hand. It made me wonder if I need to treat my camera as more fragile.

shamrock

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

04/24/2008 04:40:04 PM · #13

Originally posted by citymars:

I carry mine this way because i loooove it!

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

10/11/2008 12:43:05 PM · #14

I am going through old threads and I noticed that I somehow forgot to reply to this thread, for this I am sorry.

Thank you everyone for reassuring me of the durability of my camera. I still treat it like a baby though. :) The other day however it took a dive of four feet onto the floor of the car, lens first. I was insane with fright, I've seen what happens to some ... cameras when dropped. But it seems to check out perfectly fine, not a scratch on it, nothing out of place, awesome. :)

Thanks again!

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

10/11/2008 01:16:41 PM · #15

Kinda answered my own question. I had it out in the rain shooting with my 50mm a few weeks ago.

No issues! There's some ugly water staining on the focus band of my 50mm though :P

jbsmithana