D300 owners - satisfied, or itching for the D700?

08/19/2009 11:11:26 AM · #1

I'll be looking to upgrade within the next year and I'm caught between the D700 and the D300 (or maybe the 300s). If switching lenses wasn't an issue (meaning $$$), then the choice would be clear. But unfortunately, its just not that easy.

So, to all you folks who made the jump up to the D300, are you happy with it? Or do you feel like you made the wrong move and could have saved up a little extra for the D700?

My assumption is that either camera is a big jump from the D200 - especially in terms of noise. It should suffice to say that low noise is my top priority and that the other differences between the two cameras don't matter as much to me.

So let's hear some opinions!

Thanks!

Citadel

Nikon D7500

08/19/2009 11:13:25 AM · #2

I asked this question myself a couple of months ago and everyone told me to go for the D700 because it handled noise a lot better. That being said? With the D300s out I am wondering if there is going to be a an upgrade for the D700 anyways.

Message edited by author 2009-08-19 11:14:30.

prperold

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

08/19/2009 11:17:51 AM · #3

Rumour has it that the D700x (or maybe it would be called a D800) should be released somewhere in the near future. It would be to the D3x what the D700 was to the D3, thus it would have the 24 megapixel sensor. It would probably be really expensive though. But I think if low noise is important to you, it would be worth every cent to go full frame, or so I hear at least.

gwe21

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

08/19/2009 11:44:31 AM · #4

I LOVE my D300 but if I had the money RIGHT NOW... I would go buy the 700 as well!!

pawdrix

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

08/19/2009 11:53:53 AM · #5

I itched and I bought one. With a few exceptions, I was avoiding DX lenses so that wasn't much of an issue.

Full frame is nice. The image higher quality and control I now have is really what makes it special. The D300 is a very good camera but there's no comparison.

I do wish the D700 had a few more pixels, like...14 megapx but the newer upgrades will deliver a much higher count than that.

As mentioned the low noise is great. I shot an image for a Jazz magazine/CD package in a dark club with NO flash and the shots were fine. I hate flash so it's a charm not to rely on it.

Message edited by author 2009-08-19 11:56:29.

cryan

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

08/19/2009 12:02:13 PM · #6

I too had to ponder this very question. For me the choice was clear. I needed the low noise for some of the dungeons I have to shoot in. The 300 is an excellent camera, but for me its wasn't much of a jump from the 200. Going to full frame also has its problems. It took me about a week to get used to shooting full frame again. I only have one dx lens so no biggie there for me, if you are using dx lenes go with the 300, if not you won't regret the 700.

MistyMucky

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

08/19/2009 01:18:17 PM · #7

If your main priority is really the noise, then you have to go for the D700. The larger sensor pixels you'll get with the full-frame sensor make the larger improvement than the change from CCD to CMOS alone.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

08/19/2009 02:00:54 PM · #8

Originally posted by prperold:

Ken Rockwell even has an expected announcement date (August 21). I'd laugh if he was bang on:
//www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d700x.htm

Message edited by author 2009-08-19 14:01:03.

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

08/19/2009 05:47:56 PM · #9

.. yeah, it's kinda the answer I was expecting (though hoping not to hear)..

looks like I'll just have to save up a few more dollars and get a d700!

thanks for the input guys.

Bugzeye

08/19/2009 06:25:44 PM · #10

I like the D-300 it is a few steps nicer than the D-200 ofcourse like the others I would get the D-700 if it was affordable. Then again if I could afford it I would get a D-3x

kingskingdom

Hasselblad Hasselblad H3D

Hasselblad HC 3.5-4.5/50-110 mm

08/19/2009 06:34:30 PM · #11

Hey Dudski, give the rest of us a chance. Looking at the number of 7+scores on your front page you are clearly being held back by your crappy D200 ;-) I wish I could take shots half that good with my D700.

Seriously, if you can afford one you will not be disappointed.

ErikV

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

08/19/2009 07:26:37 PM · #12

Originally posted by kingskingdom:

His top five, including all of his 7+ score ones, and including his blue in the 1000th challenge, were actually taken with the D50 and not the D200. So Dudski, yes, go out and buy a new camera but please stay away from the D50.

MistyMucky

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

08/20/2009 02:20:10 AM · #13

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

I like the D-300 it is a few steps nicer than the D-200 ofcourse like the others I would get the D-700 if it was affordable. Then again if I could afford it I would get a D-3x

If we manage to encourage a lot of people to buy full-frame sensors, the manufacturing costs will ultimately get lower ;-)

08/20/2009 10:05:25 PM · #14

Originally posted by ErikV:

Originally posted by kingskingdom:
Hey Dudski, give the rest of us a chance. Looking at the number of 7+scores on your front page you are clearly being held back by your crappy D200 ;-) I wish I could take shots half that good with my D700.

His top five, including all of his 7+ score ones, and including his blue in the 1000th challenge, were actually taken with the D50 and not the D200. So Dudski, yes, go out and buy a new camera but please stay away from the D50.

hahah, good call!

08/24/2009 01:29:21 PM · #15

Has anyone done any long exposures (10+ minutes) with the D300??

If so, how are the noise levels?

AJSullivan

08/24/2009 02:23:11 PM · #16

Originally posted by MistyMucky:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:
I like the D-300 it is a few steps nicer than the D-200 ofcourse like the others I would get the D-700 if it was affordable. Then again if I could afford it I would get a D-3x

If we manage to encourage a lot of people to buy full-frame sensors, the manufacturing costs will ultimately get lower ;-)

\

Yes! Because the companies will eventually get tired of making so much money with all that demand, so they will drop the prices.

AJSullivan

08/24/2009 02:24:15 PM · #17

I have the d300, and haven't really found any limitations for what i do. I would love video, but I think im going to pick up one of those 60 minute hand held usb video cameras and be happy with that.