Nikon announces new D300s and lens upgrades for 70-200 and 18-200...

[Quicklabs]

Sure complicates my decisions about next camera. There's a lot I like about DX and that's why I'm still on the fence about the D700. I do love some of my DX glass as well, my Siggy 10-20 and the dirty thirty.
7fps is important to me for shooting at agility trials. Will need to see what that ISO 3200 looks like. I also like the expansion downward to ISO 100. I also like the dual memory card slots. The video might good just for grins.

The 70-200 is now a VR II and goes for $2400!!! VR II and a ZOOM LOCK SWITCH have also been added to the 18-200mm.

On the B&H and Ritz Camera site:


Announced by Nikon Today!
The All New D300s Is Available for Pre-Order Now, Shipping Dates Will Be Announced Soon
The rugged D300S' hallmarks include versatility, speed, agility and exceptional image quality. Versatility is its 12.3-megapixel, DX-format CMOS image sensor, with Nikon EXPEED image processing that captures stunning low-noise stills and extraordinary 24 fps, 720p HD video with sound. Speed is split-second startup and continuous shooting at up to 7 fps-8 fps with the optional MB-D10 grip, which also extends shooting capacity and makes shooting more comfortable. Accurate image review, Live View shooting and Menus come alive on a 3-inch tempered glass-protected, 920k-dot LCD monitor, while image quality is bolstered by a 51-area AF system and Nikon's 1,005-pixel RGB exposure sensor, in concert with the newly accelerated Scene Recognition System-technology that increases exposure and AF accuracy, improves white balance detection, and more. Photographers have preferences, and the D300S offers choices-including Picture Control, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering, user-assignable CompactFlash and SD card slots and an external stereo microphone input. Included is Nikon ViewNX software-ready to process rich 14-bit NEF (RAW) or JPEG files. For more editing power, optional Capture NX 2, with U-Point technology, safeguards image quality and speeds workflow. The D300S' pro-level performance, paired with world-famous NIKKOR lenses, was engineered to exceed the expectations of demanding photographers.

Nikon's D300s. Fast. Precise. Agile. Evolution in Motion.


•12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor
Delivers stunning high resolution, low-noise images with striking detail and tonal gradation.

•Continuous Shooting up to 7 fps
High speed shooting and fast response-essential to versatile performance in a wide variety of shooting disciplines.

•Nikon EXPEED Image Processing
Drives breathtakingly rich image fidelity, low noise and fast image processing.

•D-Movie HD Video
Capture cinematic 24 fps, 720p HD movie clips, enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility-featuring stereo Mic input and AF

•One-button Live View
Handheld and Tripod Live View modes, activated with one button, for challenging studio and remote shooting conditions.

•3-inch Super-density 920,000-dot VGA LCD Monitor
Every monitor is factory-calibrated to assure accurate color for critical still image review and Live View or D-Movie shooting.

•Low Noise ISO Sensitivity from 200 to 3200
Additional expanded ISO settings of Lo-1 (ISO 100 equivalent) and Hi-1 (ISO 6400 equivalent) extend versatility to match shooting requirements.

•Fast, Accurate 51-point Autofocus
Features 4 Dynamic AF modes including 3D Focus Tracking for precise autofocus and razor sharp images.

•1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Nikon?s unique RGB metering-the only sensor that also evaluates color information when determining exposures with remarkable accuracy.

•Scene Recognition System
Referencing an onboard image database and teamed with RGB metering, SRS enables even more sophisticated determination of exposures and auto white balance, along with faster, more accurate autofocus.

•Dual memory card slots (CF and SD)
Assign card functions from a variety of storage options, optimizing available memory and file handling.

•Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System
Ultrasonic process combats the accumulation of dust in front of the image sensor, safeguarding image quality.

•Picture Control
Select from 4 preset image capture preferences (Standard, Neutral, Vivid an Monochrome, plus 9 user customizable settings) control settings) controlling Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Hue.

•Nikon's Active D-Lighting
Optimize shadow and highlight detail in real time - Selectable values and 5-frame ADL bracketing offer complete control.

•In-Camera Image Editing
Exclusive in-camera image editing, featuring Edit movie, D-Lighting, Image Overlay, Monochrome, NEF(RAW) processing and more. Rugged and Durable
The strength and precision of magnesium-alloy construction with advanced dust and moisture countermeasures is teamed with a shutter with a shutter mechanism tested to beyond 150,000 cycles for real-world reliability.

•100% Viewfinder Accuracy

•Virtual Horizon Graphic Level Indicator

•Up to 950 shots per EN-EL3e battery charge

[mabas9395]

In camera RAW editing? I don't get that one.

[YesDear]

It has the same ISO settings as the D300. The D300 also has the low and the high setting.

[Gdad]

Aside from adding video I don't see the 300s as much of an upgrade.

[oregondaddyof2]

Originally Posted by Gdad

Aside from adding video I don't see the 300s as much of an upgrade.

I see two upgrades.... The video and the price

[ssanders79]

Here is a blog posting on the new Nikon gear from Scott Kelby
http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2009/archives/5827

[fitzperry]

Originally Posted by oregondaddyof2

I see two upgrades.... The video and the price

B&H lists the price as $1799.95 (body only), same as the D300 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html)

I seem to be in the minority of dslr users on this, but I'd love to have the video capability.

[Gdad]

I would like video also- but not enough to spring for a new camera right now or when the D700s comes out. I'm thinking when the D90 is replaced I may see if I can pick up a used one cheap.

[Coach]

Not to ruffle any feathers but I’m old school and if I want to take videos I’ll use my video camera and if I want to take stills I’ll use my still camera… I’ll just wait for the D400 thank you.

[YesDear]

Yeah, but I want a cell phone that works as a good phone not a camera or video!

[ssanders79]

Originally Posted by Coach

Not to ruffle any feathers but I’m old school and if I want to take videos I’ll use my video camera and if I want to take stills I’ll use my still camera… I’ll just wait for the D400 thank you.

While I do not have a dslr w. video, I have seen a few videos taken with nifty-50s and the video looks great. Your traditional video camera will not have the same depth of field that you can get with these new dslr+videos.

I would consider a body with video as I rarely pull out my video camera as it is too much of a hastle and I prefer photography. Howerver, it would be cool to have the capability to shoot quality video for those I wish I had a video camera moments.

[MarkBarbieri]

Originally Posted by oregondaddyof2

I see two upgrades.... The video and the price

The "s". Don't forget the "s".

[MarkBarbieri]

Originally Posted by Coach

Not to ruffle any feathers but I’m old school and if I want to take videos I’ll use my video camera and if I want to take stills I’ll use my still camera… I’ll just wait for the D400 thank you.

Having a video cable DSLR, I'm telling you to keep an open mind. It doesn't replace a normal video camera (at least none of the current models do), but it can do things that an affordable normal video camera can't - shallow DOF, extreme low light, interchangeable lenses.

It also comes in handy as a second camera. I used my regular video camera and the video capability of my DSLR as a two camera setup for recording a school play. With the video camera, I got wide shots and with the DSLR I got close-ups. It was great having a second camera.

For day-to-day video, though, it's just not that useful. Maintaining focus is a challenge. The on-camera mic is even more worthless than a normal on-camera mic (and that's a really low bar). Smooth zooms are almost impossible. The lack of an articulating LCD screen is annoying. Not having a built-in ND filter is annoying. Exposure control, while possible now that they've upgraded the firmware, is still lousy if you have to make adjustments during a shot. No zebras, no peaking, no knee control, etc. It's amazing for what it does, but it supplements rather than replaces a regular video camera.

[MarkBarbieri]

I know almost nothing about Nikon release cycles. Does this mean that the rumored 700x won't be released until at least the Spring? In the Canon world, there are usually only two releases a year.

[tjl1388]

The only other "upgrade" I see besides the video is the ability to use CF and SD cards at the same time. It would be nice to have a backup memory source.

No where near enough for me to upgrade from my D300. My next purchase is a 14-24 2.8.