D300s or D90?

[NLD]

Hi all,

I am more of a lurker than a regular poster but could use some discussion if anyone's up for it.

My grandfather recently passed away and left me a little money. Most of it will go towards paying down debt or into the bank/investments, but... I am going to use a little on some photo gear.

Right now I have the following:

Nikon D60
18-105mm kit lens
35mm 1.8 lens
A very cheap tripod and the Nikon remote shutter release

I would really like to upgrade the body, get a semi-decent tripod and head, and maybe one lens. (Thinking about an ultrawide...) Oh and I still need a flash, but it looks like dh will get me the SB-600 for Christmas.


So, first question: what are your thoughts on the D300s vs a D90? My main reasons for wanting to upgrade are: better high ISO performance; more autofocus points; in-body focus motor. Will I be just as happy with the D90 as the D300s, given what's important to me... or is the D300s worth almost a grand more?

Next question: which wide-angle lens? Been looking at the Nikon 10-24, but is there another I should consider?

And last: can you recommend a good carbon fiber tripod that won't break the bank? (and head and quick-release plate?)

Thank you!

 

[annnewjerz]

If it were me, I would consider either the D90 or the D300, not the D300s. Is there something specific you liked about the D300s versus the regular D300? IIRC, the upgrades made weren't huge and for me, therefore not worth the extra money.

I have the D90 and am very happy with it. When I eventually upgrade again, I'm sure it will probably be to go full frame---which won't be a long while.

I don't have any experience with the D300 but can say that I upgraded from the D60 to the D90 about 10 months ago and the 11 focus points are nice, the live view is helpful on occassion, but high-ISO capabilities are great (I've used the highest extended ISO, which is 6400, and after running the image through noiseware was very happy with the results).

I would probably get the D90 and spend the extra money getting a nice lens. It seems the general opinion is that better glass is usually better than a fancier body---so unless there is something you really need in the D300s, I would pass it over.

This photo was taken about a month ago at ISO 6400. I'm posting it on the larger size just so you can see that it looks pretty good after a quick run through noiseware.

Good luck!

 

[WDWFigment]

^Agreed in full.

For wide angle lenses, I like the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. They aren't carbon fiber tripods, but the Velbon Luxi series is great. Manfrotto 486RC2 is a good tripod head.

 

[wenrob]

Don't the D90 and the D300 have the same sensor making their ISO capabilities about the same? I agree with the others, I think you'd be quite happy with the D90.
These we both shot at ISO 800 w/a D90 and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, no noise reduction. I have shots that are higher ISO but am too lazy to upload them. However, I'd think you'd agree on the D90 ISO 800 is much nicer then on the D60.

eta: I don't have a wide angle but that Tokina is on my "want list."

 

[NLD]

Thanks everyone... still open to more input.

Yes, the D60 has terrible noise at ISO 800. This is my BIGGEST complaint about the D60--I am really, really ready to upgrade.

Would love to just go full-frame but don't think I could talk dh into that...

 

[fitzperry]

Anne makes a good point about the D300 vs. the D300s--unless video capability is important to you, the D300 might be a good choice. I have no idea how much they are going for at the moment, but surely you'd save a few bucks. The AF system on the D300 is better than the D90, so if you shoot a lot of sports, for example, you might find the extra $$ to be well spent.

I think your remote shutter release will work on the D90, but not the D300, if that matters.

As for an UWA, I have the Tokina 12-24 and love it.

Good luck!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://www.dpreview.com/

The above website just posted a complete review of the D300s. I'm not a Nikon owner so I have no horse in the race!

 

[NLD]

Wow, 30 pages of review! Thank you...

At this point I'm leaning towards the D90 but we'll see...

 

[tessa]

get the D90 and use the extra to invest in some good glass

 

[RvUsa]

Actually right now, if you look at B&H or bestbuy etc, the 300s is $1575 and the 300 is $1799.

The 300s has a higher burst rate, it has 2 memory card slots, 1 CF, 1 SD. It also has a 51 spot AF. It is also has a magnesium alloy body, and the 90 is the same as the 60.

The 90 and the 300 can use the AF-S lenses, but can use older lenses, and the lenses without a motor, I was wrong sorry.

I am in the same boat, but I am leaning towards the 300s, I have NEVER EVER bought something like a camera, and said, I wish I had bought the one with less features... LOL

 

[annnewjerz]

You stated that you were looking for a camera with a focus motor in the body. If I am not mistaken, the 60, 90 and the 300 all take the AF-S lenses, and the motor is in the lens.

Unfortunately, you are mistaken. The D40, D40x, D60, D3000 and D5000 don't have a focus motor in the body and therefore require AF-S and AF-I lenses if you want them to autofocus. The Nikon D90, D300 and D300s all have a built-in focus motor and can autofocus with the older Nikon lenses.

 

[RvUsa]

Sorry, I was just going by this chart on nikon.com... I see what you mean, it can use both types of lenses, so that would mean it has an internal motor.... DUH>>> LOL

 

[NLD]

Thanks again to everyone for the discussion. Still haven't decided though! And I did read the entire 30-page review at dpreview that you posted, Gianna's Papa!

I'll probably end up with the D90, mostly because I am not seeing any better performance from the D300s in terms of higher ISOs... and it appears to me the D90's white balance is actually a bit better. (And yeah, white balance can be fixed post-processing, but I often like to try to get it right in-camera.)

But the AF system in the D300s is still tempting.

Soooo indecisive!

 

[Frantasmic]

Please don't take this the wrong way. The camera, whichever one you get, will be special to you because your grandfather made it possible. It might be in your possession for many years. The 300s is a newer camera. Just something to think about.

 

[NLD]

Thank you Frantasmic.

You are correct... that does play into the equation as well.

My grandfather was a huge influence on my appreciation for art, so the camera absolutely will be a homage to him in more ways than one.