New glass or new camera?

[Quicklabs]

OK--I'm getting some tax money back. It's good to help the economy, right?
Trying to decide--upgrade D80 to D300 now? OR Buy 70-200 2.8 VR now and wait for next iteration of D300 and buy that later in about 18-24 months?

 

[rileysmommy]

Do you feel you have mastered the D80 to the point that it can't do what you want it to do? If not, then I recommend going for the glass. But if your skills have outgrown your camera's capabilities then I suggest the new camera.

 

[annnewjerz]

I think I would go for the D300 now for a few reasons:

1. You will probably notice a vast improvement in your images (especially high ISO) with the D300.

2. You had said you wanted more reach than 200mm a while ago for the doggies and it seemed that you were fairly impressed with Jeff's 300mm prime. So while the 70-200 is a great lens, it seems like your first need (lens wise) would be something longer.

3. If you buy the 70-200, you will post loads of great pics boasting about how great a lens it is and how everyone needs one. For my bank account's sake---I can't be reading that.

Good luck and happy shopping---can't wait to see what you choose! My tiny tax return went towards Disney, no new camera gear for a while unfortunately

 

[Chikabowa]

Hmmm... I would probably invest in the 70-200 and then upgrade the body at a later date. And I would just save to move full frame at a later date.

I adore my 70-200. It's on my camera a good majority of the time.

Unless, as a previous poster mentioned, you have totally out-grown the D80 and you are completely limited by the options of that particular camera.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I own both and generally lean towards faster glass over a camera body. However, there are some sharp advantages the D300 has over the D80. Much better ISO capabilities, more fps, impressive focusing system, and weatherproof/more durable body just to name a few. If these features are what you need then it's a good consideration. However, since you mention maybe getting the lens now and waiting 18-24 months for the D300, I would say go for the lens now. The 70-200 f/2.8 VR will be as great as it is now at that time but the selection of camera bodies will also be different at that time. Plus, if you decide the lens is just not doing it for you, that sucker holds it's resale value as good as anything and you could possibly sell it for something else at any time. But trust me when I say there will be no regret in purchasing that lens!

 

[My2Girls66]

I think I'd get the lens. I have a D80 and other than being somewhat noisy at high ISO's (above 1000) IMO, its a pretty capable camera for most situations.

 

[spinetnglr]

OK--I'm getting some tax money back. It's good to help the economy, right?
Trying to decide--upgrade D80 to D300 now? OR Buy 70-200 2.8 VR now and wait for next iteration of D300 and buy that later in about 18-24 months?

What lenses do you currently have? Do you think you will be happy shooting with the D80 for the next 18-24 months? Right now I am looking at lenses bc I need more reach. I have the 55-200 4-5.6VR and its just not long enough. Will 200mm max give you the reach you need for the type pictures you shoot the most? I am currently looking to get a 300mm f4 bc when I am out with my D300 I dont have the reach I would like and shoot most often at the max focal length. All the usual suspects (amazon, adorama, b & h, etc.) are out of stock on this lens so I am renting one to see how I like it before I spend the money to buy one. Maybe you could rent a copy of the 70-200 2.8 and see if you like it enough to spend the money on it. I think they can be rented for about $100 for a week. I upgraded to the D300 in January from a D40 and have no regrets. I was concerned it was going to be too big for my hands but honestly it feels so comfortable to me and when I pick up the D40 now it seems so small and almost like its a toy compared to the D300. The D300 is alot of camera and there is alot to learn but its such a fun camera to shoot with because of its complexities not in spite of them if that makes sense. I know I learn something new everytime I take it out. Most people say go for the good glass and the body is a secondary consideration but if you feel you have outgrown your D80 maybe its time to upgrade the body and save for the glass. Its what I did when I found myself with the funds to be able to do it.

 

[wenrob]

3. If you buy the 70-200, you will post loads of great pics boasting about how great a lens it is and how everyone needs one. For my bank account's sake---I can't be reading that.

I don't know what the right choice would be but good luck in what you decide!

 

[Evad]

Go for the glass!!!

The body can always come later. Also when the D300 replacement comes out you will then have choices, the new model or a discounted D300.....

 

[YesDear]

Never had the D80 but have the D300 and the 70-200. By belief is it is your call. I would base my decision about which one is more important for me for the short term. I do agree with Ann that you have said you wanted more reach than 200 but it is an amazing piece of glass!

So my vote is for whatever you decide.

 

[Quicklabs]

Do you still use the 18-200 much? When you compare photos of the 18-200 and the 70-200 side by side, what do you notice most about the IQ differences?
Thanks for your answer on this one....
Laura

Never had the D80 but have the D300 and the 70-200. By belief is it is your call. I would base my decision about which one is more important for me for the short term. I do agree with Ann that you have said you wanted more reach than 200 but it is an amazing piece of glass!

So my vote is for whatever you decide.

Go for the glass!!!

The body can always come later. Also when the D300 replacement comes out you will then have choices, the new model or a discounted D300.....

Dave, I'm leaning this way--you're still the D80 King in my book--wish I could master it the way you have. When I see your pics, I know there's still more I could be getting out of the camera

I own both and generally lean towards faster glass over a camera body. However, there are some sharp advantages the D300 has over the D80. Much better ISO capabilities, more fps, impressive focusing system, and weatherproof/more durable body just to name a few. If these features are what you need then it's a good consideration. However, since you mention maybe getting the lens now and waiting 18-24 months for the D300, I would say go for the lens now. The 70-200 f/2.8 VR will be as great as it is now at that time but the selection of camera bodies will also be different at that time. Plus, if you decide the lens is just not doing it for you, that sucker holds it's resale value as good as anything and you could possibly sell it for something else at any time. But trust me when I say there will be no regret in purchasing that lens!

Danny, this is precisely why I'm rethinking the camera. I need better ISO, more fps to capture agility doggies at full speed, better focus. Yet, I know that the lens would give me better agility photo results as well since it's so much faster than my 18-200. If I'm leaning one way or the other right now, it's prolly toward the glass.

 

[YesDear]

IMO I like both lens for what they are for. I do not think there is a real comparison in IQ between the two. The 70-200 is amazingly sharp. As Susan said she has it on her camera a great deal. I challenge you to go to a wedding today and not see the Nikon or Canon version of the lens.

BUT

The size and bulk of that lens makes the 18-200 a better choice as a carry around lens. There are always trade offs.

 

[Quicklabs]

Another reason I'm probably leaning a little harder toward the lens than the camera at this point. When I saw the pics I took with the 70-200, I was amazed at the IQ difference. Thanks so much for your reply.

IMO I like both lens for what they are for. I do not think there is a real comparison in IQ between the two. The 70-200 is amazingly sharp.

 

[Chikabowa]

If you want some examples of straight-out-of-camera shots using this lens, you can check this post on my blog:

http://blog.whimsicalphotodesign.com/?p=500

These are just sized for web - otherwise, no other photoshop on them.
The second shot was taken at 200mm and I'm telling you - it's butter. I love love love love this lens. It's all natural light and the compression you get is amazing. This shoot was actually done in an empty office space in a high-rise building with the sun reflecting off another building and into the room. The gray around her is actually the carpet in that particular shot.

ISO was around 200 and everything was shot at f2.8.

I've used this lens on the D80 many times (I have a D80 as my back up to my back up) and it's wonderful. You can't compare a variable aperture lens to a fixed aperture lens.

 

[Quicklabs]

However, even if I buy that fabulous glass, I'd have to have your technique to get anything that close out of it.

If you want some examples of straight-out-of-camera shots using this lens, you can check this post on my blog:

http://blog.whimsicalphotodesign.com/?p=500

These are just sized for web - otherwise, no other photoshop on them.
The second shot was taken at 200mm and I'm telling you - it's butter. I love love love love this lens. It's all natural light and the compression you get is amazing. This shoot was actually done in an empty office space in a high-rise building with the sun reflecting off another building and into the room. The gray around her is actually the carpet in that particular shot.

ISO was around 200 and everything was shot at f2.8.

I've used this lens on the D80 many times (I have a D80 as my back up to my back up) and it's wonderful. You can't compare a variable aperture lens to a fixed aperture lens.

 

[lap3]

Boy, I wish I had your dilemma! You've got a very capable body so if you ask any pro photographer and they'll say invest in the glass. The downside of the 70-200 VR is that it is heavy but for me I like the extra weight for panning. Plus, this lens takes some tack sharp pictures! If you plan on shooting any low light, action photography, you'll be thankful you got this lens.