Nikon announces D3 and D300

[Geoff_M]

Check these out on dpreview!

D300 12.3 MP, 6 fps, ISO 200-3200 (plus "Lo 1" = ~100, and "Hi 1" = ~6400) same AF module family/image processor as the D3 (14 bit color)... $1,800!!!

D3 Full frame, 12.1 MP, 9 fps, 51 point AF module, ISO 200-6400 (plus "Lo 1" = ~100, "Hi 1" = ~12800, and "Hi 2" = ~25600!!!) $5,000!

 

[Furgus]

Ummm so when do you think we can preorder......
I just read both reviews and both cameras sound very, very nice. Unfortunately I can only afford the D300, and even then I am prob going to have to beg, cry and do EVERYTHING around the house for a long time to convince my wife to let me get it....I could always use the "it's for the baby..6fps second is much more then my D50....you don't want to miss anything do you???"

 

[Geoff_M]

My main body now is a D2h, but I can honestly say that I'd be happy with the D300 over the D3. The D300 retains the DX format, and since I shoot mainly sports I really like the bonus 1.5x mag with no loss of light. Plus I own a couple DX lenses. I also don't consider 6 fps vs the D2's 8 fps to be that big of a loss.

 

[Gdad]

My main body now is a D2h, but I can honestly say that I'd be happy with the D300 over the D3. The D300 retains the DX format, and since I shoot mainly sports I really like the bonus 1.5x mag with no loss of light. Plus I own a couple DX lenses. I also don't consider 6 fps vs the D2's 8 fps to be that big of a loss.

Get the battery grip and I think you keep the 8 fps- right? (Or a firmware hack which I have already read people speculating on)

I am seriously thinking D300 also early next year.

 

[Geoff_M]

Get the battery grip and I think you keep the 8 fps- right?

Dang... you're right! I missed that in my half-asleep state as I read the releases late last night!

 

[tinksdad]

The D300 looks very attractive over the D3 for me as well. The difference in cost vs the features has the D300 a VERY competitive camera!!

I agree about the DX lens! Did you read about the D3 ability to recognize the DX lens and change the viewfinder to match the frame? Pretty cool! So, no loss of function other than the FX (full frame?) feature on the D3.

Both those will be for sale in Nov according to Nikon, I will probably wait until next year before I assault my credit card.


The new lenses they announced look very nice as well!

 

[Gdad]

I missed that in my half-asleep state as I read the releases late last night!

I have a feeling a lot of Nikon folks are needing that extra cup of coffee this morning.

 

[Furgus]

I agree about the DX lens! Did you read about the D3 ability to recognize the DX lens and change the viewfinder to match the frame? Pretty cool! So, no loss of function other than the FX (full frame?) feature on the D3.

But only at 5.5 megapixles...which I think is still higher then the D2H, but at a bigger sensor, so you would think the quality would be a lot better. Not saying the D2H is slack for a 4mp camera, I would love to have one.
I am really on the fence about the D300. I can't justify it with a new baby coming, so I think I am just going to have to mope around for a while and just get better glass for my D50. Until it doesn't do what I want it to do.... or I will the powerball.....

 

[Gdad]

Probably be a good time to pick up a barely used D200 also- lots of people will be upgrading who can't or don't want to keep both.

Does anyone know if the price of a new D200 will be dropping with all this?

But only at 5.5 megapixles...which I think is still higher then the D2H, but at a bigger sensor, so you would think the quality would be a lot better. Not saying the D2H is slack for a 4mp camera, I would love to have one.
I am really on the fence about the D300. I can't justify it with a new baby coming, so I think I am just going to have to mope around for a while and just get better glass for my D50. Until it doesn't do what I want it to do.... or I will the powerball.....

 

[Furgus]

I suspect the D300 will be released around $1500-$1600, a couple hundred over the 40d. The D200's will prob be $1300 brand new. Is the D300 going to replace the D200? If so, how many new ones they got until it is no more? This is all purely speculation though.

 

[tinksdad]

Probably be a good time to pick up a barely used D200 also- lots of people will be upgrading who can't or don't want to keep both.

Does anyone know if the price of a new D200 will be dropping with all this?

They probably won't be changing the price until the new models are ready to ship out. Then it will be a juggling act with the sales of the newer cameras, I would think.

 

[fitzperry]

But only at 5.5 megapixles...which I think is still higher then the D2H, but at a bigger sensor, so you would think the quality would be a lot better. Not saying the D2H is slack for a 4mp camera, I would love to have one.
I am really on the fence about the D300. I can't justify it with a new baby coming, so I think I am just going to have to mope around for a while and just get better glass for my D50. Until it doesn't do what I want it to do.... or I will the powerball.....

Nah . . . buy it now before that baby starts playing soccer, taking piano and horseback riding lessons and needs braces.

 

[tinksdad]

I think I'm hooked......

The D300 has a self-cleaning sensor, 51 point AF (with 3D tracking), 100% viewfinder, Metering: 0 to 20 EV, 3" LCD.



Oh my.........

 

[Furgus]

Nah . . . buy it now before that baby starts playing soccer, taking piano and horseback riding lessons and needs braces.

My kid will NOT be playing soccer

Talked to the wife at lunch and she actually agreed that better glass would be much better then upgrading my year old D50....You know, I really love that woman

So manybe in 09 I can get a new camera body.....

I wonder if the new Nikons self cleaning sensor will be any better then the ones out there now. Cause the reviews I have read on them pretty much the same....crap.

 

[Gdad]

I think I'm hooked......

The D300 has a self-cleaning sensor, 51 point AF (with 3D tracking), 100% viewfinder, Metering: 0 to 20 EV, 3" LCD.



Oh my.........

3" 922,000 Pixel LCD Monitor (Vs. 2.5" 230,000 on D200 and Canon D30 and 3" 230,000 on Canon D40 and 1DIII)

I am definately hooked...

 

[Furgus]

Are we the only Nikon users on this site? Man that is about to change I think

40D.....what is that?

 

[Suburbanmom]

Another Nikon D50 user here, but I'm not up on all the lingo like you guys. :lol: I've had my D50 for less than a year. I'm just adding lenses whenever I can.

 

[handicap18]

Gezzz,,, I post all this information yesturday and your post gets all the traffic... drats!

My kid will NOT be playing soccer

Talked to the wife at lunch and she actually agreed that better glass would be much better then upgrading my year old D50....You know, I really love that woman

So manybe in 09 I can get a new camera body.....

I wonder if the new Nikons self cleaning sensor will be any better then the ones out there now. Cause the reviews I have read on them pretty much the same....crap.

I think I'm in the same boat as you Furgus, though I'm thinking probably 2010 is when I start looking at new camera bodies. Though at the rate I'm going (18 months: 7,500 shutter clicks on my D50) I may need a new body sooner.

I'm always looking at new glass, that certainly wont go obsolete. I'm looking at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 by mid November. Not sure what will be next after that in '08. I'm sure it will be something.

I really like the sounds of the D300. To really make the sale I'd have to see some images at all ISO's, especially the high ones. The D50 is supurb at 1600. Many D200 users are jealous of its performance in that regard. If this is scheduled to come out in Nov of '07, then we probably wont expect its replacement until sometime in the summer/fall of '09 or thereabouts. I might be ready at that point to upgrade to the next model or get the D300 at a reduced price as its replacement comes out.

As for soccer, my oldest plays. He's 5 and LOVES it. Its a great sport for kids, helps with foot/eye coordination that translates very well to other sports. I think next up is T-Ball in the fall. Our town has an indoor program. I've gotten some great action (well as much action as 5 year olds give on a soccer field) shots. Certainly lets them burn off a lot of energy.

 

[Furgus]

I agree 100% with you Cap. I love the lack of noise at 1600 on the D50. If I upgrade I will still keep it aournd. Not going to get in a soccer debate, but we have a lot of Hockey and Lacrosse programs around here for kids...so I am going to force him/her to do that

 

[Gdad]

I really like the sounds of the D300. To really make the sale I'd have to see some images at all ISO's, especially the high ones. The D50 is supurb at 1600. Many D200 users are jealous of its performance in that regard.

This is also a major concern of mine- from a trusted DPreview regular who was privileged enough to go to Japan and test one…

The new D3 has high-ISO performance beyond what anyone could imagine possible. I could hardly believe my eyes.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=24463197&page=1 - Bjorn Rorslett on his way to Japan

I hope its true and I hope it is similar with the 300.