Tell me about Nikon D300

[lumpy08]

I *may* have the opportunity to get the Nikon D300. Can anyone give me some good background info. If you have one -- do you like it? What type of memory cards does it use? I currently have a Nikon D50 and LOVE it. Is it going to be a big learning curve to use it? additionally, with my D50 I am able to use my lenses from my previous Nikon 35mm - Will my Nikon lenses still work with the D300??

 

[Master Mason]

I *may* have the opportunity to get the Nikon D300. Can anyone give me some good background info. If you have one -- do you like it? What type of memory cards does it use? I currently have a Nikon D50 and LOVE it. Is it going to be a big learning curve to use it? additionally, with my D50 I am able to use my lenses from my previous Nikon 35mm - Will my Nikon lenses still work with the D300??

Not a nikon guy, but yes you would be able to use your lenses. I'm fairly certain that it also uses SD cards as well.

The D300 is a stupendous camera, and that's from a Canon guy. However, it is about 2 years old now, so I would expect it's nearing the end of its run and would be due for a replacement fairly soon. That won't make it a bad camera, just that there would be a better equiviant on the market.

If I wasn't so heavely invested in Canon, that's probably what I would be shooting right now.

 

[annnewjerz]

The Nikon D300 is a great piece of equipment. You will notice a significant improvement over the D50 and the learning curve shouldn't be bad at all since you are already a Nikon dSLR user.

The lenses from your old Nikon SLR will work with the Nikon D300 just like (or possibly better than) your Nikon D50. If you have any older lenses that don't meter with your D50, chances are they will meter with the D300.

The D300 takes CF cards (not SD) so you would have to buy new memory, but memory these days is getting extremely cheap. I'd look on B&H, Adorama, Amazon and Buy.com for some deals. Occassionally, SanDisk is offering a mail in rebate that makes for great savings on Memory. If SanDisk is too expensive for you, pick up a few Kingston cards and see how you like them.

Here is a link to a great review of the D300. I know there are at least a few D300 users here on the DIS also, so they might have more to contribute or more specific answers to any questions you may have.

http://www.bythom.com/nikond300review.htm

 

[lumpy08]

another question I have is... battery

I looked on dpreview and the D50 came with:
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included

It says the D300 comes with:
Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery (charger not included)

* it looks like there is just one letter xtra on the D300 battery - would I need a new battery charger?

 

[Steve's Girl]

another question I have is... battery

I looked on dpreview and the D50 came with:
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included

It says the D300 comes with:
Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery (charger not included)

* it looks like there is just one letter xtra on the D300 battery - would I need a new battery charger?

Are you buying new or used? A new D300 comes with a battery and charger. If you are buying new and the standard equipment in the box is not included, it is likely a scam where they will charge you extra for those "accessories". Be very careful with these types of offers.

 

[donaldduck1967]

I agree with Steve's Girl. Brand new, a battery and a Charger are included. Do some research into the company you are buying it from IF it is brand new.

 

[lumpy08]

It is actually a fully refurb from Nikon. My friend is a sports photographer and he is very close with the photo store -- so luckily I don't have to worry about a scam. (Otherwise I would probably have a pit in my stomach).. My friend is also getting an extra D300s (I know I just don't need the s version). I was looking at the side by side comparison on the dpreview site of the D300 to the D50 and that is where it didn't have the battery charger listed.

Anyone else have any comments on the D300?

 

[Suburbanmom]

Almost 2 years ago, I made the jump from the D50 to the D300. I loved my D50 and I am THRILLED with my D300. The learning curve is big, but not impossible. Read the manual and play with it and you'll be fine. The D300 is heavier and side by side you will really see the differences. After a while, you will pick up your D50 and wonder where all the buttons are LOL.

You will need new memory and new batteries. I think the NIkon brand batteries work better than the off brands, but you will likely hear it the other way around too. I have found Nikon brand EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery on amazon for a good price. Walmart carries SanDisk 8gb CF cards for about $40.00. They are not super high performance, but I have found them to do a good job for general shooting. There a probably better deals online but if you want a card today, right now...it's not a bad option. You won't need a new charger.

Your lenses should all work just fine. And I think you will notice an improvement in the high ISO performance too. It is a terrific camera....let us know how you like it.

 

[lumpy08]

Thanks everyone with your posts. It is actually the D90. Which is a step up from my D50. I have had the D50 for 5 years and love it. Now onto the D90. I will have to try and out and get comfortable with it before my trip next month.

Okay so I guess I should change my post... Tell me about the D90?

 

[Uncle Greg]

The D90? Really good camera.

How's the refurb price? What are you doing for lenses?

 

[handicap18]

The D90 is an upgrade over the D50 (actually the D90 follows the path from the D70, D70s and D80).

The D90 has the same sensor as the D300, but in a smaller body. Pretty much the same metering (which is a big improvement over the D50). It has more focus points than the D50 and more frames per second (for those times when your shooting sports).

I came close to getting a D90 a few years back when it was first introduced, but went with the D300 instead. I upgraded from a D50 which I took over 16,000 pics with.

The D90 is an excellent camera, you can't go wrong. It will also use the same lenses your currently using with your D50 and will auto focus with any auto focus lens made for Nikon. The D90 (like the D50) has a focus motor in the body so it will auto focus with AF along with AF-S lenses (AF-S lenses have focus motors in the lens. There are some Nikon camera bodies that don't have auto focus motors in the body,,, ie: D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D5000).

 

[Snappy in OK]

I upgraded to the D90 earlier this year (from a D60) and I love it. It works with all of my lens from my D60 and my N65 (35mm SLR). Good luck & enjoy!!

 

[Geoff_M]

I bought a D300 when they came out and I LOVE the camera. In fact my D2h was relegated to backup status after the purchase.