Thread: time to go digital

Its a Nikon, bound to be the best

As for your question, I cant answer that, but have you thought of say buying a D300s and a quality lens, for example?

Theres LOTS of info on the web on this kind of topic... ie better body or better lens, and most agree go lens first before body (unless you got the cash for both )

Originally Posted by stooge

Its a Nikon, bound to be the best

As for your question, I cant answer that, but have you thought of say buying a D300s and a quality lens, for example?

Theres LOTS of info on the web on this kind of topic... ie better body or better lens, and most agree go lens first before body (unless you got the cash for both )

I agree about the lenses, I have several Nikon lenses which is why I am going to go that way for the digital. I have done web research on it, no doubt about it an awesome camera - in fact probably much more than I will ever utilise as an avid amature. The D300 is also a fantastic camera but I can get this one cheaper and it is more robust. Really what I was after was some thoughts from a long term user, all the reviews are by (probably) professionals so I'm not sure how relevant the information is to me as I am not a professional photographer
A bit like the Stig telling me to buy a McLaren because he can throw it around a race track at a zillion miles an hour where I bush bash a landy, still plenty of skill requried but not the same level.

Well if my budget allowed, I would prefer to buy the best I can and then have the only excuse that my skills need improving. Nothing worse than having equipment hold you back!

Let us know how you go with a purchase.

D2X shouldn't be an issue. Great camera. Watch the shutter actuations as I think the life is only about 300,000.

It's not going to be as good as the D300(s) or D700 in real terms but that's to be expected as these have newer image processing abilities.

It's a pro body and after going from D200 to D3s I would have serious issues going anything less than a D300 now days. I've used a friends D90 and whilst it's very good it's a lot slower about doing things than the D3s.

If you can try and get a D2xs as it was the last model. Remember that it is a DX sensor with a 1.5x crop factor so your wide Nikkor lenses won't be as wide as they were with film. The D700 and D3 series are the FX bodies and are 35mm equivalent.

The D2X it is ISO sensitive like the D200, over 800ISI the noise is bad.
If you like it for landscaping then is an excellent camera.
I have a D200 and a D300s which are not so heavy for walk about in the bush.
I agree with dmdigital, The D300s and the pro Nikon cameras are the best option to go.

well the seller got greedy with the D2XS, so no camera. I have been looking at the D300 as well - my upper limit is about 1500-00 so a D300 body only is just in my reach or a D2xs.

The D300 has newer gizzmo's and I like the idea of the 51 focal points and the 3" screen and less noise but I like the robustness of the D2xs particularly as almost all of my photography involves out 4wding, both have a magnesium frame so they will both be pretty strong

I have the rattles badly from a near fatal electric shock which fairly fried my peripheral nervous system so I like the idea of the size and weight of the D2xs but will it be to bulky for my missus to use. Also the d2 doesnt have a built in flash.

D700 and D3 series are out of my price range and also probably over the top for what I want.

I think it will come down to which one I can get for the best price as I really cant decide which one is better.

I've got a D300. I've been very happy with it. The only thing I thought was the "high ISO" wasn't as good as the original hype lead me to believe. Still better than the D200 and wasn't much of a problem as I shoot ISO 200ish most of the time anyway.

I do like the built in flash. Don't use it much as a flash as such (on camera flash sucks) but is great for wireless flash such as SB-800 and the like. The top pro nikon cameras force you to buy the commander module to do the same thing.

Pretty sure you'd be more than happy with a D300.

One more thing I'd reccommned is Thom Hogan's guide to the D300. Some very handy information on setting the camera up.

Flash commander is really nice though. Saves a lot of fiddling with each SB-800 individually.

I'll second Thom Hogan's guide books.