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Nikon D300s -- still worth getting?

Shacklebolt

Shacklebolt

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 2, 2004
596
0
Looking into getting a used D300s body -- some very high quality ones available for well under $1k.

Reason is simple -- Nikon D300s is pretty much the best prosumer DX camera body Nikon has. I have a D7000 and noise reduction is great, but it still feels cheap and plastic. Because it is cheap and plastic.

I am WELL AWARE of the advantages of full frame, and I've used a D4, D800, D800e, and D700 in professional settings, and they're great.

But in terms of glass, I have a 17-55 2.8, a 50 1.4, and a 70-200 2.8, all of which I'm quite happy with, and do a solid job compensating for the lack of full frame low light performance. But most importantly, I want a pro-feeling, sturdy camera body, and right now, for DX, the D300s is the only game in town.

Thoughts?
 
While the D7000 may feel cheap, the plastic is good IMO, but why not just get a silicone skin for the D7000? It's cheaper, and unless you're looking for an additional camera, you won't have to worry about things like how many shutter actuations there are and how much of an extreme environment a prior owner has exposed the camera to.

Something like http://www.adorama.com/ICDSPNKD7000.html?gclid=CPiJmo-107oCFTHxOgodSB8AjQ

Paul
 
compuwar said:
While the D7000 may feel cheap, the plastic is good IMO, but why not just get a silicone skin for the D7000? It's cheaper, and unless you're looking for an additional camera, you won't have to worry about things like how many shutter actuations there are and how much of an extreme environment a prior owner has exposed the camera to.

Something like http://www.adorama.com/ICDSPNKD7000.html?gclid=CPiJmo-107oCFTHxOgodSB8AjQ

Paul
Click to expand...

Eh, but it's just not about the rubber grip -- it's the overall feel of the camera. But besides that (and I should have said this before), the difference between 51 AF points and 39 AF points feels absolutely huge. I used a D300 for many years (shutter died, have my reasons for not wanting to repair it), and I just have never been able to get a handle on the D7000's AF system like I did with my D300.
 
Shacklebolt said:
Looking into getting a used D300s body -- some very high quality ones available for well under $1k.

Reason is simple -- Nikon D300s is pretty much the best prosumer DX camera body Nikon has. I have a D7000 and noise reduction is great, but it still feels cheap and plastic. Because it is cheap and plastic.

I am WELL AWARE of the advantages of full frame, and I've used a D4, D800, D800e, and D700 in professional settings, and they're great.

But in terms of glass, I have a 17-55 2.8, a 50 1.4, and a 70-200 2.8, all of which I'm quite happy with, and do a solid job compensating for the lack of full frame low light performance. But most importantly, I want a pro-feeling, sturdy camera body, and right now, for DX, the D300s is the only game in town.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

The D300s's autofocus is far superior to the D7000.

The image quality from the D7000 is noticeably better than the D300s.

For most people I would say No, the D300s is not worth buying these days. However, if you prefer the feel of the D300 and that's more important to you than the drop in image quality then by all means switch camera. The most important thing is that you enjoy shooting - if you don't enjoy using your D7000 and think you would enjoy shooting with a D300s then make the switch.

Personally I'd get a D700 and ditch your 17-55 for a 24-70.
 
Shacklebolt said:
Looking into getting a used D300s body -- some very high quality ones available for well under $1k.

Reason is simple -- Nikon D300s is pretty much the best prosumer DX camera body Nikon has. I have a D7000 and noise reduction is great, but it still feels cheap and plastic. Because it is cheap and plastic.

I am WELL AWARE of the advantages of full frame, and I've used a D4, D800, D800e, and D700 in professional settings, and they're great.

But in terms of glass, I have a 17-55 2.8, a 50 1.4, and a 70-200 2.8, all of which I'm quite happy with, and do a solid job compensating for the lack of full frame low light performance. But most importantly, I want a pro-feeling, sturdy camera body, and right now, for DX, the D300s is the only game in town.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

It's still a fantastic camera, certainly from a build perspective. While its AF/sensor/etc are a few generations old, image quality is fantastic too and AF holds it's own. Love mine!
 
I can't believe someone would trade a body for no technical reason what so ever other then the material used to make the covers on the body.

But yes the D300 is worth using and still can do good work. I use my D200 and don't see much reason to upgrade, Until I decide I want to do video but my current camcorder is doing that well enough for now.
 
Actually, the D7000 does have a metal body (have a look here, for instance. On mine, the paint has rubbed off at some of the corners and I can see shiny metal now. ;)

Personally, I think getting a D300s would be a waste of money: the D7000 has much better image quality and is almost as fast. Sure, the D300s has a better built quality, but I don't think the difference is as big as you make it out to be. I don't see a point in buying one this day and age. If you really want to get a camera with better image quality and a better body, I'd hunt for a D700.
 
As you have already had a D300, you know what you're getting yourself into. I'd say probably yes, still worth getting if the price is right and it has not been used as a workhorse! Loads of them around atm, so you should be able to pick a good copy up without too much hassle.
 
Shacklebolt said:
Looking into getting a used D300s body -- some very high quality ones available for well under $1k.

Reason is simple -- Nikon D300s is pretty much the best prosumer DX camera body Nikon has. I have a D7000 and noise reduction is great, but it still feels cheap and plastic. Because it is cheap and plastic.

I am WELL AWARE of the advantages of full frame, and I've used a D4, D800, D800e, and D700 in professional settings, and they're great.

But in terms of glass, I have a 17-55 2.8, a 50 1.4, and a 70-200 2.8, all of which I'm quite happy with, and do a solid job compensating for the lack of full frame low light performance. But most importantly, I want a pro-feeling, sturdy camera body, and right now, for DX, the D300s is the only game in town.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I get where you're coming from. I'm a Canon guy myself, but I did pick build quality, pro controls, and pro features of the 7D over the newer sensor and and better video AF on the 70D. But with Nikon, the features on their enthusiast bodies compared to their pro bodies is much closer then Canon's (lucky buggers!). So while feel is important, I'd suggest taking a good long look and WHAT you shoot and HOW you shoot it and decide whether these slight differences are really worth it, since some might consider it a step back in some respects.

There's no real right or wrong answer here. If it fits your workflow then fill your boots! If having a better feel is more important then some more modern features then go right ahead. It's a great camera. Just make sure you really comb through all the other specs and features to make sure you won't be missing something.
 
kevinfulton.ca said:
D7000 has metal plates (top and bottom) over a plastic chassis. D300s is magnesium alloy all the way through. Hence the differences he's feeling. The thing is a tank!
Click to expand...
I know that the D7000 body uses more plastic than the D300s in its construction, but have a look at the picture: the chassis as well as top and bottom plate are metal, not just top and bottom plate.

large-nikon-d7000-digital-camera-body-view-6.jpg


In any case, IMO you're completely right saying that the D300s is built more durably than the D7000.
 
Shacklebolt said:
Looking into getting a used D300s body -- some very high quality ones available for well under $1k.

Reason is simple -- Nikon D300s is pretty much the best prosumer DX camera body Nikon has. I have a D7000 and noise reduction is great, but it still feels cheap and plastic. Because it is cheap and plastic.

I am WELL AWARE of the advantages of full frame, and I've used a D4, D800, D800e, and D700 in professional settings, and they're great.

But in terms of glass, I have a 17-55 2.8, a 50 1.4, and a 70-200 2.8, all of which I'm quite happy with, and do a solid job compensating for the lack of full frame low light performance. But most importantly, I want a pro-feeling, sturdy camera body, and right now, for DX, the D300s is the only game in town.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

There is something to how your tools feel in your hands that does help jobs go by somewhat better. Weight and handling fits into that category as well. I think you might try getting a half case for your 7000 or even put on an L-plate to add weight and rigidity. The D300 is a really excellent cameras for what it is. I have had D200 and 300 and also the 17-55, 70-200 lenses. The camera and lenses are a deadly combination and worthy of the old "Nikon" mystique and reputation. For me, I would get the 7000 or newer before I would buy the 300 because the advancement in sensor and internal computer hardware are superior. The goal for me is get as much information properly done in that RAW or jpg file.

I don't shoot much anymore and my set up now is in the mirrorless group -
Fuji X-E1, 35 f1.4, Kit zoom and 55-200. This is very similar to the counterpart to exactly what you have now in lenses. The results are amazing but certainly would never use this set up for fast action photography.
 
My old D50 took a nasty spill and it was plastic. It hit pavement really hard before breaking open. The plastic body on these DSLR cameras are tough.


@OP I still see people using a D200. If you go with a D300s you still will have a nice camera.
 
I will have the option to get a D300S soon through work if the price is right. Coming from a D3200 do you think it will be a much better camera for me? Looking at the specifications, the main advantages are going to be the number of focal points and the ability to shoot HDR and having two dials for greater control in M mode. I will be picking up some decent glass whatever. The following will be available,
24mm-70mm F2.8
60mm Macro F2.8
70mm-200mm F2.8
10.5mm Fisheye
14-24mm F2.8
I won't have the budget for them all, but will probably go for the Macro and Telephoto. If the price is very good I might go for the 24mm-70mm as well. What do you think? Currently I just have the kit 18mm-55mm.
 
Apple fanboy said:
I will have the option to get a D300S soon through work if the price is right. Coming from a D3200 do you think it will be a much better camera for me? Looking at the specifications, the main advantages are going to be the number of focal points and the ability to shoot HDR and having two dials for greater control in M mode. I will be picking up some decent glass whatever. The following will be available,
24mm-70mm F2.8
60mm Macro F2.8
70mm-200mm F2.8
10.5mm Fisheye
14-24mm F2.8
I won't have the budget for them all, but will probably go for the Macro and Telephoto. If the price is very good I might go for the 24mm-70mm as well. What do you think? Currently I just have the kit 18mm-55mm.
Click to expand...

If you've got the cash and the price is right, why not? If the lenses fall in the focal lengths you will use, then it seems like a good opportunity. If they're going to sit in your camera bag, then a waste of money!
 
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