I have owned my D80 for a little over a year and am really enjoying it. I've thought about buying the D300. Would I notice a major difference in images between the two ? I shoot the usual stuff we all do animals, birds, waterfalls, landscapes, etc.
I use the Nikon 18-135, Nikon 70-300 VR and Tamron 200-500 lenses now.
Your thoughts please.
Posted by scott gietler on March 21, 2008 at 1:36 AM
I have the D80 and the D300. I haven't noticed a major difference, but I haven't done any direct comparison tests yet. I only got the D300 because my wife also likes to take photographs also, so I gave her my D80.
i would think you'd be better off spending the $1800 on a couple new lens (I got the 80-400mm VR for $900), or another photo trip, the D80 is a great camera.
I do hope to do some tests between the two and post the results, no promises though! :)
I was very interested in the above comments. I have the D70 and get great results. Of course, we all want something better. I was considering the 300, however, I still wonder if it is better to know your existing camera well or to upgrade. I will be interested in Scott's future post when he has time to compare. Thanks for asking the question.
Peacemaker
I'll suggest to get better lenses instead. D80 is a nice camera; although if I had enough funds I would have got D300.
Many of the images on my website are made with D80.
http://prashanteju.de/Bayrischer_Wald.html -> for this trip I used D80 exclusively.
http://prashanteju.de/Harz.html -> 80% made with D80.
Posted by Basil Greber on March 21, 2008 at 2:50 PM
You "thought about getting the D300" - why? Which features do you want? 12 MP instead of 10 MP? Weather seals? Live view? AF module? High ISO performance? AF fine tuning? Sensor cleaning?
Personally, I think there are reasons to upgrade if you really need the features. If you shoot action, the AF module will be very useful. If you shoot indoors a lot, the high ISO performance may be useful. In the end, if you do NEED the features, the D300 is a great buy. But if it's just for the 12 MP and the "cool & new" factor, your money is better spent on lenses.
Just my thoughts...
BG
Posted by Kent Staubus on March 21, 2008 at 2:52 PM
For what you want to do, a Nikon 80-400mm VR would be money better spent. The D80 is due for replacement yet this year. If history is any guide, that camera will share most all of the major components of the D300, have slightly better high ISO performance, and be 2/3 the cost. It will also be more compact and lighter to carry. I don't get caught up in all the internet forum hysteria every time a new camera comes out. Instead, I've been buying first class lenses and a pro grade tripod. Wait until the "D90" comes out and see what it looks like.
Kent in SD
Posted by Mark Stahlke on March 22, 2008 at 1:30 AM
Basil Greber wrote:
Which features do you want? 12 MP instead of 10 MP? Weather seals? Live view? AF module? High ISO performance? AF fine tuning? Sensor cleaning?
Yes.
And all the other fun stuff like that big beautiful LCD, 14 bit raw files, and so on.
I picked up a D300 a couple of months ago and I can say that it's quite a bit more camera than my D80. The D80 is a fine camera but the D300 is a big step up.
On the down side, I wish Nikon would choose one memory card format and stick with it. I went from CF in the D70 to SD in the D80 and now I'm back to CF in the D300. Grrrr.
Oddly enough, the thing that sold me on the D300 was that it feels and handles a lot like my old F100 film body. I really liked that F100.
Cheers,
Posted by Kent Staubus on March 22, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Mark--
I've been photo'ing mostly at night al winter and have been leaving my D80 sitting out on the tripod for hours at a time. I simply brush the snow off and take the shot when the time comes. The seals on the D80 are every bit as good as those on the F100 from what I've seen. If they were any better I would be able to use the camera underwater!
Ok, 2 cents worth. There is the D80. Then the more like a tank D200. Now there is the D300 with a slew of USEFUL new features. I would more think folks would be looking at the differences between a D200 and D80 price wise. Then, look at the D300 and I would get the D300 for sure. On the other hand, I already have my Pro lenses. So, like a few others have said, spend the money on lenses first...then see what's out there when you have more money for another body. Better lenses or lenses that do things you do not have the capability to do now will improve your photography NOW. Buying a new body and continuing to use "less capable" lenses will not give you any drastic improvement. I have the D200 (plus multiple film bodies) and would love to upgrade to the D300 because of the features it has. And then on the third hand, buying the D300 now will give you a second body with the D80 as a backup. Or keep one lens on the D80 for quick hand held shots while you have your D300 tripod mounted. I think we have all had our days when we missed the "best" shot of the day because our camera and lens were tripod mounted and we could not react fast enough to change the lens for a shot that just popped up suddenly and hand held would have gotten the image....makes you pretty sick!!!
Ok, maybe that was 3 cents worth!
Troup
Posted by Basil Greber on March 23, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Andrew - regarding the question you sent by eMail, I think the answer is no, you'll not see more detail simply because the lenses you use don't outresolve the 10 MP sensor the D80 has (except for the 18-135 DX at certain focal lengths and apertures).
Thanks to all who took time to respond to my questions and especially to those who answered my individual questions. I am convinced a better lense is what I really need.
Hope to see you out there.
Andrew Sentipal
Posted by Ryan Askren on March 27, 2008 at 6:27 PM
What would you guys suggest for flight photography? I was also thinking about upgrading from my D80, still keeping it, just getting another camera. My problem with the D80 is the focus on moving objects doesn't seem to be very good. I shoot a lot of waterfowl in flight and it just doesn't seem to do the trick. I also like the higher FPS I shoot a lot of dogs running and jumping in water and the D80 FPS and AF is restrictive. I am mostly debating wether to save up for the 200-400mm VR or buy a D300 and then get the lens. What are your thoughts?
Posted by Ryan Askren on March 27, 2008 at 6:30 PM
I also will be starting to shoot for a magazine soon and don't think the 12 MP would hurt. Just an after thought.
Posted by David Sparks on March 28, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Ryan:
I've been getting some very nice bird flight shots with the D80 and 300mm f/4.0 lens. I'm using spot metering mode and automatic dynamic focus mode. Shutter priority with an ISO that gets shutter speed up to 1/1500 sec. Have you tried this combination of settings?
David Sparks
On the thought that "you'll not see more detail simply because the lenses you use don't outresolve the 10 MP sensor the D80", I add the thought that this may be a partial answer. I understand why the responder said it. He also may have been privy to what lenses the question asker has due to an email correspondence between the two. I think most of the responders who have suggested better lenses were under the impression that Pro lenses were not being used on the D80. So, the suggestion was to wait on the D300 and get "better" lenses now. The thought is that the Pro lenses will provide many more qualities (I'm not going to list them) that WILL improve the resulting photos over a wider range of applications reqardless as to if the photos were taken on the D80 or the D300. Hope that adds a bit of clarification.
Shoot on!
Troup
Posted by Basil Greber on March 29, 2008 at 8:17 AM
He also may have been privy to what lenses the question asker has due to an email correspondence between the two.
Nah, it's written in the OP. What you say is true, though. Good glass improves things instantly, and I think it has more impact than the body under most conditions.
I own the D70 myself and was thinking of trading up in a year or so. But I would suggest waiting until the camera you want is not the newest thing on the market. The price often comes down after a while and you get to hear comments from people who bought it to find out about any quirks.
Andrew,
I've just upgraded to a D300 from my beloved D70 and I am so happy. I thought long and hard about the D80 when making my decision but, after due consideration $$$$, I went ahead with the purchse of the D300 and I'm sooooo happy. I've worked really hard with the D70 to learn as much as I could about photography in general and I was starting to run into some road blocks. The most importand ones for me were the viewfinder and the noise in low light. The D300 is amazing on both counts and I am a very happy camper. However, if you aren't really sure that you want to do this now why don't you hold out for a little while. Sony just announced that they're developing a full frame CMOS chip (Nikon chips are made by Sony) and I expect that it won't be very long before Nikon answers Canon's 5D with a full frame, more modestly priced camera.
Bests,
Jodz
Discussion
18 repliesI use the Nikon 18-135, Nikon 70-300 VR and Tamron 200-500 lenses now.
Your thoughts please.
i would think you'd be better off spending the $1800 on a couple new lens (I got the 80-400mm VR for $900), or another photo trip, the D80 is a great camera.
I do hope to do some tests between the two and post the results, no promises though! :)
scott
Peacemaker
Many of the images on my website are made with D80.
http://prashanteju.de/Bayrischer_Wald.html -> for this trip I used D80 exclusively.
http://prashanteju.de/Harz.html -> 80% made with D80.
Personally, I think there are reasons to upgrade if you really need the features. If you shoot action, the AF module will be very useful. If you shoot indoors a lot, the high ISO performance may be useful. In the end, if you do NEED the features, the D300 is a great buy. But if it's just for the 12 MP and the "cool & new" factor, your money is better spent on lenses.
Just my thoughts...
BG
Kent in SD
Yes.
And all the other fun stuff like that big beautiful LCD, 14 bit raw files, and so on.
I picked up a D300 a couple of months ago and I can say that it's quite a bit more camera than my D80. The D80 is a fine camera but the D300 is a big step up.
On the down side, I wish Nikon would choose one memory card format and stick with it. I went from CF in the D70 to SD in the D80 and now I'm back to CF in the D300. Grrrr.
Oddly enough, the thing that sold me on the D300 was that it feels and handles a lot like my old F100 film body. I really liked that F100.
Cheers,
I've been photo'ing mostly at night al winter and have been leaving my D80 sitting out on the tripod for hours at a time. I simply brush the snow off and take the shot when the time comes. The seals on the D80 are every bit as good as those on the F100 from what I've seen. If they were any better I would be able to use the camera underwater!
Kent in SD
Ok, maybe that was 3 cents worth!
Troup
BG
Hope to see you out there.
Andrew Sentipal
I've been getting some very nice bird flight shots with the D80 and 300mm f/4.0 lens. I'm using spot metering mode and automatic dynamic focus mode. Shutter priority with an ISO that gets shutter speed up to 1/1500 sec. Have you tried this combination of settings?
David Sparks
Why is the 200-400 VR so hard to get ?
Shoot on!
Troup
Nah, it's written in the OP.
Basil
Don Gorczynski
I've just upgraded to a D300 from my beloved D70 and I am so happy. I thought long and hard about the D80 when making my decision but, after due consideration $$$$, I went ahead with the purchse of the D300 and I'm sooooo happy. I've worked really hard with the D70 to learn as much as I could about photography in general and I was starting to run into some road blocks. The most importand ones for me were the viewfinder and the noise in low light. The D300 is amazing on both counts and I am a very happy camper. However, if you aren't really sure that you want to do this now why don't you hold out for a little while. Sony just announced that they're developing a full frame CMOS chip (Nikon chips are made by Sony) and I expect that it won't be very long before Nikon answers Canon's 5D with a full frame, more modestly priced camera.
Bests,
Jodz