Should I upgrade to D300 from D80???

[lunas]

Hi Guys,

Not sure. To me, the high ISO noise free images is very attractive to me, as I can use my 18-200mm VR in low light situation while keeping my shutter speed high.

And sometimes the AF isn't accurate in the D80

BTW, how is the image quality of D300 a big leap from D80?

Do share your opinion

[Yapster]

Originally Posted by lunas Hi Guys, Not sure. To me, the high ISO noise free images is very attractive to me, as I can use my 18-200mm VR in low light situation while keeping my shutter speed high. And sometimes the AF isn't accurate in the D80 BTW, how is the image quality of D300 a big leap from D80? Do share your opinion

Wah bro, you kanna BBB virus liao ah~
Personal view is wait for the heat to cool down first... Hehe, waiting as well.

[lunas]

Originally Posted by Yapster Wah bro, you kanna BBB virus liao ah~ Personal view is wait for the heat to cool down first... Hehe, waiting as well.

Yo, Pal...Because as you can see from my signature...most of my lens are quite 'slow' except for the prime. With the combination of the D300 expeed processor + 18-200mm VR the lens just becomes a some sort of a 'fast lens'

And while the D80 is still quite new and on demand, I can let go at a much higher price before the warranty expires

What do you think ?

[Randius]

Frankly speaking, if you feel the upgrades will make your photo-taking experience much more enjoyable, then go for it. But do think through it thrice to make sure if the upgrade is really worthwhile. After all, ML-L3 and MC-DC1 can no longer be used and the D300 equivalent of ML-3 and MC-30 will cost you at least another $360.

For me, recently upgraded from D80 to D200 and I am pretty much satisfied as I can now play with the older lenses D300? I will wait until it drops to $2K or my D200 ceases to function, whichever comes first I read Thom Hogan's notes on upgrading to D3/D300 and that have sorta harden my decision not to upgrade.

[Tamedriver]

Originally Posted by lunas Hi Guys, Not sure. To me, the high ISO noise free images is very attractive to me, as I can use my 18-200mm VR in low light situation while keeping my shutter speed high. And sometimes the AF isn't accurate in the D80 BTW, how is the image quality of D300 a big leap from D80? Do share your opinion

I, too, shares the same idea with u. ^5

[eastwest]

If you have to ask the question, the answer is probably "no".

[Scaglietti]

Originally Posted by lunas Hi Guys, Not sure. To me, the high ISO noise free images is very attractive to me, as I can use my 18-200mm VR in low light situation while keeping my shutter speed high. And sometimes the AF isn't accurate in the D80 BTW, how is the image quality of D300 a big leap from D80? Do share your opinion

When you set your heart to buy it, you sure can find enough justifications for it no matter what other say...

BC

[Yapster]

Originally Posted by lunas Yo, Pal...Because as you can see from my signature...most of my lens are quite 'slow' except for the prime. With the combination of the D300 expeed processor + 18-200mm VR the lens just becomes a some sort of a 'fast lens' And while the D80 is still quite new and on demand, I can let go at a much higher price before the warranty expires What do you think ?

Hmm, actually, i am currently looking around and is considering which lens to get for my "christmas shopping". Remember i PMed you about the 18-200VR and 105mm VR macro? Hehe, kinda wanna make sure i spend my 1.25k properly. Haha, got a 12-24mm on my list as well. But most probably going for the 105mm Macro cos i prefer abstract shooting.

Anyway, i agree that letting go your D80 before the warranty expire is a good decision. But then, hmm, i feel the D300 price is kinda high at this moment of time ( i mean it is just released, though there are some feedback the price is good compared to D200 when it is just released). And i feel you got great shots with your D80 isn't it? Why not spend the money on a more dedicated lens? Cos recently, after some readup, feedback for the 18-200VR is good in the sense it is convenient. But optically, a shorter zoom range lens performs much better.

And i feel, even if you sell your D80 with warranty, you may only minimize your loss like 100-200 bucks? And not to forget, if there are 2 sets of D80 in BnS, one with warranty but gonna end soon and one without warranty and the price difference is about hmm, 100-200, which will you get? I think if i want a 2nd hand camera, i will go for the one without the warranty and save the money to fund some other stuff.

My view la. Feel free to tell me what you feel.

[Yapster]

Originally Posted by Scaglietti When you set your heart to buy it, you sure can find enough justifications for it no matter what other say... BC

Haha, ya, this i also agree!
Follow your heart~

[Big Kahuna]

Correct me if I am wrong, a slow lens is still a slow lens, upgrading to D300 will not make it fast.....high ISO will only increase your sensor sensitivity and shuttle speed, so in this regards I suggest you spend the money on a pro grade lens like AFS 24-70 f2.8

[KTKTKT]

totally agree .. pro lens made better pic than pro body. Use nikon 17-55 f2.8 or 28-70 f2.8 on a D70 and you will know what i meant.

Every 6 - 12 month there will be a better camera, it will never end. Using D300 with a 18-200 VR does not make sense due to the performance of the len. The money spend on a new dslr would be much more worth to spend on a pro len.

[ckw10066]

Originally Posted by Big Kahuna Correct me if I am wrong, a slow lens is still a slow lens, upgrading to D300 will not make it fast.....high ISO will only increase your sensor sensitivity and shuttle speed, so in this regards I suggest you spend the money on a pro grade lens like AFS 24-70 f2.8

Ya, strongly support Kahuna's statment, invest in a good lens is much better than the body.
my 1 cent worth.

[2.8photography]

Originally Posted by Big Kahuna Correct me if I am wrong, a slow lens is still a slow lens, upgrading to D300 will not make it fast.....high ISO will only increase your sensor sensitivity and shuttle speed, so in this regards I suggest you spend the money on a pro grade lens like AFS 24-70 f2.8

yeah. i'll wait for the d400 and just upgrade my lenses for now. even if i was planning on getting the d300, id wait a while for the price to drop then see how.
if not i was thinking of the 24-70 too

[snowspeeder]

Get lenses first....bodies later.

[princej]

Originally Posted by Randius I read Thom Hogan's notes on upgrading to D3/D300 and that have sorta harden my decision not to upgrade.

Appreciate if you share what you read that made your decision not to uprgade, because I too own a D200 and the itch is coming to me.

Many thanks.

[mrbinks76]

Hi...as you can see from my signature I have both the D80 and the D300 so I will throw in my 2 cents.

What the other posters say about the lens is correct. Higher ISO gives you a one stop advantage but pic quality of the 18-200 isn't going to improve. Anyway, it's not that spectacular at ISO3200, usable yes but not spectacular.

My personal reasons for D80 to D300 ( in no particular order):
1) Tougher build
2) Vertical grip has AF selector
3) More AF points
4) Better AF performance (I agree the D80 is sometimes a bit off)
5) 100% Viewfinder
6) 6-8 fps
7) Mirror Up function
8) 3" high res LCD
9) Better metering
10) Free CaptureNX is a nice bonus

Cons
1) Had to pay for MC-30 remote cord
2) Heavy
3) Had to fork out $ for CF cards
4) Makes you even want to buy even better lenses hahahaha

But like Scaglietti said... if you want it .. you will justify to yourself on whatever reasons. As u can see... I did that to myself...

[princej]

Hi mrbinks76, I can only envy you.... owning the D300 !!!!!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and first hand experiences, do keep them coming.

[mrbinks76]

welcome princej...

but haiz no $ liao...

Please feel free to donate to me... cash and cheques accepted

[calebk]

A slow lens will always be a slow lens. From f/5.6 to f/2.8, it's a 2 stop gap. That means to get the same shutter speed if you were using a f/2.8 lens at ISO400, you'd have to push your ISO to 1600.

That is purely in terms of exposure settings alone. Don't forget that a f/5.6 lens will still be f/5.6 in terms of DOF and subject isolation.

[dw8888]

I am new like 2month plus owning my D80.
D300 Look impressive on ISO1600 with not noise. I think it good to have one.
A Saleperson told me the price will be $100 lower one month later.
Wait loh.