D300 Owners Thread - Anything related to the D300!

[redhed17]

Have to say the amount of options is staggering,no wonder this camera has had so much positive feedback.

And why some people have been waiting so long for a true replacement. Most cameras are compromises in some way. :roll eyes:

I fear that will sadly never appear.

Still, the D300 was the 'master of trades' when it arrived, and in some areas still gives some newer cameras a run for the money. Imho, it feels like proper camera.

If you want to get really into it all, I found the D300 ebook by Thom Hogan very good. He goes through every setting and explains what they do, and then gives the reason for setting things certain ways he recommends. I found the section on the AF system very useful.

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

Thanks Redhead,i was looking for his book but it said coming soon so im wondering if they are reprinting it,any links to a current copy at all
Thankyou

 

[Fozzybear]

I'm a little bit confused to when the D300 uses the settings from the 'Shooting menu bank' and the 'Custom setting bank'. I have them both on 'A ' at the moment.

Does it use them whatever exposure mode (P, S, A, M) you're in?

 

[Fozzybear]

Finally gave my D300 a run out yesterday at York races.

Had my settings to (dynamic AF area) '9 points' and (AFC priority selection) 'release' but failed to get anything in focus. Changed it to '21 points' and 'focus' and it seemed a lot better. I obviously wasn't getting long bursts though.

Still not sure whether to keep or sell.

 

[gad-westy]

Finally gave my D300 a run out yesterday at York races.

Had my settings to (dynamic AF area) '9 points' and (AFC priority selection) 'release' but failed to get anything in focus. Changed it to '21 points' and 'focus' and it seemed a lot better. I obviously wasn't getting long bursts though.

Still not sure whether to keep or sell.

Did you try giving single point af a go?

 

[Fozzybear]

Did you try giving single point af a go?

I should have but I didn't.

With the settings I used, everything was fine when the horse was passing right to left in front of me. Once the horse was going away from me, the focusing got a bit slow. There's probably a setting somewhere deep in the menu that improves that though.

 

[Fozzybear]

Just wondering if anyone has owned both a D300 and a Canon 7d? How do their autofocus speeds compare?

I'm thinking of switching to Canon due to the lack of 70-200 f4 (non VR) options with Nikon. I can get a used Canon 70-200 F4 for £450 less than a new Nikon 70-200 f4 VR.

I'm pondering trading my D300 in as part payment on a Canon 70-200 F4 (non IS) and then picking up a used 7d from the classifieds.

Does it sound like a bad idea or not?

 

[Bampson]

does anyone know of a way to rest a D300 to factory, not just the two green button rest,
but a rest that resets all the custom settings everything as it came from Nikon .. ???

 

[Deadlock]

Just wondering if anyone has owned both a D300 and a Canon 7d? How do their autofocus speeds compare?

I'm thinking of switching to Canon due to the lack of 70-200 f4 (non VR) options with Nikon. I can get a used Canon 70-200 F4 for £450 less than a new Nikon 70-200 f4 VR.

I'm pondering trading my D300 in as part payment on a Canon 70-200 F4 (non IS) and then picking up a used 7d from the classifieds.

Does it sound like a bad idea or not?

Hi,
Short answer: Bad idea. The grass is not greener on the other side.

Long answer:
I'm a portrait photographer so the fastest thing I shoot is running children.
I've had several canon xd and xxd series cameras over the last decade including the 7d and paired with fast glass like the 24-70L f2.8.

A few months ago I found myself frustrated by canons inaccurate AF. Keep in mind that every time I bought a new piece of gear, I'd send all my gear to canon for calibrating together. So this is purely down to af accuracy.
I bought a used d300s and a new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VR simply to test and see how they performed.
By the end of the month I'd also purchased a Nikon d810 as my main, Nikon 24-120 f4 & Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VRii.

I did thorough testing. The results?
The d300s needed +15 af adjustment on all lenses to bring them into focus. The d810 needed none.
Continuous focus works remarkably well.
When comparing just the number of in/out of focus shots in Lightroom taken at the same aperture & shutter speeds, across 3 canon bodies, Nikon blows canon away. The difference was so absurd that I was furious at myself for having put up with canon for the last decade.

I even took 2 complete camera systems to my next job, but the Nikons performed far better than canon. In more ways than just AF.

 

[Fozzybear]

^
Yeah, I'm sticking with Nikon.

I just wish there was a Nikon equivalent of the Canon 70-200 f4 non-IS & 85mm f1.8 at similar prices.

 

[minnnt]

Anyone still using a D300? I picked up one last week to have a play with whilst my main camera is away for repair. Seems like a nice enough camera for the money!

Any must do tips and tricks would be appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

Oh oh

 

[Yardbent]

Anyone still using a D300?.......Any must do tips and tricks would be appreciated....Cheers.

Nikon D300 User's Guide
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/af-settings.htm']Nikon D300 Autofocus Settings[/URL]
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/picture-control.htm']Nikon D300 Picture Control Settings[/URL]
[URL='http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/11/D300.html']Nikon | Download center | D300[/URL]

HTH........

 

[macvisual]

Anyone shoot their D300 for sports/wildlife......?......what's it like?

 

[User.81858]

Nikon D300 User's Guide
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/af-settings.htm']Nikon D300 Autofocus Settings[/URL]
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/picture-control.htm']Nikon D300 Picture Control Settings[/URL][/URL]
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/11/D300.html']Nikon | Download center | D300[/URL][/URL][/URL]
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']HTH........[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']I have just sold a job lot of books to this guy including D300 user guides by different authors. If you ring he will sort you. Real good guy
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']Denton photographic
http://www.ukcamera.com/denton/cokina.php[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

 

[User.81858]

Nikon D300 User's Guide
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/af-settings.htm']Nikon D300 Autofocus Settings[/URL]
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/picture-control.htm']Nikon D300 Picture Control Settings[/URL][/URL][/URL]
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/11/D300.html']Nikon | Download center | D300[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']HTH........[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']I have just sold a job lot of books to this guy including D300 user guides by different authors. If you ring he will sort you. Real good guy
[URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm'][URL='http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300/users-guide/index.htm']Denton photographic [/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

 

[minnnt]

Thanks, i will have a look around.

 

[Yardbent]

..........................URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

^^^^^^^.......................?

 

[User.81858]

^^^^^^^.......................?

? you tell me, problem is I cannot find the way to delete it. Hope some nice mod will do it for me.

 

[minnnt]

Did you have the same problem with your username?

 

[minnnt]

Anyone shoot their D300 for sports/wildlife......?......what's it like?

I thought you had a D7100 coming Peter?

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

I thought you had a D7100 coming Peter?

lol don't ask sorry peter jk

 

[Yardbent]

well - back in 2011 I said...

''.. well done {to your new D300..]--- that's my ideal step-up from the D5000
...regards..............John...Yardbent, Oct 26, 2011..''

5 years later i finally did it..!...

 

[macvisual]

I thought you had a D7100 coming Peter?

Seemed to have lost my photo mojo (??), camera gear put away upstairs for a while, now focusing on motorcycle things as weather's changing a little.

Always good to clear the head.

 

[minnnt]

Ahh that's a shame mate. You have been on a little bit of a rollercoaster just lately with gear, perhaps you have burnt out a little?

So, this thread is only 12 pages... Do people not talk about anything and everything in here like the D750 thread?

Anyway, here are a few pics from my new to me D300...


Above Cloud 9 by David Raynham, on Flickr

This shot made explore today, pretty happy with the outcome.

Golden Hope by David Raynham, on Flickr


Winnats Mist by David Raynham, on Flickr


Minimalist Mist by David Raynham, on Flickr

 

[Yardbent]

--------------

So, this thread is only 12 pages... Do people not talk about anything and everything in here like the D750 thread?

Anyway, here are a few pics from my new to me D300...
This shot made explore today, pretty happy with the outcome.

Golden Hope by David Raynham, on Flickr.................

perhaps the D300 is now considered 'old school'...........

i like the 'Golden Hope'...very ethereal.. would like that framed in my lounge

now i hate people who ask this ... but what lens did you use,? and any OTT camera settings.?
reason I ask - my Nikon lens line-up ATM is

28/3,5 Ai
50/1.8 Ai-S
100/2.8 Ai-S

18-70 3.5-4.5 AF-S DX
28-80 3.5-5.6 AF-D .... recent purchase with a camera., not tested yet
55-200 4-5.6 AF-S DX VR

I'm not too enamoured with the zooms [albeit budget lenses] - thinking of a prime for landscapes - any ideas on a budget...manual.? no problem
...thanks

 

[Yardbent]

BTW ... do you use a tripod.?

i have a Manfrotto 290 with Giottos MH5001 head
its weight doesn't encourage me to take on my walks [no car]

 

[condyk]

Anyone shoot their D300 for sports/wildlife......?......what's it like?

I had the D300 on a couple of safaris and rate it highly. The D300s is even better. The things just work and once you get them set up you can pretty much relax. If you do a Google for something like D300 settings you can download a complete list of recommended settings for sports/wildlife so saves time and thinking! A great bang for your buck body. For £250-350 or so used the D300/D300s are a steal, with great usability in the field.

 

[minnnt]

John, as i normally shoot with a D750, i have a 24-70 and 70-200. 24mm on an APS-C sensor doesn't make it very wide at all. 'Above cloud 9' was shot on a tripod but the others were hand held. No camera trickery for any of them as tbh i didn't really know how to use it fully so just stuck to my usual aperture priority and adjust to suit. I dialled in +/- exposure as i saw fit and just had a general play.

As for lenses, what are you thinking of? Wide? If so then check out the Samyang range. They're lightweight, manual focus and seem to offer good IQ.

Here's a panorama that i put together in Lr.


Winnats Pass by David Raynham, on Flickr

 

[redhed17]

I had the D300, had it stolen, and have used a D300S for many years. I think they are great cameras.

If you have anything fast moving the frame rate and buffer are great. A bit better in the D300S. It may not have the latest sensor, but it can still take good pictures. The build and ergonomics are a big plus imho. I waited for Nikon for a long long time to come up with a replacement I think I will be happy with in the D500.

If the link at the bottom is there to my 500px gallery, all the pics were with the D300 or D300S. Mostly D300S. It is not just a sports/action camera.

 

[Yardbent]

John, as i normally shoot with a D750, i have a 24-70 and 70-200. 24mm on an APS-C sensor doesn't make it very wide at all.
As for lenses, what are you thinking of? Wide? If so then check out the Samyang range. They're lightweight, manual focus and seem to offer good IQ.......

my widest is the 18-70 3.5-4.5 AF-S DX..... not bad IQ......I'll take a series of landscapes and post some up
i'm a bit of a Nikon fan-boy but the Nikon WA are way beyond my Pension; as is the Tokina WA

will take a look at the wider Samyangs....thanks for the info

PS .... i bought a mint F80 a few days ago - with a 28-80 AF-D attached - still wading through the Manuals....

 

[technics100]

As above, I still have a D300 with a 18-70mm, punches well above it's weight.. better IQ than the 18-105mm or the like..

 

[technics100]

Great pro built DX body.. superb AF, and great ergonomics.. No need for more than the 12MP if not printing anything..

 

[Stu Meech]

As above, I still have a D300 with a 18-70mm, punches well above it's weight.. better IQ than the 18-105mm or the like..

The 18-70 is such a great little lens, for what you pay for it (£70 or so), you get an awful lot with it's handy focal length, non rotating front element, and not f/5.6 at the long end.

 

[technics100]

Yeah I agree.. Would be my first choice for a budget DX lens..

 

[Yardbent]

[QUOTE="redhed17, post: 7362107, member: 2341"
If the link at the bottom is there to my 500px gallery, all the pics were with the D300 or D300S. Mostly D300S. It is not just a sports/action camera. [/QUOTE]

link please..?

 

[redhed17]

The 18-70mm was a great lens. Imho though, the Nikon 16-85mm is the best general DX lens. I liked it so much I bought one twice. As a lens for a camera the price of a used D300 it is hard to justify.

I found the 16mm a surprisingly wider view than the many 18mm to whatever lenses Nikon offers. And it nicely overlaps with my 70-300mm lens, I would have bought the new 16-80mm lens, but Nikon have priced it too high imho. And they are not knocking anything off as kit with the D500 either.

 

[Yardbent]

The 18-70mm was a great lens. Imho though, the Nikon 16-85mm is the best general DX lens. I liked it so much I bought one twice. As a lens for a camera the price of a used D300 it is hard to justify....................

16-85 ... i should have revived my photographic hobby BEFORE i retired - difficult decisions now on a Pension

if i do decide to go wider than 18mm - there's always a used Tokina ........................

 

[Deckard]

Still loving my D300, even though I've got a D800 too. The D300 is great for sports [partic with the grip - 8fps] and still has good AF ability, where it falls down is in relation to noise handling compared to modern cameras. Played with the D500 at the Photography Show, sorely tempted to get one to replace the old unit.

 

[minnnt]

I like to shoot motorsport but don't use CH mode so the fps doesn't really bother me. Will be giving it a run out at the beginning of May hopefully alongside my D750 if it ever comes back.