Down sizing from Nikon D300

whitey

whitey

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Steven
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Morning all,

this is a thought of mine now I hadly use my gear at present

What I am looking at however if I go ahead is the best equipment to money, whether is be Nikon, Canon, Sony etc

now what is the best alternative to down sizing from a D300, stick with a D90 for instance or swap over to another make?

fire over some suggestions and lets see whats out there

cheers
 
Downsizing for what reason?

Cost?

Size?

Other?

If you can answer those it would be great.

Sony are really good value at the moment.
 
It would mainly be lack of use in all honesty, just something good to have when the time is needed

I could then invest "some" money into other things (which knowing me would end with lenses :lol: )
 
To be honest i wouldn't see much point in going from a D300 to D90, as you wouldn't make much in selling the D300 and buying a D90, however if it's something you really want to do, you may be better of sticking with Nikon because of your other kit, unless of course you really downsize and go for something like a bridge camera, just my thoughts though, what other kit did you have in mind ?
 
Not looked at other kit to be honest so open to suggestions, would still be an SLR however as I dont fancy going back to a bridge camera
 
Steve, You have the highest iTrader rating of anyone I've seen on this forum and now you come on here saying you hardly use your gear. Surely by now after all that trading you must have a kit bag that contains the gear you really want. If you really need the money then trading in the D300 for a D90 is a good idea. A D90 is practially a D300 internally so you won't lose any functionality.

Im'm not sure what lenses you have at the moment but if you're not using them as much as you used to then pick your best 2 or 3 and sell on the rest.

Whatever you do you'll end up regretting it so just do whatever you'll regret doing the least.

What kit do you have at the moment?
 
I wouldnt do it, because you will be taking shots, not be to happy with the results and be thinking "My D300 could do that".
 
-Rob- said:
Steve, You have the highest iTrader rating of anyone I've seen on this forum and now you come on here saying you hardly use your gear. Surely by now after all that trading you must have a kit bag that contains the gear you really want. If you really need the money then trading in the D300 for a D90 is a good idea. A D90 is practially a D300 internally so you won't lose any functionality.

Im'm not sure what lenses you have at the moment but if you're not using them as much as you used to then pick your best 2 or 3 and sell on the rest.

Whatever you do you'll end up regretting it so just do whatever you'll regret doing the least.

What kit do you have at the moment?
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you would think that wouldn;t you :lol:

I've gone through alot of kit and am quite happy with what I have, apart from selling the 300mm but thats not the issue with this

I just feel that the lack of use now (next out will be 1st weekend in October and then again in Jan) so I think its an awful lof of gear sitting around with very little use (At present my D300 has done around 9000 shots at a guess in a year so it shows I dont get out like I used to)

I often think that should I down size I may regret it but then think I could cope with it as I dont take the pics I used to
 
I often go through this - and at a guess would say my kitbag is bigger than yours (oo-er) but in the end always decide not to as I would miss it all.
 
Get a D40. They take great pics and you'll have most of the cash from the sale of the D300 to use on other things. Get anything else and you'll have to spend a lot of the money you get so you won't see much benefit from selling the D300 which will make you sorry you sold it.
 
For a start get rid of the GRIP. You will start using the camera far more often.

and maybe get 50/1.4 or 30/1.8 for the proceeds when you a need lighter kit.

D90 vs D300 weight difference is too little. D40 is OK, but focusing is rather painfully slow. 6MP also limits the cam to the 'personal' use only.
 
honestly stick with what you've got imho, the grip is probably not essential though :)
 
Best value setup I reckon...

Sony Alpha 350 (or whatever Sony body you fancy with your budget)
Sigma 24-70 2.8
Minolta 70-210 F4 (beercan)

Second hand, you're looking at less than £500 to have a range of image stabilised pretty fast glass from 24mm to 210mm.
 
You could hire out your gear if your not using it to local members, will help you get money back on it and you get to keep everything for when you do want to go shooting again.

Or I can look after it all for you lol.

Seriously though, if you want to downsize I'd say the ideal step is to a bridge camera but you don't want that, so I'd say just stick with what you have.
 
daugirdas said:
For a start get rid of the GRIP. You will start using the camera far more often.

and maybe get 50/1.4 or 30/1.8 for the proceeds when you a need lighter kit.

D90 vs D300 weight difference is too little. D40 is OK, but focusing is rather painfully slow. 6MP also limits the cam to the 'personal' use only.
Click to expand...

:thinking:

Why would having a grip on a camera make you use it less? :suspect:

There's no such lens as a 30mm f/1.8 :naughty:

A D90 (whether gripped or not) weighs a fair wee bit less than a similarly gripped/not D300 :nono:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
:thinking:
Why would having a grip on a camera make you use it less? :suspect:
:
Click to expand...

The weight added by the grip is really pointless. I don't see a point lugging an extra half a kilo (or more with the batteries) in the backpack all day. I already have to make compromises which lenses / flashes go out with me. A normal 40D/30D battery lasts all day of shooting, and D300 I think has even better ones. From my experience 1Ds + 70-200/2.8 + 580EX = :gag: but 40D / 5D gripless + 70-200/2.8 = :)
Then the balance is terrible with anything lighter than 70-200mm f/2.8, and the grip gets in a way in the landscape orientation. 1D / D3 have smaller integrated grips so they are better, but not much. For heavy lenses like 300 f/2.8 it makes senses, as it is normally used on a tripod / monopod and transported in a van.
 
daugirdas said:
The weight added by the grip is really pointless. I don't see a point lugging an extra half a kilo (or more with the batteries) in the backpack all day. I already have to make compromises which lenses / flashes go out with me. A normal 40D/30D battery lasts all day of shooting, and D300 I think has even better ones. From my experience 1Ds + 70-200/2.8 + 580EX = :gag: but 40D / 5D gripless + 70-200/2.8 = :)
Then the balance is terrible with anything lighter than 70-200mm f/2.8, and the grip gets in a way in the landscape orientation. 1D / D3 have smaller integrated grips so they are better, but not much. For heavy lenses like 300 f/2.8 it makes senses, as it is normally used on a tripod / monopod and transported in a van.
Click to expand...

I'd disagree, especially for motorsport (which Whitey shoots), especially as the grip gives a D300 an extra 2fps......
 
miurasv said:
Not heard this before about the D40, especially the slow focusing. Is this the case?
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No, the focusing speed is fine.

You won't see much difference with an AF-S lens on a D40 / D60 or a D300.
 
-Rob- said:
Isn't the only other camera the D300 grip is compatible with the D700? That means you'll have to upgrade your camera, not downgrade it.

You know it makes sense!! :lol:
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that was a thought a while back but it never really happened :lol: I wouldnt now however, if I was to downsize it would be for another camera plus grip to suit :lol:

daugirdas said:
The weight added by the grip is really pointless. I don't see a point lugging an extra half a kilo (or more with the batteries) in the backpack all day. I already have to make compromises which lenses / flashes go out with me. A normal 40D/30D battery lasts all day of shooting, and D300 I think has even better ones. From my experience 1Ds + 70-200/2.8 + 580EX = :gag: but 40D / 5D gripless + 70-200/2.8 = :)
Then the balance is terrible with anything lighter than 70-200mm f/2.8, and the grip gets in a way in the landscape orientation. 1D / D3 have smaller integrated grips so they are better, but not much. For heavy lenses like 300 f/2.8 it makes senses, as it is normally used on a tripod / monopod and transported in a van.
Click to expand...

the grip is never in my bag, always on camera which in turn is over my shoulder when not in use

i dont carry a bag either to be honest just a box with everything in so weight isn't an issue
 
daugirdas said:
For a start get rid of the GRIP. You will start using the camera far more often.

and maybe get 50/1.4 or 30/1.8 for the proceeds when you a need lighter kit.

D90 vs D300 weight difference is too little. D40 is OK, but focusing is rather painfully slow. 6MP also limits the cam to the 'personal' use only.
Click to expand...

daugirdas said:
The weight added by the grip is really pointless. I don't see a point lugging an extra half a kilo (or more with the batteries) in the backpack all day. I already have to make compromises which lenses / flashes go out with me. A normal 40D/30D battery lasts all day of shooting, and D300 I think has even better ones. From my experience 1Ds + 70-200/2.8 + 580EX = :gag: but 40D / 5D gripless + 70-200/2.8 = :)
Then the balance is terrible with anything lighter than 70-200mm f/2.8, and the grip gets in a way in the landscape orientation. 1D / D3 have smaller integrated grips so they are better, but not much. For heavy lenses like 300 f/2.8 it makes senses, as it is normally used on a tripod / monopod and transported in a van.
Click to expand...

Have you used Nikon equipment before? Your posts seem a little misguided when it comes to Nikon...:suspect:
 
Don't sell D300.

The best in the class. If you enjoy Photography, there's no point in going back to D90.

If you want to enjoy, buy a macro lens, shoot some flowers, then see the beauty of nature and start enjoying.

Cheers.
 
miurasv said:
Get a D40. They take great pics and you'll have most of the cash from the sale of the D300 to use on other things. Get anything else and you'll have to spend a lot of the money you get so you won't see much benefit from selling the D300 which will make you sorry you sold it.
Click to expand...

I say the same. No point in downsizing to a D90. Some say it's even a better camera ;)

Whereas a D40/D40x/D60 would be a nice size down and cheaper and still great pictures.
 
If it's lack of use of the camera that's bothering you, why not try taking on a project? A self-portrait a day for a month, a macro a day for a month etc....

If you use the camera more, you can justify keeping it, I'm sure.
 
Macro, portraits etc dont really interest me

maybe its a lack of moptivation at present thats making me think but we will see

I have decided to get up early this weekend and head over to the Great North Run for a butchers so maybe that will start making my mind up on which way to go
 
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