Nikon downgrade?

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I currently have a Nikon D300, 16-85mm and 35mm lenses. The lenses are great and I have no issue with them. Where I see my problem is the D300 seems to be too much camera for me. I find it sitting in the cupboard a lot and when I do use it I am finding the weight of it an issue to carry around and also I feel it's too far over specified for me and what I shoot.

I started out with a D3000 which seemed to do all I wanted but I dunno where the notion to get a D300 came from except I was under my own spell of a better camera body would produce better pictures. These days I have realised it's more down to my input than the camera itself.

I am thinking about taking a step down in bodies as I don't really need fast AF with 51 points. So 9/11 points will do fine as most of my photography is still items like landscape and nature work - plants and small insects over birds and fast moving wildlife.

What camera would people suggest as a good replacement? I am thinking maybe D90 or D5100 or D3100? I think the D7000 would possibly be too much once again.
 
The D90 isn't a downgrade. It's much the same control-wise, the only real difference being it's smaller and lighter, plastic rather than mag-alloy. It's pretty much the same thing as a D7000 only older. You're probably better off going back to what you were comfortable using. A D3100 is more than enough for a beginner who wants to keep things simple.
 
I'd get a D5100 if I was in the same position as its far smaller and lighter than a D300 is whilst having a better sensor.
 
I have a D3100, its light and compact for a DSLR. Image quality appears good, low light capability is leagues ahead of my previous camera (Canon 350d). The autofocus is ok, I can capture some good shots of my puppies running round the field.

The D90 might feel less of a downgrade, and easier to use for you as it is closer in terms of controls.
 
For me it'd be the D90, becuase I know how ragged off I use to get using my D40 as a second body, and it having no command dial on the front. I know it's only a little thing, but there'll be other 'little things' that add up to become a real nuisance. I'd also be thinking about AF on the lenses; would I need a motor in the body?
 
Cagey75 said:
A D3100 is more than enough for a beginner who wants to keep things simple.
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See this a lot, that a certain model of camera is only for beginners.

A D3100 is perfect for anyone that wants, and appreciates, a simple and lighter version of a DSLR yet still after good IQ, relatively quick focus and operation.
That can be an expert or a beginner...
 
ernesto said:
See this a lot, that a certain model of camera is only for beginners.

A D3100 is perfect for anyone that wants, and appreciates, a simple and lighter version of a DSLR yet still after good IQ, relatively quick focus and operation.
That can be an expert or a beginner...
Click to expand...

Amen. I often took my d3100 out when I when didn't want to lug my d700 about.
Didn't automaticly turn me back to a beginner, it's a highly capable camera.

In fact I don't think you really need much more for a normal everyday person who just wants better than compact quality photos. High ISO is good, focus is quick, all it lacks really is the size,on body buttons and a few other small features really, which are much more usefull for pros and serious hobbyists.
 
ernesto said:
See this a lot, that a certain model of camera is only for beginners.

A D3100 is perfect for anyone that wants, and appreciates, a simple and lighter version of a DSLR yet still after good IQ, relatively quick focus and operation.
That can be an expert or a beginner...
Click to expand...


It IS aimed at beginners. Not by me, by Nikon. There is a GUIDE mode for beginners on it, simple as.


Of course anyone can use it, I wouldn't say no to one as a back up or for more discreet street shooting. But it is entry level, experienced users don't want or need a guide mode, or don't want to sift through menus to get at controls they're used to having dedicated buttons for. Like it or not, it's Nikon's entry level dslr. People do make mountains out of molehills eh :D - What I actually said was it's more than enough for beginners. More than, see?

people are pointing to the D90 - which will have basically the same controls as his D300, are we forgetting what the thread was about here?
 
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Cagey, read again, part of the issue is weight. It's easy enough learning to use new controls, but not so essy learning to work without them.
 
I think you should read again. He says that's "part" of the reason, as well as it being over specified [I imagine he means too many controls] - and also says at the end he thinks the D7000 might be too much, the D90 is roughly the same size, weight, same controls as the D7000 ...

No point giving the guy advice on what he doesn't need. Or making a point that one entry level cam shouldn't be deemed a beginner camera. That's off topic and non helpful.
 
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I would take the D5100 if only for the fantastic sensor inside it, if there was a 3xxx series with the same sensor I would suggest that. I absolutely love my D40 (though I have moved on to the K-5 now), exactly because it is a very capable camera while keeping the size and weight to a minimum.

Keep in mind though that if you have non motored lenses (ie non AF-S lenses) you will need to MF as anything on the D3xxx/D5xxx/D4x/D6x does not have a motor.

Saying that do you actually have a fair amount of decent Nikon lenses? If not and size is an issue something like a high end M43 or the new K-30 from Pentax might suit you better?
 
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Ok Cagey, seems like you're just being antagonistic now so I'll step out. Clearly you're right and everyone else is wrong.

I stand by my advice. And I still think that the op needs to think about an internal AF motor. He may not needvit now, but may in the future.
 
I'm really not. I gave advice and got pulled up because I said one camera was for beginners, seriously. And you come in saying weight was the OP's biggest issue, it clearly wasn't.

If you're not here to help the guy, why try pick arguments? Like you are now doing.
 
I am not overly worried about having an internal AF motor but it would be a nice bonus. The main problems with the D300 currently are its size,weight and its pro spec. I feel for my needs its over kill. I have tried a D7000 in the local camera shop and its size and weight feel good in the hand also noticed the D90 is similar size and weight. I do feel possiby a D3100/5100 might feel a bit too small for me.

I can see why some have dismissed the D3100 as its marketed as an entry level model but even with the D3000 I had I was never rarely using the scene modes I always went for p,s or a.

Just a tough choice to make as I don't want to get 6 months along and feel I have restricted myself too far.
 
Just to clarify, I don't see anything wrong with a D3000/3100. I'm not a gear-whore in the slightest. I'm using a used D90!! I think they're great [D3000/3100/3200], because beginners can get into using them pretty quickly. The D3200 scores the same as Canon's 5D MK III - that's amazing! - every make/manufacturer has an 'entry level' - it just means it's their cheapest and easiest to get to grips with offering. Nothing wrong there. I started out on a Sony A200, their entry level model at the time. And I learned more on that than I'll probably ever learn on any body in future. As it was enough to get the basics, the most important controls right.

D3100 is what you need I reckon.
 
Cagey75 said:
people are pointing to the D90 - which will have basically the same controls as his D300, are we forgetting what the thread was about here?
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Got to disagree with this I'm afraid. The controls on the D90 are very different to the D300. I can actually think of very few similarities. In fact only this week, a friend has swapped to a D700 (near identical to D300 layout) from a D90 and he's completely lost with the control system.
 
Not being up to speed on nikon lenses, but are the lenses you have with or without a focus motor, maybe a stupid question, but if you have some of the older lenses that require a focus motor built into the body, this may limit your choices to either a D90 or the newer D7000.

As to the D300 being to much pro and you would rather have a intermediate camera, perhaps the D5xxx, D90 or D7000 would be more to your liking. I would think you might just want a bit more if you went with the D3xxx series
 
I was in a similar position to you and went from a D300 to a D90. I actually found my pics from the D90 were more pleasing than the D300 images and it was more enjoyable to carry around. The D90 is a joy to use , light and fits the hand perfectly .
 
All the lenses I own have built in focus motors and the only lens I am looking to buy is a macro lens.

I think you maybe right about the D3xxx series possibly being too restrictive though i don't really like the looks of the D5xxx layout of buttons at the rear. Looks like I am narrowing down my options to a D90 or D7000!
 
I have a D60, D90 and D300s, horses for courses!!! D90 great all rounder, D300s for high speed )show jumping for me at 8fps) D60 for walk about.

But actually, any of these can get good results, get over the kit feever and take pictures with what you have!!!
 
Cagey75 said:
It IS aimed at beginners. Not by me, by Nikon. There is a GUIDE mode for beginners on it, simple as.


Of course anyone can use it, I wouldn't say no to one as a back up or for more discreet street shooting. But it is entry level, experienced users don't want or need a guide mode, or don't want to sift through menus to get at controls they're used to having dedicated buttons for. Like it or not, it's Nikon's entry level dslr. People do make mountains out of molehills eh :D - What I actually said was it's more than enough for beginners. More than, see?

people are pointing to the D90 - which will have basically the same controls as his D300, are we forgetting what the thread was about here?
Click to expand...

Not all "beginner" cameras have noddy menus and not all have "pro" features hidden. I use an 1100d and the main screen has instant access to all key settings (in fact it is pretty much a copy of Sony A700, which is a good thing) and their are direct buttons for ISO, af mode etc,
Whether the user is experienced or not is irrelevant.
 
It's still aimed at beginners though, marketing-wise. Doesn't mean pros cant use them ;) I am neither. I would say I'm in between, an enthusiast if you like. So the more mid-range cams work well for me. D90/300. I've not owned a D300, but I had a D200 which was identical body-wise, and I was instantly familiar when i got the D90, so i don't know where these big differences are
 
Agree, it is obviously marketed as such. I seem to be fairly camera brand and camera level agnostic and am happy to use any DSLR as they all do the basics and that is all I am after. I went from a nnD to an nnnnD and can honestly say the UI and button layout made absolutely no difference to me. Yes they are different but not in any way that actually matters once using it for an hour or so.
The difference to me was more a physical one - the nnD cameras use better materials on the grip and the grip is actually larger. That is the only thing I miss, the nnnnD cameras are smaller and not all my fingers can fit on the grip.
 
You can change the menu to classic with a press of a button.
 
Still trying to weigh up all the pros and cons of each body. Though a local shop does have a second hand D7000 at a very attractive price.
 
Cagey75 said:
I've not owned a D300, but I had a D200 which was identical body-wise, and I was instantly familiar when i got the D90, so i don't know where these big differences are
Click to expand...

I guess this was in response to my earlier comment. I can see that going from a D200/300 to a D90 might be easier than the other way around so that may be of more relevance to the OP but I'm surprised you play down the differences as to my mind nearly all of the major controls are different.

Off the top of my head, the AF mode selector, the AF zone selector, the meter selector, white balance control, picture quality control, the iso button, the shooting mode selector, exposure mode selector, AE and AF locks are all different. The only things I can think of that are the same are the control wheels, the joypad and most of the playback features. I suppose it depends how much you use all of this stuff as to how easy the transition is though.
 
I am still no further forwards in my choice. Went to Curry's today as they stock all the bodies that have been suggested and they all feel comfortable in the hand. Guess it's going to be down to the technical specs of the camera and what suits my shooting.
 
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