Upgrade for my Nikon D80

bob.phillips · #1 (**permalink**) 16-10-2010, 09:52 PM

I've had my D80 for a couple of years now and have really enjoyed it. As I am 'getting better' I am now thinking of upgrading and I am considering the Nikon D300s. The main attraction is the improved ability to increase the ISO setting without loss of quality, but is the D300s so much better? Or should I go for the D700? I understand that the D700 is 'full frame', but what are the benefits of this format? My main interest is bird photography, so with the D700 I believe I would get less magnification with my lenses. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Best regards,

Bob P.

shagbat · #2 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 12:43 AM

I would suggest you go for the D300s, purely for the magnification that you are aware of. I have the D300 and am chuffed with it, also, you save a lot of money! This will also work with most older nikkor lenses, ie manual macro.

nightshade · #3 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 07:24 AM

Technology is a wonderful thing but is the upgrade really necessary or is it just because you can?
If you really know your way around the excellent D80 it will speed up your ability to see and capture "that photo". Changing settings/modes, keeping your whole attention on the subject, without having to think, without having to take it from your eye, a pure reflex leading to improved photos! ( I have the D80 and my old Pentax Spotmatic 35mm)

shagbat · #4 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 12:26 PM

Nightshade's comments make much sense.
I am comparing my D300 to a D70s. For me, the D300 is so much more versatile. Basically, I can use all my old manual nikkors and meter with them, the D80 will not do this and neither will the D90.
The D300 is probably the start of it's professional range, but all of these cameras mentioned, have far more function than you will ever use.
Nightshade's comment about experimenting is right on, I know it's boring and you want to take pics, but read the manual and get familiar with your camera,
the compact as well, I've just learned that from bad experiences!
Hope this helps.

Ollie · #5 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 02:36 PM

Although I am not a Nikon user, I use Canon gear I'm going to chip in here. A full frame camera although giving a very good quality image would definitely put you at a disadvantage for wildlife photography as you instantly lose that crop factor that the non full frame camera gives you. You would need to get nearer to your subject with a full frame camera. Full frame is more suited to landscape photography.

I'm not advising on which Nikon body or lens you should be considering, but remember on a DSLR it's the lens that contributes more to picture quality than anything else, and operator input of course.

nightshade · #6 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 04:25 PM

I agree about the glass, buy better lenses keep the body you are used to.

pressld2 · #7 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 04:31 PM

I upgraded from a D70 to a D300 about two and a half years ago and certainly don't regret it.

There's no doubt that the D700 has better high ISO performance than the D300s but you lose the crop factor which is very useful for wildlife photography. My lens for birds and mammals is a Nikon 80-400mm zoom so on the D300 it acts as if it were a 120-600mm zoom. Personally the only way I would consider switching to a D700 would be if I could afford the Nikon 200-400mm f4 and a 1.4x teleconverter as well. This would get me back to 560mm and I think I could live with that.

Dave P.