D300?

[MartynK]

The D200 was around $1600 USD when it came out, and about R18,000 in SA. I can't remember what the exchange rate was then. The D300 is expected to be $1800 USD. Anyone like to hazard a guess what it is going to cost here?

I was (sort of) thinking about a 30D or 40D but the Nikon sounds very tempting and I have some older Nikon MF lenses, so I'd be covered for glass except for wide angle, to be going on with. I did check out the D80, and a D200 at the same time, and I just didn't really feel comfortable with the D80. Don't know why, but a few bad experiences have taught me to trust my instincts!

[Peter Betts]

The D200 was around $1600 USD when it came out, and about R18,000 in SA. I can't remember what the exchange rate was then. The D300 is expected to be $1800 USD. Anyone like to hazard a guess what it is going to cost here?

I was (sort of) thinking about a 30D or 40D but the Nikon sounds very tempting and I have some older Nikon MF lenses, so I'd be covered for glass except for wide angle, to be going on with. I did check out the D80, and a D200 at the same time, and I just didn't really feel comfortable with the D80. Don't know why, but a few bad experiences have taught me to trust my instincts!

It would be about R18000 i reckon when it comes out..Martyn never mind the instinct pick a brand and stay with it...I have stayed with my brand for 35 years and sure we feel left behind at tmes but always with the knowledge that in most cases catch up with interest happens eventually like this last week and yes in a few months no doubt there will be an opposition announcement that will negate the gains made...but its a shame to see so many folk rushing out and swopping brands just because there is no IS or the Noise Control is not as good as the other brand at this point in time...trust your brand and backup

[MartynK]

Hi Peter. Thanks for posting your advice, but I don't think I exlained myself very well.

I'm not thinking about changing brands or jumping ship. I don't have a DSLR, but I've been using Nikon film gear since the 70s (F2 and FM) and I still have a few MF lenses.

I don't like small cameras with small VFs, so I've never been tempted by the D40/400D and their competitors. The D200 was just what I wanted but it was too expensive for me. I started thinking about Canon because their mid range cameras (D20/D30/D40) are a bit more affordable than the Nikons, but I've never done anything about it.

The D300 announcement made me think about this again. I prefer the feel of the Nikons and I do trust my instincts, which are telling me to get what I really want if possible. I've made a few "next best" or "Plan B" purchases in the past and regretted them - always had the feeling I should have tried to find a way to go with my first choice. My Nikon glass isn't a deal maker/breaker, but it does mean I wouldn't have to budget for a lens right away. I suppose it'll come down to the cost of the Nikon when it's released in SA.

[Peter Betts]

Hi Peter. Thanks for posting your advice, but I don't think I exlained myself very well.

I'm not thinking about changing brands or jumping ship. I don't have a DSLR, but I've been using Nikon film gear since the 70s (F2 and FM) and I still have a few MF lenses.

I don't like small cameras with small VFs, so I've never been tempted by the D40/400D and their competitors. The D200 was just what I wanted but it was too expensive for me. I started thinking about Canon because their mid range cameras (D20/D30/D40) are a bit more affordable than the Nikons, but I've never done anything about it.

The D300 announcement made me think about this again. I prefer the feel of the Nikons and I do trust my instincts, which are telling me to get what I really want if possible. I've made a few "next best" or "Plan B" purchases in the past and regretted them - always had the feeling I should have tried to find a way to go with my first choice. My Nikon glass isn't a deal maker/breaker, but it does mean I wouldn't have to budget for a lens right away. I suppose it'll come down to the cost of the Nikon when it's released in SA.

Martyn you are so correct ...wait and get what you really want first time...I remember waiting and waiting for Nikon to go above 6.1 Mega pixels for their non D2x cameras..finally the D200 came and I went digital similarly with the big primes...LOTS of my photog mates switched to White because of IS and after a VERY long wait we not only got VR but Nano Coat as well plus the ED Glass insurance. Some of them have now expressed regret at being too hasty. Similarly the D2HS was no competitor for the MKII N and new MKIII as far as Megapixels and Noise and FPS and LCD screen size and and and..... but now all that has been sorted with serious interest with the D3 but I'm not jumping because of the true D2X replacement is still to come and that will no doubt be a FF 20 plus Mega pixel albeit slower than about 8fps or thereabouts....rumour ...next year in april...lets see as I need a 2nd body for weddings but I'm not busy in that area yet so the film F5 will suffice until then...what I'm saying dont rush and buy right first time...I learnt that 35 yrs ago where in the space of 18 months I went from Yashica + pirate lenses to Minolta plus Minolta APO lenses to Nikon F2AS plus Nikkor where I should have been in the 1st place...patience and the big N delivers big time