Should I get D300, S5, D2x or none?

[Yi-P]

Saving up and making plans for 'upgrade' by early next year.

I've been thinking about this for quite a long time, still can't come to a conclusion...

My main aim is to have a setup that I can work comfortably in ISO800-1600. I tried on a D200 for few weeks, didnt like it that much at ISO800+

Then I have been looking at the S5, which many said that its ISO noise/signal ratio is better than the D200, I tried only few shot at the maxi meet with it, it does seem very acceptable at ISO1600 but not the cleanest around yet.

Next up is the D300 (obviously the D3 is out of my range), which is coming up by November. Should be the most expensive option out of all, but also the fastest machine of its class.

Right now I have a D70 and D2H, which the 2H is the greatest thing I've experienced, but its image quality in high ISO is a bit of a gamble. I have to constantly overexpose images and adjust in PP, which takes time in the process. The D70 is alright, but nowhere near the D2 performance/response. But its the nice little camera I'd bring out to an outing with friends, which weight/size is a concern.

So yes, now the choice... Sell the D70, get a new body, sell BOTH body and get new body, keep both bodies and get a new lens? OR keep both, buy a body then decide to sell which? Then last one, how about a 2nd hand D2X or D2Xs? Is it good to work with high ISO?

I mainly shoot social events, portraits and some weddings. Which frame rate is not a concern, I've got a 8fps @ 4.1MP wonder to work on. Megapixels, I don't mind much, I survived so far with only 4.1MP. Budget is below AU$2500.

[Antsl]

Hi YiP,
Don,t buy the S5.... you'll only get frustrated at the slow operating system, and don't get a second hand D2X... the D200 is just as good and they will be selling secondhand for $1200-$1400 soon enough.
Either go for the D300 or wait. I have had a play with the D300 and it is very good in low light by comparison to anything else out there in the Dx format at the moment. I have also had the chance to shoot the D3 in a quick head to head with the Canon 1D MkIII....... the D3 rocks. Soon there are going to be lots of D2Xs and D200s on the market as photographers clamour for these new cameras and it is going to be for a reason... they are fantastic in low light. Hope this is a help
Ants

[Oz_Beachside]

good news, happy to pick up a D2 off the scrap heap for underpaid apprentices like me!

[Antsl]

good news, happy to pick up a D2 off the scrap heap for underpaid apprentices like me!

Bruce.... thought you should know... someone seems to be hacking into your details here and describing themselves as underpaid and an apprentice!!!!

[jamesw]

i'd love a d2xs... i think... maybe.... maybe not....

im just gonna keep my d200, wait till nikon reveals its full hand of cards (see thom hogans site... he said its not even a d3x, its better than that?!?) and still keep on shooting with the d200

and then upgrade after i have the glass i want... to FF

[MATT]

Saving up and making plans for 'upgrade' by early next year.

I've been thinking about this for quite a long time, still can't come to a conclusion...

My main aim is to have a setup that I can work comfortably in ISO800-1600. I tried on a D200 for few weeks, didnt like it that much at ISO800+

Then I have been looking at the S5, which many said that its ISO noise/signal ratio is better than the D200, I tried only few shot at the maxi meet with it, it does seem very acceptable at ISO1600 but not the cleanest around yet.

Next up is the D300 (obviously the D3 is out of my range), which is coming up by November. Should be the most expensive option out of all, but also the fastest machine of its class.

Right now I have a D70 and D2H, which the 2H is the greatest thing I've experienced, but its image quality in high ISO is a bit of a gamble. I have to constantly overexpose images and adjust in PP, which takes time in the process. The D70 is alright, but nowhere near the D2 performance/response. But its the nice little camera I'd bring out to an outing with friends, which weight/size is a concern.

So yes, now the choice... Sell the D70, get a new body, sell BOTH body and get new body, keep both bodies and get a new lens? OR keep both, buy a body then decide to sell which? Then last one, how about a 2nd hand D2X or D2Xs? Is it good to work with high ISO?

I mainly shoot social events, portraits and some weddings. Which frame rate is not a concern, I've got a 8fps @ 4.1MP wonder to work on. Megapixels, I don't mind much, I survived so far with only 4.1MP. Budget is below AU$2500.

Or sell everything and switch camps... 5d full frame and some L glass..

just an idea

Now what nikon lenses didi you have...

MATT

[Kris]

Saving up and making plans for 'upgrade' by early next year.

I've been thinking about this for quite a long time, still can't come to a conclusion...

My main aim is to have a setup that I can work comfortably in ISO800-1600. I tried on a D200 for few weeks, didnt like it that much at ISO800+

Then I have been looking at the S5, which many said that its ISO noise/signal ratio is better than the D200, I tried only few shot at the maxi meet with it, it does seem very acceptable at ISO1600 but not the cleanest around yet.

Next up is the D300 (obviously the D3 is out of my range), which is coming up by November. Should be the most expensive option out of all, but also the fastest machine of its class.

Right now I have a D70 and D2H, which the 2H is the greatest thing I've experienced, but its image quality in high ISO is a bit of a gamble. I have to constantly overexpose images and adjust in PP, which takes time in the process. The D70 is alright, but nowhere near the D2 performance/response. But its the nice little camera I'd bring out to an outing with friends, which weight/size is a concern.

So yes, now the choice... Sell the D70, get a new body, sell BOTH body and get new body, keep both bodies and get a new lens? OR keep both, buy a body then decide to sell which? Then last one, how about a 2nd hand D2X or D2Xs? Is it good to work with high ISO?

I mainly shoot social events, portraits and some weddings. Which frame rate is not a concern, I've got a 8fps @ 4.1MP wonder to work on. Megapixels, I don't mind much, I survived so far with only 4.1MP. Budget is below AU$2500.

Or sell everything and switch camps... 5d full frame and some L glass..

just an idea

Now what nikon lenses didi you have...

MATT

Yi-P listen to Matt, he's a smart guy

[gstark]

wait till nikon reveals its full hand of cards (see thom hogans site... he said its not even a d3x, its better than that?!?)

If you're thinking that the D3 will be the only full frame Nikon DSLR ... so yes, it's only logical that things will only get better from here.

But if you're going to to wait for the next model, the one that follows that one will be even better, so perhaps you should wait fr that one?

Or the one after, which will be even better again?

[stubbsy]

Yip

The D2x is not an option since it's high ISO performance is similar to what you already have. If that is your overriding factor the choice is clear - D300 (or D3)

[jamesw]

wait till nikon reveals its full hand of cards (see thom hogans site... he said its not even a d3x, its better than that?!?)

If you're thinking that the D3 will be the only full frame Nikon DSLR ... so yes, it's only logical that things will only get better from here.

But if you're going to to wait for the next model, the one that follows that one will be even better, so perhaps you should wait fr that one?

Or the one after, which will be even better again?

but ahhhhhh, the out of context quote rears its ugly head!

i'd love a d2xs... i think... maybe.... maybe not....

im just gonna keep my d200, wait till nikon reveals its full hand of cards (see thom hogans site... he said its not even a d3x, its better than that?!?) and still keep on shooting with the d200

and then upgrade after i have the glass i want... to FF

i want better glass (and i know what glass i want)

after i have that glass, i will consider a body upgrade

all these new cameras are great to drool over but fact of the matter is that my d200 will suffice to take 90% of the shots i do... the high iso of d3 (and perhaps d300) would certainly be convenient in some situations

[barry]

A very interesting question Yip. I'm sure there are a lota folk out there thinking the same thing, including me.

[Raskill]

Barry, forgot to mention earlier to you, that you will find the D2x far far better for MS photography, as the focus is a lot quicker, coupled with the 70-200 VR, you'd be set. One thing to remember though is the far larger file size means less images per card.

[barry]

Thank Alan, still pondering

[gstark]

wait till nikon reveals its full hand of cards (see thom hogans site... he said its not even a d3x, its better than that?!?)

If you're thinking that the D3 will be the only full frame Nikon DSLR ... so yes, it's only logical that things will only get better from here.

But if you're going to to wait for the next model, the one that follows that one will be even better, so perhaps you should wait fr that one?

Or the one after, which will be even better again?

but ahhhhhh, the out of context quote rears its ugly head!

And denial is a river in Egypt.

The simple facts are that the D3 will NOT be Nikon's last FF camera, and it's pretty much a given that each of the successors will likely be a better camera than its immediate predecessor, so why would you bother buying
one of the earlier ones?

Just keep waiting, I say.

And if you think that the quote is out of context, then my statements must be wrong. So simply refute my statements. If you're correct, that should be a piece of piss to accomplish.

[adam]

I'd recommend waiting longer
Until you've gathered enough funds for the D3 or D3 replacement
My opinion is that it will be worth it

[Raskill]

Just keep waiting, I say.

You could wait till the cows come home for the best DSLR, we'll all be dead and buried and they'll stll be making better ones.

At some stage you need to jump in, boots and all, and buy something, or else, in 30 years time you'd still be holding a D70s.

[gstark]

You could wait till the cows come home for the best DSLR, we'll all be dead and buried and they'll stll be making better ones.

And while you're waiting for your mythical D-Infinity, you're not taking photos.

In many instances I'd be inclined to say that may be a good thing, but while you're not taking photos, you're not taking photos.

[shutterbug]

sell everything and get a canon

[Yi-P]

sell everything and get a canon

That would be an interesting option, but nope, I got plenty of good Nikkor glasses that I woldnt sell for it. Too much involved in jumping ships at this stage. Then comes all the learning again with canon's err-gonomics... I done a rough calculation, I can get a 5D and an L glass (and a prime) if I sell everything, but I've lost every glass in return for just few more canon equipment and still continue to invest? No, not a good economical move.

I can wait, but every time that I wait, there will be a new model coming out. And each model comes out will be better than the one before, I wait again? and again? again?? How long is the wait going to be? Then if that is the case, then I shouldn't buy anything until DSLR has stopped completely. And turned into something else? By that time I wait to get the 'new' stuff again... and again...

hmmm.... then, how long should I wait?

[gooseberry]

Just get a D300 in December if you can... otherwise, continue enjoying to use your D70, I still do....

[Steffen]

If you're thinking that the D3 will be the only full frame Nikon DSLR ... so yes, it's only logical that things will only get better from here.

I'm itching to get a D3 and probably will, but I hope that Nikon releases a D3x soon - it would relieve that guilty feeling of owning the top of the line model for no good reason...

Cheers
Steffen.

[chrisk]

d300 would be the best option but i would wait until we find out how well the thing works first. i'm more interested in how well the new AF and metering systems work first. not really all that concerned about iso or frame rate.

have you ever used a D2X btw ? the size and weight differences of these things are significant. i didn;t like using it much in a "social" setting.

[Yi-P]

d300 would be the best option but i would wait until we find out how well the thing works first. i'm more interested in how well the new AF and metering systems work first. not really all that concerned about iso or frame rate.

have you ever used a D2X btw ? the size and weight differences of these things are significant. i didn;t like using it much in a "social" setting.

I have been using a D2H all the time in socials, its a beast in the crowd. But when you really want to get attention from people and make them listen, its got that cold 'stare' form of beast for people to listen to you...

And I believe the D2H and D2X are same body/weight, but different sensor/circuits inside.

And honestly having using the D2 series for a while now, holding the smaller body doesnt feel as secure as these beasts...

Although, I am more leaning towards a D300 for now. I hope when it comes out after few month wont be in shortage. Itching so much for a D3, but the finance can't make it up that high...

[padey]

Funny how people have mentioned to wait for the next camera after the D3, considering you can't even buy a D3 yet.

Go canon. Better high iso in a camera you can buy today, and faster glass so you can gain some stops on the front end!

[Nnnnsic]

Maybe, but the D3 has an impressive usable high iso range. I know.

I know I'm going to be heading to one when it gets released.

[Grev]

Should make this a vote option, and I will vote for the D300.

[bwhinnen]

My vote would be what ever meets your immediate needs

For me the next body (in 2 - 3 years) will be the D3 or equiv (I'd expect it to be the D3 realistically as it does what I need). For the time being the D200 does what I want it to do without many issues at all