Nikon D80 or D300

Which one would you buy?

Do you think it's worth the price difference? And the WEIGHT difference?

Would it be better to spend the money on a phenom lensor something?

D300

D80

Let's say money IS an object, but on such a big investment ispending more money may be worth it.

Thoughts? Other suggestions?

I was planning on the D80, but the D300 came out and it is amazing. In addition to increidble controls it has dust shake-off and liveview.

Before anyone says anything, I have been saving random bonuses at work for a year and putting it aside as "camera money", separate from other money. It's like monopoly money, it can only be spent on cameras

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

Ah the D300 *drools*

Here's the thing. The D300 is supposed to be AMAZING. Blows anything out there (besides pro, I would imagine) away.

The D80 is fantastic also. I don't think you'd be sitting there kicking yourself for getting the D80 over the D300 - especially if this is your first DSLR AND you get to take home a couple of lenses (or a nice lens plus a speedlight) for the same price. I don't know how much is in your piggy bank but you can get alot of glass for the difference in price between the two.

If you already have some lenses, then I would more seriously consider the D300.

Good luck with your decision!!

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

I have been agonizing for the past couple of months whether to buy the D80 or the Canon XSi. I went to Bestbuy today and now I am contemplating the Canon 40D. I would love to get the Nikon D300 but it is too out of my budget - but then again I here that in a couple of weeks they all go on sale for graduations, Mother's Day, etc.

I really was wanting to get a Nikon for the simple fact I haven't been that happy with my other Canon digital cameras.

Now I'm really confused!!!

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

I have a couple of lenses from my N80. Since they were not made ofr a digital camera, I'm not sure how well they will work.

It's my first DSLR, but not my first SLR, so I know my way around a camera. I'm not looking for entry level. The N80 was a step up. So I'm looking for a step-up/semi pro.

I made the mistake with my 35mm of buying a cheaper camera, then a more $$ one, THEN the one I realized I really wanted/needed (the N80) and spent a lot more in the long run.

Then again if there won't be an appreciable difference between day to day use and image quality between the cameras I can spend the extra $1000 on a SICK lens (but what is a great lens on a so-so camera?)...I'm soooo conflicted.

Also, some reviews are saying the D40 and D40X are good enough that the jump in price the the D80 isn't worth it. I don't know if the D80 is worth it's price...

Ugh.

ANy more thoughts>

and yes, I agree D300 *droooooooooooooooooool*

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

I really wanted to go Nikon this time but the Canon cameras are a little ahead of them as far as features go. The XSi and the 40D both have dust reduction systems and image stabilization - the XSi has live view. But then I read that the D80 has a much better flash range. I read that Nikon won't be putting out another camera (the upgrade to the D80) until the end year, and I really don't want to wait that long.

I never owned a DSLR before, so I am wondering if the 40D or D300 might be a little too much for me to handle. But I rather by something I can grow into than buying a more of a beginner's model and regretting it. Is that stupid? But then again the D80 is supposed to be great.

Oh, the dilemma.

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

Nikon v. Canon is personal preference. See how it feels in your hands.

If it's your first SLR I think the D300 is WAY too much camera for you (heck I'm pretty sure it's too much camera for me, and I've been doing photography for many moons). By the time you mastered the D40, there would be a much more advanced drool-worthy semi-pro to buy.

If it were my first i'd go with the D40X or the D80, or something in that range.

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

That's what I thought.

I think I 'm leaning toward the D80. wih the 18-200 lens.

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

The D80 is not a so-so camera, IMO. And despite those reviews (I've read that also), I personally disagree and would not get a D40 or worse - a D40x over a D80. The D40x does not accept all Nikkor lenses - that's a big downside for me. I know for a fact that it doesn't accept one of my favorite lenses. And since you already have some Nikon lenses (probably older non AF ones too) I would make sure the D40(x) can use them if you choose to go that route.

You can easily get yourself the 18-200VR and the D80 and still use all your lenses. Actually you can get the D80, the lens, AND the SB600 speedlight for less than the D300.

Depending on how soon you will be ready to make the purchase I would wait and see if A) there are any big sales for Mother's Day and Graduation season on the D300 or wait it out until the end of the year to see what's going to replace the D80.

Re: Nikon D80 or D300

Good point on the lenses!

I want to get a lens for the digital (Im not sure what the difference is), but I also have a few lenses (not great ones, but ok ones) I'd like to be able to use.

I originally chose the D80 somewhat randomly. I have the N80, so I figured it would be similar, which it is.

If I bought the D80, I'd eventually want the 300 or something similar. The problem with these things, unlike with the 35MM, is that the technology is always changing. I would buy the 300 saying "well it's all the cmaera I'll ever need" except that in 2 years they're going to come out with something else even snazzier.

I still have no idea, but I really want to shoot. I will always be a B&W fi;m girl at heart, but I don't have easy access to a darkroom and it costs a small fortune to get film developed.I have about 35 rolls sitting here on my desk. Weddings, birthdays, vacations, the zoo. When I was in school I would shoot a million rolls and develop them myself but now it's sio much money to get C-41 developed. At least if I had a digital camera, I could have these pictures now.