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Donald Lynd
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p.1 #1 · Why D2x/s over D300?

I just can not seem to figure it out.

Does the "grip" in body, and the info LCD really make one lean towards the D2x? Or Is it "Pro" handling, or maybe the Weather Sealing? I use a D300 for events and candids, and I LOVE it! Ive just seen a post or two where a person has bought a D2x over the D300 and its hard for me to understand. I don't assume I am 100% right by any stretch on of imagination, but I am just wondering why D2x over D300.

Any idea's?

Sep 05, 2008 at 06:55 AM

Jammy Straub
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p.1 #2 · Why D2x/s over D300?

Some people just like the integrated grip. It's just preference.

The D2x sensor seems to put on slightly more contrasty results than the D300, some might like that. It uses that big sexy battery by default. You can get really good deals on D2x's if you look, under $1k, it's a lot of camera for that price.

If you don't need high ISO and don't care about AF tracking it's a decent way to save some money.

Sep 05, 2008 at 06:58 AM

khguitar098
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p.1 #3 · Why D2x/s over D300?

Donald I'm completely with you...

I think the technology and file output...as well as overall capabilities puts this thing way above the D2X.

Put a grip on and your set!

I did run into a kid today...barely 18 that is a bit of the snobby sort, and told me he went the d2x route because he wanted a "pro" body over the d300.

The D300 makes me plenty of money...it is PRO I dont care what anyone else says.

I have no personal experience with the d2x. Someone please feel us in.

Sep 05, 2008 at 07:00 AM

George61d
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p.1 #4 · Why D2x/s over D300?

For the same reason that I prefer my wife over anybody elses ...:-)

Sep 05, 2008 at 07:12 AM

panos.v
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p.1 #5 · Why D2x/s over D300?

khguitar098 wrote:
Donald I'm completely with you...

I think the technology and file output...as well as overall capabilities puts this thing way above the D2X.

Put a grip on and your set!

I did run into a kid today...barely 18 that is a bit of the snobby sort, and told me he went the d2x route because he wanted a "pro" body over the d300.

The D300 makes me plenty of money...it is PRO I dont care what anyone else says.

I have no personal experience with the d2x. Someone please feel us in.

You come across a bit snobby too, just because the boy is young and wanted a big camera doesn't make him snobby.

Go hold a D2 body and then see if you can spot a difference in how it sits in your hand compared to the small factor bodies.

If one does not care about the high ISO capabilities of the D300, the D2X makes an excellent machine for a bit less money. The files are still 12MP, the AF is still top notch, the battery life is still amazing and the body and controls are just where they should be.

You also get HSC which you might not find useful but others do and you also get a microphone, which, again, most people do not find useful but I do find it very very useful indeed. And you also get a nice round viewfinder eyepiece, instead of that square thing that you will lose in approximately 89.2 seconds after buying the camera.

And it is not a matter if the D300 is "pro" or not, everything can be "pro" in the right hands. Usually when people say a "pro" body they mean one with an integrated grip. Right or wrong, that's what they mean, we all know that it is not exactly right as the D300, D700 and 5D are more than enough pro cameras but anyway. It's used in the same way as saying "film something" when it comes to video-recording, despite the fact that there is no film involved anywhere.

Edited on Sep 05, 2008 at 08:12 AM

Sep 05, 2008 at 08:11 AM

KevinB
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p.1 #6 · Why D2x/s over D300?

I am one of these people who have bought a D2X over a D300 spent a fair bit of time in the shop taking pictures with both back and forth. It has to be said that once you handle the D2X it just feels so much nicer, better build feels like it would last a lifetime.
I have changed over from Canon and the D300 felt like the Canon 40D nice cameras dont get me wrong but the D2X felt like the Canon 1 series a totally different beast.

I did my first wedding using the D2X last weekend (Canon used for weddings before)and was very pleased with the ease of use and the results.

For me I think I made the right choice go try them both side by side then decide some will pick D300 some D2X no one is wrong just a personnel choice.

regards

Kevin

Sep 05, 2008 at 08:30 AM

firewireguy
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p.1 #7 · Why D2x/s over D300?

I would probably get a D300 over a D2X now, but I wouldn't ditch my D2H for the sheer usability and feel of it. If I didn't have the D2H I would probably be leaning towards a D2X over the D300.

Sep 05, 2008 at 09:32 AM

90 5.0
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p.1 #8 · Why D2x/s over D300?

1.Body shape/size ergo with integrated grip

2.Hsc mode

3.Faster af with long f-d lenses

4.Weathersealing

5. Viewfinder

6. If I get mugged I can use it as a weapon

These are the reasons the D2x will be my next body, I almost never shoot over 800 iso so I should be happy with it.

I wish they had a "pro"body with the D300 sensor though

Sep 05, 2008 at 12:41 PM

louis fusco
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p.1 #9 · Why D2x/s over D300?

battery and viewfinder is all i can think of.

Sep 05, 2008 at 12:48 PM

panos.v
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p.1 #10 · Why D2x/s over D300?

Is the D2 VF better than the D300? On paper it looks like the D300 one is bigger.

Sep 05, 2008 at 12:56 PM

intero
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p.1 #11 · Why D2x/s over D300?

If you do any studio or bright light work, the D2X all the way. Native ISO 100, and a contrasty more detailed imaged down there. Plus the feel / use / grip / viewfinder. Sure you give up the screen, high ISO, and LV, but hey, there can be a $600 difference between used D300/grip and D2X. That buys some glass, flashes, dinner, diapers ....

-Tom

Sep 05, 2008 at 01:12 PM

louis fusco
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p.1 #12 · Why D2x/s over D300?

panos.v wrote:
Is the D2 VF better than the D300? On paper it looks like the D300 one is bigger.

the d2 is definatly better to me.

Sep 05, 2008 at 01:14 PM

panos.v
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p.1 #13 · Why D2x/s over D300?

louis fusco wrote:
panos.v wrote:
Is the D2 VF better than the D300? On paper it looks like the D300 one is bigger.

the d2 is definatly better to me.

Interesting!

Sep 05, 2008 at 01:16 PM

camerapapi
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p.1 #14 · Why D2x/s over D300?

I always wondered why Nikon has a "D2X like-colors download" for the D300.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.

Sep 05, 2008 at 02:07 PM

dj dunzie
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p.1 #15 · Why D2x/s over D300?

Well, the VF displays more information in the D2's which I really like. And the integrated body with a few extra controls and lower LCD are nice.

Other than that, I don't know. The D300 has advanced so far in many ways, that for roughly the same price (unless you find a real bargain on a 2X) I personally couldn't justify it.

Having said that, if you generally don't shoot much low-light and prefer the D2's construction, they're still great machines.

Sep 05, 2008 at 03:05 PM

adamo99
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p.1 #16 · Why D2x/s over D300?

I reach for my D2x 99% of the time when shooting.

The D300 is much better at high-ISO, and the ability to use the built-in flash as a commander for the SB units is a huge plus, but everything else about the D2x is better.

Sep 05, 2008 at 03:15 PM

turnert
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p.1 #17 · Why D2x/s over D300?

intero wrote:
If you do any studio or bright light work, the D2X all the way. Native ISO 100, and a contrasty more detailed imaged down there. Plus the feel / use / grip / viewfinder. Sure you give up the screen, high ISO, and LV, but hey, there can be a $600 difference between used D300/grip and D2X. That buys some glass, flashes, dinner, diapers ....

-Tom

+1
I have D2 bodies and I also have a compact body; the D700. I prefer the built-in grip for any use, even travel. Having shattered both my wrists in a cycling accident many years ago, and because I probably shoot in portrait orientation more than landscape, a vertical shutter is very important. Cranking my hand sideways all day is uncomfortable, though the slight weight increase is never an issue. The grips are fine, but I prefer the more elegant and seamless integrated grip.

If I didn't already have D2 bodies, then I might have considered a D300 when it was released. But it offers no features that I really need. My D2H is my most used body. I like the AF spread and performance in the H and the X. I really like having HSC for event work. And now that I have dipped my toes into the studio environment and have invested in strobes, the D2X is ideal, as Tom says. Native ISO 100 is certainly a plus.

The screen on my D700 is sweet, but I really just need a good histogram. Live view seemed silly at first, but I do shoot from the hip and from overhead quite a bit for some sports work, so I'm totally on board with it now. But I wouldn't select a body based on this feature alone.

Much of this is personal preference, but hopefully without sounding like someone defending his $4,500 purchase, I think the D2X still has a lot going for it today compared to the newer bodies. Heck, I can say the same for the D2H as well, though I know I'm in the minority here. And yes, the used price is a steal for what you get.

The D700 gives me better manual focusing with my old lenses. I still have 20/20 vision at 45, but that big viewfinder was more of a selling point than the high ISO for me. However, I still miss the screen in my FE2.

~Ted

Edited on Sep 05, 2008 at 03:32 PM

Sep 05, 2008 at 03:24 PM

soonipi1957
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p.1 #18 · Why D2x/s over D300?

IMHO of course...and I've got 60,000-100,000 images using both cameras.

A) the D300 doe shave better ISP performance. HOWEVER....at the same parameters of ISO and Aperture, the D300 deliverers a lower shutter speed. I've tested this a lot and it's obvious. Some of the realized noise gains IMHO are at the expense of sacrificing shutter speed and for a wildlife shooter, there are obvious trade offs here.

B) UDMA card support...while I can easily fill the buffer using the D300, it was easier with the D2X / Xs

C) Better LCD...not that this matters as I could care less about the pretty pictures on the back of the camera. all I really want to see is the histogram readout.

E) The ability to shoot at 8fps with the full frame.

As far as AF goes, I still firmly believe that for what I shoot, the D2X / Xs had better AF speed and ability.

As far as file quality / colors...I still prefer the D2X and yes...I have of course optimized my D300 bodies to match them as closely as possible.

The D2 series bodies is markedly better to me, as are the controls and locations of things such as ISO and WB.

Just my personal thoughts as a user of both bodies.

Sep 05, 2008 at 03:38 PM

xof711
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p.1 #19 · Why D2x/s over D300?

I agree! The D300 just sent the D2X to the archive of the digital revolution!
The D300 is superior to the D2X/s and def. cheaper ah!

----
DigitalFreak.net

Sep 05, 2008 at 04:35 PM

bignorm
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p.1 #20 · Why D2x/s over D300?

the D2x or D2xs in my case was the choice for me... I was able to shoot with a D300 for two weddings and after viewing and processing the files it was clear to me that the D300 was not for me.. I used different settings and set ups and the color just didn't do it for me....

I had never shot with a D2x before, only the D2h. I sold the first one I had and regretted it until I replaced it.... I picked up a D2xs and a D2h two weeks age along with a 35 f2, 17-55, and used them along with my double backups S5 and D200....

The images from the D2xs were stunning and the color was definitely more to my liking...

as for the feel of the camera, bodies with detachable grips DO NOT feel as good as integrated bodies... Balance with long glass, Something for my big hands to wrap around.

AF is also outstanding... I shot lil league football this past weekend to check out the focus and the only thing that could not keep up was me.. the crop mode was also a treat!

Sep 05, 2008 at 06:00 PM

khguitar098
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p.1 #21 · Why D2x/s over D300?

does the D2X have the mirco shift adjustment for lenses that the d300 has?

Sep 05, 2008 at 06:05 PM

Avi B
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p.1 #22 · Why D2x/s over D300?

No.

Sep 05, 2008 at 06:09 PM

Christian S
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p.1 #23 · Why D2x/s over D300?

I find it interesting that a lot of the D300, D3 and D700 shooters prefer the D2X color controls

I shoot with the D3, D2X and D2H. They all have there place in my shooting arena's. Once you shoot with a "pro" body its hard to go back to a smaller body.

Sep 05, 2008 at 08:00 PM

Avi B
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p.1 #24 · Why D2x/s over D300?

^^^ +1 The integrated vertical grip bodies (I refrain for calling them "pro" bodies

) are just too nice to get used to

They kind of spoil you for the future upgrade path. This is why I'll probably never buy a D700 and will hold out till the D3 drops in price s'more

Edited on Sep 05, 2008 at 08:05 PM

Sep 05, 2008 at 08:04 PM

dj dunzie
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p.1 #25 · Why D2x/s over D300?

Sad day for me... my D2H is gone as of 1pm today. Had to sell it to finance the 24-70 f2.8. I have some great fond memories of the D2H, and think it did a pretty nice job for me, but with the D700 and D300 I believe I have the perfect 2-body setup now for the kind of shooting I do.

Sep 05, 2008 at 08:23 PM


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