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piser Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #1 · D300 or D700 for landscape? Help me spend some money! I need some advice. I'm primarily a weekend shooter focusing on landscapes. I've followed Thom Hogan's advice to prioritize equipment in the following order: 1. support 2. lenses 3. training 4. camera body (summarized nicely here: http://www.bythom.com/rightpixels.htm ) Right now I'm using a D70 that's on its last legs, with the nikkor 12-24, 50mm 1.4 and the 18-70. I'd say the 12-24 is on my camera 90% of the time. I'm actually relatively happy with the image quality, but there are a lot of features I'm envious of in newer bodies: - mirror lock up - weather sealing (i take a lot of waterfalls pics, and live in the pac nw where it does rain) - higher megapixel (i'd like to try some big prints w/o stitching) - better LCD (after playing with a friend's d200 the d70 lcd feel like a postage stamp). - bigger and better viewfinder I'm trying to decide between the d300 and the d700. I realize by going to the d700 my 18-70 is basically useless, but since this is my least used lens I wouldn't mind giving it up. From what I've read the 12-24 works well on fx above 18mm, but if I'm not happy with it I could probably swing the 17-35 (14-24 is out the question due to lack of filters). In the future I'd get a telephoto to round out my kit, but I'm not in a rush since I primarily shoot wide. With the d300 I would save enough money to pick up a telephoto now, although I'm not sure how much use it will get. The d300 meets all my requirements (except the larger viewfinder) and fully uses all my current lenses. At base ISO image quality should be close to identical. However, given that I buy camera bodies every 3+ years, maybe it's worth splurging a d700 now with an eye towards the future? Very interested to to hear people's thoughts. I'm sure both cameras will give me fantastic results. Sep 05, 2008 at 08:07 AM

Jammy Straub Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #2 · D300 or D700 for landscape? If you're a constant upgrader (every 3 years) I'd keep an eye towards the future and your lens lineup. Ergo, I'd go with the D700 and 17-35. The 17-35 isn't getting upgraded anytime soon and is fabulous. You could sell your 12-24 and 18-70 and get a 180 f/2.8 AF-D. That'd give you a nice kit for landscapes... very nice. (17-35, 50, 180) PS. You can hand hold the big 4x6" filters in front of the 14-24mm FWIW Sep 05, 2008 at 08:12 AM

firewireguy Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #3 · D300 or D700 for landscape? Presuming you like your current lenses then save yourself the trouble and get a D300. Sep 05, 2008 at 09:34 AM

Jack White Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #4 · D300 or D700 for landscape? With a lot of great DX wide-angle zooms and your happiness with the 12-24mm I agree with firewireguy that D300 is a good fit for you (not that D700 won't be either). If possible rent D300 and rent D3/D700 w/ lenses to get an idea of what to expect. With the used prices of D300 going down to $1200-1300 you may want to think about going that route and pocket the rest of the $$ and be done for a while. As that $$ accumulates you may be in a great position to buy a D700x with video recording in a year or so Edited by Jack White on Sep 05, 2008 at 02:08 AM GMT Edited on Sep 05, 2008 at 10:08 AM Sep 05, 2008 at 10:07 AM

panos.v Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #5 · D300 or D700 for landscape? The D300 viewfinder is big. It is 100% coverage and compared to your D70 it will be night and day. I had a D70s and have a D2H and apparently the D300 VF is slightly better than the D2 series so you're in for a treat. I can tell you that the D70s VF is a dinky tiny little peephole compared to the D2, just imagine what a D300 would be. Yes, a FX camera will be even better but the D300 won't leave you complaining in that respect. And that LCD....ooooooohhhh Unless you really want FX I'd say stick with the D300. You already have a nice set of lenses to go with it, saves you the money and hassle of selling/buying. Sep 05, 2008 at 10:08 AM

Andre Labonte Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #6 · D300 or D700 for landscape? panos.v wrote: The D300 viewfinder is big. It is 100% coverage and compared to your D70 it will be night and day. I had a D70s and have a D2H and apparently the D300 VF is slightly better than the D2 series so you're in for a treat. I can tell you that the D70s VF is a dinky tiny little peephole compared to the D2, just imagine what a D300 would be. Yes, a FX camera will be even better but the D300 won't leave you complaining in that respect. And that LCD....ooooooohhhh Unless you really want FX I'd say stick with the D300. You already have a nice set of lenses to go with it, saves you the money and hassle of selling/buying. +1 having owned both the D70 and D300 and used the D3, I can say that Panos is right on target. Sep 05, 2008 at 12:34 PM

chemprof Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #7 · D300 or D700 for landscape? I love my D300. Great camera. Having worked extensively with all the the two digit D's as well as all but the D700 in the three digit series, I can tell you that the D300 will not disappoint. Gerald Sep 05, 2008 at 01:05 PM

linathael Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #8 · D300 or D700 for landscape? Well, I am in comparable sitation now, but I am hesitating between D300 and D90, to go with my lenses: - 18-70 - 70-300 VR - 10-20 Sigma - 150 mm Macro Sigma Sep 05, 2008 at 03:46 PM

xof711 Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #9 · D300 or D700 for landscape? I'd go for a D700! What's better than a Full-Frame (FX) sensor for landscape photography?? Not even a ultra-wide angle on a D300 will nearly give you the dynamic a D700 will give you! You just can't get anything on DX equivalent to 14mm ultra-ultra wide on FX... Even if the only difference between the D700 and D300 was the viewfinder, the huge viewfinder of the D700 alone is enough to justify the D700 for many people. ---- DigitalFreak.net Sep 05, 2008 at 04:24 PM

Andre Labonte Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #10 · D300 or D700 for landscape? xof711 wrote: I'd go for a D700! What's better than a Full-Frame (FX) sensor for landscape photography?? Not even a ultra-wide angle on a D300 will nearly give you the dynamic a D700 will give you! You just can't get anything on DX equivalent to 14mm ultra-ultra wide on FX... Even if the only difference between the D700 and D300 was the viewfinder, the huge viewfinder of the D700 alone is enough to justify the D700 for many people. ---- DigitalFreak.net But for a given angular FOV and f-stop, you get more DOF with DX format, which depending on what you are doing can be an advantage. FX is great if you need an FX 14mm FOV, but what if all you need is FX 18mm FOV and above? Something to think about. Sep 05, 2008 at 04:38 PM

MHofmann Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #11 · D300 or D700 for landscape? I've owned the 5D and the D300 and they are about equal to me in terms of landscape shots. Landscape isn't necessarily all wide angle stuff and I've never found myself wishing I could go even wider. I had the 17-40 with the 5D and a Tokina 11-16 with the D300 and they are plenty wide for everything I've done. So just ask yourself if the 12-24 is wide enough or if you need something significantly wider. For most landscape stuff (on a tripod with low ISO), you won't notice a difference between the D300 and D700. If you prefer more handheld stuff and need higher ISOs to compensate, the D700 will be better at the highest ISOs. Edited on Sep 05, 2008 at 06:41 PM Sep 05, 2008 at 06:40 PM

Avi B Online Image Upload: Off p.1 #12 · D300 or D700 for landscape? I vote for the D700 + 17-35 combo for your landscape wants err needs Sell your current DX lenses to fund the 17-35. Add the 50 f/1.4 for non-landscape needs and you're set! Sep 05, 2008 at 07:18 PM

forestmage Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #13 · D300 or D700 for landscape? The D300 vs. D700 landscape question might be answered by asking yourself if you plan on printing large, say 20x30 or even larger. Here the D700 files will help you. We have some large prints from the D300 and D3/D700 here on campus and to my eyes the files from the FX sensor look a little better when printed large, though glass and pp tech come into play here as well. You have some nice glass and the D300 is a very nice camera, so it is a tough decision. Note that it also is one of those instances where you really can't go wrong with either Sep 05, 2008 at 07:36 PM

piser Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #14 · D300 or D700 for landscape? Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to go with the D300 for now, and wait for used d700 prices to come down in a year or so. I appreciate all the help! Sep 06, 2008 at 06:40 AM

Chris Noyes Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #15 · D300 or D700 for landscape? If I was looking toward shooting mostly Landscapes, I'd be looking at the D700. The larger view finder and the wider FOV in FX format beats DX IMHO. I am looking to purchase the D700 in the future (not so sure on how near) after handling one in a local store, the viewfinder is immensely better than my D300, and reminded me of how my film camera used to look like back in the 1980s. The price differential between the D300 and the D700 is a real issue though. You can get lots of (nice) glass for the difference in price between these two bodies. Edited on Sep 06, 2008 at 08:29 PM Sep 06, 2008 at 08:28 PM

Smiert Spionam Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #16 · D300 or D700 for landscape? The Nikon rep was in my local camera shop yesterday when I stopped by for ink, so I had to take a look at the D700 and ask some questions. Wow. Though I don't *need* one, I don't see how my next camera could be anything but FX. Finally, a viewfinder like my FE2. Ah.... None of this is to say that it's the right combo for you, of course. It's a lot of money, and that can pay for a lot of glass. If you're not ready to spend a bit more over and above the D700 on glass, then maybe the D300 is a better way to go. Personally, the D700 plus a 17-35/2.8 seems tempting, and versatile. Sep 06, 2008 at 08:40 PM

mfletch Offline Image Upload: On p.1 #17 · D300 or D700 for landscape? If you like the FOV and image quality from your 12-24, stick with the D300. In fact, just to make things a bit more confusing... A D200 can be picked up for half the price of a D300 and is great for landscapes. The 10mp is a nice step up from the D70 and it has native ISO100, even though I'm not totally sold on that making a big difference. Sep 06, 2008 at 09:15 PM

shreds Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #18 · D300 or D700 for landscape? Having a D200, I would say that you will notice a difference by jumping to a D200/300. Don't get me wrong, there is also a noticeable difference when going up to full frame (D700 / D3) especially for landscape and if funds were available, it would be worth it. But you then have to also consider your investment in lenses. You correctly have identified where the priorities should lie, so take it a step at a time unless you suddenly win the jackpot. Ultimately you probably will go full frame and believe me, it will make a significant difference, but take it a step at a time and the prices will no doubt be more realistic for you if you don't rush out and buy 'this weeks latest' model. Sep 06, 2008 at 10:43 PM

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