I think you really only need to upgrade if you feel the camera body itself is holding you back - slow AF or bad noise performance, slow FPS, etc.
Glass - very important!
300mm AF-s is a very sharp lens - I had it with the 1.7x TC, but I'd recommend the 1.4x TC for a bit more light and bit sharper images. I definitely miss mine, though I admit my Sigma 100-300 f/4 is nearly as sharp.
Long as you have a decent tripod and are ready for the larger body & lens I think the 300s & a 300mm f4 is a great combo. You may want to also spend the $300 on the TC14 to make that 300 an effective 630 f5.6. But that can always come later.
markpetersonii wrote:
So, I think the major concensus is; get lenses and better tripods before venturing into getting a new body.
How well, would it be if I were to get the D300s AND the 300mm?
Without a quality ballhead (attached to decent tripod,) a long lens is almost useless. Unlike a 50mm lens, a 300mm will show even the slightest quiver your hands make. Just pushing the shutter button can easily blur your shots when handheld. My experience is the tripod/ballhead is actually the single most important thing. Camera is LAST. Try to buy one excellent piece at a time. Spread it out. Most critical first. As you buy lens, tripod, ballhead, the camera will be dropping in price. Meanwhile your image quality will dramatically be improving all the while. I really, really doubt the camera will give you any noticeable improvement in image quality at all. Buying an expensive camera first is THE classic beginner's mistake. Go back and reread ccpguy's post three times. He's exactly right, and I don't think you got it quite yet.
