I have come to the same conclusion, but after a great deal of soul searching, I have decided to purchase nothing camera-wise in the current upgrade cycle. Maybe one cycle later after the D4/D5 come out, but for now my D2X/D80 combo do all that I need, and I can't see spending the money at this time. Now the D3/D700/D300 may build strong bodies 12 different ways, but really they are just one upgrade cycle ahead for me, and the type of photography I do. I really use ASA 100-400 and at no time do I go above that, seldom use flash, so for me, at least, I don't see the reason for an upgrade at this time, other than a lens maybe (such as the 14-24mm). I shoot .jpg so I do not need 14 bit RAW.

I have given up the last of my film cameras (the 4x5) to my sister in law in exchange for keeping the kids a couple of times this year. I don't need more than 3 fps max, I might get a grid line focus screen for the D2X, a cable release, and maybe an ND filter, but I need no new cameras right now as long as the old ones work. My lovely wife Lupe bought me a grip today for my D80, so I am pretty much set for now.

Sounds like you know where you are heading this year. I just got the D300 this year and I am having a blast with it and my new 180mm F2.8AFD. Also, I got some pocket wizards and I started shooting off camera flash with a pair of SB-800's. The White Lightening with umbrella is great but I also wanted a portable setup. Keeping the SB-800's on manual is great and previews can be seen on the screen of the D300. The Sekonic meter reads the SB-800 in auto mode with all of the pre-flashing involved in auto mode so that new Sekonic L-758DR meter is on my want list.
The point is there is always refinment of our techniques just waiting around the corner when we realize what kind of photography we are currently doing and what our weak points are.
Good luck to you.

Not to stir the pot, but seems to me that you could replace the D80 and the D2X with a single D300 body and use the grip as well. Just because you might not use all the features doesn't mean it won't be an upgrade - the D300's out of camera JPG's are astonishingly good, ISO 400 on the D300 is like ISO 200 on the D2X/D80 and it has interchangable screens just in case you want that grid line screen.

Ahhh...but if you need a backup, that little D80 alive is better than a dead D300. I sold my D2x this spring and purchased a D3 (still have my S5 and D70 for backup) and I have to say I have not regretted the purchase once. Of course, I regularly shoot at ISO800+ so the D3 was really a no-brainer for me.

clew wrote:
Ahhh...but if you need a backup, that little D80 alive is better than a dead D300. I sold my D2x this spring and purchased a D3 (still have my S5 and D70 for backup) and I have to say I have not regretted the purchase once. Of course, I regularly shoot at ISO800+ so the D3 was really a no-brainer for me.

Well, D2x = D300 in terms of prices. He might even turn a profit selling the D2x for the d300. He could always keep the D80 as a backup and not be losing any money.

Seriously, especially because you don't need the (negligible) speed advantages of the D2x, there is almost no reason I can think of not to upgrade.

Taylor Barrett wrote:
clew wrote:
Ahhh...but if you need a backup, that little D80 alive is better than a dead D300. I sold my D2x this spring and purchased a D3 (still have my S5 and D70 for backup) and I have to say I have not regretted the purchase once. Of course, I regularly shoot at ISO800+ so the D3 was really a no-brainer for me.

Well, D2x = D300 in terms of prices. He might even turn a profit selling the D2x for the d300. He could always keep the D80 as a backup and not be losing any money.

Seriously, especially because you don't need the (negligible) speed advantages of the D2x, there is almost no reason I can think of not to upgrade.

I suppose not unless you need the additional weather sealing, like the balance with larger lenses, or prefer the built-in grip (which I certainly do versus the S5/MB-D200 grip). I don't know how the MB-D10 compares from a "feel" standpoint, but I prefer the streamlined ergonomics of the all-in-one D2/D3 series. You're right, though, there's certainly not much incentive to keep one from doing a swap.

The MB-D10 is a big step up from the D200's grip, from what I've heard. I actually don't have the D300 grip (haven't felt the need yet) but I had the D200 one and it was ehh... The mb-d10 is hailed as the greatest thing ever and when I tried it at my local camera store, it felt excellent.

But really, the D300 is very weather sealed, balance would be similar with the grip and ISO performance is better, has sensor cleaning, all the usual goodies that a next gen body has (live view)...

actually there are strong reason to use new bodies if you shoot JPG. They can automatically correct CA (it was my wish list, although seems no others demanded that before D3/D300 introduced).... in many cases i shoot RAW only because i want NX to correct CA automatically for me.

Look it's all rubbish, I have camera's ranging from D1's to D2's and now D3's, and thay all make me money.
It's the guy/girl driving them, not the tool that sells the photo, everybody needs to have a beer and relax.
I will, however never buy a 'prosummer' body, I do this for a living and golf is exsensive.
Gav

How is focusing speed with older lenses like the 80-400mm on the D300? I still have not plumbed the depths of the D2X yet. Although with my increasing back issues, I might get a lighter camera at some point. But I am worried about the D300 dead battery/dead camera issue that seems to plague some here.

No matter how much i like my D300, my D2x still amazes me. I have no idea what it is, it just feels more responsive. So no matter how many D300's i can get for it, i'm not ditching it...

I decided to halt the camera purchases and rev up my production for art shows. Bring out more quality and push fine art printing to a new level. Maybe even buy a new wide format printer. I think the D700 will end up in my camera bag but not until a D4 series is released. Still, the D300 impresses me to no end and I can't say I have any complaints about it.

Chris

The D2X has created a lot great images for me. Im like Raymond the D2X still amazes me. +1 for you.

Yeah, my D2X generated in the last two years about $10,000 in sales for me at charity events where the money goes 100% to the charity. The D2X just feels good, the D80 w/ grip doesn't feel as good for whatever reason. As I said, the only big purchase I feel like making is the 14-24mm and that will be sometime in October/November time frame.

Grognard wrote:
How is focusing speed with older lenses like the 80-400mm on the D300? I still have not plumbed the depths of the D2X yet. Although with my increasing back issues, I might get a lighter camera at some point. But I am worried about the D300 dead battery/dead camera issue that seems to plague some here.

The "dead battery syndrome" was fixed in the last firmware update.

I'm just saying. The D2x is an awesome camera and nothing can replace a true pro camera, but the D300 gets pretty damn close. I had the option of buying either (d2x or d300) and I went with the d300.

Isn't it funny, over in the other sandbox, the canon folk are currently saying the D2x is the worst camera EVER produced. But the photographers seem to know how good it is. I wouldn't get rid of it if you're happy. That's for sure.

nikt wrote:
Isn't it funny, over in the other sandbox, the canon folk are currently saying the D2x is the worst camera EVER produced. But the photographers seem to know how good it is. I wouldn't get rid of it if you're happy. That's for sure.

pfff what do they know...

gavin wrote:
Look it's all rubbish, I have camera's ranging from D1's to D2's and now D3's, and thay all make me money.
It's the guy/girl driving them, not the tool that sells the photo, everybody needs to have a beer and relax.
I will, however never buy a 'prosummer' body, I do this for a living and golf is exsensive.
Gav




slurring your" prosummers and exsensives"

Been drinking a little

Edited by fotografur on Jul 06, 2008 at 06:32 PM GMT

My situation was a bit different. I really wanted a D3 but just couldn't raise the money to get one. So I settled on the D300, which frankly wasn't a bad thing. The rub is that now with the D700 being a near clone in all the ways that made me want a D3 in the first place, I simply could NOT resist. So I just sold my D300 and will await the D700 several more weeks. I have no reason to doubt it will be all it is supposed to be. Looking forward to being able to work with the FF perspective. Not to mention those yummy High ISO's. So much of this gig is what your particular needs are for the style or habits of your shooting.

Wow, I have NAS BAD regarding the D700, but I am still going to wait. I hope..... BUt I will be strong, I will wait for the D800 or so with the 24 mp sensor.....

don't put all your money in the weather sealing. The rain killed my D3. Grognard stick with your plan. I got the D300 and D3 because I might need the high ISO. That was the only reason, so stick to your guns.

David

If you can make use of the FX sensor and its improved IQ (judging by the D3, as there isn't much out there from the D700 yet) then the D700 might be worth the upgrade.

Waiting will get you something better though, of that you can be sure. If what you are using is giving you good results as you said, wait it out. Technology is not exactly at a stand still, and that isn't likely to change any time soon. Around here we are real good at convincing others to spend money they don't really have to spare!

David

I made the mistake of handling a D700, but thats all on hold now since I have to come up with $16,000 for new air conditioners for the house.

Sounds like you do not have NAS, good for you. This does not qualify as NAS either = "I might get a grid line focus screen for the D2X, a cable release, and maybe an ND filter"

Joe

As long as you're happy, waiting will always get you better technology at a lower relative cost. Always. Nothing wrong with waiting if you're happy... nothing. You'll be better off for having done it.

Those who are whining or bitching about their current gear, or pining for the new gear out of NAS or neighbor-envy or a real need for what the new gear adds to the mix, are in another situation. They are not happy... and that changes things.