Moving systems (C-to-N or N-to-C) is not just about changing your gear. You also have to change a fair amount of how you think, how you shoot, and how you process.
Spydweb wrote:
Jammy, I know you are right, there are many great things about the D300, great autofocus being #1 for me.. It just seems to have a bigger learning curve than I expected.
I can definitely agree there, it's a very deep camera to get to know!
To answer the original poster's question and comment on some other stuff:
For a D300, my main two lenses are the 17-55 and 70-200. I do not use the 24-70 because it's bigger/heavier and the 17-55 range is more useful on DX. I don't shoot wide too often, and the Tokina 12-24/4 has been more-than-good-enough for me in that range. If you shoot a lot more in that range, the Nikon 12-24 does seem reputed to have better IQ and lower flare/CA issues. Tokina good, Nikon better.
I love my 105VR macro, great lens. Choosing between Nikon's macro lenses is a study in cost and working distance only... they're all great. Buy what will give you the working distance you need at a cost you can afford, and be done with it.
For low light, I have the Nikon 50/1.4 and the Sigma 30/1.4. Pleased with both so far, though I use them very little and so can't fully report on quality.
Lastly, I'd comment that the 70-200 tolerates 1.4x and 1.7x TC's (the new version) extremely well. In a pinch, those provide a cheap and good-quality way to get a 105-320/4.8 lens that will cover even daylight sports needs with aplomb.
Re the DX/FX issue: I believe DX and FX will both be here for a long time, just like MF and LF still are. Nothing and no one says we all have to use the same sensor size. I don't buy a minivan instead of a sports car just because I might have four kids someday, so I see no reason to buy lenses because I might buy another sensor-size body someday. Buy the best for your needs and gear today, I say.
The Habs & The Canucks?? Which planet?
Suggest the following (wish I had):
AFS-Nikkor 14-24 mm f/2.8 ED-IF FX = 21-36mm on the D300! - Expression Unlimited!
AF-Nikkor 85 mm f/1.4 D IF = 127mm on the D300! - "Up There and Personal" lens.
These are great, great lenses and don't need anything between apart from a couple of paces.