After many really happy Canon-based years actually, I've jumped ship.
Why, you may (or may not) be asking yourself?
I started with the 1Dinosaur and was truly in love with it. So much so that I've had either 5 or 6 of them. Those magical, massive pixels produced files and prints I rarely see duplicated still. Sure the noise was there, but the oft-used "film-like" was truer than you can imagine. Then the love just kinda dissipated over the years. Something was just missing. Since then, I've had all the xxD bodies (and a 1D MKII) except for its latest incarnation, the 50D. I really liked the 40D a LOT (so much so I sold one then had to have one again) but had little to no interest in the 50D.
Now, jump to more recent days - I'd decided I wanted a D300 since they were introduced and was finally was able to get one. I traded my 40D and its necessary accoutrement to get the D300, based on what I've seen, heard and studied since its debut.
Now my dilemma is to sit here and look at it until a lens to shoot with shows up!
I have a 55-200 VR coming (hopefully this week) which was a originally decided to be a stop-gap for the 18-200 VR I've also been scoping out since I realized I wanted the D300.
I've already gone through the manual multiple times and configured the camera with various configurations into multiple shooting banks. I've done about everything I can except actually USE IT (and I've had it since last Friday)!
So the plan is to use the 55-200 until I can get the 18-200 (hopefully next week) and grab the MB-D10 grip ASAP. The desire for the grip is to get the added size to the camera, as well as battery life. Not much interest in the 8 FPS since my old 1D could do that and I never did put it to use all that much, but it is available with AAs should I so choose.
So I guess the only point to this post is that there is yet another Nikon-convert in the ranks, and how anxious I am to start shooting again, let alone with the new gear. Part of the reason for wanting the changeover is that the performance specs of the D300 are closer to the 1D than any of the xxD bodies I had.
Don't get me wrong - I don't think I've ever had a real complaint with any of the Canon bodies I've had (but am fully aware of the very real issues that did/do exist), and I've had a lot of them... Got some stellar shots out of all of them!
But I love what Nikon is doing of late technology-wise, and am even thinking about the D700 when tax refund time comes. Full-frame is something I think I have to experience.
My D300 came with the latest 1.10 firmware, so I'm ready to rock...
Well, not without some glass I guess...
Sam Bennett wrote:
I love seeing the converts who pigeonholed themselves by their choice of username. Way to think ahead!
Many years ago, I decided to log onto my first user group and decided to use my first name and last initial, Tom B.
Of course there were 17 others on that site, so I went with tomb18. To this day, I've been stuck with it....I will likely have it on my gravestone....Tomb 18!
Welcome to the darkside! Where do you live? i'd lend you a lens for a couple of days? Your going to love the d300.... and for goodness sake, don't get your hands on a d700 or d3... i am also a convert just recently this year.... 1970 all nikon and then 2000-2007 canon.... but i'm back and i'm able to use all of my older gear and lenses. enjoy!
tomb18 wrote:
Many years ago, I decided to log onto my first user group and decided to use my first name and last initial, Tom B.
Of course there were 17 others on that site, so I went with tomb18. To this day, I've been stuck with it....I will likely have it on my gravestone....Tomb 18!
(sorry for the hijack!)
I usually use USMC_Sniper, but have received requests from Mods on other boards asking me to change it because of its connotation.
Didn't like what I did for a living spelled out, I guess.
It was my first D-SLR, so I thought it a fitting homage. Who'da thunk I'd have ever switched? (I sure didn't)
w2hef wrote:
Welcome to the darkside! Where do you live? i'd lend you a lens for a couple of days? Your going to love the d300.... and for goodness sake, don't get your hands on a d700 or d3... i am also a convert just recently this year.... 1970 all nikon and then 2000-2007 canon.... but i'm back and i'm able to use all of my older gear and lenses. enjoy!
WOW, what an offer! Thank you!
I'm in Cleveland Ohio, AKA - The Mistake on the Lake.
I never had that much invested in Canon glass. I loved my 70-200 non-IS while I had it, but had to sell it to pay some bills (I seem to go through some vicious cycles).
Had a first generation Sigma 70-200 that was a dream. Everything else I've had over the years has been great for what I wanted it to do, but usually got sold for one reason or another.
I think the 18-200 will be a great all-purpose lens, then I'll get a constant f/2.8 something or other when I feel the need.
For what it is the 55-200 is really nice and fast to focus, some argue it's sharper than the 18-200 so i wouldn't order the 18-200 till you run the 55-200 throught he ringer, go run to your closest pawn shop and get what ever the cheapest nikon lens you can find is to play with till the others show up, for the most part they will all work...
Sadly, nothing even resembling pawn shops in the Cleveland 'burbs that I'm aware of. FM and craigslist are my gear acquisition points.
I hadn't heard that about the 55-200 being sharper. I hope that's not the case in my particular lenses. I'll keep the sharper/better performer of the 2 when I get a chance to a/b them, obviously hoping that the 18-200 wins for the wide angle.
congrats.
18-55 and 55-200 are IQ-wise better than 18-200 through almost whole zoom range.
if you get 18-70 as your start lens instead of that 18-200, keep the 55-200 until moneys come up and get some fundamental cheap prime, like 50/1*8. Than you are ready for almost all what your hobby will need.
than i would prio some flash, etc.
If you drive to Columbus, there's Midwest Photo Exchange, http://mpex.com/. Cord Camera is in North Olmstead, http://www.cordcamera.com . Click Camera has their headquarters in Cleavland as well as another set of stores, can't remember who owns them now and I don't have one of their ads in front of me. Welcome to the dark side, there are many of us waiting to help fuel your NAS
Thanks cheeky.
Seems to be a strong leaning towards the 55-200 taking place, interesting.
I was looking at the 50/1.8 and the 85/1.8 for fast primes.
Speaking of flash - for the price difference, how does the SB-600 compare with the SB-800? I'm coming from a 580 EXII which was a great performer on both my 1D and 40D.
Now, I've heard how much better Nikon does flash than Canon, but I'm specifically asking would the D300s flash metering be that better served by the 800, or will the 600 give me comparable light?
NightOwl Cat wrote:
If you drive to Columbus, there's Midwest Photo Exchange, http://mpex.com/. Cord Camera is in North Olmstead, http://www.cordcamera.com . Click Camera has their headquarters in Cleavland as well as another set of stores, can't remember who owns them now and I don't have one of their ads in front of me. Welcome to the dark side, there are many of us waiting to help fuel your NAS
Thanks Nightowl, I was trying to think of Cord but couldn't remember the name. They're less than 10 minutes from me.
The mall has Ritz (ya, I know) but they carry hardly anything in the the stores anymore. It's all online these days...
Lol, I thought my NAS was sufficiently fueled. Turns out I have LOTS of people WANTING to help me spend my money.
One of the cool things about your d300 (D700s too) is that they can command off camera flashes pretty easily. By pretty easily I mean even I could do it. I researched it on the internet expecting it to be difficult and was astounded how easy it was.
So welcome, and if you were a US misguided child, happy Vet's day.
I've got an extra Tammy 90mm f2.8 AF Macro if you're interested!
And thanks again NightOwl. That one's even closer than Cord. I don't think either of them sell used or even consignment, but I'll be checking them both out Saturday to see what's available.
I actually updated mine before I got the camera and lens I don't have yet.
AZRich wrote:
One of the cool things about your d300 (D700s too) is that they can command off camera flashes pretty easily. By pretty easily I mean even I could do it. I researched it on the internet expecting it to be difficult and was astounded how easy it was.
So welcome, and if you were a US misguided child, happy Vet's day.
I've got an extra Tammy 90mm f2.8 AF Macro if you're interested!
Yeah Rich, that was one of the many draws for me.
Thanks for the welcome, and I was one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children so thank you for that as well. I too want to extend my gratitude to all of the other Vets that have served and are serving now.
As for the Tammy, thanks and I may take you up on it once I recoup from the last round of expenditures!
Any chance you have an MB-D10 I can NAS you out of??
Full-frame is something I think I have to experience. 
