I’m very happy with my D90 (as I was with my D40, which I still like). Compared to the D90, I would appreciate the greater ability of the D300s to endure the elements, have more & better AF points, ability to meter with older manual focus lenses, faster speed & deeper buffer, autofocus fine tune, and the more flexible (up to 9 frame) bracketing. The viewfinders in both are terrible compared to what I’ve got in my F100 (the D700 probably has as good or better finder than the F100). But then, the sensor & meter of the $1800 D300s is no better than that of the $700 D5000 ….

But considering the $700 or so difference between the D300s and D700 I’d have to consider both. Obviously the D700 has a better sensor with better dynamic range, world class high ISO performance with lower pixel density (which gives less scope for cropping e.g. bird shots). But with a D700x due out soon I wouldn’t buy a D700 now.

You can get good lenses cheap for a D700 (or film body). For example I’ve got a 28-80mm AF-S, a 20mm f/2.8D (both picked up cheap off of craigslist). The 70-300 VR is slow but about as good as it gets for telephoto reach without dropping 5 grand (or going 3rd party). There are 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S/AF-D lenses in good shape about that can be had for $700-$1k as well. There are also $300 85mm f/1.8 lenses to be had etc. So I wouldn’t let the lack of lenses stop you. Of course to go _really_ wide there’s no “cheap” way to match the DX 10-24mm. If 20mm isn’t wide enough, you’ll be dropping 2k for a 14-24mm f/2.8 or $1k+ for a 17-35mm f/2.8.

Tradeoffs tradeoffs …. no matter the choice, a $700 D5000 $1k D90, $1.8k D300 or $2400 D700 will get you a much more capable body.

If I get the D700, I’ll only have a 50mm and a 70-300mm lens (fortunately, my friend also wants to buy my 18-200mm VR). What would be a good multi-purpose lens that wouldn’t break the bank (obviously the 70-200mm VR II f/2.8 is not an option—I second the “Yikes!”)?

I had a great time at the Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks conference this weekend and introduced a new group of ladies to NAPP when I co-lead a session on photography for bloggers (and clarified that a NAPP Evangelist was a lover of Photoshop and not a religious heretic).

Blessings,
Dawn

1. I do not see any Focus Lock Buttons. Where they used to be, is now what looks like a 3rd ring on the end(maybe that’s the new focus lock system? if so cool) If they removed the feature, that is a deal breaker for me. and ill covet my old 70-200 for years to come.

2. Where the heck is the pretty gold plate with serial number! When i pay that much for glass, i want it to make me feel like royalty with shiny gold plating!

3. they changed the location of the window that shows where you’re focusing from the very end of the lens, to the middle. Not sure i will like this as much.

4. I do not see any wording on it stating it was made in Japan like the current 70-200mm is, and proudly states on the gold plate.

5. It looks like the diameter of the lens does not widen as much near the front as it used to. Seems likes its more flush with the zoom ring this time than before. Which could prove problomatic for manual focusing. As having the ridge on the focus ring made for some of the easiest focusing on any lens i have ever owned.

6. It might just be the photo, but it seems like the paintjob of past nikon lenses has changed with this to a more smooth coating. Not that big of a deal, but i really do love the dark black textured paintjob of the current 70-200.

Other than those five issue’s, it looks great. From what i can tell they kept the same foot collar system for it. Which i got my fingers crossed is true, as i really do not want to have to buy another RRS quick release foot for the new one.

This would be a great addition to the D300s, and would alow one to have those added features in a entry level profesional camera.

just my 2 cents
-AJ

Kelby gets the scope on some upcoming Nikon gear that is certainly note worthy in my book. In addition to a couple of new bodies ( D300’s & D3000’s ), what interests me most is this beauty:

What I’d like to photograph most is spo…