help: D300 vs D2X

wo0kie

wo0kie

wo0kie

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hi, wonder if anyone could help me with the decision about my next upgrade:

I have been looking at the D300 and it seems spot on for my needs, yet for the same price (or even a bit cheaper) I can get a very low usage D2X or D2Xs.
I mainly use my camera for extreme sports shooting, but quite often in bad conditions (snow/wet-ish). for this reason, the extra environment sealing on the D2X would be really useful, however the D300 seems to have better high ISO performance to help keep the shutter speed down.

Also with the grip+EL4a the D300 will do 8fps properly but the D2X can only crop to get 8fps - however the grip+EL4a+charger is about £300 or so extra so pushing the D300 cost not far off £1500 v £950 for a good D2X.

I don't have clue what is the best option here, anyone used both of these cameras who has got any good/bad feedback and advice?

cheers.
 
The D300 is the better camera, but as you've already stated, it costs a lot more. Some people say the handling of a pro body is invaluable, but having not used one i can't really see the difference between a pro body, and a prosumer with a grip.

IIRC, the general opinion is that D2Xs didn't handle noise too well, with performance on par with the D80/D200, some cases it performed worse. Specification wise, the D300 wins in almost every circumstance. I actually prefer the layout of ISO/WB on the D300, and imo, the d-pad for vertical shooting would really sway me towards the D300 over the D2Xs.

If you can afford to, go the D300+ Grip route, its the better camera. You certainly won't be disappointed with the D2Xs though, its still a fantastic camera, especially for the price you can pick them up for now.
 
Can't help on the D300 Vs. D2x decision but the MH-18a Charger you get with a D300 will charge the EL4a as well as the EL4e (one at a time though - even the twin charger apparently only charges one at a time, so don't waste your money on one of those!) so you may not need an extra charger, you would also need a BL-3 Battery Chamber Cover to use the EL4a in an MB-D10 grip, these are supposedly very hard to get hold of at the moment though.
 
doofer said:
Can't help on the D300 Vs. D2x decision but the MH-18a Charger you get with a D300 will charge the EL4a as well as the EL4e
Click to expand...

thanks for this info - very helpful.

i'm fairly set on the D300 after having a little play around with one today. just need to make sure i'm not missing out on a great bargain.
 
Arrghh, No! Ignore me, I'm confusing EL3's and EL4's sorry, YOU DO need a separate charger for EL4a, I was thinking of EL3e/a which is what the MH-18a does, apologies for any confusion :o
 
I was in the same situation of D300 vs D2Xs. In the end I went with the D300+grip as overall its a better camera. But as already stated, the ergonomics and weather sealing of the D2X(s) has a lot going for it. Personally I would (and did) go for the D300+grip, but be aware that after buying the body+grip+battery charger+EN-EL4a+BL3 the price suddenly becomes much higher than expected. The 8fps is a beast though and would be great for extreme sports (I assume skiing and snowboarding?). What glass you attaching to it?
 
Messiah Khan said:
I was in the same situation of D300 vs D2Xs. In the end I went with the D300+grip as overall its a better camera. But as already stated, the ergonomics and weather sealing of the D2X(s) has a lot going for it. Personally I would (and did) go for the D300+grip, but be aware that after buying the body+grip+battery charger+EN-EL4a+BL3 the price suddenly becomes much higher than expected. The 8fps is a beast though and would be great for extreme sports (I assume skiing and snowboarding?). What glass you attaching to it?
Click to expand...

yea, mostly snowboarding and skateboarding.
it's gonna be a total system change, so starting completely from scratch as far as glass is concerned.
the list so far is 10.5mm 18-70mm (to fill the gap - i don't use this range much) 70-200mm
the 70-200 is taking a fair chunk out of my budget, but i'm convinced it's worth it after having a go with one and checking the results.
 
D300+70-200mm f2.8 VR = Bliss. I tried the 70-200 on my D300 last weekend and it certainly sealed the deal for me. Just need to save the money now.
 
I am astounded by how good the higher ISOs are on the D300. I'm quite happy to use 1600 whereas on the D200 I would be reluctant to go above 400
 
the d300 is dropping in price atm too, less than a grand body only now! Definitely go for the d300, it's the first decent nikon in a long time....
 
I'd go for the D300 for all the reasons stated above. It is at least partially weather-sealed too.
 
If your shooting in harsh enviroments, then the D2x is best option. There is a thread on DPreview some where of a D2x being used in the artic, the body is covered in ice yet worked flawlessly.
If your shooting snowboards, then your not really going to need high iso unless its a night time comp. The D2x is still the king of low iso quality from what other ppl say, plus put it in high speed crop mode and your 70-200 f/2.8 becomes a 140-400 f/2.8.
If i come to change my D80, the D2Xs is top of my list.
 
d300 is relatively cheap at dixons duty free.....just get somebody you know who is going away for a weekend break to pick one up from mcr airport. call first though to reserve it......ive just got mine with a 17-55 f2.8 and its a beast and a half. far better than my old d200. gus
 
This is a simple one, the D300.
Build is great, pictures are great, features are great, camera for life if you want.
As mentioned above the price on this is falling all ready !

This is hard for me as I am a Canon fan, TBH the D300 is a cracking Camera !
 
Don't bother buying the D2Xs, it may be a pro body but the quality of the D300 really does put it to shame. I have a 1Ds Mark II, a 20D etc and I'm contemplating trading in all my gear for a D3 and a D300.
 
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