mark_wagner7 Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>Looking for some input as to what second body to buy to replace my venerable D2Hs. Here is some background:</p><p>1) Mostly shoot youth and high school sports: baseball, football, basketball<br>2) Have a D3 (primary body) for low light indoor (basketball) and outdoor night work<br>3) This second body would mount my 70-200mm. The D3 usually has a 400mm f/2.8 if I am shooting baseball or football, or an 85mm f/1.4 if I am shooting basketball.<br>4) 8fps would be ideal, although as a second body I can get by with 5fps</p><p>Both cameras are DX format and 12MP but I am not clear if both use the same sensor. I would be adding the MB-D10 to the D300. At this point I rarely use a flash, so flash sync speed is not an issue. Eventhough I will be buying used, the D300 + grip will cost more than the D2x so will I be gaining enough additional functionality to justify the cost increase (subjective question I know). Obviously the controls on the D2x will fall to hand easier than the D300 so ease of use would probably favor the D2x.</p><p>Appreciate hearing from those of you who have had experience with both the D300 and the D2x. I love my D3 and would get a second one in a heart beat, but economic practicality must be given some consideration in these times.</p><p>Thanks in advance for your time and feedback.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breogan_gomez Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>I am not a pro but, wouldn't it make more sense to have a body with the same sensor size like the D3. Is the D700 out of your budget, is that why you haven't consider it?</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot1 Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>This has been discussed many, many times. Do a search on Photo.net for "D300 Vs D2X" and you will see numerous threads.</p> <p>FWIW, the D300's autofocus system is far advanced over the D2X's and the same as in your D3. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shuo_zhao Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>Mark, for what you shoot, you can definitely benefit from the D300's superior high ISO noise performance (compare to the older D2X). I doubt that the D300's controls are by any means difficult to use for a D3 user. </p> <p>Also, if you have the money for a D700, that would probably be the most ideal 2nd body for you: a D3 shooter. (unless you often rely on the DX crop for the higher pixel density/reach)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Schaefer Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <blockquote> <p>Obviously the controls on the D2x will fall to hand easier than the D300 so ease of use would probably favor the D2x.</p> </blockquote> <p>Once you add the MB-D10 to the D300, this isn't obvious to me... but YMMV</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsd230 Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>I would lean toward the D300 myself. It has a newer AF system, better noise control, more dynamic range.<br> http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Image-Quality-Database/Compare-cameras/(appareil1)/207|0/(appareil2)/295|0/(appareil3)/297|0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Nikon/(brand2)/Nikon/(brand3)/Nikon</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_garland Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>The D300 would be my choice.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niccoury Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>A D300/D700 with a grip uses the same batteries as the D3 which is nice and much better cameras.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph_leotta Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>The D300 is a whole generation advanced from the D2x. Difference is night and day.<br> a sed D2x abd a D300 sell for about the same, I'd go for the new more advanced camera.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_long Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>Having used both I can say that the D300 will serve you best. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Crowe Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>I recommend handling both and see which one matches best with your D3 for ease of use. I too use a full frame body and crop body for sports to get the best of both worlds. However the two cameras I use are completely different and although I know each well enough not to be hindered by those differences, I'd still prefer two identical bodies in some situations. I am actually thinking of getting a second D2X just for this reason. It is still an extremely capable camera and at the right price can still be quite a bargain over the D300 and MB10.</p> <p>The real big advantage the D300 has over the D2X is high ISO performance but I suspect that your D3 trumps both by so much that you would rely on the D3 exclusively for those low light situations. Something to test and consider for your purposes. </p> <p>A crop body is a very nice match for your 70-200, giving a tighter view for sports, and with the 400/2.8 for more distant action will likely outperform the D3 if you had to crop or use a 1.4x with it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 <p>A very good backup for the D3 is the D700; it has exactly the same internal electronics and therefore the same high ISO results but in a smaller, less expensive body with the grip option. Both cameras are FX which makes it convenient. However, it costs considerably more than the D300.</p> <p>If the choices are restricted to the D2X and D300, IMO it is a complete no brainer and I would suggest not to waste your time considering. The D300 is a far superior camera for sports because you can get 8 frame/sec with the MB-D10 and has much better high ISO results. Since the OP has the D2Hs, he should already been familiar with the Multi-CAM 2000 AF module in all D2 family cameras. I would say the D3/D300/D700's Multi-CAM 3500 a modest improvement for sport photography.</p> <p>As far as controls go, Nikon has been very consistent among its DSLRs. When I first picked up the D3X a few months ago, I used it for 3 weeks without ever opening the manual. A somewhat annoying difference is that when you review images on the back LCD, on the D2/D3/D200, you hold down a button and then rotate the main command dial to enlarge/shrink the image. On the D300 and D700, you press on different buttons to enlarge and shrink.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas lee Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 <p>Having owned both - D300. Buy the grip if you need the fps.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_santo Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 <p>I'd probably go with the D300 because of improved low-light sensor performance and improved autofocus.</p> <p>For a guy who lists a D2Hs, D3, 70-200, and 400/2.8 in the space of a paragraph or two, economic practicality seems like the last factor that you would consider!</p> <p>I'm just pulling your leg. In fact, I'm drooling over your kit. I've been trying to formulate a logical explanation for purchasing a 400/2.8 myself. It's not that easy! </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnilssen Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 <p>D300 if you cannot affford the FX-D700.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter_in_PA Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 <p>For sports, D300 EVEN IF you can afford a D700. Why? Because then your second body will have extra reach because of the DX crop factor! GREAT for sports.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarle_aasland Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 <p>I have both, and rarely use the D2X these days. You'll be happy with the D300.</p> <p>Jarle</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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