Storing D300

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<p>Shun, pardon my ignorance, but what is an "E" lens? I don't think you mean the old Nikon Series E lenses??</p>

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<p>E lenses are fairly new Nikon F-mount lenses that have no traditional mechanical aperture diaphragm control. Instead, they use electronics to control the aperture. Other than the mechanism to lock the lens in place, that is the final remaining mechanical control between Nikon body and lens. Canon EOS EF lenses have been using all electronic controls for over a quarter century and so are essentially all new mounts, including the Nikon 1 mirrorless mount.</p>

<p>The first E lenses are the Nikon PC-E perspective control lenses, followed by the 800mm/5.6 E AF-S VR and 400mm/f2.8 E AF-S VR announced in the last couple of years. The recently announced 300mm/f4 E PF AF-S VR is probably the first E lens that has broad appeal since it is a fairly affordable tele instead of being some expensive, highly specialized lens: http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00d3Bk</p>

<p>As I said earlier, I expect E to be the norm in the coming years because it provides more accurate aperture control, which is important for video, especially for time-lapsed video. Just my opinion, Nikon has made no such official comment yet.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the sound and helpful advice. It exemplifies what I meant on my original post. I am not inclined to sell the camera. The money I would get for it is not material. I could go out to dinner a few times with it and then have nothing to show for it. Luckily, I am able to go to dinner and keep the camera, for now, anyway.<br>

Perhaps I should ask if there is something that I could use with my new D7100 that those $300 would help with?<br>

I am also grateful that perhaps I "inspired" Matt for the Wednesday photos' theme. As always, great photos and I have also gone back and looked at some old ones of my own. </p>

<p>I don't believe that dessicants dry up oil, but higher temperatures probably aren't good for them.<br>

As well as I know it, the timed shutter on a DSLR is all electronic. The mechanical shutter is needed to keep the sensor dark while shifting the data out. There could still be oil that dries out, but it should be much less of a problem than mechanically timed shutters.<br>

I presume the lenses still have problems with diaphragms drying up, or otherwise sticking. Keep using them.</p>

<p>My D300 was supplanted by a D810/D7100 combo. Since then, I keep my D300 in a small camera bag, along with a 70-300 and 35mm lenses in the trunk of my car so that I always have a good DSLR with me. I too thought about selling my D300 but it's worth more to me than it's worth on the open market. Now, for the time being, this works for me. I've rarely used it over the last year but I'm happy it's there, handy, if I need it.</p>