kohanmike

<p>Yesterday I checked B&H for D500 refurbs, they had some, two bodies, two 32GB XQD cards that included readers, plus trading in my two D300s bodies, the total cost was just over $3100, but I didn't have the funds. Today the refurbs are gone. Have to wait a month and hopefully more refurbs will show up when I will have the money.</p>

<p>Since I'm only going to have the D500 bodies, using XQD cards is not problem, and I'll even get a couple of readers.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback all. I have been looking at the Nikon site for refurbs, but I can trade in my D300s bodies to B&H and and Adorama. Also, I'm not going used, I feel like a Nikon refurb is a better choice, both my D300s' are refurbs and have served me very well. <br /> Shun, I know I'm not going to the D7200, I really like the heft and configuration of the D500, much more like my D300s. Have no need for a grip, especially because I use two Spider clips attached to the front of a LowePro vest.</p>

<p>After a few months of checking out the D500, I finally decided I would stop buying new ukuleles and save up for the next few months and buy two D500 bodies to replace my D300s bodies. For a good while I thought my D300s would serve me indefinitely, but lately the Los Angeles Lawyers Phil, Big Band of Barristers and Legal Voices Chorus (for which I'm the staff photographer) have been doing gigs in venues with limited lighting, so I now have a need for more ISO, plus I can use the extra focus points. All my lenses are Pro Dx so I have no intention of going Fx. I figure I'll look for factory refurbs and trade in my D300s bodies, I might be able to get away with about $3000.</p>

<p>At that time Nikon was the most robust versatile 35mm camera system available. In the early 70s I bought two F2 Photomics and used them for almost 30 years. In the later 70s Canon decided to compete and while Nikon seemed to rest on it's laurels, Canon began taking over market share. Took a long time for Nikon to leapfrog Canon, to the point where the herd mentality went more to Canon than to Nikon.</p>

<p>When I traded in my D70s bodies for D300s bodies I thought I wouldn't need anything more. I've gone about six years with them but recently felt the need for higher ISO for the concerts I shoot in venues with limited lighting. Now I'm seriously looking at two D500 bodies, so I decided I would stop buying ukuleles and save up, should take about 4 months or so.</p>

<p>I've also had very good experiences with Nikon factory refurbs I bought from both Adorama, B&H and walk in to Samy's Camera here in L.A.</p>

<p>I have always had 2 identical bodies, back to 1973 with the Photomic F2. I also only have very good Dx lenses, so Dx is where I'm staying.</p>

<p>I would really like to replace my two D300s bodies with D500 bodies, but even at $1795 each, $3600 is out of my reach. I know, I once said the D300s will be the only camera I will ever need, but some of the venues the LA Lawyers Phil now plays are darker than the D300s can handle. I bought those as referbs for $1250 each.</p>

<p>I've used the commander infrared on my D300s with three SB600 flash units outdoors and it works well. I'm not real far away, but I haven't experienced any problems.</p>

<p>I had two F2 Photomics for over 30 years since 1973, they're great bodies, but when I got my hands on a digital in 2006, that was it, I'll never go back to film again. Just the fact that I don't have to carry film and change it every 36 frames is great.</p>

<p>I'm a professional doing concerts, events and catalogue. I use two D300s bodies and a variety of f/2.8 lenses. My next step will most likely be the D500.</p>

<p>I once said that my D300s bodies were going to be last cameras I would need, I take that back. Now if I could only afford two D500 bodies I'd be set. Maybe I should use GoFundMe.</p>

<p>Why not use the built in flash on the D300, but get one of those little diffusers, they do help. I like the idea of the 18-140, I've been thinking of getting one for a while now for my D300s when I shoot family snap shots (I really don't like shooting with my iPhone).</p>

<p>I'm far beyond a beginner, I use a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC for all my pro work. I actually dropped my first one, destroying it, and because the Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS was a hundred cheaper and that the best lens I have is a Sigma 50-150 2.8 OS, I bought it. After about a year and half, I decided I didn't like it as much as the Tamron so about three weeks ago I traded in the Sigma for the Tamron. Glad I did, the Tamron is just better in my opinion.</p>

<p>I started shooting in the late 60s/early 70s and bought two F2 bodies not long after they were released. I worked them until 2006 when I used my cousins digital point-and-shoot on a trip to Chicago. That hooked me. I traded in everything for two D70s bodies and AF lenses and I have to say, I don't miss manual focus at all. Now I have two D300s bodies and all AF f/2.8 lenses and I'm a happy camper, but even though since getting the D300s cameras I've said they are all the camera I would need in the future, I'm now having GAS thoughts of the finally released D500.</p>

<p>To put it simply, yes, you always have to calculate when you use a Dx body. I think of my Sigma Dx 50-150 as a 75-225, my Tamron Dx 17-50 as a 25.5-75, Tokina Dx 11-16 as a 16.5-24.</p>

<p>In 1972 my cousin bought me a silver F2 Photomic in Japan for $325. In late 1973 I bought a black one here in Los Angeles for $450.</p>

<p>Just did a size compre of the D500, D300s, D7000.<img src="http://www.kohanmike.com/uploads/D500%20size%20compare.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Oops.</p>

<p>Just did a size comparison of the D300s, D7000 and D500.<br> <img src="http://www.kohanmike.com/uploads/D500%20size%20compare.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I thought I sent this answer a couple of days ago; the Mac OS comes with the app Image Capture, which tethers. Not sure if it supports the D610, but if you keep up with the system updates, it might.</p>

<p>I agree that it's not necessary to get a Nikon lens, Tamron, Sigma and even Tokina make very good lenses. The lighting is a key element.</p>

<p>I shoot events and concerts professionally with two D300s bodies, one with a 17-50mm f/2.8 (you can choose either Tamron or Sigma, I like the Tamron), the other with a Sigma 50-150 OS f/2.8. It is an absolutely great combination for shooting what you mention.</p>

<p>I find the high end Sigma, Tokina and Tamron lenses to be excellent. I don't even have a high end Nikon lens and shoot professionally for concerts, events, portraits, catalogues and even a little sports.</p>