kohanmike

<p>Just for the record, I am a professional, shooting concerts and events, and as I say, I am, and all my clients are, very happy with the D300s images.</p>

<p>Shortly after the earthquake/tsunami I bought two referb D300s bodies and f/2.8 Dx lenses, trading in two D70s and lesser lenses. I could have chosen the D7000, but it was not configured as well as the D300s. Since then, as I read through the posts month after month, I find myself less and less interested in all the talk about the "newest, greatest" equipment, and especially how "old" the D300s is, to the point where it almost sounds like the D300s is useless.</p>

<p>I shoot ISO 1600 very often with extremely good results. The auto focus is fast, the frame rate is even better, and the configuration and feel is excellent. Battery life is great, and I've even used the limited video function with very good results.</p>

<p>My clients constantly commend my photos, and I'm very proud of my work. I wouldn't even change if Nikon brought out a true replacement, like a D400.</p>

<p>I would say a D300s because it has two card slots to use as a backup. I like that the D300/D300s has all the controls on the back (not menu), it's really fast when you need to shotgun something, and balances well with larger lenses.</p>

<p>Don't use Android, never will, so that's out.</p>

<p>It's not really a big deal to go over to the camera and turn on video. I actually tested my Canon R400 HD video camera, but the lens was not wide enough, and there's no wide angle attachment made for it. The D300s and Tokina 11-16mm works very well.</p>

<p>I just called Nikon and they said no, so I'll be running to the camera a lot during the rehearsal.</p>

<p>Is there a wireless remote control for the video on a D300s? I have a 10 pin wireless remote, but that only triggers the shutter, not the video. I'm going to use it to video a rehearsal of the ukulele group to which I belong. There are 45 people in a large rec room, I'm using a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. Since the D300s runs only 5 minutes at a time, I thought I would trigger the video with a remote control, but nowhere do I find a way to do that.</p>

<p>I've been using the old 18-135 with my Dx cameras as a snap shot lens when visiting family. It's sharp as can be and I even dropped it on the hood once attached to the camera and it came out unscathed. I really like that on the Dx, it's like having a 27-202.</p>

<p>For my D300s, I recently bought the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 HSM OS non-USB from Roberts Camera for $2500 US, and also got a Kenko 1.4X teleconverter for $225. I think it's a great lens and a great deal, and you can find it used for about $1500. The lens and teleconverter combination gives me a lens kit that goes from 180mm f2.8 to 640mm f/4.</p>

<p>I have the Sigma 50-150 OS, which is the best lens I've ever had, and I've been shooting since 1972, and the 120-300 OS (non-USB). Both are pro level lenses and I would recommend them to anyone.</p>

<p>There's been many conversations about third party vertical grips, and in most cases they are considered very good.</p>

<p>Here is a screen shot.</p><div></div>

<p>Macintosh has iPhoto, $15. It prints contact sheets that can be customized with how many columns, and labels.</p>

<p>As far as I know, the only way to have Live View on an external screen is with the HDMI connection, correct me if I'm wrong.</p>

<p>I use my MacBook Pro with Macintosh Image Capture (free with the system), and/or Aperture, $80. </p>

<p>Also, you should use lithium batteries, they recycle faster than rechargeable batteries. I found that with my SB600 recently.</p>

<p>Just to support what Kent has stated, I shoot events often, after parties to the concerts I shoot. I've been very successful with two D300s Dx bodies, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC, three SB600 flashes (one on each camera, a third on a stand when needed) each with a LumiQeust UltraBounce, and the best telephoto I've ever handled, a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 HSM OS.</p>

<p>Just to show how well an SB600 can handle lighting, here's a shot I did in a rear corridor at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles just before a concert. </p><div></div>

<p>You might check out the previous Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 HSM OS that was recently replaced by a USB version. And also a 1.4x teleconverter. It's fast and sharp, and with the teleconverter on a Dx camera, it would be equivalent to 630mm f/4. I got it for $2500 a few months ago.</p>

<p>Daniel, the title says he has a D300. David, listen to Shun, I think it just needs a dial adjustment.</p>

<p>Just to support the idea of using a third party lens, I use a Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 on a D300s and it is the best lens I've ever used, sharp and fast. It's equivalent to 75-225 on your cameras. But since you're shooting sports, a 70-200 would be like using a 105-300, a good choice would be the Sigma or Tamron. Not sure why you want to get a 24-70, a 17-50 would match your cameras better, equivalent to 25-75, Sigma and Tamron make very good ones.</p>

<p>I had the Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 AF-S VR and found it to be excellent, even at 300mm, very sharp.</p>

<p>I agree that the SB700 is a good choice, but with that, I use three SB600 strobes with my two D300s and an SU-800 and they are quite functional, but can be awkward when changing some settings.</p>

<p>In the past few weeks as I look at this site, I find that there is very little talk about the camera I own, the D300s. I went from the F2 for almost 30 years, to a D70s, that served me very well for almost 5 years, until I found I needed a faster frame rate and better ISO and went for the D300s. I believe it will be a long laster for me. So since I have a pretty good compliment of lenses and accessories, I'm not finding the conversations here as interesting.</p>

<p>I use a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC with my D300s for professional events and concerts, I think it's very good. I also have a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 OS and I think it's a great lens, better than any Nikon I've ever had. I recently traded in a Nikon 70-300 f4.5-5.6, mine was very sharp, for a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 non-USB version. As you see, I have no problem choosing third party lenses. I think there's real elitist element when it comes to third party lenses.</p>

<p>Kyle, let's not hijack this thread, you really should post your own question about using the Sigma 50-150.</p>