Giving serious thought to buying a D300s

nikon user here. I almost didn't weigh in on this because I really thought it was a baited post...but if you seriously want an honest opinion...

I think you should not bother. If you are unhappy with your gear that's one thing, then there's every reason to switch. If not, then no. But I agree with another poster, who answered you early on in your first thread, as a photography teacher, your emphasis should NOT be on gear. It's a bad trend to set for your students. Teach them what to do & when to do it and help them accomplish it with what they've got. Give them a hunger for photography and not the gear.

Too many newbies (and it's promoted by senior members) here get into the gear frenzy and lose photography in the process....I'd hope for better things from a photography class.

Permagrin wrote in post #9661848
nikon user here. I almost didn't weigh in on this because I really thought it was a baited post...but if you seriously want an honest opinion...

I think you should not bother. If you are unhappy with your gear that's one thing, then there's every reason to switch. If not, then no. But I agree with another poster, who answered you early on in your first thread, as a photography teacher, your emphasis should NOT be on gear. It's a bad trend to set for your students. Teach them when to do and help them accomplish it with what they've got. Give them a hunger for photography and not the gear.

Too many newbies (and it's promoted by senior members) here get into the gear frenzy and lose photography in the process....I'd hope for better things from a photography class.

Took the words right out of my mouth...

I'm all about the gear bcoz' I take crappy photos. That's why I'm going to Nikon!
Anyways, I decided to try Nikon out bcoz' I wanted to see what's it like on the dark side. I too am not brand loyal bcoz' if I know my ability as a photographer then I shouldn't have a problem with shooting any brand. I agree that people do get caught up in the gear and it's not unusual that people will take out a loan to finance a Hassy or Phase One. Forget about the gear and take some pichers!

Ok everyone keeps saying, lets not concentrate on gear and just take photos, this is a mantra on this and every other forum, of course the same people at the same time has the same bug as everyone else and keep buying and selling bodies and lenses etc.....

The unique thing about photography is although it is arguably an art form, it also gives those of us who are already gadget-freaks to have an excuse to buy new toys for us. Nothing wrong with it. My wife buys a lot of shoes, even though I think she has way too many shoes. When she brings another 3 pairs of shoes, I ask her, "Didn't you have shoes just like these?" and she is like, "Oh No, not like these." For gadget-freaks it is a never ending game. And people need to acknowledge it, nothing to be ashamed of. Better hobby than doing drugs!!!!

absolutic, if that's how people want to solve their gadget buying that's fine. It's just not the place for it, in a photography class. People go there to learn about photography (why, when, how etc), not be sucked into a gear swapping mentality.

And I do find it sad that people who buy cameras and initially want to "get involved with photography" just getting sucked into the "more gear is better, gear must be changed every new PMA or photokina, etc".

Permagrin, I agree with you re: photography class setting. When I took the class many years ago, it was just film ))

The problem with photo gear I see some mfrs are moving to 6-months cycles: Fuji announced the F72EXR in August 2009, I got it and then announced F80 replacement in January 2010. That is 5 months!!! Crazy

absolutic wrote in post #9662271
Permagrin, I agree with you re: photography class setting. When I took the class many years ago, it was just film ))

The problem with photo gear I see some mfrs are moving to 6-months cycles: Fuji announced the F72EXR in August 2009, I got it and then announced F80 replacement in January 2010. That is 5 months!!! Crazy

oh gosh, no kidding. And we're conditioned to think we can't take good photos with previous models.

westernminnguy wrote in post #9661686
If you are teaching DSLR, most folks aren't as objective as you.

They think....

Canon is the only one...

Nikon is the only one.

You are practical...

Which is not practical when it comes to cameras.

Tx

neilwood32 wrote in post #9640083
If it was me, I would go for a cheap bottom of the range camera from any manufacturer and show them that can capture just as good an image as the top of the range one if used correctly

Permagrin wrote in post #9661848
nikon user here. I almost didn't weigh in on this because I really thought it was a baited post...but if you seriously want an honest opinion...

I think you should not bother. If you are unhappy with your gear that's one thing, then there's every reason to switch. If not, then no. But I agree with another poster, who answered you early on in your first thread, as a photography teacher, your emphasis should NOT be on gear. It's a bad trend to set for your students. Teach them what to do & when to do it and help them accomplish it with what they've got. Give them a hunger for photography and not the gear.

Too many newbies (and it's promoted by senior members) here get into the gear frenzy and lose photography in the process....I'd hope for better things from a photography class.

As a photography teacher, you should be teaching how to capture the moment with whatever they have. Heck teach them film to show its not about the camera, but the person behind the camera.

There are some truely stunning photographs on here taken with 350D's and kit lenses - why not teach them how those were achieved? By hard work, inspiration and learning how to overcome gear limitations. Teach them how to trade of shutter speed/aperture and ISO for the situations where the light isnt nearly adequate rather than "You need this camera to capture sports in this light". I have gotten great shots with a 400D, kit lens and 70-300mm lens because I understood the limitations and worked round them (panning, lighting etc) rather than thinking "There's no point trying to shooting this because I dont have a XXXXX camera like the tutor at my class".

I would print off some shots captured with a P&S (most are very capable) and then some with the 7D (both printed within reasonable limits to avoid print resolution issues). You (and your students) will probably find that in most circumstances, there is very little to separate the two. It is only when you push the limits (Shutter speed, ISO, Aperture, AF speed) that the DSLR takes a lead.

As Permagrin says, I would also be very dissappointed if I were in a class that didnt try to ignore the gear frenzy and actually show the basics (on basic gear). Let them get the gear bug themselves later on if they want once they understand the basics.

Permagrin wrote in post #9661848
nikon user here. I almost didn't weigh in on this because I really thought it was a baited post...but if you seriously want an honest opinion...

I think you should not bother. If you are unhappy with your gear that's one thing, then there's every reason to switch. If not, then no. But I agree with another poster, who answered you early on in your first thread, as a photography teacher, your emphasis should NOT be on gear. It's a bad trend to set for your students. Teach them what to do & when to do it and help them accomplish it with what they've got. Give them a hunger for photography and not the gear.

Too many newbies (and it's promoted by senior members) here get into the gear frenzy and lose photography in the process....I'd hope for better things from a photography class.

First off, thanks to all for your posts.

Permagrin, some good points here.

I'm not sure what I'll do.

My students include adults who have shot Nikon and Canon. The Nikon is a bit better, Canon is a bit better thing is already well established among the folks I work with.

I'm not trying to add to that but rather bridge the gap.

There is one other thing. I get a number of Nikon newbies that need help with camera settings. As a Canon user, I can help out Canon newbies right away. With folks who shoot Nikon, I'm less able to help them not knowing my way around the camera.

Interestingly enough, for lots of new DSLR folks, it's not about composition, lighting etc; it's more about "How do I turn this thing on and how do I use the menus etc."

I'd love to be just as adept at using a Nikon as I am at using a Canon...or as inept at both...depending on how you look at it.

Thanks again for all the help.

Couldn't you just rent one? The D300s is an awesome camera, I had one, but if you rent one for awhile and jot down some notes, you'll quickly memorize the settings. I remember when I took some classes in 2005 and they used Canon. I happened to have a Canon at the time and they were quick to help. Those with Nikons and other types of cameras struggled a bit. I also used Canon during a job when they were using Nikons. I switched my gear up only to wind up back with Canon (for the lenses). You've got to just stick with what works for you. Both formats are so damn good these days, it's tough to make that call. Believe me, I know!!!

If the class are as basic that the questions are "how do I work this?", I would suggest that they read the manual thoroughly.

Either that or get them to come here and we can help them.

Karin's suggestion to rent the body is a good one, if you feel you must know the Nikon system.

Karin, Neil,

Again, good points and something to think about.

Tx