Is it worth upgrading from D80 to D300 in terms of noise control and higher ISO?

[sjackal]

Its a worthy upgrade. I had plans for it too. But not going to dump my D80, which will moved to back up status.

But before all that, I want to concentrate on buying lenses first, and a better flash. By the time I got the money for it, maybe D300 outdated liao and got even better stuff. And then I will have the lenses to match.

If not I will be chasing body after body but my lens stays the same.

 

[tanhb]

I do not know about D80. But I guess switching from D80 to D300 is definitely worth it.

I owned the D70 since its first launch until 3 weeks ago I switched my love to D300. No regret on the money spent. Everything is so nice. High ISO control had blown my D70 away, but I know D3 can do better. I am not sure whether the 1005 pixel sensor play a part, I find matrix metering on the D300 much better than my D70. There's so many good things about the D300, the LCD screen just like a mini HD TV on my camera, the better auto focus module, better auto white balance, the list go on and on....

The switch is definitely worth it, at least to me consider the price of a D300 now cost around $2000.

 

[jnet6]

I do not know about D80. But I guess switching from D80 to D300 is definitely worth it.

I owned the D70 since its first launch until 3 weeks ago I switched my love to D300. No regret on the money spent. Everything is so nice. High ISO control had blown my D70 away, but I know D3 can do better. I am not sure whether the 1005 pixel sensor play a part, I find matrix metering on the D300 much better than my D70. There's so many good things about the D300, the LCD screen just like a mini HD TV on my camera, the better auto focus module, better auto white balance, the list go on and on....

The switch is definitely worth it, at least to me consider the price of a D300 now cost around $2000.

Since last time D70 to D200 is already better.
So with current D300 no doubts!

 

[miraiyuki]

Thanks a lot for all the discussion, which really set me into thinking beyond just the noise performance etc.

Hi powerbookg4,
your suggestion is good, to compare shots is probably the best way to evaluate the photos. Indeed we can arrange to meet for photo shoot some day

Hi jnet6,
I enjoy taking portraits indoor, especially candid portraits, even with a fast lens of 17-50 f2.8, I still need a higher iso , when I don't use a tripod and yet avoid taking out my speedlite. so far I've gone up to using iso 1000 on my D80... but the noise is indeed scary. :bsmilie:

When taking still life or indoor macro, I love the iso 100 on D80 and set long exposure using a tripod or gorilla pod. D300 doesn't come with iso 100, does it?

Hi geraldkhoo,
To be honest, I don't really care about live view... but if I'm using an AIS lens, does having live view help me to check if it's in focus? I don't really need a magnesium alloy camera body (unless it helps me to avoid handshake problem?) ... but the-self cleaning sensor is a good thing to have. I don't really fancy the 51 point AF points... so seriously, it still goes back to noise management and ability to shoot in low light that I am considering...

Hi pisduck,
Does the 1005 pixel have no effect on the quality of pictures? If I have my own light meter, does that mean D300 TTL metering on camera isn't really necessary for me? But does it mean I have to choose to shoot mostly on M mode as D80 might not give me accurate metering enough to set the correct shutter speed with my chosen aperture size?

The price of D300 is indeed dropping... I have heard great praises about it, and many have mentioned that they use it for professional work. My next question is: why D300 is the choice for professional work, and D80 a backup? So in the end, do the images produced by D300 appear more professional than those by D80? Or was it because clients would prefer D300 photographers than D80 photographers? :dunno:

 

[miraiyuki]

Is D90 really much better than D80 in terms of noise control at higher ISO?

 

[sjackal]

Hi jnet6,
I enjoy taking portraits indoor, especially candid portraits, even with a fast lens of 17-50 f2.8, I still need a higher iso , when I don't use a tripod and yet avoid taking out my speedlite. so far I've gone up to using iso 1000 on my D80... but the noise is indeed scary. :bsmilie:

When taking still life or indoor macro, I love the iso 100 on D80 and set long exposure using a tripod or gorilla pod. D300 doesn't come with iso 100, does it?

In my own tolerance, ISO800 is the max I can accept for D80. And I still try to reduce it in post process. I used to allow to ISO1600, but end up converting them all into BW in a weak attempt to get the 'film' look.

D300's ISO200 is probably as good as D80's ISO100. Better camera can afford to shoot at higher ISO and thus faster speed.

Hi geraldkhoo,
To be honest, I don't really care about live view... but if I'm using an AIS lens, does having live view help me to check if it's in focus? I don't really need a magnesium alloy camera body (unless it helps me to avoid handshake problem?) ... but the-self cleaning sensor is a good thing to have. I don't really fancy the 51 point AF points... so seriously, it still goes back to noise management and ability to shoot in low light that I am considering...

Live view got its usage. It lets you shoot above your head level, for instance, using a high tripod, or holding the camera above your head, and it can allow you to shoot really low, camera on the floor position, without you lying down.

Hi pisduck,
Does the 1005 pixel have no effect on the quality of pictures? If I have my own light meter, does that mean D300 TTL metering on camera isn't really necessary for me? But does it mean I have to choose to shoot mostly on M mode as D80 might not give me accurate metering enough to set the correct shutter speed with my chosen aperture size?

The price of D300 is indeed dropping... I have heard great praises about it, and many have mentioned that they use it for professional work. My next question is: why D300 is the choice for professional work, and D80 a backup? So in the end, do the images produced by D300 appear more professional than those by D80? Or was it because clients would prefer D300 photographers than D80 photographers? :dunno:

Simply because its a more capable body. Many regard it as the current best Nikon FX.

 

[jnet6]

I suggest you stick with yr D80 till you get everything out of it.

 

[DeadEnd]

Seem like your main reason for upgrading to D300 is mainly for the ISO performance. If that is so, then is it not worth it cos the ISO performance is only better by 1 to 1.5 stops compared to D80 and you have to top up over $1k for that since you do not really care for the better bulit body, live view, AIS metering and 51 AF pts.

The inaccurate metering in D80 can be overcome by exposure compensation setting. D300 may have better RGB sensor, but you can still do a batch correction in LR for your D80. Just shoot in raw and do batching processing for WB and NR in LR since memory are very cheap now. You can still achieve acceptable noise image @ ISO 1600 if you dun underexpose your shots. The self cleaning does not help much in shaking off stubborn dust on the sensor. D700 is a better performer at high ISO if all the above does not work for you.

 

[kero89]

just a question...

Does 51AF module differs greatly compared to 11AF?

seen reviews stating that when using D80/90, they did not miss the 51AF found on D300..

any opinions?

 

[jnet6]

just a question...

Does 51AF module differs greatly compared to 11AF?

seen reviews stating that when using D80/90, they did not miss the 51AF found on D300..

any opinions?

Yes.. the new AF system is better, tested and poison.
3D tracking is gd too.

 

[kero89]

Yes.. the new AF system is better, tested and poison.
3D tracking is gd too.

thanks for the clarification

been contemplating whether an extra $700 is worth it for D300 :think: simply in love with the build and robust features

 

[sjackal]

I gotta stop reading this thread. The more I read, the more I want to buy D300. I should be concentrating on lenses.

I am outta here. !;p

 

[jnet6]

I gotta stop reading this thread. The more I read, the more I want to buy D300. I should be concentrating on lenses.

I am outta here. !;p

No worries, stay away but look @ D700.
That's the way to go. :devil:

 

[hobbes187]

I have upgraded from D80 to D300 and still have both cams. Here are some of the main advantages of the D300 over the D80 I have observed:

1) Better ISO performace (think you already know). I would estimate at least 1.5 stops.

2) Stronger and sturdier body.

3) Faster interface e.g. zooming into pictures in playback mode and schrolling around the zoomed in picture is at least 5 times faster

4) D-lighting applied to picures as you shoot. Some ppl dont like this but I find that when used at the low setting, it saves a lot of shots that would otherwise have some highlights.

5) Faster and more accurate AF

 

[ongbenghui]

check out the 1st 2 pics on http://www.flickr.com/photos/ongbenghui

same setting, same lens, diff body. Your choice.

 

[xtemujin]

I've used a D200 and now the D90, the D90 ISO at 1600 is good to go.

Some photos from my Flickr album, ISO 1600.

NMOS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtemujin/sets/72157608414317645/

Peranakan Museum Singapore

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtemujin/sets/72157608407933226/

HTH.

Is D90 really much better than D80 in terms of noise control at higher ISO?

 

[miraiyuki]

I've used a D200 and now the D90, the D90 ISO at 1600 is good to go.

Hi your museum shots are really nice... what lens were you using?

I am glad you answered my question about D90... it seems that it's a cheaper alternative (and a lighter one) than D300 for solving the iso problem. I'm hoping to make more use of my 18-200mm lens, and perhaps sell my 17-50mm Tamron to others who might need to use it more than I do. I do intend to upgrade my DSLR next year (need some time to save up).

So you would recommend I go for D90 instead of D300?

Hi DeadEnd,
D300 is alluring in terms of its 3D metering I guess... but you are spot on about the $1k+ that I have to forge out for the upgrade =_=" And I do have smaller hands than the others, I am not sure if I would regret about the upgrade... I shrug at the thought of having to use my Sigma 150mm (almost 900g) on a D300 (830g) and let's say to also use SB800!:sweat:

 

[xtemujin]

Miraiyuki,

My lens for indoor shoots is the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 and for outdoor shoots, the general purpose 18-200mm VR lens.

It depends on your needs, my choice for the D90 is for travel use and the need for it to be as light as possible and the ability to geotag photos in camera.

Thanks.

HTH.

 

[tanandrew]

i was from D80 to D300 very happy with this camera perform it was great :thumbsup:

 

[miraiyuki]

check out the 1st 2 pics on http://www.flickr.com/photos/ongbenghui

same setting, same lens, diff body. Your choice.

The two pics are those of the toys I supposed?

The white balance from D300 seems more accurate comparing the 2... while the D80 pic comes out warmer and richer... ??