Just Ordered D300s

[sander1991]

Hi everybody,

It's been forever since I posted here the last time and with good reason, kind of. Back in November my beloved D80 (w/ a Sigma 18-50 f/2.8, SB600 and battery grip) was stolen, and I just recently got the insurance money for it. Man was it nice to finally be able to order a new setup - and what better place to share it and ask for comments on wether I ordered the right things?

So, today I shelled out the money and put in an order on the following:

• Nikon D300s
• Sigma 18-50 f/2.8
• MB-D10 + EN-EL3
• Panasonic TS2

I wanted to go back to what I had before. I upgraded the body though, because I was not satisfied with the ISO performance on the D80. Personally I think the D300s was the right choice. I got the battery grip again, because I can't see myself shooting without one.. I love the vertical shutter release and the extra juice.
I chose not to get a flash this time because I hope that the improved ISO performance will compensate for that in the beginning, but I am planning on getting a SB-900 before the end of this year.
Now you might ask why I got the Panasonic, when I could have gotten the 900 instead. Long story short, sometimes I need a small camera, and this suits me well. I will be doing a month of travelling in Canada this summer and two weeks I'll be spending on rivers and lakes which is why the ruggedness of the Panasonic comes in handy, as I won't take the D300s out canoeing.

My question is wether I chose the right lens or not.. I've been wanting a 70-200 f/2.8 since the fall of 2008, but I had a hard time choosing and thus chose the 18-50, bc of the cheaper price.. I know it depends on what I plan on shooting; I shoot landscapes when out travelling and a lot of close up work at home.. I could see a use for both, though with my travels planned for summer I think I'll be more happy with the 18-50, when visiting Toronto and in general being out and about shooting more landscapes than close-up and zoom pictures.
What's your take?

Oh and what should I be prepared for with the D300s compared to my old D80??

All the best and thank you in advance,
Sander

[OsmosisStudios]

Sounds like you've essentially gotten exactly what you had, and if it worked, it should still work.

I too am planning a move from a D80 to a D300s, this one voluntary though.

[ZeeTerminata]

Nice choices man. The D300s have gotten great reviews all over from DPReview, CNet, ThePhoblographer, Photo.net and more.

Why not try that new 70-200mm F2.8 ED VR II? It's supposed to be really nice.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by ZeeTerminata

Why not try that new 70-200mm F2.8 ED VR II? It's supposed to be really nice.

It's over 2200. That may have been a factor.

[sander1991]

I'd absolutely LOVE to own the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII, buuuut as Almond Butterscotch noted, it's quite the price-tag-heavy lens, if I so may say.. Though, a friend of mine owns it and I will be borrowing it from time to time..

Now that everything is ordered and delivered, I'm having second thoughts with the lens.. Should I have gotten the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8 instead of the Sigma, the battery grip and the Panasonic..?? Oh well, I suppose I'm only having second thoughts, because I'm not too sure, how well built the Sigma is.. In the sense, if it'll last through rain and dusty environments??? Short: Is it weather sealed??