Just starting out again

[scuba guy]

I am looking at starting all over in the digital field. I used to use a 35mm Pentax, all manual. I have been looking at the new D7000 and the D300s. I am not a professional, just someone who wants to learn and continue to learn for years to come and I want to be able to expand with the camera. Any help?

[poacher]

Hi scuba guy, i just have upgraded from the d3000 and now have the d7000,i think its really good camera,but have never used the d300s i know it is a semi pro camera,so you will have better build quality and functions (i think)d300s is a little bigger also with more magnesium alloy body,but what i have read and understood the d7000 is just tipping it over the edge, if you can and really want the d300s just wait till the d300s upgrade comes wich will be later this year again (i think)but if not go for the d7000 its awesome

[Sterling]

I don't think you can go wrong with a D7000. D300s is good too but is now out of production. If budget is a consideration then buying an outgoing model could make sense. Either one could last you years and years. Unlike the old 35mm days, digital camera bodies come and go like other consumer electronics that improve with each generation. Lenses are where you should invest your resources. They will outlast any body and will maintain their value much better.

[TheEagleSpirit]

Originally Posted by Sterling

I don't think you can go wrong with a D7000. D300s is good too but is now out of production. If budget is a consideration then buying an outgoing model could make sense. Either one could last you years and years. Unlike the old 35mm days, digital camera bodies come and go like other consumer electronics that improve with each generation. Lenses are where you should invest your resources. They will outlast any body and will maintain their value much better.

I see you use a D90 as I do. I also have the D7000 and love them both. I do a lot of experimenting with all the settings that are possible in the D90 and make notes of what I like and how I used them. Then I set up the D7000 so it is an excellent backup. What I like about the D7000 is the two card slots and how they can be used. I am not into video or shooting raw but getting much better in manual mode and using the exposure meter. Sometimes I shoot in bracket mode if I am not sure what I will wind up with in tricky lighting conditions. Also I use lenses with f2.8 or faster so I can cover low light situations where they do not allow flash to be used.