Onwards from D1x

Jon061

Iv been using the Nikon D1x for years now and I think its a wanderful camera but I feel Im at the limt of the 5.47 mp. Iv decided to move on from it but keeping it as my backup camera. What would be the next best camera to move onto?? I shoot mainly landscapes and animals.

pete4130

Whats your budget, If you can stretch to a D300 you definitely wont be disappointed, or if you want to spend some serious money, the D3. They are the 2 latest higher end cams from Nikon. The D300 is DX format like the D1x so no need to get new lenses but the D3 is full frame, so you might need to spend more money to get lenses to suit the full frame sensor.
Other cheaper options would be the slightly older Nikon D200 or D80. These can be got reasonably cheap 2nd hand and both have over 10mp to play with.

I'd stretch to get the D300 if I were you. I've briefly used one and seen other peoples work that use them and the image quality is fantastic. No disprespect to the 1Dx, but the D300 will knock the socks off it!

Thirdfox

The D300 has been described (by Thom Hogan no less) as being a 1900 dollar camera that outperforms the 5000 dollar D2h (or x for that matter).

I'm not sure but the D1x is pretty old by now and maybe even the budget D40 may beat it on image quality (though not functions and handling etc.) So any upgrade to a newer camera will give a big increase in image quality but with the D300 you won't be losing any features (and gaining some more too).

Jon061

Yes a friend of mine has a D300 and I was totally blown away by it one can only imagine what a D3 would be like. Would it be worth going for a D2x or should I stretch for the D300 as it sounds more in my budget.

GristlyEnd

Unless you can get a D2x for a very, very good price, I would go for the D300. I see the D2x as a step down from the D300 now. I have one myself and I'm very happy with the upgrade from the D200. The dynamic range and high ISO are the clinchers for me.

nilhg

Dpreview certainly like the D300, since you already have nikon glass it would seem like a no brainer, unless you need some of the extra features of the D3.

pete4130

If you check 2nd hand prices, you'll find D2x's are going for more than a new D300. I know I'd get a D300 over a D2x personally. More modern technology, better image quality, Negligble MP difference, much better High ISO and noise control on the D300 giving more versatility and a much higher dynamic range for the D300.

Thirdfox

pete4130 wrote: »

If you check 2nd hand prices, you'll find D2x's are going for more than a new D300. I know I'd get a D300 over a D2x personally. More modern technology, better image quality, Negligble MP difference, much better High ISO and noise control on the D300 giving more versatility and a much higher dynamic range for the D300.

But if a thief was trying to steal your camera would you be able to bash their brains out with the D300 like you could with the D2x? :pac: (ooh pacman smilie is back!)

The only reason I think someone would buy a 2nd hand D2x over a D300 would be if they wanted a bigger camera (for whatever reason).

pete4130

Thirdfox wrote: »

But if a thief was trying to steal your camera would you be able to bash their brains out with the D300 like you could with the D2x? :pac: (ooh pacman smilie is back!)

The only reason I think someone would buy a 2nd hand D2x over a D300 would be if they wanted a bigger camera (for whatever reason).

If you want a camera to bash brains, the F4 is the one for that job...think it was made of lead wasn't it?