Bird Photograhy Upgrade From A Nikon D50

Currently using a D50 with the original ver of the 80-400vr, was looking to upgrade and normally buy bodies used like I did back in 2006 when I picked up my D50. Considering a D300S for bird photography mainly, see link for one I can get locally used. Is this a reasonable price for this body, thanks for any info or input.

USED NIKON D300S DSLR BODY 8+ #U475529

In Canadian currency that seems about right to me! I figure around $600-700 dollars US currency is what I'd they go for!

Can you not get deals like this there,ok its a grey import is that worse than secondhand and it comes with a 3 year warranty 740 cad dollars,ok its a D7000

Nikon D7000 Digital SLR Camera Body

06Honda said:

Currently using a D50 with the original ver of the 80-400vr, was looking to upgrade and normally buy bodies used like I did back in 2006 when I picked up my D50. Considering a D300S for bird photography mainly, see link for one I can get locally used. Is this a reasonable price for this body, thanks for any info or input.

USED NIKON D300S DSLR BODY 8+ #U475529

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No.no,no!! Do not get this camera for birding. Especially if you want to capture anything that is flying. You need a high shutter speed which means unless it's a bright sunny day you'll need to up the ISO.

Trust me, I own this camera (well, the D300, same sensor) and high ISO is not very pleasant. (I only use it for static landscapes/buildings, and do not even go past ISO-200)

If you're on a budget, then like @mikew suggests a D7000 would be better. If you have a few more dollars to spend, then the D7100.

Blacktop said:

No.no,no!! Do not get this camera for birding. Especially if you want to capture anything that is flying. You need a high shutter speed which means unless it's a bright sunny day you'll need to up the ISO.

Trust me, I own this camera (well, the D300, same sensor) and high ISO is not very pleasant. (I only use it for static landscapes/buildings, and do not even go past ISO-200)

If you're on a budget, then like @mikew suggests a D7000 would be better. If you have a few more dollars to spend, then the D7100.

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Sound advice,i had one for a couple of weeks but the lack of being able to use 400/800 iso made it hard work for birding and i found very little chance of cropping.

Thanks for the advice, I will pas kn this nd consider a new 7000 series body.

Saw this post late but others have given very sound advice. D300 series has low light problem. For sports maybe but birding, I agree the D7200 would be the preferred choice for that budget.

Even though I love the D300 to death, I have to agree about the ISO shortcomings. I use my D300 for portraiture and landscapes, and in this regard it's excellent. I also use it for motorcycle racing shots, and have never had a problem with it in that way. But for birding.........yeah, I wouldn't even try to use it for that. The ISO issue is what stops it there. I never go above 400 ISO in any situation. So go for a D7200. That would be your best bet for what you do.

The D300 is a fantastic camera but the fact is that it is an old technology. Over here, you can get a pre-owned for less than USD350. In good light and a good lens, you are well equipped. Do try the newer models, especially the FX, if you have not. You will realise how much you struggle with older technology.