Top 5 Reasons why Nikon D300s Sucks! for travel
I don’t own a D300s. My friend John who is flash-packing together with me to Europe next month does. My brother who offered to loan me his camera does. But I turned down his offer. John regretted of upgrading his D90 to D300s just before our trip. Nikon D300s is not for backpacking. D300s is not for budget travelers. Why?
No doubt Nikon D300s is an excellent semi-pro DSLR. It is also Nikon’s current flagship camera for APS-C format or DX format sensor size with crop factor of 1.5. With an inclusion of new HD video shooting capability, improved 7fps continuous shooting burst mode, dual slots for both Compact flash and SDHC cards, D300s is a subtle but significant upgrade from its predecessor model D300. Other features brought forward unchanged are its 12MP resolutions, full customizable menus and controls, best ability so far in image quality and noise control for its sensor size, flash light commander and auto focus ability. Most attractively, with intense competition from newer technological Canon 7D, Nikon D300s selling price has dropped more than USD300 from its introduction price of USD1800 (this is what made my friend upgraded his D90 to this heavy body).
However, for budget traveling especially backpacking, with these 5 reasons, D300s sucks!
- TOO HEAVY! Weighing a KG for body only. Attaching a Tokina 16-50 f2.8 pro lens to it will load a whopping 1.7KG to your baggage! My Nikon D60 with kit lens weighs less than 1 KG! For backpacker who walks more than stay on travel, carrying 2KG on your neck for hours isn’t as easy as you think.
- TOO BIG! It is almost double the volume of a D60 which make it impossible to fit into any camera waist bag comfortably.
- TOO COMPLICATED TO GET USED TO! With such a short time from its introduction, John couldn’t get used to it easily in terms of its performances and all setting before our Europe trip next month. Though he has been using D90 before, D300s is a lot more difficult to master its operation.
- TOO DEMANDING FOR ACCESSORIES! Top notch DSLR require good accessories. Pro lens is much heavier. Solid tripod to support D300s and lens is much heavier. Both cost a lot more off course. How much is your budget?
- TOO RISKY! Wearing a D300s on your neck is too risky in tourist spots. It’s the same thing like wearing your money porch around your waist.
- BONUS** TOO EXPENSIVE FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS! All in all, from camera, backpack, lens to tripod, this combo weighs almost 5 KG! Apart from the owning cost, baggage cost is also increased! What’s the weight allowance of hand carry luggage for your budget airline? 5KG? 7KG?
After all these 6 reasons, there is still ONE reason why you could still carry a Nikon D300s on your travel…. THE PASSION IN PHOTOGRAPHY! 🙂 – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo blog.
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
wow… I thought Nikon was always lovable 😛 Yah, what you mentioned here, like the weight, big body, expensive lens, are factors that make me think twice when choosing a DSLR. So far I’m ok with my Pentax K-x, think it pretty suits me as a beginner. Anyway, still way to go 😛
- April 13, 2010.-= eunice´s last blog ..Changi Point Coastal Walk – Take Two! =-.
Two good travel friends of mine both own a D300 and both love it. I’ve shot a few photos with it but it does look like there is a fairly large learning curve with it.
- April 13, 2010Woah the weight is too much for us ladies. Haha BUT the strong passion for photography will outweighs it.
- April 13, 2010Haha…I like your ending statement! That’s what all photographers tell themselves…including me. But having said that, I would advise to travel light especially when you’re backpacking.
I was complaining about the weight when I brought along my telephoto lens during my trip to Sandakan last year. Nowadays, I have become much wiser and prefer to travel light as I will be on my feet for hours. So a wide angle and maybe a 50mm will be the only gear I bring along. Although, I am tempted to bring along my tripod and speedlite.
I think it’s important to remember not to upgrade just before you’re going away for a major trip. Unless you’re a fast learner, you will need time to get used to the new camera.
Of course, with a bigger investment, you’ll need the neccessary accessories to go with that investment 😉
- April 14, 2010@Eunice,
Pentax Kx is also a very good camera. I still love D300s only that it’s not suitable for backpacker in my opinion. 🙂
@Mark,
I love it too. If not on a budget tour, I will definitely bring it along. 🙂
@Che-Cheh,
Yes. In fact one of my lady friend does carry her Canon 50D and Sigma 70-200 f2.8 along on her backpacking tour which weighs more than 2KG already, but she loved it. 🙂
@Mei Teng,
- April 16, 2010Agreed. You have just added a few more points to my statements. Thanks. 🙂