How I came to Buy the Nikon D300

What, you were expecting a camera?

When I first got my Nikon D40 I loved the quality of the images.  That camera has a very small footprint in your hand.  It is light weight and takes really good images with the “kit” 18mm – 50mm lens included with the camera.

But it wasn’t enough to satisfy the itch.

I had it 6 months when the D300 came out and for the first time in over 30 years I allowed myself to indulge.  I bought a new Pontiac Firebird in 1969.  Fresh out of high school and working for a living at Westinghouse in Mansfield, Ohio.  That was the last thing I bought simply because I wanted it until the D300.

I didn’t even bother with “Justification” for the purchase.  I wanted it, I drove to Phoenix to get one the first week they were available to the public and I drove home with the body on the seat next to me (yes in the box).

I got it home, snapped on the lens that came with the D40 and went out to find something to shot, anything, just let me shoot.  I WASN’T HAPPY!  The thing felt like an anvil in my hand.  It weighed a ton compared to the D40.  I came in from the venture and boxed the D300 up and was planning on taking it back the to Phoenix the next day.

It wasn’t supposed to be like that.  All the things I had imagined about this camera were amazing.  Everything I had read about it was positive.  All the people that got their hands on one before released raved about this camera.  The low noise, the shutter, the sensor, everything was positive.

I didn’t get much sleep that night.  Then I decided I had 3 day to return it, go ahead and use them.

I’m glad I did.  It didn’t take long for me to see the advantages the D300 had over the D40.  I love the D40.  I still shot with it on occasion.  The 18 – 50mm kit lens that comes with it is one of the best I’ve ever used.  But the D300 with a 12 megapixel sensor and lower noise imaging makes it a great camera for all occasions.

Where’s the Photo Tip here?

The tip, maybe should be try it before you buy it, because handling it in the store isn’t enough, you have to take it for a test drive.  This may mean renting one for the weekend and using it.  Or finding a friend who owns one and go shot with it for an afternoon,  (it will have to be a good friend for them to part with their camera even for an afternoon.)  For me the three days to take it back no questions asked was the perfect solution.

Tags: Nikon D300, Nikon D40, Test Drive a Camera