Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Good morning! If that is you in your avatar, then you carry a lot of gear with you now. But I am thinking you are out for days with that rig.:) I shoot a Nikon D300s. Which is pretty weather tight to start with. I just use a small back pack if I am going to do a lot of hiking. And have the camera on a side sling. I end up taking a picture every 5 feet tho.:) If I put it in a bag, pouch or back pack I miss a lot of shots. Or have to stop and get it out of the pack. They make get rain sleeves that work if it really starts to rain hard.
Erv

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

First off, welcome to the hog! You live in a great area with lots of photo opportunities. As others have said, the D300 is a very nice camera. Check out Ken Rockwell's comments on this camera and his tips and secrets to use it. Well worth reading!
Have fun and shoot away!

27ftWhaler

I am an avid backpacker and can highly recommend carrying you DSLR on a Cotton Carrier. Your camera will be instantly accessible, it gets all the weight off of your neck, and you can comfortably carry heavy cameras/lenses. I comfortably use mine with my D800 and my 70-200mm lens. The carrier itself fits between the chest straps on you backpack. I backpack in the Sierras every year with a group from the east coast. ALL of the photographers in the group use Cotton Carriers. The only thing I don't like about it is that the new version only uses an allen wrench to connect the hub connector to the camera. On the older version of the vest, you could use an allen wrench or a coin.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

You've been given some good ideas already and maybe this thought is too simple and you already have it covered: I would look at a good quality tripod. You may have one already but if it was for the point and shoot Sony, you may need to get one that is studier. They have some really good pods on the market now -- some fold flat and can be carried inside a backpack and others that have five leg sections that can be shortened and carried by a loop on the outside of the pack.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Stingingfork,

I use my old D300 with an 18-105 zoom as my on the water camera for fishing trips. I put the camera in an inflatable over-the-shoulder, water-proof pack to protect it when wading and in the boat. The water-proof packs are available at most outdoor stores, etc. I got mine at Cabela's. Take care & ...

Gaddysmom

I am from far Northwest TN, but I will try to overlook your eastern connections and provide the best advice I can!😂 I have had both the D300 and the 300S. I still use the S almost daily. As you note it is jam-packed with electronics, but it is sturdier than you are crediting.
First of all, remember the camera does you no good when it is sitting in a drawer. Take it, use it, enjoy it. Since you seem to have a nice collection of lenses and an expensive camera, have you added these to a rider on your insurance policy? Doing this will take some of the sting out of a catastrophe.Talk to your agent about "replacement" coverage. It is comparatively inexpensive.
Second, as to carrying the camera on hikes and whatever else you Southeast TN get up to, I agree with the idea of the binocular strap, however, try to see it in person before buying. Some have more bounce in them than others. I, personally, don't like bounce-- different strokes, etc. I have a binocular strap made by a small Mom-and-Pop company in MN. If you want, I will try to find the name of the company for you. I have used mine for twenty years and it has no neoprene and, thus, no bounce.
I also have a Balck Rapid strap that I love, but I do not think I would use it on a mountain hike. I second the previous recommendation of the Cotton Carrier. I haven't worn mine with a backpack but I have used mine when climbing into a deer stand and it was great for that.
Third, rain sleeves are good, but many have so much sleeve that you will find yourself fighting to get it out of the way. Depending on the lens you are using, you can do almost as well modifying a gallon-size Zip-Lock bag. Cut two holes in the bottom of the bag for your camera strap. Unhook the camera and place it in the bag; re-attach the strap. Zip the lock. If you are worried about the strap holes expanding, you can add a bit of Duct Tape around them. I also always take the free shower caps given away at many hotels. I keep them in various pockets and can pull one out when caught by an unexpected shower. How much of the camera it will cover depends on the lens, but it is better than nothing and free. And, finally, Zing cases are swell, but be sure to get the right size-- they stretch but not enough to get a long lens in a bag made for a pancake.
Good luck and enjoy that great camera!

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I still use my D300. It has a 105mm macro lens on it most of the time & I have a D7100 that gets my other lenses mounted toit. That said, I prefer the layout of my D300 over the D7100, but bought the D7100 as it did not look like a D400 would be coming (still doesn't). Considering my main focus (pun intended) is macro, the d300 sees lots of use... I used to use my 28-105 as a walk around lens, but noe use a 17-50mm F2.8 Tamron instead. If I need longer, I'll slap on an 80-200mm F2.8 Nikkor on it.

amehta Loc: Boston

Finally, someone admits the pun was intended!!! :lol:

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

If one has nothing, better to get a D300S, which is still available from Nikon directly or go for the newer D7100? I know it’s not all about “megapixels”, but can anyone expand not he pros and cons of each? I really don’t care about video, though it’s nice to have for those “just in case” situations. Thank you, in advance.

amehta Loc: Boston

The D7100 has newer sensor and AF technology, so it is generally a better choice for someone buying a new camera. I think the difference is not so significant that someone with a D300S "should" get the D7100.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Thank you. Just noticing that for the price of a D300S, body only, one can have a D7100 with a nice lens, maybe two.

amehta Loc: Boston

Nikon has kept the price of the D300s artificially high to pretend that it is still a current flagship DX camera (though apparently they've used "flagship" with the D7100 also). The more representative price for the D300s is $700-800 used or refurbished at KEH.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

That’s good to know. I would have no issue with a refurb so long as it was refurbed by the manufacturer and came with a full warranty.

Even Nikon’s price for a refurb D300S is still about $1100.

So, your recommendation, still, for one who has nothing, would be to go with the current technology?

Don L G

Welcome to the Hog. I am a semipro but shoot a 300s and love the 16-85 for most of the shooting.

amehta Loc: Boston

Yes, I would suggest the current technology. A two year difference isn't as important now, but about four years is still a notable difference for cameras at the same level.