bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

After I finished buying a guitar, a uke, bunch of macro gear, 2 Nikon film SLRs, a point&shoot, & a couple of Nikkor lenses, I pretty much drained 1st quarter's fun-money-bucket dry. But I still had to have a DSLR -- an el cheapo, obviously -- to learn digital with. So I bought a "condition excellent++" Nikon D330 body (a bit over 18,000 clicks) for $300, fob Hawaii, & that included its original box & ALL the stuff that came in it waaay back when it was new. (I wanted the D300s but couldn't find right seller/condition/price.)

PLEASE comment on the following:

1) Did I get screwed on the D330 for $300? (I probably won't be happy with the answers, but please be blunt... I need to learn how to do deals when it comes to used photo gear.)

2) Now that I am married to the d330 for the next 4-5 months, I need to buy a prime lens for it. If I want to eat for the rest of February, I have to find something decent for under $150. Any suggestions would be muchly muchly appreciated.

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Hey Bellgamin, I assume you mean D3300 as there is no Nikon D330. It's a good little camera, it was my entry level body too about 2 years ago, I've acquired several bodies since then but I still use the D3300 on a regular basis, usually when traveling lite. You got a good deal for $300 as they are currently running $325 and up on Amazon.

As for a prime lens that won't break the bank, that will auto focus (as the D3xxx and D5xxx series do not have built in lens drive motors) you'll want an AF-S (usually G series) lens. I'd recommend either the 50mm f/1.8G ($220 new/$150+ used) the AF 50mm 1.8D is cheaper but requires an in camera motor for auto focus as it's a screw drive lens. You could also look at the 35mm f/1.8G ($199 new / $150+ used) both are sharp snappy little lenses. The 50mm is an FX (full frame) lens and the 35mm is a DX (crop sensor/APS-C) lens. I recommend that if you have aspirations to move to full frame at some point you invest in Full frame lenses, they work perfectly well on DX/APS-C crop sensor bodies. If all your lenses are DX then if and when you go to full frame you'll have to invest in more glass, as a full frame camera with switch to DX crop mode when it senses a DX lens, or if placed in FX mode manually you'll have a smaller circle of projection leading to heavy vignetting. Which you'd end up having to crop out, thus defeating the purpose of having a full frame camera.

There are several reputable dealers on line that offer used in various conditions and price ranges, such as B&H, Adorama, KEH, Robert's Camera, Amazon and eBay. Good luck and happy shooting.

reindeer Loc: London U.K.

Or do you mean the D 300?

reindeer Loc: London U.K.

Or do you mean the D 300?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

There’s not that much difference between the D300 and D300s. I’d say you got an excellent deal. What Nikon lenses do you have now?

timkramer Loc: PA

I had a D300 and LOVED it! For 300 bucks at under 18K clicks, I think that's a good deal seeing how you have the box and original stuff that came with it. I moved to a D700, which is basically the FX version of the D300 with some upgrades. I used a 35mm on the D300 as a prime and enjoyed that set up. I also had a Sigma 18-250 zoom and a Nikon 16-85mm. Different types of lenses for sure. Since it is a DX sensor, I would recommend the 35mm if you are looking for prime

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Biggest practical differences are the D300s does video and has 2 card slots.
Either one is a great camera and $300 sounds like a good price.
I still use mine, the s model!

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Bellgamin - why are you planning to keep/use your D300 only for the next 4-5 months? Aren’t you willing to at least concede the possibility that you will like it better than that? One thing you might find beneficial is a guide or reference book concerning its operation. Amazon lists nine publications covering the D300 from respected authors including: Jon Sparks, David Busch, Darrell Young and Dennis Thomas. Give the camera and digital photography a chance to win you over. Best wishes! /Ralph

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Biggest question is: What do you like to shoot?

Joe Blow

For a crop camera, a 35mm makes a good prime and a 50mm for a full frame. However, Nikon kit zooms are good lenses too and might end up being more practical.

Used lenses at most of the better places can find you a bargain. This B&H used 24-120mm f3.5-5.6 covers a good range for $140. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801706918-USE/nikon_1975_zoom_wide_angle_telephoto_af.html

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The 17-70 was a pretty good performer for an old fart.
For a prime, personally, for my shooting, I would probably go with a 24mm, but again, it's about what the OP likes to shoot.


Great range, but one of the least sharp lenses I've owned.
The newest version it one of my favorites, but you can't buy it for under $150.
Nikon finally got it right.

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

It's the nikon D300 -- at least I got the thread title right. 😕 My typing fingers were in Drive but my brain was in Park. My apologies for the confusion I created.

I bought 2 of the books that were recommended. I shall study & practice to learn to love and skillfully use this camera.

I did not realize the D300 is DX. Will the TTL viewfinder show what the cropped photo will be, or will it show an uncropped version? Is there a different composing technique that one should apply when using a DX vice an FX camera?

The only lens I have that isn't on a film-based Nikon is a Nikkor AD 28-105mm f3.5-4.5D macro. Because I do not have the d300 yet, I do not know if this lens will shake hands with that camera. Will it? If so, might it be a good choice for a prime lens?

By the way, GoofieNewfie's 17-70 sounds interesting ... because of the 17 part. I want a super wide angle lens from time to time ... to shoot family indoors. I have a wide family so I sometimes need a really wide lens. Any suggestions for an acceptable (not great) el-cheapo wide angle lens would be muchly appreciated.

Aloha to all!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Mahalo!
First off, what you see in the viewfinder is what you get.
Because the sensor in a DX camera is smaller than a film camera, in order to get a wider angle view, you need even wider lenses than you would with film (or full-frame) cameras. On a DX sensored camera, that 17mm is comparable to a 25.5mm on a full frame camera.

The 28-105 should work fine on the D300, just keep in mind on that camera with a “crop factor”of 1.5, it will be comparable to a 42-157mm on a full-frame. (With a DX body like the D300, to get the equivalent full frame focal length, multiply what you have by 1.5)

Lastly, a “prime” lens refers to a single focal length, like a 35mm or 50mm, not a zoom lens.

splatbass Loc: Honolulu

I also bought a D300 used for about that price. It is a pro quality, weather sealed camera that takes great pictures and I got it for cheap. I don't see anything wrong with that at all.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Everything we do in life is just priorities. You exercised yours, so what’s it matter??? Just live with it!!!
SS