Nikon D300... ran out of $pondolas (Page 2): You don't sound goofie and you are certainly no newfie. Thanks for your very helpful comments. @ everyone who posted here... this forum is...

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Mahalo!
First off, what you see in the viewfinder is what you get.
... ... The 28-105 should work fine on the D300 ... ... With a DX body like the D300, to get the equivalent full frame focal length, multiply what you have by 1.5. ... ...

You don't sound goofie and you are certainly no newfie. Thanks for your very helpful comments.

@ everyone who posted here... this forum is amazing! I am learning a lot from you. For now my plan is to (hopefully) learn the basics with the d300 & then acquire a d700. I have a very gifted great-granddaughter who will inherit the d300. Right now she is using a Fujifilm X100F point & shoot that landed in her lap after I sold a vintage Martin & had some spare $$ in my stash. ( I wonder why Fujifilm dropped out of making DSLRs & went exclusively mirrorless. Hmm... )

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bellgamin wrote:

After I finished buying a guitar, a uke, bunch of ... (show quote)

According to recent sales on ebay, you paid a fair price.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=nikon%20d3300&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

I would have looked for refurbished bodies first.
https://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d3300

The 18-200mm is a nice lens, Nikon or other brand.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=nikon%2018-200mm&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684
https://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=nikon%2018-200mm

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

The lens is Nikon. They designate their lenses as Nikkor.

The links you gave are for the Nikon d3300. That's because of a mix-up (my fault) in the first post .I wrote Nikon d330 (wrong number) whereas the camera I bought is the Nikon d300. That got straightened out a few posts later. I'm sorry for the confusion. 😥

Bill_de Loc: US

I had 2 D300's, now have one that I've had since they first came out. It is no slouch. The link is to a post I made recently using the D300. I think you will really enjoy your camera.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-512757-1.html

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joanloy Loc: St. Louis, MO

bellgamin wrote:

After I finished buying a guitar, a uke, bunch of ... (show quote)

I used the D300s for several years until I bought the D500. I advertised my D300S on Craigs List. A photo journalist bought it, because he was tired of his wife taking his. Yes, I think you got a good deal.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The gentleman of the original post has stated he bought USED a D330 but Nikon makes no D330 so I have to assume it was the D3300. No new camera comes with 18k shutter actuations.
If that is the case he overpaid considering the price of a brand new camera in mainland USA. He also stated that he was looking for a D300s but ended up with the D3300.
The question about a prime lens to buy is very difficult to answer without knowing what he intends to shoot with it.

Bill_de Loc: US

camerapapi wrote:

The gentleman of the original post has stated he bought USED a D330 but Nikon makes no D330 so I have to assume it was the D3300. No new camera comes with 18k shutter actuations.
If that is the case he overpaid considering the price of a brand new camera in mainland USA. He also stated that he was looking for a D300s but ended up with the D3300.
The question about a prime lens to buy is very difficult to answer without knowing what he intends to shoot with it.

You would not have assumed incorrectly if you read the thread.

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Elsiss Loc: Bayside, NY, Boynton Beach, Fl.

Great camera, but I believe Nikon doesn’t support this model any longer.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Now that I have a D500, I use my D300s as a second body. I thought about selling it, but I am so glad I didn’t. It’s capable of taking great images if I do my part. Enjoy your new old camera!

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Joe Blow wrote:

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

I'm surprised anyone would recommend the non vr model of the 24-120 Nikon lens. The vr model was the kit lens for the D700 and works fairly well. It also sells for about $150 used because of one persons opinion who latter changed it to a more positive position. Its problem is that to pixel pipers the edges are not as sharp as they are on a 24-70 2.8. Since a DX camera only uses the center of the lens, the lens works quite nicely. Obviously there are better lenses like the 24-120 f4 vr. I have the 24-120 3.5-? and get quite good shots with it on all of my cameras including my D700. The real question is... how much money do you want to spend.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

I was taught many year ago, if you pay 25% more then the product is worth, but the product does what you expect it to do it is no big deal. However, if you save 25% on a product that does not perform as expected you got screwed.

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

I still have and occasionally use my D300. I have since gotten a D7100 & a D610. The D7100 is paired up with my macro lens outfit (macro being my niche), the D300 has a 300 mm F4 tele on it & the D610 has any number of F2.8 or faster lenses put on it (all older lenses from film days but most were "Pro" lenses back in the day). Thinking I might have my D300 converted to IR.

PaulR

D300 is still a great camera....use mine often....35mm prime....beautiful out of camera photos....

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I think you should plan on keeping that body for a LOOOONG time. Many waited years and years for the replacement to come out. Unless you want to specialize in low light, or weddings (which it was an awesome wedding body in its day) I doubt you will outgrow it any time soon.

Don't worry when people say that you can't print large with it, trust me, you can. I have several 24x36 and 30x40 family portraits hung in client's homes that were taken with a D-200, which was lower MP, and worse noise issues and quality as your D300.

wyoutfitter Loc: Montana

One of my favorite lens is a DX Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm. I paid $119 for it, got one for the Wife too....she loves it. This is my go to lens in Yellowstone, and it's for sure my cheapest.