New to me Nikon D300: Every time I pick up my Pentax K50 with the failed AF solenoid my blood pressure goes up so I decided to go elsewhere and bought an EX rated body from KEH. Yeah...

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

Every time I pick up my Pentax K50 with the failed AF solenoid my blood pressure goes up so I decided to go elsewhere and bought an EX rated body from KEH.
Yeah, I know, ancient (like me). :-}
For starters I have an even more ancient Pentax M42 135mm F3.5 with a Fotodiox adapter so I'll be shooting in "M" mode for the next month or so.
I've downloaded the camera's manual from Nikon USA.
The body has a built in AF motor. I'm not going to hurt it with this adapted lens, am I?
Any tips for using "M" mode? (other than what's in the manual?)
Next months purchase will be an AF zoom but I want to play with the camera now.

Thanks folks
Rick

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Although I eventually upgraded to the D500, I still make use of my D300S. It is still a solid performer. Congratulations on your new acquisition! Do you have any specific questions about it?

Runninglate Loc: Saint Cloud, Florida

I have a D300 and yea it may be old but it is DEFINITELY A KEEPER. I am sure the folks in here can give you more tips than I can. So, just wait and they will explain everything to you. Sure you will enjoy your new camera.

ltatko

Have a D300 as well!! Love it!!

Still open to learn. Want good sources for simplified help!!

Thanks to a Dear friend---I have a D300!! A gift!!

Len

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The D300 and D300s have the internal focus motor. Something that more current Nikon D3000x and D5000x Nikon DSLRS don't have. Which means you can use Nikon Legacy manual focus lens on them. The crop sensor D3500 and D5600, both current now, have 24 megapixels sensors.But, has limitations, when it comes to using Nikon Legacy manual lenses.Take care of that camera. Because starting the end of next month, Nikon will no longer support their authorized Nikon repair shops.anymore. Your camera may now be on the no repair list by Nikon. The D200 is already on that list. If you shot with a film SLR, that was manual. You set the aperture, shutter speed, and ASA (ISO). I still use it occasionally on my crop sensor DSLR. But, I don't use it when I want a quick, spur of the moment shot. Enjoy, your new to you D300.

Camera55

I have a D300S that I really like for the winter at the zoo. I’m still learning but can produce decent photos. Can anyone recommend a good, inexpensive(?) mid telephoto VR lens - can’t always bring my monopod with feet to zoo. Thanks in advance.

CO

Camera55 wrote:

I have a D300S that I really like for the winter at the zoo. I’m still learning but can produce decent photos. Can anyone recommend a good, inexpensive(?) mid telephoto VR lens - can’t always bring my monopod with feet to zoo. Thanks in advance.

Tamron's SP series lenses are great. They're fully weather sealed, have a metal lens barrel and vibration compensation. I have their 45mm f/1.8 SP VC lens and their 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II HLD lens. I would recommend looking at their Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

lsaguy wrote:

Every time I pick up my Pentax K50 with the failed... (show quote)

Strange thing is, my blood pressure is totally unaffected when I pick up my K-30, even though the aperture control also has failed on it {solenoid controls body aperture control, not AF}. I got a FA 50mm lens {with aperture ring} and a Sigma 70-300mm lens {with aperture-ring} and continue to use it.

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

rehess wrote:

Strange thing is, my blood pressure is totally unaffected when I pick up my K-30, even though the aperture control also has failed on it. I got a FA 50mm lens {with aperture ring} and a Sigma 70-300mm lens {with apertur-ring} and continue to use it.

I found a 600 mm mirror lens in a K mount and that's what I keep on the K50 now. A constant F8, no aperture, no problem. I saved for months for the K50 and it failed after a bit over 1800 exposures. Ricoh couldn't even be bothered to answer an e-mail. Over 30 years of Pentax ownership but they can count me as an EX-customer.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

lsaguy wrote:

I found a 600 mm mirror lens in a K mount and that's what I keep on the K50 now. A constant F8, no aperture, no problem. I saved for months for the K50 and it failed after a bit over 1800 exposures. Ricoh couldn't even be bothered to answer an e-mail. Over 30 years of Pentax ownership but they can count me as an EX-customer.

You are entitled to make whatever decisions to want to make .... but your OP did state AF is affected {not true} and implied that the camera is now useless {not true}.

Camera55

CO wrote:

Tamron's SP series lenses are great. They're fully weather sealed, have a metal lens barrel and vibration compensation. I have their 45mm f/1.8 SP VC lens and their 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II HLD lens. I would recommend looking at their Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens.

WOW - $$!! I appreciate the feedback. I’ll stick with my SONY and Olympus. The 300S is for winter; I might pick up a less expensive VR. Thanks again.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

lsaguy wrote:

Every time I pick up my Pentax K50 with the failed... (show quote)

Isaguy,
I have a Nikon D300 and a D750. Both excellent cameras. I use my D300 as a backup for the D750. the D300 is a tank built like a camera!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

ppkwhat wrote:

the D300 is a tank built like a camera!

I hear the Pentax K-3, K-5, K-7 family is also. The top of the KP is a made of plastic, but otherwise is. The OP can sell off his K-mount lenses, and maybe a Pentax user like me will use them. But the K-50 was a consumer level camera, and they are not.

agillot

i have a D300 and used older pentax m mounts with the fotodiox adapter with no problem .great camera .

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

agillot wrote:

i have a D300 and used older pentax m mounts with the fotodiox adapter with no problem .great camera .

I have $700 Pentax KP which can use K-Mount lenses without any adapter.