Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

$300 may be fair, may be more than fair, but for what we know and based on my presumptions then yes pay the widow the $300

Glenn Harve

I would never throw away the thousands if images i made on a D300 because newer cameras exist. Same goes for my D70 and D200 images. Those images are as good now as they were then. (Maybe better since shot in RAW)
If someone cant make a great image from a D300 now, well, then by that logic, any pictures made with a current camera will be junk a decade from now. Ie: why bother with photography at all, now is already obsolete.

Allan Castle

I have a D300 and it is a good camera within certain limits. No video and it's best to keep ISO at 800 and below for best results. You can make a nice 16x20 inch print. So it depends on the needs of the photographer. I now have Fuji equipment. Much lighter, can shoot video and ok to ISO 3200 or even higher. The D300 is old technology but is a bargain in some ways and may work for some people.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Ditto most everybody.
The D300 is a great camera, and will take better pictures than most everybody here.
I use my D200 on occasion, cause I like the sensor qualities.
They are both Big. And Clunky. And Olde. And Heavy.
This is January. The 2nd hand shops and eBay are filled with leftovers. Less than half the price a month ago.
Look at some of these, for you and/or that grandkid.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D3200-Digital-SLR-Camera-w-18-55mm-Lens-Black/293411756826?epid=141043310&hash=item4450b41b1a:g:wjQAAOSwhZheE~UG

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D-D3200-24-2MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Black-Kit-w-AF-S-DX-ED-II-18-55mm/274188134682?epid=115859013&hash=item3fd6e2e91a:g:qdAAAOSwhe9eE8kX

Glenn Harve

I hear you on the D200 sensor qualities. I can get a particular look from it that i dont from other sensors, so i keep it in play. Perhaps CCD vs CMOS, not sure. I usually like the more dimensional look of Nikon images vs the more one-dimensional look of others. If you see it, you know it. The newest Canon images are improved, in this area, to my eye, and have my attention. Point being, new or old tech vs brand vs a pleasing image is not a one-size fits all thing.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I have owned the D3400 for two years. Have never used the scene modes and have only used auto for the first six months. Usually shoot aperture priority along with shutter, program and manual. IMO these are wonderful cameras with top notch sensors and processors, excellent ISO capability, great for a beginner or someone who just wants to learn the art of photography without a steep learning curve. Been shooting since 2005 and would buy another 3000 or 5000 series today. Excellent ergonomics and you can use the AFS and AFP lenses. BTW I also shoot a D90 and would have no problem with purchasing a D300s. Excellent older cameras if you don’t mind the ISO challenge.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

If you're being frugal, or whatever, the D80 is the consumer model of the "prosumer" D200.
ALMOST the same camera- you lose .5 fps and the top LCD. And a lot of size. Plastic parts instead of metal.
SAME everything else- same sensor, electronics, and pictures. And yeah, that CCD takes great shots.

Argus

I currently still use a D300s and it is a much better model than the D300 as it uses both SD and CF cards as well as having a proper INFO button. It also has real time-lapse options, a focus motor and it can use it's built in flash as a flash commander. I think $300 might be okay depending on the lens condition and types. The 300mm zoom could be and older low cost plastic body or a newer model with VR so that alone could change the price range at least $100-150 depending on version. Then again the 60mm macro (Nikon calls it Micro) could be a deal if it's a Nikon lens and not 3rd party. Try to get some more details (and photos of the items) so we can give you a better idea on real value.

Dean37 Loc: Fresno, CA

I would buy it and the lenses for $300.00 if I didn't already have a good one.

I have and use a Nikon D200 and a D300. I like
the size and weight of both especially with the extra battery pack. The weight helps to be more steady. Being as to the fact that I am 82 years old, I should have concerns about too much weight, and I don't. My F5 is a lot heavier and I have never been bothered with that. All three take pictures that I like, with the lenses being more important for low light just as the were when the film ISO was very limited.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

It is interesting reading the wide array of responses to this question. Here are a couple of observations...
The D300s is the camera that the D500 replaced. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
The D300 is the camera that the D300s replaced. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it either.

The D300 can use 16 GB CF cards. The D300s can use 32 GB CF and SD cards. Both are plenty.

The user interface of the D300 is far superior to entry level models, even today's. There are two control dials...one for aperture and one for shutter speed. ISO can be set directly without having to enter the menu system. All other primary controls are directly accessible via knobs and buttons. No fretting with the menu.

Both D300 models have one piece magnesium alloy bodies. They can absorb most of the bumps and bruises that a young photographer might subject them to. They are also weather-sealed.

Years ago, I let my wife, who wasn't a "photographer" use my D200. The D300 is a near operational twin of it. She liked it, so we bought her a D40x. She hated it from the start, and it still sits in its case in the closet, unused.

Kids today are ingenious. I work with them every day. I'll guarantee that a truly interested grandchild will find all kinds of interesting things to do with that camera and those lenses. Maybe not all at once, but certainly eventually.

The only negative is that parts are no longer available to make repairs to the D300, except through independent shops who have donor cameras and a couple of on-line sources of unknown reputation. New batteries and (I think) chargers are stocked by almost all reputable camera dealers.

I still use my D300 and D300s, especially in risky or unknown situations. They work fine and make great images if operated properly. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this batch of equipment for the price being discussed. The technology is also fine and works great. So what if there have been some advances since?

Dean37 Loc: Fresno, CA

#larryepage = my thoughts exactly. I tried to say something similar in the post preceding yours.

Thank you.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I started my post quite a few minutes earlier and encountered multiple delays while putting it together. The result was our posts meeting and crossing paths in the ether. It's kind of fun to unknowingly be in agreement with you...

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Having had the 300 and 300s, they both have focus motors in the body and the pop-up flashes on either can be used as commanders to control off-camera units. I really liked them. Solid build and performance.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I still have the D300 as a spare/second camera and I would think that the vast majority of us experienced shooters understand that this whilst being 'older' technology can still take excellent pics, has the advantage of two thumb-wheels and is robust.

My concern would be that a 'youngster' may feel that something without, touchscreen, wifi e.t.c like some of their mates may have is somewhat inferior.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I'm taking the minority position here. Although I use my D850 for studio portraits, my trusty D300 goes on location and field trips. It takes both CF and SD cards, both are still available. Use a larger SC as the "main" slot and shoot RAW there. Back up on the CF with jpegs. Since the 300 has a crop sensor, I find the additional focal length it yields useful. Sure the D300 is "old" but it still takes great photos and I think it is an excellent camera for a beginner who may not know whether they want to invest in more modern and expensive gear. The D300 is far from obsolete as some have claimed.