$1800 to spend - D300 or D200

I'd go for the D200 unless one stop better ISO performance and a really great autofocus computer are worth $700 to you. The D200 is just as solidly built and is an AMAZING camera for $1000 new. Seems like your money would be better spent on a D200, and maybe an SB-800 since you didn't mention any, instead of a D300.

I shoot a D300 and a D40, with a D200 before, and a D70 before that, if you need a point of reference for my comments.

The D300 is no longer $1700. This is a link to B&H: (link) and there are even lower prices.

Having owned the D70s in the past as well as currently owning a D200, D300, and a D3 - I would highly recommend the D300 over the D200.

Anyone who shoots weddings can really use the better low light performance of the D300 as well as the better metering, focusing, and auto white balance.

i wouldn't even go there with a d200 if you have enough loot for a d300. sounds like you already have all the glass you need, and with all respect to joe a, one stop of ISO and better mettering and AF are totally worth $700 (especially for paid gigs) IMO. not to mention more fps, bigger LCD, live view, etc.

for instance, with a d80/d200 you pretty much have to use the 30mm at 1.4 in low-light conditions to keep the ISO under 1600. with a d300 you can stop down two whole clicks to 2.8 for sharpness while keeping your shutter speed pretty high in most lighting conditions. i actually use the 30mm less than when the d80 was my main camera as i'm not as challenged by poor lighting with a d300.

the thing is that the d300 really corrected the flaws of the d200 while adding some cool bells and whistles. and if you get the d200, you will always wonder 'what if...' i dont think the same would be true were the situation reversed.

Looks like the D300, a much better choice over the D200, is well within your budget. Go for it. There's a down-to-earth review by Ken Rockwell here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300.htm

I am primarily a landscaper, and I disagree with those who said, in various other posts, there were little or no differences between a D200 and D300 for this kind of photography. The D200 in no way competes with the D300, in my experience, capturing fine tonal variation and detail with a corresponding reduction in post processing.

So, I give the D300 a big thumbs up.

PS. The 17-55 f2.8 is the perfect lens for the D300; a good second is the 35-70 f2.8.

Larry, I talked to a local photographer at an air show/race this weekend. He has had his D300 for a short while. I asked him if is as good as everyone says it is, he just smiled and said light is what everyone wants.

D300 is the best DX camera made right now. Hard to go wrong with that. To me it would be better to decide between the D80 and D300. At least with the D80 you could use both camera's at the same time and have the exact controls/functions to work with. How about computer software. Would the D300 require another software purchase such as CS3.