Steve Stark , Feb 07, 2012; 08:45 p.m.
I have a Nikon D300 that I've had for years and has worked great for me. I almost dropped it in the Madison River in Yellowstone this fall and am considering an additional camera body just in case I do damage it. I thought maybe the D300S would be a good choice as I don't want to go to the FX format unless I have to.....primarily because of the expense and the DX lens non-compatibility. Anyone have thoughts on whether the D300S is the best choice or whether another camera body might be better? Also......anyone know if a new version of the D300 series is on the horizon?
Thanks,
Steve
ross b 
, Feb 07, 2012; 09:07 p.m.
The D300s would be very similar to what you already have, controls, memory card, batteries and probably the charger and cord. I do not have one so I am not sure if all that stuff is actually exactly the same. But it Seems like a good way to go to me. I suppose some folks will recommend the D7000 as it has a lot of good points. It has a pretty fat grip that I would not want to get saddled with. The D300 would seem to be the next camera to have a newer model come out but nobody knows when that will happen or what the specs would be like. One thing you could figure is a few more hundred on the price tag any way. They always make significant changes with each model somehow.
Kent Staubus , Feb 07, 2012; 10:29 p.m.
I -ALWAYS- bring a backup camera on trips like that, and also a kit lens 18-55mm VR for exactly the reason you brought up. Drop your only camera and you are SHUT DOWN! I would suggest buying a D7000. It will give you a bit more high ISO capability, more resolution, and more importantly it's smaller so you can pack it easier.
Kent in SD
Leslie Cheung 
, Feb 07, 2012; 11:13 p.m.
I -ALWAYS- bring a backup camera on trips like that
+1, even with, say, a lowly d200...
John Hill 
, Feb 07, 2012; 11:58 p.m.
I bought another D300 as a back up for my D300. I figured that someday if one died I would have parts for the other one. Plus, I only have to try and remember how to operate one camera:) When traveling, most times I keep a telephoto on one and a shorter lens on the other. Have had lots of problems with dust bunnies in the past, so I try not to change lens unless I have too.
+2 on having a back up camera on a trip. I often have both of my cameras for most shoots. I brought both with me this afternoon while driving to the beach to shoot the full moon.
When I went to Yellowstone, I even brought my old D70, just in case. I wanted to be prepared for the 2 week 6,000 mile road trip. If I do it again, I will stay 3 weeks. Too much driving and not enough shooting for a 2 week trip.
Frank Skomial 
, Feb 08, 2012; 02:09 a.m.
There were pictures of D7000 camera dropped down and damaged, here on photo.net. What an ugly scene...
If you plan to drop your camera, then get something that is made with solid chunk of metal body, or just have a drop/water proof camera. The top Lumix water/drop proof cameras have good picture quality, especially in good weather, and this could be your small backup camera.
