I’ve now upgraded my primary camera to a Nikon D300 – woohoo!
A friend asked me why and what it could do that her cameraphone couldn’t. My wife asked me what it could do that my old camara couldn’t, and she was probably thinking “Why?” too. Does it mean that I can take better photos? Should you by a D300 to take better photos? There are two schools of thought regarding photographers and equipment:
Whilst having a great camera doens’t mean you will take great photos, talent is required too. But having a great camera does mean it is easier to take great photos, and it will enable talented photographers to make better photos too. It really depends on what the limiting factor with respect to your/my photography is (talent or equipment). I know I’ve got room for improvement on the talent front, but the D300 will also help me to get better shots in a few ways. So, here’s why I got the D300 and why it is better than my old camera/my friend’s cameraphone. I primarily got this camera for my wedding photography work, and this is where I expect it will be most helpful.
- Lower noise levels at high ISO – this is going to allow cleaner photos in low light situations, such as wedding receptions.
- More pixels – whilst 6 megapixels (old camera) is plenty for most standard enlargements, the extra pixels (12MP) of the D300 will enable bigger enlargements or tighter cropping for the same size enlargement. Not necessarily a better photo, but more flexibility with the final product.
- A second camera – having a back-up at weddings is important, and until now I’ve borrowed one. Now the D300 will be my main tool, but my old (very good nevertheless) camera will be a back-up / second camera.
I felt that in those areas my old camera could limit my abilities for wedding photography. If I only did event photography I don’t think I would have needed to, or bothered to, upgrade as my old camera is quite capable for that kind of photography.
So as to whether you need a new camera – you should determine whether your camera is limiting your photography. If it is, identify in what ways, and that will guide what you need in a camera. Or just buy the D300 and be happy (but broke).