[Kajuah]

As the title suggests I'm struggling on deciding whether or not to buy a full frame (d700?) DSLR or a non-full frame (d300?) DSLR. My original plan was to buy the d300 ...and then the d700 came out with its impressive d3 features but I don't like the lens that is coming kit with it, this first round about. That and I was wondering if lenses for FX are more expensive, in general, than ones for DX (which is what the d300 would use). Are they?

Right now I suppose instead of spending 3500 $ on the d700 I could spend the aditional 1500 $ + on lenses, but would I notice a powerful difference if I do invest in the d300 and its lenses compared to a d700? I guess what I'm asking is; is full frame REALLY worth its weight in gold as its weight in value?

[Dabhand16]

I guess it depends on the type of photography you do. Full frame will benefit in some situations, but even if the D700 was available when I bought my D300, I would still have gone for the D300, affordable lenses being one of the factors. A range of lenses for the D700 will be very VERY expensive, and for my use, I could not justify the cost.

[towershot]

Same answer as Graham, would go for D300 as the full frame lenses for D700 will be really dear for a good while.
And iv,e read that the full frame sensors really pick up the slightest flaw in lenses,so there is not much chance of picking up any old FF zoom lenses.
Gt the D300 and some good Sigmas with the spare money.

[silkstone]

Full-frame (= same size as 35mm film) is/was an arbitrary size derived from movie film at the time when photographers were using something much larger. There is nothing special about it.

Nowadays, the sensor size of the D300 (or Canon 40D, 450D, etc) has become a standard for digital SLRs. It is like the 'full frame' of digital photography, and anything larger is as 'medium format' was/is to film photography.

That's just my take on it, but I'd suggest that most photographers will get everything they need from the DX format.

[VinnyP]

I love my D300s and the full frame D3. In most circumstances with the MB-D10 the D700 will give the same results as the D3. The biggest thing I like about the D300 is the ability to take the grip off and have a lighter more compact body for wandering around. The D700 will need full frame lenses to make it worthwhile, they kind of defeat the object. The difference in image quality between the d300 and the D700 at normal ISOs is no big deal, the difference is more in terms of preference.
The D300 will give more effective reach with the same lenses and greater depth of field. It works best with Tele and macro lenses in my experience. The D700 will give shallower dof when you need that, less distortion with wide lenses and of course the better low light performance.

[Rob Barron]

I completely agree with Silky.

Cheers,
Rob