Ah, so that's what's on the FM2. No wonder it's slightly easier to see if it's in focus or not on the older Nikon than the D40.

You should try Katz Eye ones, they are great but cost 100-200 each.
I do miss old Nikon focusing screens also.

I'll tell you what I would love to see....a focusing screen for so called amatuer cameras like we had 30 years ago.....Modern DSLR'S mostly have ,clean screen ,a jillion focous points.. highlighted of course....but no real defination on the screen to allow manual focus....especically for a person with poor vision....I don't think that this would be a big deal for Nikon to fix....and us photogs with poor eyesight who love to focus manually would be eternally grateful!!!

adamz - I more than agree with you on this, that is why I find D300 indispensable DX camera until D400 is out at least and maybe I was not clear enough on that.
I was just trying to repeat "arguments" from an average customer that I hear every day.

The D300 I would consider to be pro level- I mean, there's no DX version of the D3, nor do I believe Nikon will make it, so it's as pro as the DX can go- any higher, the D3X, and it's not exactly a speed demon. The crop factor on the D3 isn't ideal, since it's only 6 megapixels- not enough for some pros who blow up photos. So the D300 is the pro for the DX side.

I also love all the things the D300 can do.
Y'all takling about having manual focus cameras - I'mn sure a few of you remember having to use light meters or the sunny 16 rule. My first couple of cameras didn't have any built in metering. My SRT-101 was the first I owned with a meter. Still managed to take pictures - but get a lot higher percentage of good shots these days.

mb - I will disagree with You that You can benefit from d300 advantages only when You are a pro, it is simply different camera created for different group of users than d90. I'm not a professional, but I will never change dXXX to dXX mostly because of weathersealing, AF speed and this couple additional buttons. As for "... there is little real life advantages..." for me it's to either take a photo I want or not - I prefer the first situation.

I'd call the D3 a pro camera. D300 is more "prosumer".

There was lots I left out but thanks for adding to it.

You did not mention better live–view, support for PC-E lenses, mirror lock up and some other esoteric functions (AF fine tune, ISO flash sync terminal etc) on D300.
D90 has a bit newer and better software and it introduced Landscape Picture Control as I remember, though it can be downloaded for other cameras if needed.
D300 is a professional camera as Nikon likes to put it, but if you are not going to use it professionally (meaning 8 hours a day, and every day for a year or two) it seams there is little real life advantages (other then ones mentioned and some of them I find indispensable) it could give over D90 to an occasional shooter.

""Exactly right......when you don't have to think about auto this and auto that.....things just seem to flow.....but on the other hand now that i'm an old fart,and can hardly see....auto-focus is great.Instant image preview.....don't think that I could live without it""

You don't have to be too old of a fart. I've worn glasses and/or contacts most of my life. Thank god for AF. Without it, people like myself would not be able to really enjoy shooting like I do.

NXSType-R

Exactly right......when you don't have to think about auto this and auto that.....things just seem to flow.....but on the other hand now that i'm an old fart,and can hardly see....auto-focus is great.Instant image preview.....don't think that I could live without it

I've experienced not having autofocus. It's really odd on the FM2. It certainly is different from the D40. I do love the HUGE viewfinder though. But not having instant viewing of your photos, although odd, makes sense. It makes me value each shot more. It was a nice change in pace and a good learning experience.

Thanks Gentoo,
What your saying is that unless I throw my new D90 against the wall, or in the river......it's basically the same as a D300..... D300 faster auto focus.....we don't need no stink'in super fast auto focus.....I remember....back in the day....using a Nikon FE.....we didn;t have auto focus.....I don't know how we did it...but we survived :>)....just kidding my friend.....but I sometimes wonder what todays photographers would do If they had to go back in time 20 or 30 years.

""Nice comparison indeed. Makes me really want to get a D90, but I know if I do it, I'd forget about my D40 pretty quickly. I'm kinda glad that it's a bit expensive. It's not something I absolutely need. Certainly nice to have though.

You're right about the button placements, I picked up a Rebel XTi and was completely baffled by the menu and how ugly it is. I mean yeah, it's only supposed to take pictures, but the resolution of the thing really turned me off, especially when it has no secondary screen. Plus, having small buttons doesn't help. Still a nice camera, but what really annoys me is the grip. It's too narrow to be comfortable. The D40 is just right. But anyways, you really can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon.

I'm used to having the Ok button inside the directional pad, the D40 has it.""

The D90 also has the ok button in the middle of the multi-selector. The D300 technically has two ok buttons as it's mushy, wobbly selector also serves as one if you're careful enough to press it straight down. It's easier to use the one on the bottom left side though.

As for the Rebel, I thought it was a good camera and the shots I've seen with it were really good. The Canons just work a little differently so you have to learn how to shoot them somewhat. I agree with everything else you said though. I could very easily be a Canon shooter today had it not been for the Rebels higher price and weak feeling construction. I ended up with a D40.

Nice comparison indeed. Makes me really want to get a D90, but I know if I do it, I'd forget about my D40 pretty quickly. I'm kinda glad that it's a bit expensive. It's not something I absolutely need. Certainly nice to have though.

You're right about the button placements, I picked up a Rebel XTi and was completely baffled by the menu and how ugly it is. I mean yeah, it's only supposed to take pictures, but the resolution of the thing really turned me off, especially when it has no secondary screen. Plus, having small buttons doesn't help. Still a nice camera, but what really annoys me is the grip. It's too narrow to be comfortable. The D40 is just right. But anyways, you really can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon.

I'm used to having the Ok button inside the directional pad, the D40 has it.

nice comparison gentoo - good job, I guess that if Nikon will not release d400 soon, I'll go and grab one of the above cameras by the end of summer

aquacow:
I knew I forgot something

warprints:
I wish I could afford a D700. Most likely my next purchase will be the D400 and that won't be till sometime next year most likely and I have broken the bank with my recent purchases. lol

Good comparison. Now would you please go out and buy a D700 and do a comparison to the D300?? (Just kidding)

Don't forget that the D300 has 14-bit raw which can be used to save quite a bit of shadow detail if you need to shoot underexposed...

That was my biggest reason for picking up the 300, as I do a lot of indoor photography and can't always push flash, but still need to freeze as much human motion as possible.

-- Dave

I will compare and attempt to review the two Nikon cameras I own. There's has been discussion comparing the D90 and D300. As far as which is better...that will be up to the user.

AF:
This is the most obvious difference with these two bodies. The AF system is noticeably different. The D90 if I'm not mistaken has the multi-cam 1000, The same as the D200. The D300 has the the multi-cam 3500DX, which is essentially the same as the D3 with the exception of it having the DX rather than FX suffix. The most readily noticeable thing is the number of focal points. The D90 having 11 as opposed to 51 but his is common knowledge. The two biggest things I noticed is that while the D90 is faster and more accurate than the D40 (and therefore the D40x and D60), it's somewhat slower than the D300. The focus is also a bit less accurate. In other words, it won't "do so much of the work" for you. The 3D tracking is a bit fussier as well but these are things that can be overcome with skill and patients. The other thing missing that I noticed was the ability to set the AF system to lock if focus was not achieved. The D90 will fire away, giving you beautiful bokeh filled shots with no discernible subject lol. The AF sytem on this camera is by no means a handicap, it just requires a different technique.

Picture controls:
These are much the same as in the D300. You have the same standard and vivid modes with the same saturation levels. With the D90's slightly newer sensor, it perhaps handles colors a bit better. One thing I often hear people say is that their D90's often seem to have better dynamic range than other cameras, even their D300's. This really isn't the case. Most users don't tweak around in their menus. In the picture controls, the D90 has two extra settings for Active D-Lighting; very high and auto. The factory default setting for this is auto so most people never change it and perhaps there's no need to. This feature works splendidly in auto mode. Most people don't know how to use this feature, the D90 solves that problem. Presumably, the D400 will too.

ISO performance:
As mentioned by some on the web, is slightly better overall than the D300's. When post processing files, less noise is seen and less noise reductions needs to be applied. it also seems to retain a bit more detail at higher ISO's. ISO 1000 is actually not bad at all IMO.

Video: It's there if you want it. I've played with it for no other reason than this. It's easy to engage; just press the LV button then press ok and it starts recording. Press LV again to disengage and stop recording.

Build quality:
Another no brainer here. While not built like a tank like the D300 and D200, because it's a Nikon, it's still feels pretty solid to me. Lighter in weight too but when it comes to weight, I'm a poor person to ask as carrying around "heavy" gear isn't an issue to me. The placement of the buttons is another obvious difference but I found that it's pretty easy to get used to. The only one I have an issue with is the ok button not being at the bottom left hand side. I frequently press the + sing button lol. It's does nothing though unless you're viewing a pic. The other weirdness is that the fn and DOF buttons are reversed. It's ergonomically smart however; the DOF button is right where my ring finger is and the fn button is where my middle finger is. Unlike the D300 where I shoot with my middle finger, I can use my index finger for the shutter. Using my index finger isn't a problem, it's just different than on my D300. Certain things are in different places, it still works out in an ergonomically smart way. Perhaps Nikon thought about us guys with large hands and long fingers. I thought having shared buttons would be a problem, it's not. The info/WB/lock button for example will go to WB anytime. The only exceptions are let's say you're in a menu and want to know what something is. Then it become an info button. If you're looking at a shot you took and press it, it will lock or unlock that shot. It's similar for the other two button below it. It's a really smartly designed camera! There are four other buttons on top that work in much the same way; you press them and spin the main command dial to adjust. Unlike the D300, it has a scene mode dial in case you hand it over to a non photographer friend of yours. You can just set it to "dummy mode".

So what's the verdict?
Which do I think is better? Neither really. Each one is designed to fit into the niche it was meant for. They are very similar in the way they can make an image look. Same basic technology as far as picture controls are concerned. So for me, the D90 is my summer fun camera and the one I will likely use for most of my portraits and long exposure shots and scenery. The D300 is my more serious camera I will use during the winter birding season or when I head out to the mountains or forest. I got the D90 to compliment the D300 and it was a good decision. They make a great pair.