better u buy D300 now...thats more than a great camera..=)...i hope nikon launch a DX camera with the same pixel Density with D700 and D3..and make it the best DX camera in noise quality...sounds like 6 or 8 mpxl DX camera with a super noise quality...

I have just upgraded from the D90 - perfect first DSLR camera for me. The D90 is easier to learn on. There is no Auto (green) mode on the D300 - so you just cant use it in "point and shoot" mode when learning new scenarios/environments. There is a lot to learn about exposure (lighting), composition, techniques with different lenses, flash/strobe, tones, iso, wb etc.. All these factors are needed to be considered on any camera in order to produce high quality shots. Going straight for a D300 may increase the learning curve somewhat. Also, the D300 is a semi-pro model which basically means the "newbie user" design platform is all gone!

I now have the D700 which is almost the same as the D300 - ie. identical body casing/buttons and AF - heck, complete books are written for both D300/D700. I got the D700 because I understand my needs so much more clearly now than before.

So, you need to know if the next model (D400) is going to make the D300 completely redundant - somehow I don't think so! Sure a few more MP might be handy for something - but seriously 10+ MP is ample for non specialized photography (Go get a 25MP if you want to shoot some ants on your neighbor's chimney LOL!). From what people are saying - it's not going to be ground breaking! If you are more future conscience and not concerned about price - then go for a D700 instead the D300, although you will need the more professional FX lenses, which are much dearer than the DX lenses because of their superior quality.

The only reason I would hold back for he D400 is if I REALLY NEEDED the video function - thats all! But it may not even arrive in the D400 - nobody knows for sure now!

Pricing:
The D300 has had a couple of price drops since launch - which is quite common for most electronic device life-cycles. I really don't think the price of the D300 will officially drop because Nikon has started drying up stock and most probably already discontinued production. You may find that the D400 will RRP for the same (if not more) as the original D300 launch price.

Here is website already dedicated to the D400 - how keen are they!
http://nikond400lab.blogspot.com/

Release date: August 2009????

If you really want a DSLR camera get one now.
The camera you are using, D400 or even D3, will note make you better photographer out of the box, practice will.
If this is your first camera you should probably reconsider buying D90 with 16-85 and maybe 70-300VR for the money saved.
D90 is not as tuff as D300 but is tuff enough for everyday amateur use, and if after a year or two of shooting you find you need something better D400 or something even better will be there for you.

@ Gentoo : Southern California is unusual! LOL, Been there, very nice. hope to get back there some day .. (I will post some in photo a day!) almost as nice a Australia !! 8-)

I agree with the others. If you have no camera at all now, don't wait. Get a D300. Trust me, you will not be disappointed and you can always get a second camera (perhaps a D400) later should you get to the point of needing a second body.

@heartyfisher:
In Southern California, the best time for photography is in the winter ;)

The question we should consider is, are we sure that D400 will be release by Nikon, or is there any such model to be release soon, if so how soon would it that be?

In my own opinion, if you have the money now, buy the D300, as far as i know D300 is good in outdoor photography, have seen a lot of great images done by this unit!

But if you think you can wait that long for an unsure unit, then wait.....

I have 2 older DSLR's (D70 and S5pro and I am waiting for the D400). If I were you I would probably not wait. The D300 is an excellent first camera. and in the 2-5 month you have to wait you will have taken thousands of pictures and learnt so much about digital photography. The D300 will last you many many years ! and if you are in the northern hemisphere.. You would have missed the whole summer of photography! That's basically a whole years worth of photos!

I currently dont own any DSLR but are considering buying a new Nikon D300 with the 16-85 lens.
By the look of it, there seems to be a D400 on the way so im getting unsure.
Should I buy the D300 or is it better for me to wait for a few months and buy the D400?
Will the price on the D300 drop when they will start selling the D400?