Just an odd side note, I was on the "card compatibility" site that NR admin posted up on nikonusa.com. . .
They list the D700/D300 as consumer, and D1-3 as professional, so go figure, appellations always changing. . .

Carrythelabelguy and Mike...

A *BIG* +1 to both of you. Labels only serve to label you, which restricts you. Also as Yoda might have said:

Owning the latest jewelry, simply does not a professional make!

(anyone like my Yoda impression?)

Just because your favorite vendor wants to stamp a label on one of its products, does not make it any the less capable... Heck, if that was the case, we should just give up all hope of having any independent thought whatsoever.

CaryTheLabelGuy said:
Who really cares what "catagory" a body is in. All of the pro-sumer bodies can be used (and are used) professionally. The D7000 for instance - I use it professionally, just fine with zero limitations. Hell, a D5000 can be used professionally depending on what you're shooting! People get way too hung up on this stuff. They are all tools, use the camera you need for the job you're doing.

Hi,

I think you let the hammer down. ;-)

It's nice to recognized for what you do, even if it's the company you gave a lot of money to for the benefit of using their products, but enough is enough.

No one should really give a rat's patootie about a silly moniker. It seems time should be better spent involving oneself in the work, the ethics of day-to-day chores, professional growth and development.

Getting energized about making images makes a lot more sense.

My best to all.

Mike

Who really cares what "catagory" a body is in. All of the pro-sumer bodies can be used (and are used) professionally. The D7000 for instance - I use it professionally, just fine with zero limitations. Hell, a D5000 can be used professionally depending on what you're shooting! People get way too hung up on this stuff. They are all tools, use the camera you need for the job you're doing.

Nikon should never label any of their cameras. By saying such and such models are "consumer" it might negate sales to professionals who will have it in their mind they can't get the job done with that model. Just sell the cameras Nikon, no need to categorize them. A paid professional can technically sell fine art prints using any model they want. The D700 is listed as a consumer camera.

I don't know about "now" or any movement. I still think the D300/700 as a Pro-sumer cameras. But that doesn't fit nicely into a list.

I think it goes to show that the title/class is more a case of envy/pride with users than how any thought that Nikon or any company puts into caring what category a body is.

lookin at the Updated list of Nikon approved memory cards, the D300 is now a consumer camera and so is the D700

sevencrossing said:
Wallet Warning. once you have used a Professional camera, you will never want to go back to prosumer. Don't think you can keep your D90 as a second camera, you will want two D700s

sevencrossing

I beg to differ, you will not want a second D700, you will want a D3s and keep the D700 as a backup.

LOL

casperweb said: ...just go out and buy a D700.

..

Wallet Warning. once you have used a Professional camera, you will never want to go back to prosumer. Don't think you can keep your D90 as a second camera, you will want two D700s

the extra features that we ask for in a camera, in most instances already exist, it is just the next camera up the line.

therefore, when saying I wish the D90 had this and that features as in say a D700, just go out and buy a D700.

the problem is, most people want the higher grade camera at the lower grade price point.

as an example, if 6 frames per second is too slow for you, then you really need the next camera up.

After shooting with the D300 for years and now the with the D7000, the above all holds true. Easier to use, more robust, better build quality, more FPS, better buffer, etc,...
With that said, I believe the D7000 takes better photos and the low light capability really enhances the experience. I really like the D7000, I just wish it had more FPS and had a better buffer, but like above, is why it's not pro.

diabolos said:
what is this D400 I hear about?

A fictitious camera "invented" by this forum
but probably, a camera with the build quality, menus and buttons of a D300s with the mega whatnot's and ISO of a D7000

Thanks all, makes sense. I didn't mean that it should come down to consumer level but why others that appeared at a glance to have surpased it technologically appear on the consumer bracket. Now I understand that between build quiality, FPS, etc makes the difference. I can't wait then for a succesor that is not full frame (I would have to get rid of all my lenses, which is doable, but a pain)what is this D400 I hear about?

There are a lot of menu options, settings, power of the drive motor, durability, user controls, and those little things that add the extra $ and bring it to a "pro" level. If you are used to them and use them dropping down, at least for me, is a major pain. The user control saved settings that are way beyond the U1 & U2 is a major selling point for me.

Those little things add up quick ($ and usability) for a more robust and well rounded camera. If those things don't mean much to a person (and it is all personal desires & needs) than the D7000 is a great camera.

also, it is there because there is demand for it, they can still sell it.

D3000 and D5000: no demand and they cannot sell them, so they have disappeared.

simple economics. $$$$$$$$

Add the fact that it has a better buffer too.

diabulos - first of all welcome to our forum, as for Your question... well, d7000 is a newer camera, but certainly it doesn't better than d300 - it's completely different tool. going with Your way of thinking d5100 would be a better camera than d3s- is it really? well, looking at the basic specs only (MP'x) indeed it is, will I or any d3s users switch to d5100... well, I doubt.
as for main differences between d300/d300s and d7000, for me (person who snaps animals) is the higher fps, and the ability to use en-el4a batteries (through the grip), not to mention a better build and therefore a better balance with longer lenses.
will I be able to get most of my photos using d7000 - yes, I will, but could I get this 5-10% of photos I can get with d300s - no or it will take me more time and effort to do that.

Things don't become not-professional just because something better comes out. The D300 was released as a pro DX, and still is. The D300 also does have a more professional build with better sealing, and stronger construction. Think about back before the D7000 was released. There was the D90, which had VERY similar characteristics to the D300, the same sensor, but one was pro and one non-pro because of build quality, and fps +...
Also, the D400 will be a pro DX successor to the D300 and D300s, so you can't really have a pro successor to a non-pro camera. The D300 is also still a great camera that I am sure could give the D7000 a run for its money in most situations.

I know the D300 is lovely, but I would have thought that something like the D7000 or any of those new ones with higher megapixel count and the new expeed chip would be considred better. I know that the number of focal points alone cannot make such a difference, so why is the D300 considered professional above other offerings with higher specs? is it the body being better?