I have been using a Fuji S2 Pro since it's release in '02, and shot 35mm for 25 years before that. I purchased the 1st body for $2400 and a couple years later I purchased two more S2 bodies on Ebay for less than $500 each. I purchased the additional bodies because it's the only camera that will work in my proprietary underwater housing. I was extremely pleased with the cameras results when new, and I am still pleased with it on my recent dive trip; 6 years, 12 dive trips, and 300 dives later.

My point is, they all take good photos. The Nikon D300 was considered at the top of the prosumer heap when it was released in '07, until the D700 was announced in '08. That doesn't mean that the D300 is no longer any good, it just means that you can purchase it much cheaper than the new model. My advice is to purchase 1 to 2 year old technology and let the gadget guys pay for the cutting edge stuff.

BTW, here is a bulletin from the Texas Attorney General about a couple internet camera sales you may want to avoid;

ATTORNEY GENERAL ABBOTT PURSUES ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST TWO WEB-BASED ELECTRONICS RETAILERS

Broadway Photo, Starlight Camera & Video cited for deceiving purchasers



AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today charged two online digital camera and electronics retailers with conducting an unlawful bait-and-switch sales scheme. Today’s enforcement action seeks restitution for Texans who suffered financially because of the defendants’ unlawful conduct.

According to state investigators, Broadway Photo, L.L.C. and Starlight Camera & Video Inc., both of Brooklyn, N.Y., attempted to attract customers by offering the lowest retail prices on price-comparison Web sites. Once customers selected merchandise and made credit card purchases via the defendants’ Web sites, customers were notified that their orders had been processed. Despite the order-processing notice, customers were subsequently asked to call a specified telephone number to confirm their orders.

Media links

Attorney General's lawsuit against Broadway Photo, L.L.C.

Attorney General's lawsuit against Starlight Camera and Video Inc.


However, rather than use the calls to confirm customers orders, the defendants instead initiated aggressive, high-pressure sales pitches promoting over-priced accessories, including memory cards and batteries. The defendants’ telemarketers insisted these upgraded accessories were needed in order for the customers’ confirmed merchandise to function normally.

When customers refused these offers, the defendants told the customers the confirmed merchandise was substandard and lacked warranties. The defendants’ telemarketers encouraged customers to purchase different, more expensive products. If customers refused, the defendants canceled the orders, claiming the products were indefinitely back-ordered. When the defendants actually did ship orders, customers who intended to purchase new merchandise often received used or refurbished products.

The Office of the Attorney General is seeking injunctions halting this conduct and civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.