Street Photography and the Nikon D5000

The camera I really want is the Leica M9 for my street photography. This is probably my strongest photo style and the one I love the most. However, the M9 + 3 Summilux lenses (21mm, 35mm, and 50mm) come to about $21,000. I just simply cannot afford afford them. Therefore, I have to look for alternatives.

The Nikon D5000 fits my requirements and my budget; I already have three DX light lenses to use with the camera. It is very light, small, and above all the shutter is very quiet compared to other DSRL cameras. The problem is that I will not get another digital camera. These digitals become obsolete in minutes. Therefore, I am in the process of selling my Nikon D300, but I do not think it will sell.

IMHO, there is no comparison between the D300 and D5000. The D300 is a far superior camera. However, I have the D700 and I need an inconspicuous and quiet camera for my street shooting; I'm willing to sacrifice the D300.

I am asking $1,295 for the D300 which includes at least $250 in extras and ~ $100 for shipping and PayPal costs, which I will incur. In other words, I will net, if I sell it, ~ $1,200. In addition, I got the Nikon 2 year extended warranty, that has one year left, for ~ $200. Therefore, the D300 ($1,800 - 2 years ago) with the extras and extended warranty came to about $2,400. If I get $1,200 for it, I would be losing $1,200 in two years or 50%.

My D300 is in absolute mint condition and working flawlessly with less than 9,000 actuations (the D700 has become my camera of choice.) It is still under the Nikon Warranty and if there was anything wrong with it, I would have sent it in for repairs. In other words, I will not sell it for less. This brings me to another point.

I have come to the realization that it does not make any sense to get very expensive digital cameras of $1,000 or more. In a year or two, they will lose 50% of their value. I read in a website, for example, one person is trying to exchange his used D300 for the D2xs. Two people offered their D2x, instead. The D2x was ~$5,000 four or so years ago and now it is worth the price of a used D300, a camera I cannot sell for $1,200. The moral to the story, do not get any digital camera over $1,200 or so. Even if they lose 50% of the value, we are talking around $600, which is half of what I lost already, if I sell the D300.

Update:  I just sold the Nikon D300; I'll be getting the D5000 soon. I just cannot believe that I did it - too attached to "Gracie."  However, it did not make any sense to me to have both the D700 and D300.  I always chose the D700.  I'm looking forward to the D5000 with some reservations - the service advisories.  If not for that, I would not have any qualms about it.  Therefore, I'm taking a chance.