A new "toy"

I have long been fascinated with cameras, but never really could justify spending very much money on one. That is until recently. Even as a photojournalism student, I relied on my entry level Nikon D40. It has served me well and I will rely on it in the future as a backup camera. However, with its 6.1 megapixel sensor and poor quality at high ISOs, it is not among the more desirable cameras for professional use. Don't get me wrong, it still makes amazing photos but it has its limitations. The modern market demands near-perfection and for the most part, I am compliant. So after landing my first paying gigs late last year, I decided that I would need to invest in my business when the time was right. I mulled over the different models and their differences in price and features. I shoot Nikon, so I narrowed my choices down to the D300s and the D7000. These two cameras seemed to be on par with one another with two marked distinctions that were deciding factors for me. The price was a very obvious factor. The D7000 is a newer model with some updated features, yet has a price tag in the $1200 range whereas the D300s is around $1700. The second factor was that the D300s shoots video at 720p and the D7000 will shoot 720p and 1080p. Both cameras have dual card slots, but the D300s has one CF and one SD whereas the D7000 has dual SD slots which is not a deal breaker for me. I opted for the D7000 and it is now in my custody. I realize it is for work, but I can't help but be like a kid with a new toy. There is quite a learning curve to it. My old D40 had a much leaner menu, as well it should. As a beginner camera, it's not so overwhelming. As a professional, one must become an expert at navigating the camera's menu. I fully intend to learn the D7000 inside and out!