Wednesday, September 30, 2009
by Smith
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Everyone else has already covered the details, so I'll just add my voice to the chorus. Particularly, I am amazed at the photos shot at ISO3200 and the fact that you can get something truly usable at ISO6400.
Also, the feel of it in your hands is terrific.
Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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Nikon D300 is very good camera, but it took 3 weeks to ship the item to my place, poor package.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
by Smith
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Instant on, immediate take when you push the shutter button, focuses instantly on what you want depending on how you set the focus area, and takes better pictures than my Maxxum 7 did. I currently use only one lens, the 18 - 200; but plan on getting another soon with faster aperture for fine work. I currently use mine for travel when backpacking; but also for pictures in the ER where I work. These I use for teaching purposes for the medical students who rotate with us. A very fine piece of hardware that works as advertised.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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This is a fantastic camera. I upgraded from D200 and happy that Nikon made the D300. They have changed around many of the menu items I was use to from my D200, but that is worth the better quality when I shoot at higher ISO's. I higly recommend for any serious photographer.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Monday, September 28, 2009
by Smith
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Wading through instructions is tedious, but love the camera. I upgraded from a D-200, which I liked very much. Most detailed photos I've ever had. We'll know more after more trial photos.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I am one of those guys who finds a brand and sticks with it. I have been using Canon's for 12 years. I have had everything from a Canon EOS 1N, to a 1V, 1D, 1D Mark IIN, etc. But I gave up on Canon because they didn't have camera bodies that were light, or small enough but also took amazing photos. I switched from Canon to Leica and bought the $5,000 M8. A truly incredible machine worthy of the high price tag. But it was limited. I found after using it for several months that I had gotten used to having all the latest bells and whistles that the new digital SLRs have.
So, I spend countless hours researching what Canon to get. Luckily, I needed a camera with auto focus for a shoot and my friend loaned me her D300. I can honestly say that it was love at first sight. I had only had the Leica for a couple of weeks, but I knew at that moment I had to ditch it.
The D300 has just about everything I'm looking for in a camera. Yes, I would love it if it could fit into my shirt pocket, be as light as a feather, etc. But it isn't. It is however, when paired with my Nikon 17-55mm DX lens about 1.2 pounds lighter than my Canon EOS 1D Mark IIN when paired with the Canon 24-70mm L lens. And I have to say, I think this is as capable, if not more capable than that camera and lens system. The shots I have gotten from it are unlike anything else I've taken. They have a depth and clarity that I rarely got from my Canon gear.
Here are my plus points:
1. The feel of the camera. It sits in your hands nicely and you know you're holding something strong and robust.
2. All of the latches, seals, doors, etc. are nice and tight. They don't feel like plastic, but like a composite of some kind. Everything snaps nicely into place without protest.
3. Images are extremely sharp and the color rendition is incredible.
4. It's size. It's not so small and light that you think you're going to break it. But not so big that you wouldn't want to bring it everywhere with you.
5. There are so many dials and buttons right at your finger tips. It takes longer to learn than my trusty old Canon system did, but once I got the hang of it, it was easy.
6. The 3" display is a marvel. It makes my images sing!
7. The dust removal system. Haven't had a lot of time to test this out, but if it works, it's great. It doesn't take more than a second and makes almost no noise.
8. The shutter seems much quieter than my Canon. It is definitely much quieter than my Leica which sounded like a plane landing.
That's about it. I just really love it. Well done Nikon! With this I believe they can overtake Canon in sales and if not in sales, than in customer satisfaction.
No Canon has felt like this in my hands except for the $4,000 1D models which are bears to carry around. I won't lie and say the D300 is the best SLR out there. The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is world beyond this, but it's $8,000. And no one needs 21.1mp. The Nikons 12.3mp will satisfy anyone for many years to come. Very large enlargements can be made from this camera. My website www.tayloryoungphotography.com will be showcasing many photos taken with this beauty. I promise!
Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Sunday, September 27, 2009
by Smith
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I upgraded to the D300 from the D80 about a month ago. I have been an advanced amature and avid Nikon user for many years. The D300, simply put, is not only the best camera I have ever owned, it is the best value.
The D300, of course, includes many improvements from previous digital Nikon SLRs which it shares with the D3. Some of these improvements are incremental, others are much more useful for people who really care about their photography. These include the new processing system for exposure, the new 51 point AF system, and especially the greater flexibilty in the D300 for modifying color saturation and gamma values. This allows much more flexibility for creativity than for previous Nikons I have owned before. For example, setting the color saturation for vivid with a plus 2 or 3 value allows me to take photographs with much deeper color on the D80 or the D200. In addtion, the gamma control allows manipulation of overall tint without the need for having to purchase a range of color filters. The advanced focusing system really comes in handy when photographing moving subjects either in performance or sports.
At perhaps a third of the price of the D3, and sharing most of it's features (with the exception of having a full-frame sensor) the D300 is a tremendous value and offers entry into professional photographic equipment with advanced capablity at a relatively low price. All I can say is go for it!Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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The Nikon D300 is everything the advertising claims and more. I own a D200 and as such a person you wouldn't think I would need to upgrade to a 300, however, I needed a second camera and thought what the hey...lets get the newer one. And, it makes the d200 seem like a kids toy. The options are even better laid out, the reaction time is faster, and the quality of the image is unreal. This camrea is all Nikon claims it is and more. Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Saturday, September 26, 2009
by Smith
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I've been using the D300 for slightly over a month now and so far I haven't been disappointed in any way with how it's performed. At the beginning I wasn't getting pictures as sharp as I would have liked them but that was mostly my fault and since then I've refined my technique and I don't think I've ever seen sharper results. The camera is fast and paired with a faster CF card you can just keep shooting and never run out of buffer space shooting in raw.
If you're coming from an older camera like the D70s like I did, some of the new features may take some getting used to, the biggest change was the focus points. They did away with Closest Subject, the Dynamic Area focus is now quite complex with options for 9/21/51/51 point 3d area tracking options and the third option is "Big White Rectangle Mode" Ken Rockwell refers to it as such and since I can't remember it's actual name, I'll just refer to it that way. BWRM uses all 51 points automatically and the camera decides what should be the focus point, so far it's worked great for me, the things I want in focus are usually sharp, sometimes it gets it wrong, but since the camera can't read my mind, I don't mind really. Unfortunately the camera can sometimes be bogged down in 51 point mode if there's a really busy scene. The focus can sometimes lag before taking your initial shot but if you choose a mode with less than all 51 points then you'll never have this problem.
Battery life on a single EN-EL3e seems to be around 400-500 shots with heavy LCD usage which is much better than I thought it would be. Still, I ordered a second battery and the MB-D10 grip so I can continuously shoot without stopping to change batteries. I'll probably do an update to this review once the grip is here.
I don't think I can say anything bad about the camera, it's definitely a step up from the D70s, using the D300 exclusively then trying out the D70s makes the D70s feel like a child's toy. The D70s is still a great camera that I took some wonderful pictures with but I'd never go back to it after using the D300.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I owned both the Canon Rebel XTi and 40D with 24-70 F2.8 L and 70-200 F4 IS L and just used them as a casual amateur photographer. I was very happy with the images they produced. I was even strongly considering the 5D when along came the D300 w/ 18-200 VR lens. We all know Canon and Nikon regularly leapfrog each other. But I seriously believe 2008 is Nikon's year. I compared the image results from the 40D and D300 and the latter just trumped the 40D hands-down on every aspect. It was close to film quality. Colors were more vivid, ergonomics are MUCH better, a rockin' LCD screen, dust and weather sealing, 51 AF points, 100% viewfinder coverage, vital controls like flash exposure compensation are not buried in the menu, ISO 1600 images with little decrement in quality, etc. Taking photographs is lots of fun with this bad boy. Another big reason for the switch was the 18-200 VR lens. Instead of changing lenses and risking dust to get in the sensor, I just leave this lens on and it does most everything I've ever wanted in a walkaround lens. One downside is that my Canon buddies have labeled me a "traitor," and always give me a hard time for it, but I can live with that.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Friday, September 25, 2009
by Smith
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I had not learned all the features of the D200 but I am glad I upgraded to the D300. It makes better pictures. More pixels, less noise, higher ISO. I adjusted saturation up a notch and like the result.
The thick and well cross-referenced manual still leaves me with some questions about how things work, specifically about non-Nikon lenses and about how flash controls interact.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1UIR5WOG8SIOP Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
I'm Dustin Diaz, a Web Developer and Photographer at Google. This is me talking about my D300. I have opinions and I talk about them here. Overall this is an excellent camera and would highly recommend this camera. If anyone has a question or comment, feel free to comment on the video. Cheers.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Thursday, September 24, 2009
by Smith
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I'm going to try to keep this short. Controls are perfectly spaced and in the right places, 6 Frames per second is fast but add the MB-D10 grip and you get 8 frames per second. It's been great not just for sports but also photographing children on the go. Thanks to Nikons picture control system adding different profiles to the camera or sharing with other photographers is a snap. i'd also recommend the mb-d10 grip as it balances out the camera and just feels right. there just seems to be something missing without it. not to mention the ability to power the camera from AA batteries rather than 40 dollar EN-EL3e batteries. For $20 you can buy Energizer 2500mah NiMH batteries which last longer than the 1500mah lithium ion batteries. HDMI output is nice but have only used it to test it. Live view is great for the strange tight spots photographers sometimes find them in. i've used it to take pictures over the heads of other people in crowds or while setting the camera on my shoe but didn't want to smash my face into the ground to look through the viewfinder. the shutter release takes a little getting used to and expect to occasionally snap two shots while in Ch mode (highspeed). the high iso performance is great however if you are looking for unbelievable high iso performance look at the D3. For examples of photos taken with this camera go to http://www.flickr.com/bl117 . Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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To start I am an a amateur photographer with about two years experience.
I own a D40,which was my first and really enjoy it for family and everyday shooting.Great colors and focus.I then purchased the D80 which I have had
great success with and love it!But when I purchased the D300 there is no
comparison.The 51 point focus is awesome and the color choices are unbelievable! This thing is awesome when it comes to speed and focus.Quick
accurate response time is great for nature and fast moving subjects.
The pictures you take will make you feel like a pro with the very first shots taken.
The menu is so easy to use that it makes ease of changing and getting exactly what you're looking for.There is a lot in the menu but with a little time you'll get it fine because it has a help section.Anyone thinking of going another step up to a pro camera should not look elsewhere as Nikon truly has created a gem!To me this is a five star camera because of performance and the rugged build quality,A+ Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
by Smith
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This is my first DSLR, and I'm glad I waited for this. Feels much like my F100...on steroids. I'm just scraping the surface at this point and am thoroughly impressed.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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i am very happy with the camera. i previously owned the d200 so this was an upgrade. the d300 is very similar in physical appearence although the features are much improved. the only problem i had was that the vendor sent me a unit that was not brand new as the box had been opened and some things were missing. Amazon was very responsive with an exchange or a refund or keeping the item but with a discounted price. Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
by Smith
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this camera produces the most realistic and artistic file grain I have every seen. Noise is very beautifully rendered. Images are usable even at ISO as high as 3200.
Look at some full size images of the Canon 40d and even the more expensive 5D for comparison, you'll be surprised at how much more capable this camera is in low light.
Solid build, customizable menus and controls, 51 AF points......they just sweeten the deal even more.
Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I upgraded from three years with the Nikon D70s. There are not enough words to describe the completeness, quality, or flexibility the D300 proffers advanced amateur photographers. What prompted me most to make the leap is the video tutorial on Nikon's web site. And it only scratches the surface of the feature-richness of this marvel of cameras. My favorite (though there are many) is the ability to customize all the settings to fit four different scenarios. For instance, if I go from shooting a landscape to shooting flash, I can instantly switch to all the settings I want for flash photography by making just one menu selection. A corollary to that is all the custom settings can be saved to a .bin file on your computer. So you go out in the field, fiddle with everything, come back and reload ALL your default customizations in a matter of minutes. If you take the plunge, you may want do what I did: I got Thom Hogan's "Complete Guide to the D300" and religiously went through it step by step--all 790 pages. It took me about six weeks, because with each step, I'd take the camera up and try/experiment. This has done two things for me: It has greatly shortened my learning curve and increased my overall satisfaction and comfort level with it. Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Monday, September 21, 2009
by Smith
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All I've read here are rave reviews but my experience is that the D300 is vastly overrated as a shooter. I bought mine brand new at Best Buy with a Tamron zoom lens and right out of the box it wouldn't autofocus properly. The motor would whirr and the lens tried feebly to focus in on a the subject without success.
Took it back to Best Buy and we tried a Nikon 55-200VR lens and that didn't work any better. I was going to try another D300 but they were out of stock and I was already soured on this product. I've owned Nikons before -- I still have the remarkable D40 -- and was looking to step up. For the hefty $2,400 price (with lens), I expected a lot more. Deeply disappointed.
I wound up buying a Sony A700, a vastly superior camera in most respects, even with the kit 18-70 lens, and never looked back. Plus I saved $1,000 to boot.
Nikon has a good rep, but the great d40 notwithstanding Sony Alpha-Series cams outperform in many ways, including easy of use, photo quality and build. Nikon has the edge in customer service, however. And, value-wise, hard to beat the D40.
Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I ordered my D300 on July 24th of this year after reading hundreds of reviews on Amazon, Adorama, Ritz, Newegg, Ken Rockwell and others. Every once in a while, Nikon will produce something that it's users absolutely fall in love with. In the entry level market, it's the D40. At the advanced level it was the D70. In the high end market, the one between the advanced and professional market which only Nikon has established, it's is the D300! Many try to compare the D300 with Cannon's 40D. No, the 40D is not in the D300 class, it's better compared with the Nikon D80. There's a reason the D80 and 40D are around the same price and are 600 dollars cheaper than the D300.
I moved up from a D40 which I only shot with for about 7 or 8 months. Often there is a learning curve spoken of, this depends on your current shooting style and can be either steep and challenging or shallow and easy. Because of the way I shoot with my D40, this learning curve was easy for me. I never use any preset modes or dummy (auto) mode. I always shoot in manual or shutter priority. If this is your style then you will love the D300. It has no preset modes and no auto mode so it is not for anyone looking to get their first DSLR.
Much has been made in these reviews about all the technical things this camera can do. While one cannot speak of this camera without mentioning them, I will do my best to explain briefly at least two of them and when to use them for those who may not be familiar with them.
1.Active D-Lighting (Adaptive Dynamic Range) is great for contrasting subjects or environments. It subtly brings up dark shadows to enhance detail while controlling the bright areas to preserve highlights. It should be turned off however if there is little contrast in the composition as it can sometimes cause focusing errors. For example, a brown bird on a brown background which is almost camouflaged. Active D Lighting in this situation may cause the camera to focus on the ground instead of the bird. There are four settings for it; low, normal, high and off. You will need to experiment to see which settings suit your taste.
2. You can get up to 51 points of focus including 51 point 3D tracking focus. The latter of these is useful when tracking a soccer player across a field with other players running in front and behind him/her constantly or tracking a bird moving through the branches of trees. Normal 51 point focus is good for wider shots and you will only see the focus points when they light up after pushing the shutter release half way. Lets say you're trying to get a flock of birds or something; then you might want to switch to the 11 points of focus as these are spaced wider in the frame allowing you to capture more widely scattered subjects. 9 focus points are good for close ups and portraits that you want centered in the frame. For wildlife photographers like myself, the 21 focus points are good as that allows you to fill most of the frame with the subject in focus. The final mode of focus is continuous which is selected by a switch on the left front of the camera and one which, if you're like me with a large hand and long fingers, may accidentally change your focus mode because it can get in the way when you have long fingers. This mode focuses continually, allowing you to track birds in flight. On the back is another focus related switch that selects the focus points used. At the top is a rectangle thats pretty much an automatic selection of the 51 focal points. Most of the time it selects the right ones but not if you're doing wildlife shoots. As any wildlife shooter knows, cameras can have the tendency to focus on the wrong thing. This mode is best not used for wildlife. In the middle is another selection that shows a small square with with small dots on all four sides of it encompassed by brackets. This will use either the focus points you preselect in the menus (9, 11,21 or 51).If this is used with the S on the front switch it will actually move the center point anywhere around the frame as the subject moves. This it will do only if you've selected the S (for single) on that switch in the front..The selection on the bottom looks like the previous one without the small dots. That selects a single focus point. That S tells the camera to only use one focus point. That switch can also be set to M for full manual focus. This Explanation of focus is somewhat oversimplified but it will give you a good starting point when dealing with the focusing of this great camera.
I could go on about the technical aspects of this camera but that would indeed take a few days to write! I will tell you that once you have this camera in your hands, you will never want to put it down, seriously. I love my D40, I haven't used it though since I got my D300. If you have the money to get one, don't wait for a better deal, just go out and buy one and start shooting with it today. I got mine in advance of the fall and winter migrant birds I like to shoot arriving in Southern California. I wanted to get a good feel for this camera. Everything on this camera works beautifully.
I never even went into the color and white balance selections as other reviewers have done a great job of that already.
I will be updating this review as time passes. Any questions feel free to contact me. I hope this helped at least some of you.
here are a few photos taken with my D300:
http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/102090599
http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/101522663
http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/101319666
http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/102090431Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Sunday, September 20, 2009
by Smith
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Others have covered the basics, so let me just say that this camera simply helps me take better pictures than any other camera I've owned, period.
Yes, there are lots of cool features that do all sorts of wonderful things, but at the end of the day, I seem able to take my D300 out with a few of my favorite lenses, and even just walking around town, I always come back with at least a few gallery-grade shots. Between the camera's capabilities and the comfortable controls, it just always seems to be ready to do exactly what I have in mind, and my results show it.
I tried the 18-200 zoom, but wasn't impressed - I found it a bit soft. The 16-85 has become my favorite "walk around" lens, supplemented by the magnificent 70-200 2.8, the 10.5 fisheye and the 60 micro. Together, these give me about all the options I'd want, and the whole thing fits in a backpack style case.
Don't forget to buy large (8GB) memory cards...they fill faster than you might think, especially if you choose the option of shooting raw (NEF) and JPEG at the same time - that's nearly 20mb per picture.
Also don't overlook the very good Nikon Capture NX2 software that comes with the camera. I have Photoshop and lots of other applications, but while Capture NX2 isn't as flexible as Photoshop, it also seems somehow a lot simpler to go from the idea I have in my head to a finished print in my hands.
Only minor gripe I have is with battery life...I find that on my typical mix of flash and non-flash shots, reviewing images on the built-in screen and so on, I get about 150-200 shots per battery charge. I have a few spare batteries, but perhaps it's a reason to buy the add-on grip.
Bottom line is that the D300 has proven to easily be the best thing I've done in a long, long time to improve my photography.
Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I purchased this camera before visiting Cape May, NJ to bird watch. The 51 point AF system is awesome if you have the proper lens to take advantage of the camera's capabilities. It is fast and has the horsepower to meet the needs of all but the most demanding photographers (who will purchase the D3).
I was initially concerned with the weight, but after using it a few times, I did not notice the extra weight compared to my D50. It actually fit my hands better.
Lastly, having the flash commander mode was wonderful. I used in with a remote SB600 without issue. I loved having the ability to dial in the exposure for the on-camera flash and the SB600 from the menus in the D300. I took family portraits at the beach near sunset. I set the exposure for the ambient conditions and had the proper flash settings within a couple of test-shots (and I'm not a pro either - this is very easy to do with the Commander mode enabled). Even with the ambient light changing each minute, I coule easily change the settings to exposure and the flash to account for the reduced available light.
I highly recommend this camera to everyone I meet.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Saturday, September 19, 2009
by Smith
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I've only had this camera for what seems a very short while. I bought it refurbished from Cameta through Amazon. It seemed like I was taking a chance in order to get quite a price break. I can tell you that it was worth it. I have had no problems with the camera. It came with all the standard accessories. Other merchants were selling refurbished D300 cameras but they did not come with all of the manufacturer's standard accessories.
I feel as though I have just scratched the surface of the features that this camera offers. I upgraded from a Nikon D1H with 2.7 megapixels. I got quite an increase in picture detail. I am quite pleased that I am able to use all of my Nikkor lenses that have the AI mount and anything newer. I am very impressed with the wide exposure latitute this camera offers (if I use that term correctly having used film SLRs since 1971). The noise reduction is as good as they said it would be. I was concerned about that due to Nikon's reputation for not having the best noise reduction in its DSLRs of the past. This camera handles it well.
The 3 inch monitor is wonderful unless you're in bright sunlight. My only criticism of the camera is that I find myself looking at my own reflection rather than the image I have just taken.
I recently took my wife's portrait because she needed an 8X10 for a head shot. The best frame turned out to be a horizontal one and I cropped it quite a bit to get a vertical print. You would never know from the quality of the print that it had been cropped from perhaps 30 to 40 percent of the frame. I don't think I could have done this with my 2.7 megapixel camera.
I look forward to a lot more fun and productive picture taking using the Nikon D300 and I recommend it highly.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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The Nikon D300 will take well in excess of 1,000 photos on a battery charge - with the standard battery. The quality of photos is strong, though autofocus in limited lighting is underwhelming. Generally satisfied with the value for the money. Arrived undamaged, well packed, on time.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Friday, September 18, 2009
by Smith
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Could not be more satisfied with this camera: the resolution, color correctness, the many ways to record an image, the ease of use, the construction -- all superb.
If you can afford this camera -- get it!! You will not be disappointed.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I have owned a Nikon D70, D70s, D60, and D80. I bought this camera earlier this year and I love it! I use it mainly for weddings. It has great noise reduction. I normally shoot at 400 ISO, and I definitely feel comfortable shooting at 800 ISO and somewhat comfortable shooting some pictures at 1600 ISO. The color is great. It is easy to use for a professional DSLR. The buttons are placed well on the camera body. It's a fun camera to use and performs great for everything that I have put it through!Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Thursday, September 17, 2009
by Smith
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I researched this camera on Amazon, but because it was so complex, I bought it at my local camera store (Shutterbug), paying full retail for the "customer support". BIG MISTAKE. They don't help you at all! They don't even put in the battery or show you anything. I got much more and better support for this when I bought my lenses and extra's from Amazon and it's partners. They will spend an hour with you on the phone talking you through setting it up, even though you didn't buy it from them. Cameta and Adorama are especially good. So, save some money, don't be a sucker like me, and buy your camera from Amazon! BTW, this is one great camera. Really complex, but wonderful. Buy the book "Nikon D300 Digital Field Guide" by J. Dennis Thomas with it!Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
This camera is everything it's cracked up to be. It was missing the eye piece cover for timed shots; Amazon made good on it immediatly.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
by Smith
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The Nikon D300 is one of the most versatile advanced amateur DSLRs on the market. In fact, I have built most of my wedding photography business around this camera and its extraordinary potential. At this time, the Nikon D90 has lowered the demand for the D300 which means that its cost has gone down a few hundred dollars from when I purchased it. What a great time to buy!
Similarities to the D3:
1. 51 autofocus points.
2. 8 frames per second (with the battery grip; 6.5 fps without)
3. Customization of features for quick changes in camera settings in the field
4. Excellent weatherproofing
5. Active D-LIghting
Advancements over the D90:
1. D90 features 4.5 fps versus 6.5 on D300
2. D90 cannot meter with old manual focus lenses
3. D90 is not weather-sealed
4. D90 has 11 autofocus points versus 51 on D300
5. D90's fastest shutter speed is 1/4000 vs 1/8000 with D300
6. D90's viewfinder offers only 96% coverage vs. D300's 100%
7. D90 has a 100,000 shutter cycle vs. the D300's 150,000
8. D90 is limited in customization
9. D90's max flash sync speed is 1/250 vs D300's 1/320
10. D90 does not use the professional speed CF Cards.
Are these features enough to convince you to go for this camera? That is up to you, but for me, they are plenty to keep me using this DSLR as my primary camera for (maybe) years to come!
Best-
Jason Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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great camera. get the 8gb udma transcend cf card. u'll have plenty of space shooting raw with a fast card.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
by Smith
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if you're heavily invested in DX lenses w/ nikon and looking for a fast, high-end body look no further. this is the best DX camera from nikon. a lot has been said about this body already, so no more comments from me!Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I shoot a lot of sports and the improved auto-focus, high iso performance and 8fps (with the vertical grip and AA batteries) makes me want to sell my D-200 and get another D-300. Be sure to get bigger faster CF cards so you don't have to worry about changing during the game. I got a pair of 8 gb cards and love them. I used to fill up a 2 gb card in the first half of a football game. Oh, and the lcd is "to-die-for" as well. Another surprise I got was that the flash would sync at 1/320. I shoot under crappy high school field lights and get great results. Give me a little daylight and I get unbelievable results. Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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After researching DSLRs week after week and reading hundreds of reviews, I know there isn't much I can say about this camera that hasn't already been said! So here's my own personal spin (non-technical): my first DSLR was a Sony A100. After being frustrated with the autofocus and wanting to upgrade lenses, yet finding them expensive and hard-to-find, I decided it was time to jump ship and go with either Nikon or Canon from this day forward. I was completely torn between choosing the Nikon D90, the D300 or going with the new Canon 50D. Choosing a brand for lenses seemed almost more crucial to me than the camera itself! In the end, I came to the conclusion that ANY one of these cameras or brands would be completely fantastic in it's own special way. Compare all you want, but they each have something unique that sets them aside and made them a draw in my mind; as a bonus, all were within my price range. The dealbreaker came when I finally got a hold of a Canon 50D in my hands and found that as much as I LOVED the feel of the camera, the menu navigation just didn't click with me as much as Nikon's menu (complete personal preference here). So that made it easier to choose Nikon. Having held both (which I HIGHLY recommend), the D300 felt more solid and secure in my hands. I was hesitant because it does lack the "cheater" settings as I call them, but I took the leap anyways. I have not looked back for a moment! If I didn't have the extra money to spare OR if I wasn't comfortable with my own settings, the D90 would have been just as fantastic! But to me, the D300 is a camera with a lot more potential to learn and expand over the years. I see myself keeping it for many, many years and only ever spending my money on lenses anymore. With the D90, I fear I would have wanted to upgrade the camera again in a few years to something more professional, consequently cutting into my lens fund!
Conclusion: pick a camera today that you would like to keep and grow with; then use all your money in the future for better and better lenses, regardless of what new camera is announced. For me, the D300 is definitely the one: this camera is a keeper so now I can focus the rest of my time and money on building my glass collection!Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Monday, September 14, 2009
by Smith
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Bought the camera off Amazon after weeks of research. Its the finest camera I've ever used. The control I have over the camera and its intuitive controls are incredible. Invest in a decent book (e.g. Busch) as the manual is complete but very poorly written. I bought mine with the Nikkor 70-300mm lens. The lens/body combo is unbeatable.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I expected some improvement over my D200 but so far it has been much more than I expected! The color is far greater! I really think that Nikon has done their homework on this model. If any one has doubts about buying this model,I would highly recommend it. Just pick one up shoot a few frames,download and see what I mean.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Sunday, September 13, 2009
by Smith
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The Nikon D300 DSLR is one of the most feature rich cameras for it's price. The Nikon D300 is is a rugged camera with a magnesium alloy frame and a fair amount of weather/dust sealing. The ruggedness of this camera is apparent from the moment you first pick up to handle it. The controls and buttons are well placed and easy to use, and if you've used other Nikon DSLRs, you'll find the D300 controls quite familiar with few exceptions.
At 12.3MP from it's DX sensor, the Nikon D300 offers crisp accurate colors and sharp detail that can't be found in the lower priced consumer level cameras. The quality is especially noticeable in less than perfect shooting conditions such as poorly lit situations, where the auto-focus performance coupled with usable images up to the ISO 3200 range. That's not to say the D300 doesn't have noise at it's higher ISO settings, it does, but the noise levels are much more acceptable than past offerings such as the D200 or D100 Nikon DLSRs. The Nikon D300 can be pushed right up to ISO 6400 though the noise starts getting very ugly in this range, but it can make the difference in getting the shot or going home empty-handed.
With the Auto ISO feature, you can specify what ISO ranges you want the camera to work with, and what the slowest shutter speed is you want the camera to use before stepping up to a higher ISO level for you. This is especially helpful when photographing in fast-paced settings where you don't have time to fiddle with all the settings for a perfect exposure, the camera helps you get the shot faster, and gets you the proper exposure without dropping the shutter speed down into unacceptable ranges. I find this feature the most useful when shooting in aperture priority mode.
Many people find the Nikon D300 doesn't produce the eye-popping photos they expect right out of the box, but one needs to bear in mind that the D300 isn't a consumer level camera, and shouldn't be expected to perform as one. It's definitely worth the time to learn how to properly use all the features this camera has to offer. The images from the D300 are at their best once you set the camera up to your own personal shooting style, and learn some good processing techniques in photo-processing software such as the excellent Nikon Capture NX2 or equally impressive Adobe Lightroom programs.
The Multi-CAM 3500DX auto-focus system on the Nikon D300 is very impressive, and even in the lowest light settings, I've not had any problems with the D300 acquiring focus nearly instantaneously without having to resort to using the annoying focus-assist lamp which I keep turned off. The 51-point 3D focus tracking is especially impressive, and as to date it's been able to keep up with any demanding situation I've tasked it with such as indoor sporting events and night-time action photography.
I could go on and on about all the countless features of the Nikon D300, but you can read about them easily enough in the product feature list, or the multitude of reviews that are nothing but rehashed feature lists with little insight offered into the actual functionality of those features. Suffice it to say, of all the features the Nikon D300 puts on the table, they all work with a level of precision that won't leave you disappointed. Once you take the time to learn to use all the features this camera has to offer, and how they work together, there's hardly a shooting situation you wouldn't be able to handle with this gem of a DX sensored DSLR.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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The Nikon D300 was the camera that convinced me to complete my migration from Canon's EOS Digital system. My previous main body was a Canon EOS 20D. I liked that camera, but had become frustrated by its small rear display and lack of a sensor dust-removal system. I have a collection of manual focus Nikkor lenses from my film days, and I tested the Nikon waters a few years ago by purchasing a D40 to experiment with those lenses. Using the manual lenses on the D40 was less than satisfactory (no metering), but I did find myself turning to the D40 regularly over the following months. I preferred its treatment of highlights and noise to that of the Canon - the Nikon approach to image processing undoubtedly results in a more "film-like" result.
Anyway, back to the D300 - The display is gorgeous - HUGE compared to the Canon 20D. The image processing is superb: low noise until ISO 1600, but the noise that is there is not unpleasant (unlike the blotchy results I would get from the Canon at those speeds). The grip feels great in my hand. The viewfinder display is very usable. I don't find myself accidentally adjusting the exposure compensation as I often would on the Canon. Auto-bracketing: check. Matrix metering with AI-S lenses - Woo Hoo!
I could not be happier with this purchase. Great value.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Saturday, September 12, 2009
by Smith
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The Nikon D-300 has to be the Rolls-Royce of Digital Cameras. The capabilities of this camera are endless; it's a true professional Digital SLR. Nikon quality is built into every aspect of this camera. With 12.3 mega pixels, the pictures come out crystal clear and the colors are vivid. New features like "Live View" are very useful. The large LCD screen is crisp and clear and great for seeing if your pictures are in perfect focus. All in all, this is a must have in my book.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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The D300 is a fantastic camera and an incredible value. I am a professional photographer, and in this price range, I don't think there is anything out there that can touch it. Nikon has finally gotten it's image quality, resolution, sharpness and focusing capability up there with Canon. It is about time. You can spend a lot more to get a better set of features, image size and speed, but in my opinion, for this price, the D300 is tops. The camera is a huge improvement over the slow focusing D200, and with the optional battery compatability, the shooting speed is well-suited for sports action.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Friday, September 11, 2009
by Smith
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I decided to go with a 're-certified' d300 over a brand new d90, which was a difficult decision to make at the time. The decision essentially boiled down to a better camera vs a camera with video capabilities. Since I was upgrading from a d80, I decided to go for the better camera - and I couldn't be happier. The in-camera controls are great and allow for quick adjustments. It takes great low light shots (compared to the d80) which I'd always had trouble with before. Since there is no scene mode dial (which I never used on the d80) that space is opened up for other quick adjustments. I can now set a preset white balance in about 5 seconds.
It's a little bigger than the d80, and also heavier, which I don't mind. It doesn't fit as well in my old holster case, but the fact that it's a metal body and sealed somewhat gives me peace of mind when I'm out in the elements.
Overall it's a great camera. I sometimes wish for the video capabilities still, but the increased quality of my shots makes up for it.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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What can I say? Simply fabulous! I am an amataeur and just got the blue crane digital intro video so I can learn all the great things the camera can do. I also have poor vision so I am glad to have an SLR with a big monitor. Right now I just use it on P mode, which is similar to auto. I have been a Nikon SLR user since way back in the film days. I had a D70 (which I just sold) and loved it to death (I hate to have given it up), but my failing vision forced me into the D300. I am sure Nikon won't dissapoint. all the pros say it is an amazing piece of machinery and I trust that it is :0)Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Thursday, September 10, 2009
by Smith
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The Nikon D300 is the best DSLR so far made for the advanced consumer market. The features included in the D300 are or are almost the same as the professional Nikon D3 professional camera that is over three times the price. Best buy that I have made in a while and I am quite satisfied with the 18 to 200 mm lens and the SB-900 flash that I have purchased for it.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I've been using this camera since a couple months after it was released and I just love it. It takes some amazing images. Not to rewrite what so many have already written, I'll just summarize the features I like about it.
1) The 3 inch LCD is the envy of every photographer I've worked with who doesn't have one
2) This camera has a Live View mode, which I don't use much but some people do.
3) The 12.3 mega pixels is very nice
4) The ability to shoot at ISO 1600-3200 and still get usable images is great. With my D200 I never go over ISO 800
5) You can zoom way in on images when viewing them
6) The Autofocus system is just awesome. 51 points and color. They say the Auto Area AF mode can detect human faces but I don't use that feature.
7) I have its dust removal system set up to remove sensor dust at startup and shutdown
8) The Active D-Lighting gives me more dynamic range
9) I like the rubber covers instead of the screw caps my D200 has (had until I lost them)
This really is the best camera you can get for under two grand. Canon may have something comparable by the time I write this but I'm not really following the Canon line so I wouldn't know. I just know that this is a truly amazing camera and you will not be disappointed.
For a good tutorial book on this camera, have a look at Darrell Young's Mastering the Nikon D300.
Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
by Smith
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I have had a Nikon D200 for two years and this camera is definitely a step up. I love it. My pictures are even better than they were with the D200. They appear to be sharper with this system. The D300's matrix system makes it much easier to focus on the subject.
The live view was a bit of a disappointment to me because I thought using the screen would be similar to a point and shoot camera. Live view is only for times that you can't use the view finder easily. When using live view the shutter speed is diminished greatly. Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I'll get right to the point since all the other reviews covered any and everything imaginable. This was an upgrade from my D70s which I've had for about 3 years now. While the D70s is a great camera for still and slow moving subjects, I realized that it had it's limitations (focusing speed on fast moving subjects,small viewing screen size - 2.5", etc.). After watching the D300 demo videos on Nikon's website, scrolling through the features and menues on the camera and snapping a few shots, I can tell you that this is an "Incredible" camera! The speed and features are like nothing you can imagine! For a camera of this quality and price range, you can't go wrong! This is truely a "Pro Quality" camera!Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
by Smith
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Wow, I recently bought the sony a350 14.2 megapixel and I can tell u that the sony a350 its great camera, very good pictures, BUT, BUT, after reading a lot of reviews about the NIKON D300 and like three weeks of shooting with the sony a350 I needed more from that camera, I noticed that at 300mm the sony losses a lot of picture quality. well short story, I GOT THE D300, and let me tell u guys that when I came back from the park with around 400 shoots, all I said was, wow wow wow, the colors of this pictures are awesome.
Now, I will tell u this, Im not pro but if u buy this camera you will feel like a pro, you will love this thing believe it, but this is the point, if u are not a pro or if this is your first SLR camera i would recomend buying the 18-200 vr lens for it, why?, why, because from 200mm to 300mm there is not a big difference, that happened with me when I had the sony a350, I had the 18-70 and the 75-300, yes of course 70mm doensnt do anything, so u need more, and like I said 300mm is not enough, so I would recomend to get the 18-200 vr wich is an exellent lens and, and if u thing you need more zoom, look for something gives u al least 500mm, I have the D300 WITH 18-200 AND THE SIGMA 150-500 and believe me I cant ask for more, Im so happy with this kit, if u want to read about the sigma 150-500 go to sigmas 150-500 I will write a review.
Anyway, if u have the money and ur thinking of buying this d300, THEN GET IT, dont look for more reviews, ITS exellent.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I don't normally review products but I often refer to the reviews before purchasing and do extensive research. I couldn't really find any drawbacks to this camera and I'm thoroughly impressed by the quality, intuitive and abilities. I upgraded from a Nikon D70s looking for more options and more program flexibility. I bought Brouche's book to go with the camera and have spent about a day reading and learning about all the functions and customizing just about everything you can imagine. It takes time to customize the camera in order to truly take advantage of the price and features. After taking a few sample pictures, I'm very happy with my purchase. Once you read about the functions, you are good to go and it actually does help you become a better photographer as you have more control and input on your picture taking. If you are looking for a simple to use point and shoot and let the camera do all the thinking - it's great but overkill. You could get away with a D80 or D90 and save some money. But if you want full customization, endless programming options and a "heavy thinking camera" you won't be let down. Amazon had a great price on it and I bought it with a Nikon 17-55 mm lens which I'm sure impacts my picture quality. I highly recommend this for anyone that truly appreciates learning and using advanced photography options but not for someone that thinks they need to "step up" from a D90 to get a better camera...just because. Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Monday, September 7, 2009
by Smith
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This is my very first DSLR and I'm so pleased I got the Nikon D300. I've waited more than 8 months after it was released so that I can read the product reviews and reviews from other buyers about this camera. And I was sold.
I've been into photography since I was in the university. My first cameras were the 35mm film cameras from Minolta and Canon. Then, I have my Canon SD Powershot P&S. After a few years of shooting with the point-and-shoot, I've been wanting to do more than just what the P&S can do. Last November, I bought my first DSLR and it's Nikon D300 from amazon.com. Day one was overwhelming but after browsing its manual and reading the book on D300 (I bought one of these -- Mastering the Nikon D300 by Darrell Young, David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography), it was not that hard at all. I'm a computer programmer by profession and for me, it's just like getting acquainted with a new software application that has a learning curve but a lot easier and more exciting. It also helped to read references from Ken Rockwell website, Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure, and others to fully enjoy photography using a DSLR.
[Edited on 16Jan2009]
I also bought a Nikkor 16-85mm as my first lens. It is a good wide-angle and medium telephoto lens that I use as a walkabout lens for landcapes, portrait and some close-ups. But it would be great if I also have these line of lenses to complete my setup -- Sigma 11-16mm (landscapes), Nikkor 70-300mm VR (landscapes and safari) and Nikkor 105mm (macro). You may also check my listmania for the complete list.
I was amazed and happy to have made my first shots with D300. The color saturation is just amazing! I couldn't believe I made those. I'm just happy I bought this as my first SLR. But still, I believe a beautiful picture boils down to having a strong composition and good lighting.
Happy shooting!
Miss D300Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
by Smith
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I have been a Nikon digital photographer for over 10 years. I began with the Coolpix 775 and worked my way through affordable iterations of this product line until I purchased the D40x and plunged into the world of dSLR, as Nikon makes it, opening great vistas for me. A year later, I purchased the D80 from a fellow shooter (one I've teamed up with during all these years) who bought the D300 last year.
The D80 was more than adequate to my needs, but from our first wildlife shoot together, I heard the shutter click on my friend's D300 at near the speed of light (6fps, not even the 8fps the D300 can produce with a battery pack) and I reasoned that my 3.5fps was still not too shabby, even though my friend was breaking down water bird take offs into micro-slices, from my perspective with the D80. What sealed the deal was the resolution quality at ISO 1600 that made dusk shooting possible with noise under reasonable control with some Imagenomic Noiseware and CS3 magic in the digital darkroom. I now shoot as high as ISO 1250 and can do post-processing in Noiseware and CS4 with very pleasing results.
The D300 offers more camera control than I've needed thus far, but the ability to set up 4 banks of shooting personal menus is very, very powerful and makes getting for your favorite types of shooting (wildlife, landscape, people, low-light, etc.) a simple selection in the "Shooting Menu Bank," in the camera's main menu. Remember, I've only opened the box on this piece of elegant machinery, having owned it since the middle of November this year.
I recommend the D300 to any enthusiast/semi-pro shooter that is interested in taking their game to a whole new level of photography not available in less of a camera. I won't kid you, this is what I had to sell my D80 and pull some savings to get, but I'm very pleased with this camera and it's multitude of possibilities. You won't be disappointed.
I bought through Amazon and free-shipped to save a bit of money. As has been my experience with them, this one was on par with their keeping their promises.
Caveats: Not for the "auto-shoot" player. Not for someone starting out in the world of dSLR (the D40 is the camera to cut your teeth with, or even a used D40x, both make great photography possible). Research your needs on line. A man who shoots both Canon and Nikon has some very clear reviews on any camera from these manufacturer's-Ken Rockwell, Google it and you'll get to his site. Finally, if $ is no problem and you've got some dSLR under your belt, you're already shooting with the advanced models or looking for a less expensive path to excellence in photography, this camera will perform above your expectations.
I hope you enjoy yours as much as I am mine.Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).
Sunday, September 6, 2009
by Smith
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I got this camera half a year ago as a replacement for D80. While the latter is very fine camera, the D300 is absolutely superb camera.
To begin with, the size, balance, ergonomics, and build quality are perfect! The D80 always felt a bit small in my hands. The D300 feels just right -- almost like natural extension of your hands.
But the most amazing is the richness of features to make this camera as flexible as you please. Four shooting banks combined with four custom banks give you incredible variety of permutations not found in any other camera.
This flexibility however may be a curse for a novice photographer. You can take fantastic pix with D40,60,80 right out of the box, not so with D300. Expect at least 3 months of learning and experimenting before you feel comfortable with the camera. A dissapointment and frustration will result if you don't learn how to use it properly!
I would highly recommend reading Young's and Busch's books on mastering the D300. These authors digest the cryptic info found in the manual into comprehensible set of instructions sprinkled with tips and tricks to make your learning more enjoyable. If you are impatient, you can apply settings compiled in Excel spreadsheet by the Nikonian community. For a starter, it will give you four custom settings for point&shoot, landscape, portrait, and sports photography.
In addition to the versatile 18-200mm lens, buy Nikon 50mm f/1.8 for low light and Sigma 150mm for macro photography. These are inexpensive yet superb lenses that supplement 18-200 very well.
Whether you are seasoned professional or a novice photographer, this camera guarantees to provide you with plenty of enjoyable work and past times. Just make sure you want to devote yourself to this wonderful hobby before committing to buy this fine piece of equipment.
Get more detail about Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).