My D300 - First Impressions

[gstark]

Mine fell off the FedUp plane about 4pm yesterday; picked it up in Alexandria about an hour later. Pulled off the gift wrapping at the Botany View Hotel a few minutes later while witing for the SBS jam to get underway.

I had a new CF in hand ready for the new body, long with a fully charged EN-EL3e. Plugged them in, 85 f/1.4 on the front. AWB switched to incandescant. Beep switched off. Date and time set, timezone set.

Over 300 shots are currently being moved to the Mac from the CF card.

The camera ... the rear LCD is incredible. I need to digest what I'm seeing here, because the resolution seems so high. It's not clear to me that what I'm seeing is an image at 50%, 100%, 200% or ... ???

On the rear LCD the high-iso/low noise performance seems to be impressive, and I'll post some images later. These will be typical images that one might expect to see of musicians playing in a dark, dingy bar rather than contrived setups. That will be because that's exactly what we were shooting.

Controls ... if you're used to a D200 or D70, you'll feel right at home. Stuff has changed, buttons have moved ... but it's all good. The review button has moved to the upper section instead of adjacent to the LCD, but the zoom functionality has changed: instead of being a button-plus-dial operation, it's now a two button operation as per the 30D, but I like the placement of the Nikon buttons better, probably because its more familiar. The two button operation, btw, is one button to zoom in, another to zoom out.

One of the review modes that I found is very nice: with the large screen you can get a good sized thumbnail, a histogram, and three lines of shooting data all at the one time. Very useful, and very bloody nice.

I have stuff to do this morning, but I'll be able to post more later today, including images, and I will.

I'm also hoping that a good Canon shooter will post some impressions as well, given that not all of the 300 plus shots made yesterday were made by my hand.

I still need to play with some settings - setting up the image banks, for instance. I'm going to input the same values from the Nikonians.org spreadsheet that I use for the D200 and see where they take me.

Questions? Ask away

[Manta]

Well, first impressions are very significant Gary and I'm pleased the new baby seems to be meeting (and possibly exceeding) your expectations. I'm tracking mine on the FedEx site and it should be in my hands by early this arvo.

Going straight from the D70 to this one (with no D200 stopover on the way!), I'm curious about the 'image bank settings' you refer to. Can you give me some more info or a nikonians reference to check them out?

[gstark]

Simon,

There are a number of settings banks that you can preconfigure with preferred settings groups. There's a Nikonians.org spreadsheet that provides some values you can use for portraits, landscapes, and so on. You can then just select a bank to use, and that set of values will be put into place for you.

I found this while looking to find some custom curves for the D200, and this seems to be what many D200 users have been doing instead of using custom curves.

Certainly, and from my PoV, I was more satisfied with my out-of-camera images once I started using these than I had been prior.

The D300 and D3 go even further though, with the ability to store and set settings values based upon images you have already made. There's a utility that can save these for you, and (my understanding is) that you can name them and then copy them to your CF card, where they will be available for loading into the camera.

I have yet to even open the manual (that's how good the camera feels) and so I'm purely talking from actual playing, rather than with the authority of having read what Nikon say should be happening.

I don't have the Nikonians link handy, so I'll email you my copy.

Oh yes, the free copy of CaptureNX sticker is on the boxes, and there's a card inside the box with the serial code for this.

[Manta]

Fantastic Gary - thanks.

[radar]

For others that may be interested in these settings, here is a link to the Nikonians.org thread:

http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForu ... 17033.html

You need the zip and that contains an excel spreadsheet.

Gary,

one change I was sad to see on the D300 is the loss of the bracketing button on the back. You now need to use the Fn button, which is the one below the DOF preview button at the front of the camera but this is just a minor inconvenience.

Cheers,

André

[rah]

Out of interest, is there a live histogram mode now that there is live view?

[losfp]

Gary, I'm not sure if you have had a chance to compare with the D3, or whether that was just Leigh.

What I'm really interested in is a rough impression of the differences between the D300 and D200, and what sort of step up there is to the D3. I've seen the specs and have a rough idea, but it would be good to get some information from people who have handled both new cameras.

I'm currently using the D200, and the GLW is using my old D70s. I'm trying to decide whether I want to upgrade my D200 and pass the D200 along to the GLW. Of course this is completely irrational - my D200 still works wonderfully well and my skill is the limiting factor in my photography, not my camera.

We have a bub arriving in April and I expect to be taking a fair number of low-light shots. I would love the D3 for that reason as the sample shots have been nothing short of amazing, but I don't think I can justify that sort of cost. 6500-7000 bucks is a LOT of coin to spend on a camera that I am not deriving any income from. I don't think I would be taking THAT many low light shots, as most of the time I would either have decent lighting or flashes.

The other reason to upgrade would be to improve my sports shots, and this is one area where I would expect that the increased shot rate and improved AF system would help.

Bottom line: The D300 - is it a worthwhile upgrade from the D200? Gary, obviously you think so as IIRC you were using a D200?

[gstark]

Out of interest, is there a live histogram mode now that there is live view?

I haven't even gone down the live view path as yet, so I don't (yet) know. I do like the image display with the histogram and settings though, and the way that it just zooms straight in without needing to hit the enter button first, and then zooming with the zoombutton plus rear control wheel. This much more user friendly IMHO.

Andre, I don't use bracketing, so for me this is a non-issue. Sorry.

I do know that you can allocate functions to buttons (I presume with the Fn button) and it looks like you can add items to menus too. Looks very interesting as one proceeds up the learning curve.

I'm currently uploading a half dozen images from yesterday. I will add them to this thread shortly.

[Reschsmooth]

We have a bub arriving in April and I expect to be taking a fair number of low-light shots. I would love the D3 for that reason as the sample shots have been nothing short of amazing, but I don't think I can justify that sort of cost. 6500-7000 bucks is a LOT of coin to spend on a camera that I am not deriving any income from. I don't think I would be taking THAT many low light shots, as most of the time I would either have decent lighting or flashes.

Des, we have found that throwing the flash on the camera and bouncing off walls/ceilings provides some nice light for otherwise low-light baby shots, withough flashing directly into their eyes.

When time permits, I get the studio light and the soft box - takes a couple of minutes of prep (which obviously negates spontaneous baby pics), but I have been generally very proud of the results (cloth nappies work OK as reflectors ).

However, there are definately times when being able to take very low-available-light shots without flash would be idea, and hence, the D3 would be very, very nice, but, alas, out of our budget at the moment.

Perhaps the new government will increase the Baby Bonus to $7500 by April 2008???

[radar]

Des,

I was at the ECS show and tell on Friday and I handled the D3, D300 and D300 with battery grip.

The D300 is very similar to the D200. It won't take you anytime at all to feel at home with the D300. Add the much improved battery grip and you have a system about the size of the D3.

The D300 with the battery grip and the en-el4e battery will give you 8fps. Do you really need more then this? The D3 gives you 9fps.

the low light capabilities of the D300 are great, not as good as the D3 but still heaps improved over the D200. Even at 3200iso, the D300 gives you great photos.

Also note that if you do sport and have the D3, you do lose your 1.5 crop factor so your 70-200 is back to being a 200mm at the long end, instead of 300mm as it would be equivalent on the D300.

In short, my recommendation is get a D300 with grip and spend any left-over money on the new baby or new glass, whichever comes first

André

[gstark]

Hi Des

Gary, I'm not sure if you have had a chance to compare with the D3, or whether that was just Leigh.

That was just Leigh. I've not yet had a chance to have a play with the D3.

What I'm really interested in is a rough impression of the differences between the D300 and D200, and what sort of step up there is to the D3.

I can talk about the first of those questions, but not the second.

The D300 feels immediately friendly and familiar, having used the D200. While some of the control placement is different, to me, at this early stage, it's all good.

The only niggle I have thus far is the the front control wheel seems to be slightly more deeply set than the D200's or the D70's. I suspect that this will be a good thing (less easy to screw up settings) but the immediate gut-feel is "where is the wheel?"

Oh yes, there seems to be change in how some settings are applied too: if the display is active, you cannot change aperture or shutter speed. I can;t recall how this was on the other bodies, but it strikes me as being different, because I've simply not noticed this on the other bodies.

I need to research that a bit more.

Of course this is completely irrational - my D200 still works wonderfully well and my skill is the limiting factor in my photography, not my camera.

Absobloodylutely. I hve no need whatsoever for the newer features. As with you, I am the weakest link. Leigh made the rather pointed comment on Saturday evening that I will now have four good digicams sitting around the house gathering dust.

But he's not just cruel, he's wrong! The D70 is gathering dust at Lindy's.

We have a bub arriving in April and I expect to be taking a fair number of low-light shots.

Have a look at what I'll be posting in a few minutes. You have time to make a decision too, so you can wait to see what others post as well.

I don't think I would be taking THAT many low light shots, as most of the time I would either have decent lighting or flashes.

With good lighting, this is going to shine, but no moreso, I think, than a D200. I'm wanting to do a studio setup soon; I need to find a suitable <strike>victim</strike>model.

Bottom line: The D300 - is it a worthwhile upgrade from the D200? Gary, obviously you think so as IIRC you were using a D200?

At this stage, I'm saying yes, and yes, you are correct.

[gstark]

Ok, a few images.


Tony Pedroza.

ISO 3200, flash, 85mm f/1.4, 1/60 @ f/4





Geoff and Ron King (Foreday Riders)

ISO 6400, 85mm f/1.4, 1/320 @ f/1.4





Geoff, Ron and Tony

ISO 6400, 85mm f/1.4, 1/125 @ f/1.4





ISO 6400, 85mm f/1.4, 1/125 @ f/1.4







ISO 6400, 85mm f/1.4, 1/125 @ f/1.4






ISO 200, flash, 85mm f/1.4, 1/60 @ f/4






Pixel peepers should go here. be warned; these are full size jpgs straight from the camera - 5 - 7 MB each.

Tell me what you think.

[Reschsmooth]

Tell me what you think.

They look a tad soft*, but pretty clean (noise wise). Looks like you had great lighting conditions in which to work!

*I am looking at this from a 37 colour monitor at work, so even a razor blade would be soft.

[ATJ]

Oh yes, there seems to be change in how some settings are applied too: if the display is active, you cannot change aperture or shutter speed. I can;t recall how this was on the other bodies, but it strikes me as being different, because I've simply not noticed this on the other bodies.

I can definitely change aperture and shutter speed when the last shot is still on the display on my D70. Other settings (WB, ISO, etc.) can't be changed until I clear the display.

[gstark]

Looks like you had great lighting conditions in which to work!

Typical crap pub stage lighting. Red, red, and more red.

I've got a meeting to prepare for, so I'll probably disappear shortly, but we shot about 200 frames yesterday on basically factory default settings, which is what you're seeing.

I think these are pretty good, and as I optimise the settings, I'm sure they will only get better.

I think the first of what I've posted here is of interest - ISO 3200, good (well, built-in flash) light, so controlled, and very clean and seems sharp OOC.

[gstark]

Oh yes, there seems to be change in how some settings are applied too: if the display is active, you cannot change aperture or shutter speed. I can;t recall how this was on the other bodies, but it strikes me as being different, because I've simply not noticed this on the other bodies.

I can definitely change aperture and shutter speed when the last shot is still on the display on my D70. Other settings (WB, ISO, etc.) can't be changed until I clear the display.

That's my recollection.

With the image in the LCD, I wasn't able to change aperture or shutter. Not a biggie, but it caught my attention. I've not had my attention caught like this in the D200, so it seems like it's new.

[Glen]

The Geoff and Ron King image is quite impressive at ISO 6400, it seems a new era has started for Nikon shooters

[Reschsmooth]

...it seems a new era has started for Nikon shooters

Yes, they are going to sleep hanging from the rafters and shun direct sunlight. They only come out at 5EV or lower.

[radar]

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere:

On Friday, I asked the Nikon rep "Where does the dust go when the D300 does it's automated sensor clean?"

The dust gets collected by a small "sticky" strip inside the D300. Eventually you need to take your camera to Nikon service to get that replaced!!

[Glen]

Andre, well picked. Will be interesting to see how long a service call is to get that replaced.

[radar]

Andre, well picked. Will be interesting to see how long a service call is to get that replaced.

supposedly, while you wait.

[Glen]

Andre, well picked. Will be interesting to see how long a service call is to get that replaced.

supposedly, while you wait.

I wait through all my Nikon repairs, and wait, and wait. I have no choice. Usually I wait at home and I see many sunsets in that time

[big pix]

Andre, well picked. Will be interesting to see how long a service call is to get that replaced.

supposedly, while you wait.

I wait through all my Nikon repairs, and wait, and wait. I have no choice. Usually I wait at home and I see many sunsets in that time

......just had the D2xs focus re-calibrated at Nikon service..... body was ready same day........

[Manta]

I've just unpacked my D300 and, not having the benefit of a D200 to own and get used to, this is a slightly large step from the old D70. However, as Gary has stated, everything things quite intuitive and I've managed to figure a lot of things out just by stooging around the menus.

I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead!

(PS - Will post a few shots when I get past the "what the hell does THAT do?" stage...)

[gstark]

......just had the D2xs focus re-calibrated at Nikon service..... body was ready same day........

The D300 and D3 each have a focus calibration function, on a per lens basis.

And no more lost socket covers. The remote and sync sockets are now protected by a rubberised, attached cover.

And for those who think the 80-400 is a slow focusing lens, think again !

[joet]

My D300 has just been unpacked and the battery is charging.

Chryssine has fitted the camera strap (too difficult for my old hands and eyes )

First reaction is that there is more to find out compared to the D70, but although being old makes for a slow learner, nothing is impossible

And if you are all not impatient kiddies, I will break a long-term rule and post some D300 captures.

Just keep looking

[MATT]

Might as well join in..

So here is the second image taken from the D300. I missed the focus point on her eyes. Anyway staight from cam quick dirty shot to see iso performance.

D300
ISO 2500
50mm f7.1
normal jpg then resize only.






Impressions , feels a bit bigger(thicker) then the D200, Screen is awesome. Not sure if I need a grip yet..(yes I do)

I only have a 50 1.4 at the moment...

MATT

[gstark]

OK ...

A few more impressions, having looked more closely at some images. I was shooting today in bright sunlight, ISO 200. Not yet started to look at optimising the in-camera settings, just playing around and getting a feel for this camera.

The focusing is fast. Very bloody fast. As I've mentioned, the 80-400 has taken on a whole new dimension, even with the limiting switched out, which is how I was shooting with it today.

I rarely use matrix metering, but I thought I'd leave it there just for shits and giggles. The exposures seem to be very good, and the dynamic range in the images seems to better than I'm used to seeing as well.

[losfp]

Thanks for the quick feedback on my questions, Gary and others

Matt, that image is astonishingly usable - ISO 2500!!! That is rather cleaner than my poor D200 at ISO800.

On balance, there's really no way I can justify the D3... and I'm seeing some rather impressive improvements with the D300 being posted here. Looks like I might be putting aside a few dollars for a couple of months to get one!

Andre, you mentioned the battery grip - I hear it is less flimsy than the D200 grip - is that the case? Has anyone seen any grips surface for sale yet?

[radar]

Andre, you mentioned the battery grip - I hear it is less flimsy than the D200 grip - is that the case? Has anyone seen any grips surface for sale yet?

the grip is much more solid then the D200 grip, the D300 grip is actually made of metal and is weatherised. It is accordingly more expensive but worth the money now.

André

[gstark]

Has anyone seen any grips surface for sale yet?

Funny you should ask. Poon has just given me a price indication. PP300, but no stock.

[marc]

Received my D300 today as well. Many thanks Gary & Poon
..............and it's not even Xmas yet

First impressions, this camera "feels right", the focusing as Gary has said is lightening fast, with the 17-55 it's a real joy.
The ability to use the zoom and check clarity and image quality on this big 3 inch screen is first class. It appears to be quieter than my D2Xs as well with build quality just below this pro model. The only thing I'll really miss on my recently sold D2Xs is the HSC mode

Funny you should ask. Poon has just given me a price indication. PP300, but no stock.

Gary
If and when you take orders for the MB-D10 from Poon, can you put me on that list please

Cheers
Marc

[gstark]

Gary
If and when you take orders for the MB-D10 from Poon, can you put me on that list please

Cheers
Marc

I may have some good news for you. Poon's been looking around HKG ....

[gstark]

Gary
If and when you take orders for the MB-D10 from Poon, can you put me on that list please

Cheers
Marc

I may have some good news for you. Poon's been looking around HKG ....

Ok, he's found stock, but from the market in HKG, which makes it a tad more expensive: Au$310 shipped.

I'll send you an email ...

[marc]

Sounds good Gary.
Do I also need to order the battery end cover BL-3?
This is the same model# as on my D2Hs, but it appears different?
Do you know anything about this?
I plan to use the grip with my EN-EL4a battery.

Cheers
Marc

[gstark]

Do I also need to order the battery end cover BL-3?

My understanding is no.

What does the manual say?

I plan to use the grip with my EN-EL4a battery.

That should work nicely.

[marc]

What does the manual say?

Oh ..............the Manual, what's that?
I mistook it for a novel, it's that bloody thick!!

[radar]

Sounds good Gary.
Do I also need to order the battery end cover BL-3?

To use the en-el4a, you need the battery cover.

The retail price for the battery grip in Australia is around $425 so that is still a very good price, delivered.

cheers,

André

[marc]

I'm aware that you have to use the BL-3 battery cover, however if you have a look at the pics of the MB-D10 you'll see that the BL3 looks very different to the BL3 that I have used on my D2 cameras.

[gstark]

Sounds good Gary.
Do I also need to order the battery end cover BL-3?

To use the en-el4a, you need the battery cover.

Thank you for the clarification, Andre.

[radar]

Marc,

I'm aware that you have to use the BL-3 battery cover, however if you have a look at the pics of the MB-D10 you'll see that the BL3 looks very different to the BL3 that I have used on my D2 cameras.

The battery covers for the D2 series are the BL-1 and BL-2. The manual for the D300 states that the BL-3 is the one for the MB-D10 battery grip for the D300. The BL-3 can also be used on the MB-40

(edit)Just to clarify for others: the BL-3 cover is only required if you want to use the en-el4a battery in the MB-D10. If you use the en-el3e battery, the BL-3 is not required.

HTH,

André

[Grev]

Does that mean you have to buy the BL-3 as extra? I'm confused.

[radar]

Does that mean you have to buy the BL-3 as extra? I'm confused.

The BL-3 is an extra that you have to purchase if you want to use the en-el4a battery in the D300 battery grip. If you are only going to use the en-el3e battery in the battery grip, you do not need the BL-3.

Also note that you would also need to buy an en-el4a battery and the appropriate charger if you don't already have these from a D2x.

The D300 comes with the en-el3e battery and charger.

Clearer?

André

[Grev]

Yes, clearer, although how much is that cover thing which sounds ridiculous to me. Well either lose 8fps or use 2 enel3e.

[radar]

At B&H, the BL-3 is $35USD.

As you say, it all comes down to how much you want to spend to get that 8fps. To get the 8fps with the D300, you need the MB-D10, EN-EL4a, BL-3, MH-21 battery charger. These last four items are optional and don't come with the D300 and the last three don't come with the MB-D10.

Even when using the MB-D10 and two EN-EL3e batteries (one in camera, one in battery grip), you will only get 6fps.

Cheers,

André

[Grev]

I know, that is why a second hand D2Xs would be attractive as a backup for the D300...

But wait, then the D2Xs would still need the BL-3...

Bad Nikon, starting to sound like Canon, having to buy wireless trigger for flash and not including lens hoods...

[marc]

My apologies Andre

I was thinking the battery cover on the D2 cameras was the B3
It doesn't excuse Nikon charging nearly another US$20 over the price of the BL-1 cover which is similiar

Cheers
Marc

[losfp]

Don't you also get 8 fps with a set of AAs?

Just did a bit of digging around. Yes you do! The grip comes with a holder for 8x AA batteries, and that will also give you 8fps

Looks like that will be my preferred option, rather than spending a LOT more on a new battery and charger.

[gstark]

An udder image.


Still just in learning/getting-to-know-you mode.

I've switched to 14 bit NEF just for the hell of it. It will be interesting to see some images from tomorrow night at the Stag.

I am becoming more and more impressed at the way this camera handles high ISOs. I shot this image this afternoon at the studio.


I've added the full size image (jpg only - the 14 bit NEF is 16MB!) to the album that's referred to in my earlier image post, so please, pixel peep to your heart's desire.

It's a bad image, but it's designed to test some aspects of the way the camera will record images. The contrast range way exceeds what is reasonable, and it ranges from severely underexposed areas in the studio B section (through the glass, immediately above the blue studio identification sign atop the panel) to severely blown areas in the external window at the LH edge of the frame, above the Mac and cassette deck.

Is there banding in those blown sections? I don't think so, but who cares? This is such an out-of-scope image that those sorts of discussions will really get the pixel peepers excited, but for those of us who like to make images, but just want to explore the camera's limits, I think that this image tells us much.

That's supposed to be the bad stuff.

Now look at the console, the writing on the console .... my log sheet ... the screen on the MacBook ...

ISO 3200, 1/80, f/7.1, Sigma 10-20, 12mm.



Again, I welcome your comments, observations, and points of view.

[MCWB]

I am becoming more and more impressed at the way this camera handles high ISOs.

You're not the only one. Looks great!