[D300] Dedicated Thread


Status
Not open for further replies.
I am totally impressed with the 51-points 3D tracking mode. It really works! After I locked a subject and it moves, the AF point really follows the subject based on colour recognition. The best part is able to see the AF point move and you know exactly what you track, unlike normal AF-C situations.

is it fast enough to "trace & focus properly" a kid that is running "towards" the photographer?
 

I am about to buy Nikon AFS 200/2VR when my wife bought me the D300 yesterday. I have been using D200 for more than 1 year, just sold off this morning. I will share base on my experience so far and not side by side compare.

Body build:
The main & sub command wheels feel soft on D300 than on D200.
The thumb selector look cheap compare to D200.
Other than that both build to last.

AF:
Speed at start of AF D300 is faster but generally D200 and D300 no different.
Capture rate D300 is better. On D200 I have 1% AF miss and 5% need refocusing. I found D300 will gain that 5% back. Yes the continues AF is better too.

ISO:
200-400, both D200 and D300 about the same.
800, D300 has lighter shadow than D200 and better detail slightly.
1600, D300 is better while D200 suffer contrast lost at dark area. But setting D200 NR to "high" and auto enhance in software will make it the same as D300.
3200, this is why you buy D300 for. It is better than D200 at ISO1600 normal setting.

Note:
I print from 4R to A3+ from most of my shooting sometime A0 at my work place. For D200 I use ISO from 200 to 800 a lot. 1600 less often only when not doing print larger than 4R. D200 ISO 100 and 200 look the same, only when under sunny day and f-stop running pass f/16 will I use 100. I found D300 at ISO 1600 and 3200 look like matte print. They are cleaner then D200 and detail better but the contrast look funny. On base line if I print D200 at ISO800 up to A4, I will do the same for D300 at ISO3200. If you have been using Niksoftware Dfine 2.0 on D200 then I see no point going D300 unless AF is problem to you.
 

is it fast enough to "trace & focus properly" a kid that is running "towards" the photographer?
If the kid is the only nearest subject, normal AF-C would be able to track this kid.

But for circumstances where you want to shoot a particular kid wearing in red among the crowd and the kid is moving around the frame - left, right, closer, further, this feature helps you track that kid and not confuse with other people in the frame. It works by locking the subject colour. The caveat is that if there are other kids wearing in red also, the 3D tracking might be fooled.
 

AF:
Speed at start of AF D300 is faster but generally D200 and D300 no different.
Capture rate D300 is better. On D200 I have 1% AF miss and 5% need refocusing. I found D300 will gain that 5% back. Yes the continues AF is better too.


i just wonder if the AF speed/Focus Tracking capability of D300 is comparable to D2Xs.
 

If the kid is the only nearest subject, normal AF-C would be able to track this kid.


a normal AF-C in D200 cannot perform this well. I could be just me!
just wonder if D300 can perform better in this area.
 

was playing ard with the cloudy WB settings. now it's not just a simple +1 or +2.. u can actually shift the colour balance.

DSC_0322.jpg


think i over-shifted to the magenta ... my girl looks too warm... :sweatsm:
 

Series of sample pic from D300 when I took it out for a spin.
Straight out from cam and no adjustments done except for cropping.
I must say the metering and WB is very accurate in an all auto mode and std settings.
On top of that the colours straight out of cam is very good and not necessary for any adjustments.

#01
300_0436-vi.jpg


#02
300_0447-vi.jpg


#03
300_0451-vi.jpg


#04
300_0458c-vi.jpg


#05
300_0459c-vi.jpg
 

Would be able to tell you that from D70 to D300 yes it is a big jump.
From D80/D200 to D300 not so much but you still do get a difference and is noticable plus you get more functionality and usability. It is also faster.
Battery life from D200 to D300 significant improvements.


looks good Lumiere.
you're using D70 right? any chance to do an isolated test(maybe when u're at home and free) ?
a d70 user myself.. would love to see how big the jump is :P
 

Would be able to tell you that from D70 to D300 yes it is a big jump.
From D80/D200 to D300 not so much but you still do get a difference and is noticable plus you get more functionality and usability. It is also faster.
Battery life from D200 to D300 significant improvements.

hahah thanks for helping me ans him...thanks alot
 

haha no problem but you did ans him earlier.
Did not ans him earlier as I am not familier with the D300 yet at that point until I brought it out today. Enjoying the D300. ;)

hahah thanks for helping me ans him...thanks alot
 

i just wonder if the AF speed/Focus Tracking capability of D300 is comparable to D2Xs.

Yes, AF tracking better than my D2X. ISO performances too. Will post some D2X vs D300 ISO samples tomorrow, starting from ISO 100 - ISO 3200.
 

Did a wedding assignment today. D300 battery lasts and lasts. After expending 300 RAW shots with regular playback reviews, battery is still 70%. In comparison, the D200 is left with 20% after merely 200 RAW shots.
 

Please pardon me for this "stupid" question. Does the shutter sound different from D200 ???:)
 

dudes the image processing of this cam / exposure is amazinggggg!!!
not to mention SUPERB ISO/noise control!!

further more the d-lighting feature is sooooo great!!!

photos now look even more realistic than ever..... exposures are almost ALWAYS spot on, and for some reason (maybe its just the imageprocessing/exposure logic) but it seems the dynamic range is MUCH improveddddd (dlighting further helps this), takae those difficult shots (bright background/dark foreground) still come out very nice.......

SUPER WORTH THE PRICE!!!! Build quality is also amazing...

got mine at lords at 26xx after G.


disclaimer:I upgraded from a d70, so the dirfference is absoultely drastic, but those who upgrade from d80/d200 perhaps not?
 

Please pardon me for this "stupid" question. Does the shutter sound different from D200 ???:)

Definitely not a stupid question, I have been meaning to ask the same qns, anyone can feedback?

TIA
 

Definitely not a stupid question, I have been meaning to ask the same qns, anyone can feedback?

TIA

very nice ! like D2x....:thumbsup:
 

forgot to mention the live view is ridiculsouly fun and useful!!
 

Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top