Got my D300

vulkan75 · 19-04-2008, 1:25 PM

Well I got my D300 yesterday and I am completely blown away.What a step up from the D80 which you can tell immeadiately the moment you hold it.

I havent really taken it out for a burn yet but had a little play with the two features I was looking forward to,Namely High Iso and the 7fps.

The high iso performance is breathtaking...I took a picture of my wife (which I don not have permission to post)last night by candle light at 3200 and It was like the D80 in iso 100......majorly impressed.The iso settings are weird though below 200 the say things like lo.03 etc which is challenging to get used to...similarly the high iso.
why cant they say iso 100,50,25etc.

I also set off a burst of frames of my daughter jumping off the couch....and other absurd experiments and again amazing stuff ...seeing sequences like that is awesome, a feature which I cant wait to use effectively.

One niggle so far.

My current wireless shutter realease control...doesnt work which is bonkers...Bulb mode requires you to hold the shutter for the duration which is obviously difficult on 20min exposures

This means I have to invest in some new remote release gear which was unexpected..Ive heard the phottix cleon is about the best on a budget,although far more cumbersome next to my ML L3

anyway just in time for my break I'll post some piccy's when I come home

bodoman · 19-04-2008, 1:40 PM

Congratulations on your new toy Vulkan.

Life is strange, a week ago you were in the pits of despair after dropping your camera, now a week later happiness and joy abounds at getting your new one.

Life, dont you just love it

stevegreen · 19-04-2008, 1:40 PM

Nice one Alex.........nothing better than holding new equipment in your hands

vulkan75 · 19-04-2008, 1:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevegreen

.........nothing better than holding new equipment in your hands

strangely I said that self same thing to my wife last night.......she said "Yeah I know what you mean"

johnaalex · 19-04-2008, 2:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulkan75

Ive heard the phottix cleon is about the best on a budget,although far more cumbersome next to my ML L3

Welcome to the "D300 Owners Club"

I have the phottix cleon and although it is bulky when compared to a typical cable release I do like the flexibility you get with the wireless option, well worth the money IMHO.

**senu** · 19-04-2008, 2:12 PM

Well , you have moved up , congratulations!
You gave the D200 a miss and moved straight on to the D300..

pixelpixel · 19-04-2008, 2:32 PM

oh bugger ! Can senu please bar vulkan from posting any pics

Me need a new toy !

**senu** · 19-04-2008, 2:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelpixel

oh bugger ! Can senu please bar vulkan from posting any pics

Not really we need a regular fix of Vulkanised pictures..

and now
.. from the D300.. well , cant wait!!

pixelpixel · 19-04-2008, 2:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senu

Not really we need a regular fix of Vulkanised pictures..

and now
.. from the D300.. well , cant wait!!

Thats the problem, I will see and then I will want

Its like showing a pole to a dancer

Tobers · 19-04-2008, 3:57 PM

OMG dont tell me your pictures are going to get better.

Well done on the camera - good things come to those who drop their kit in the sea.

Liquid101 · 19-04-2008, 4:02 PM

Nice one Alex - looking forward to seeing some pics.

I'm still holding out for a D300FX or similar - seeing your shots is going to make it difficult to wait - I just know it.

Good luck with the new machine - you warn the bank manager about the inevitable glass upgrades

vulkan75 · 19-04-2008, 5:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senu

Not really we need a regular fix of Vulkanised pictures..

and now
.. from the D300.. well , cant wait!!

Youll need far less vulkanisation with this thing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobers

OMG dont tell me your pictures are going to get better.

.

Lets hope so...at least I feel a bit more confident in trying different styles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid101

Nice one Alex - looking forward to seeing some pics.

I'm still holding out for a D300FX or similar - seeing your shots is going to make it difficult to wait - I just know it.

Good luck with the new machine - you warn the bank manager about the inevitable glass upgrades

Thanks scott...believe me I was considering the fx too,but after a chat on a flickr group alot of the peeps there seem to think that a D300fx sub £1800 wont be likely in 08..I kinda hope they are right.
Its investment into a whole new system too lenses etc which is just out of reach at the mo.Maybe a trade in to fx next year when everything is established.
The D300 does seem to give very film like,full frame looking images though especially with high iso...A worthy wannabe

TarMoo · 19-04-2008, 5:50 PM

Welcome to the D300 club. It is an amazing camera.

Gordon @ Convergent AV · 19-04-2008, 6:07 PM

looking forward to seeing the results Vulkan. It looks like a lovely lovely camera.....

Liquid101 · 19-04-2008, 6:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulkan75

Thanks scott...believe me I was considering the fx too,but after a chat on a flickr group alot of the peeps there seem to think that a D300fx sub £1800 wont be likely in 08..I kinda hope they are right.
Its investment into a whole new system too lenses etc which is just out of reach at the mo.Maybe a trade in to fx next year when everything is established.
The D300 does seem to give very film like,full frame looking images though especially with high iso...A worthy wannabe

You're probably right - maybe I should just bite the bullet.

If they do release a D300FX it'll probably be the wrong side of 1800 too

Moviebuff · 19-04-2008, 6:49 PM

Congratulations - at least it made the accident with the D80 worthwhile.

I too have today gone from a D80 to a D300. I rated the D80 as superb, but the D300 seems to really be on another level again, in so many ways.

I really hope I do it justice!

johnaalex · 19-04-2008, 7:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulkan75

Thanks scott...believe me I was considering the fx too,but after a chat on a flickr group alot of the peeps there seem to think that a D300fx sub £1800 wont be likely in 08..I kinda hope they are right.

I was in Chiswick Cameras today and asked about the rumoured new D3 & D300 models and the view there, based on their contacts in Nikon, was that nothing would be happening this year. One reason was that Nikon do not want to miss out on maximising revenue from the D3 & D300 as they are clearly winners and as for the D3 20+ megapixel model this is something they will not rush into anything "given the problems Canon have had with the 1DS MkIII"

TarMoo · 19-04-2008, 8:10 PM

You may like to take a look at D300 Digitutor. It has a series of videos which explain many of the D300's features like 3D tracking.

Fozzybear · 19-04-2008, 8:30 PM

The D300 really does sound good - get out there and do some snapping!

Spooky · 19-04-2008, 11:15 PM

Enjoy the D300, I love mine and after reading the recent review of the D3 where is fares reasonably well against its bigger brother I was even more chuffed.
Lo 1 is equivelant to Iso 100 and does lack a bit of contrast but can be sorted in CS3.
Look forward to seeing some of your pics.

Triggaaar · 20-04-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooky

Lo 1 is equivelant to Iso 100 and does lack a bit of contrast but can be sorted in CS3.

Does it lack in contrast compared to ISO 200? What causes the problem?

onefivenine · 20-04-2008, 12:45 AM

If I could mate the D300 to my Canon glass I'd have one in a shot.
Enjoy it!

TarMoo · 20-04-2008, 7:06 AM

There is now a D300 Compact Flash speed test report from Rob Galbraith here. Sandisk take the top 4 spots.

Spooky · 20-04-2008, 7:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggaaar

Does it lack in contrast compared to ISO 200? What causes the problem?

Im my opinion, yeh it can look a bit flat and lack in the contrast department. I thought it was just me but sure there is a section in the manual that states something similar.
Unsure what causes it, but as I say a quick adjustment in the Raw file normally can bring out some depth.

vulkan75 · 20-04-2008, 9:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid101

You're probably right - maybe I should just bite the bullet.

Im sure you wont be dissapointed if you did..I mean look what you can do with a D50...You'll be hard pushed to find many things better in an fx version(speculative)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasputin

You may like to take a look at D300 Digitutor. It has a series of videos which explain many of the D300's features like 3D tracking.

Thanks that was interesting

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasputin

There is now a D300 Compact Flash speed test report from Rob Galbraith here. Sandisk take the top 4 spots.

Another investment I was stung with changing my Cards The D80 takes SD

dazza74 · 20-04-2008, 9:57 AM

Glad your enjoying your new toy "Vulkan". What you'll start to like over the D80 is all the extra functionality built into the body of the camera and you've probably already noticed how quick the camera is.

Moviebuff · 20-04-2008, 2:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulkan75

Another investment I was stung with changing my Cards The D80 takes SD

I know your pain, as I had 2 8GB SD cards for my D80 - it is the only thing I owned that takes them, and ordered a 16GB Sandisk Extreme III yesterday.

This photography lark is spend, spend, spend!

TobesEtc · 29-05-2008, 3:13 PM

I recently sold my D70 and got a D300. Then immediately bought the Phottix Cleon remote shutter-release, which I have to say is a bargain compared to the Nikon alternative. Recommended. Also got the Nikkor 55-200mm VR lens, which I also recommended. Took great shots of my gf running the London Marathon.

Has anyone tried those cheap "Fish-eye" adapter lenses that fit over the end of a regular lense? You see loads advertised on eBay. I'd love a fish-eye but the real thing are just too expensive!

tontoshorse · 29-05-2008, 4:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobesEtc

I'd love a fish-eye but the real thing are just too expensive!

I know the fisheye may not get used too often, but you've just paid a little short of a grand for the body, but baulk at paying £370 for a lens!

Go on - just get one!