Nikon D300

I am going to be checking out the Nikon D300 this week. I need a digital slr that I can use for handheld / low light shots for an upcoming project. This camera seems to have great high iso performance and some nice features such as live view with autofocus on the lcd screen (good for underwater I would think). I have always had an affinity for Nikons - I used to have one of the early Nikon D1x cameras, but sold that to pay for the higher res Canon 1ds that I used until I got the Hasselblad system. I also think the Nikon D3 is very interesting, and it has a full frame sensor so it would be possible to get some nice wide angle shots with the new nikon 14-24 mm zoom. The problem with the D3 cameras is that they are hard to get and about $3.5k more than the D300. Once Nikon introduces a higher resolution sensor in a D3 style camera, and retains the extreme high iso quality, it could give a big boost to the possibilities of handheld landscape photography. I think that Nikon is finally back in the Dslr game after getting dusted by Canon over the last few years. I will report my impressions of the D300 later this week.

Comments

[Paul Beiser]

Hi Elizabeth,
First of all, I really enjoy your blog (and your books!). Check out Thom Hogan's review of the D300 on his site. I have had a D300 for some time (D100, D70, D2X, D200, D300) and I have never been more impressed with a Nikon body. Lots of reports all over the web, look forward to your impressions.

[Bert Klein]

If you have the chance, compare the D300 with the D3 hand holding using comparable shutter speeds. When I changed from the D1X to the D2X, I had to increase the shutter speed to eliminate the "sensitivity" to motion of the smaller photosites. Since the D2X and the D300 have the same size photosites this may be an issue. There was quite a bit of forum discussion about this when the D2X came out. If you plan to use primarily on a tripod, this is not of as much concern.

I have since upgraded to the D3 and it appears to be better at hand holding (although a good part of my shooting is on tripod).

I'm sure in your hands either will excel.

[Tom Deyerle]

Hi Elizabeth,
I've used the D300 for a few months now and love it. I looked at the D3 also but thought it might be better suited for the photo journalist or sports photographer.
I use it almost everyday and am still learning it's capabilities. Awesome camera, and like Bert said- you'll make it shine.
All pics on here- http://web.mac.com/tdeyerle/Site_6/Blog/Blog.html were shot with it.

Tom

[Elizabeth Carmel]

Thank you Paul, Bert, and Tom for your comments. I have started the process of evaluating the camera, and so far I am blown away by the quality of the high iso files. I am still working on reading the 400+ page manual, this is not a camera for people who are not manual readers! I think the handheld functionality is really increased by the auto iso feature, I like being able to set a shutter speed and have the iso automatically adjust. It will be great to get sharp handheld shots - as I have learned from shooting handheld with the H3D, a blurry 40 megapixel shot is about as much use as a blurry 2 megapixel shot.

[Elizabeth Carmel]

Thank you Paul, Bert, and Tom for your comments. I have started the process of evaluating the camera, and so far I am blown away by the quality of the high iso files. I am still working on reading the 400+ page manual, this is not a camera for people who are not manual readers! I think the handheld functionality is really increased by the auto iso feature, I like being able to set a shutter speed and have the iso automatically adjust. It will be great to get sharp handheld shots - as I have learned from shooting handheld with the H3D, a blurry 40 megapixel shot is about as much use as a blurry 2 megapixel shot.