Nikon D300 impressions

[Neil]

I was standing next to a guy with the D300 on Tuesday so we swapped cameras for a while. He had the optional powerpack on and I was surprised how much it felt like my D2x and it seemed to focus faster than it too. I didn't change his settings but just shot off a few frames.
He is an image taken with my 300/2.8 plus 1.4x tele, so equivalent to 630 mm in the old money.
The camera is not as fast as the D3 but it seemed faster in AF than the D2x and I was very surprised to see the quality of the crop. It was a RAW file converted to TIFF with small adjustments in CS2.
Very good value for money I'd say.
Neil

Exif iso 400, f7.1 at 1/1250 (Manual exposure )

Nikon D300 plus Nikon 300/2.8 AFS VR lens and Nikon 1.4x tele

Hong Kong,
China.
December 2007
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/

[Jaff]

Well Neil I think you're proving what many of us suspected in that the latest offerings from Nikon are something special.

Just imagine if someone could pair up one of the new cameras with one of the new VR primes, I think they'd send the Canon boys scurrying for cover (ironically though I'm hoping to soon be a Canon boy myself).

Thanks for the sneaky peak, hopefully full reviews will be published soon.
Jaff

[ruchai]

I am about to get the D300 to replace my D200 for better high ISO and faster focussing. Thankyou Neil, you make my decision easier.

[Guidenet]

For 40 plus years, I've always said that it's not the camera. It's the nut behind the viewfinder that make a good photograph.

The D300 changed my mind a bit. This is the first time that I can say that this camera has made me a better photographer. I love my D300. My D80 sits on the shelf.

[Daveash]

I have just bought a D300 to replace my D200. It is not the camera that makes good images but the photographer I agree, but you cant win a formula one race with a mini either. A bird or wildlife enthusiast needs a camera that will perform with long lenses and on many occasions in poor lighting. With the few shots I've taken so far the D300 wins hands down over my D200 every time.

I was disappointed with the D200 when upgrading from my D70 but I am absolutely over the moon with the D300. I do not regret spending the cash.
Sharpness, contrast etc etc are all great at normal settings without having to coax improvements and remove grain later.

A wonderful camera.

daveash

[pe'rigin]

For 40 plus years, I've always said that it's not the camera. It's the nut behind the viewfinder


I do agree with this statement, less with the thought that newer cameras invariable make better images. You have to work within the parameters of what your camera can achieve in terms of ISO and resolution, knowledge, lens quality will also have a major impact.

I seen some top notch images on ‘lesser’ cameras, I’ve also had the dubious privilege of spending many £ks on shabby images photographed on very expensive cameras by so-called professionals.

[CORVUS1]

Hi Neil.
I would love to know how you come to this conclusion.
"Here is an image taken with my 300/2.8 plus 1.4x tele, so equivalent to 630 mm in the old money".
630 mm ??? My calculations make it 420 mm. I am sure sensor sizes refer to a crop factor and not a magnification of focal length.

PS. I have been known to be wrong in the past.

Paul

[Neil]

Hi Neil.
I would love to know how you come to this conclusion.
"Here is an image taken with my 300/2.8 plus 1.4x tele, so equivalent to 630 mm in the old money".
630 mm ??? My calculations make it 420 mm. I am sure sensor sizes refer to a crop factor and not a magnification of focal length.

PS. I have been known to be wrong in the past.

Paul

Paul,
You are not wrong in law. I was using the in-camera Crop Factor to get the 630 mm . Neil.