First shots with D300

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited December 3, 2007 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

A bunch of us were shooting at the Viera Wetlands. As our usual custom we broke at mid-day and went to my house for a rest and some lunch before we went back to shooting. During lunch Fedex delivered my D300. So I borrowed a battery and went back to Viera to try it out.

I still haven't looked at the users manual yet but my initial impressions are very favorable. It holds highlights better than the D200 and D2X. The AF is very quick and accurate. The performance at higher ISOs is excellent, much better than I expected. I've only gone up tp ISO 1000 but I would have no hesitation using it if necessary.

Anyhow here are the pics. I had to use Capture NX which I haven't figured out yet (only downloaded it this morning) so they are less processed than my usual shots.

Anhinga at ISO 800
225301937-XL.jpg

snowy egret at ISO 800
225301965-XL.jpg

anhinga at ISO 400225301989-XL.jpg

GBH at ISO 400
225302000-XL.jpg

ibis at ISO 640
225302027-XL.jpg

snowy at ISO 1000
225302040-XL.jpg

American bittern at ISO 250
225302050-XL.jpg

end of the day at ISO 250
225301935-XL.jpg
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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Comments

  • thegridrunnerthegridrunner Registered Users Posts: 235 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    awesome pictures harry, after I get the new short wide to tele lense, I'm seriously consider picking up the d300 as my main camera and use my d80 as the backup camera.
    Nikon D800, D7000, 14-24,24-70, 70-200 Nikkor and stuff
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  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    Wow! The snowys at ISO 800 and 1000 are beautiful. I detect no noise whatsoever! The bittern and anhinga sticking its head out of the water have some sweet light! It looks like you are going to enjoy your new camera! Have fun.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • vandanavandana Registered Users Posts: 373 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    wow, these are just wonderful ! those high ISO pics look great, much better than D200 certainly..is the ISO 1000 pic with some noise reduction, or straight off the camera ? either ways, very impressive set thumb.gif
    have fun shooting !

    I did no noise reduction in my post work. I had High ISO NR set to normal in the camera.

    Thanks for the kind words.
    Vandana
    www.vandanaphotography.com
    Photo-a-day 2013
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    I did no noise reduction in my processing of the shots. The camera was set to High ISO NR normal.

    Thanks for the kind words.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    you just made it harder to wait for mine to come fedex..

    great shotsclap.gif
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • Option1Option1 Registered Users Posts: 94 Big grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    Ooooo, lovely shots for a camera that you hadn't even read the manual for. Proves yet again that it's the photographer and not the camera.

    Now, having said that, I must get me one of them there D300 thingies. mwink.gif

    Neil
    :: Sports: CompetitionImages.com :: Words: Blog :: Nature: www.motifwebs.com ::
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    thegridrunner wrote:
    awesome pictures harry, after I get the new short wide to tele lense, I'm seriously consider picking up the d300 as my main camera and use my d80 as the backup camera.

    Thanks Patrick. I would give serious consideration to the D300. I felt taht the D300 would be an incremetal improvement ove rthe D200 I was absolutely wrong, its much, much more than an incremental improvement.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    Wow! The snowys at ISO 800 and 1000 are beautiful. I detect no noise whatsoever! The bittern and anhinga sticking its head out of the water have some sweet light! It looks like you are going to enjoy your new camera! Have fun.

    Thanks Stephen. If you blew the high ISOs up to 100% you would see some noise beginning in the water but that could be easily resolved with some minimal selective NR.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    Awesome results first up Harry! clap.gif You can imagine how blown away I am after stepping up into the d300 from my old d70! :D

    What lens were you using?
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    Giphsub wrote:
    Awesome results first up Harry! clap.gif You can imagine how blown away I am after stepping up into the d300 from my old d70! :D

    What lens were you using?

    Thanks Mike. I used the Nikon 18-200 for the last shot and the rest were taken with the Nikon 80-400.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • JovesJoves Registered Users Posts: 200 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    Well you just made up my mind, I was going to get the 14-24 wide angle but, now I will opt for a D300 first. My D80 will become my abuse camera then.
    I shoot therefore Iam.
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  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    Beautifull shots Harry! Nice color! Looks like the D300 is a keeper!
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited November 25, 2007
    congrats on the new one clap.gif looks goodthumb.gif so you think the new ones are going to be a good deal headscratch.gif
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    First...the D30...then the 30D...now the D300! Those boys at Canonrolleyes1.gif sure have very little imagination when it comes to naming conventions!!!wings.gifwink I guess this means no MKIII for Harry.deal.gif

    Very clean shots, particularly the snowy at 1000...impressive.:D
  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    Wow! The snowys at ISO 800 and 1000 are beautiful. I detect no noise whatsoever! The bittern and anhinga sticking its head out of the water have some sweet light! It looks like you are going to enjoy your new camera! Have fun.
    15524779-Ti.gif

    The snowy @ 1000 is superb thumb.gif

    Looks like Nikon have sorted out high ISO noise big time.

    Oh yes congrats on your new cam too wings.gif
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  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    Beautiful images Harry congrats for new cam clap.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    Fantastic shots Harry.....are full sized originals available to look at on your site......I think I may be heading for a D300 for getting back into the weddings and portraits with those higher Iso shots looking so dang good.........
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    Art Scott wrote:
    Fantastic shots Harry.....are full sized originals available to look at on your site......I think I may be heading for a D300 for getting back into the weddings and portraits with those higher Iso shots looking so dang good.........

    Thanks Art. I don't have full sized originals online. I made a deal with the pixels when I started photography where I wouldn't peep at them or count them if they would extend the same courtesy to me.

    There are plenty of sites around with full sized originals for the peeping. All I can say is that the high ISO performance is a major breakthrough from earlier Nikon offerings.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    dbaker1221 wrote:
    you just made it harder to wait for mine to come fedex..

    great shotsclap.gif

    Thanks Dave and I hope your's comes soon. You will be one happy camper.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • MJRPHOTOMJRPHOTO Registered Users Posts: 432 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    Getting my D300 on Tuesday
    I found a local shop that had one in stock for list price. My normal shop wanted $2500. I told them they could keep it.
    www.mjrphoto.net
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    MJRPHOTO wrote:
    I found a local shop that had one in stock for list price. My normal shop wanted $2500. I told them they could keep it.


    $2500!!!!!! :jawdrop I would never do business with them again. You made the right decision.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2007
    Option1 wrote:
    Ooooo, lovely shots for a camera that you hadn't even read the manual for. Proves yet again that it's the photographer and not the camera.

    Now, having said that, I must get me one of them there D300 thingies. mwink.gif

    Neil

    Thanks Neil and I think you would be happy with a D300.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 27, 2007
    Joves wrote:
    Well you just made up my mind, I was going to get the 14-24 wide angle but, now I will opt for a D300 first. My D80 will become my abuse camera then.

    This is one of the few times I would recommend a camera body over galss. The high ISO performance is a breakthrough for Nikon.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 27, 2007
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    Beautifull shots Harry! Nice color! Looks like the D300 is a keeper!


    Thanks Glenn, it is definitely a keeper.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 28, 2007
    jwear wrote:
    congrats on the new one clap.gif looks goodthumb.gif so you think the new ones are going to be a good deal headscratch.gif

    The D300 is definitely a steal at its listed price. I know you have been fri=ustrated with Nikon's high ISO performance in the past. The D300 will definitely bring a smile to your face.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 28, 2007
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    First...the D30...then the 30D...now the D300! Those boys at Canonrolleyes1.gif sure have very little imagination when it comes to naming conventions!!!wings.gifwink I guess this means no MKIII for Harry.deal.gif

    Very clean shots, particularly the snowy at 1000...impressive.:D


    There is definitely no MKIII in my future now but I do see a D3 coming home soon. clap.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 28, 2007
    It's nice to know that even at your advanced age :rutt you get still can handle the new-camera-thrill naughty.gif
    Andy

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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 28, 2007
    Andy wrote:
    It's nice to know that even at your advanced age :rutt you get still can handle the new-camera-thrill naughty.gif

    Wrong again veggie boy!!!!! I can't handle it. :cry I decided to check out the AF fine tune feature today. I spent 20 minutes going through the menus and I couldn't find the damn thing. I looked it up in the manual and I still couldn't find it. Then I realized I was holding my D200. :bash
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited November 28, 2007
    rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifclap.gif
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • JenGraceJenGrace Registered Users Posts: 1,229 Major grins
    edited November 28, 2007
    Congrats on the new toy, Harry! clap.gif
    Jen

    Gallery of mine...caution, it's under CONSTANT construction! | Photo Journal

    In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. ~Aaron Rose
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