D300 New Owner Q&A thread

1pocket

I know it has a 400 page manual, but that generally doesn't tell you what works best for this or that, or why to set something one way or the other, what with all the available options. I'm reading the manual, but that might be the absolute hardest way to learn.

With the fresh release of this camera, I thought maybe it would be great if other new users could share as they learn

I'll start with a real easy question:

I also bought a spare battery, the Synergy Digital SD-ENEL3e "Replacement for Nikon EN-EL3e 7.4 volt 1800mAh" -- is this a legit equivalent battery, or is this one of the generics that they warn you about??

ziggy53

1pocket wrote:

... the Synergy Digital SD-ENEL3e "Replacement for Nikon EN-EL3e 7.4 volt 1800mAh" -- is this a legit equivalent battery, or is this one of the generics that they warn you about??

I believe you have two questions and they might both be answered "yes".

Yes, it is a battery that many will buy and use without problem.

Yes, it is a battery that if you have power related problems with the camera, Nikon will likely blame the use of that battery. Use third-party batteries at your own risk.

A very small percentage of the third-party batteries will even experience explosive destruction, probably also damaging either the charger or camera (depending on where the battery is at the time.) Potentially, some human injury can also occur.

Lithium Ion batteries can overheat and rupture or explode. Even Nikon LIon batteries "can" explode under the right circumstances. The difference is that Nikon batteries probably contain several safeguards to prevent overheating, overcharge and rupture.

BTW, the more power density a battery has, the greater its chances for premature failure.

Some more information:

http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/PrimBatt/li-explosion.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2005/11/19/news/casper/d46d708b1ce56725872570bc00075bc3.txt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeWq6rWzChw&NR=1

Brascole

1pocket wrote:

I know it has a 400 page manual, but that generally doesn't tell you what works best for this or that, or why to set something one way or the other, what with all the available options. I'm reading the manual, but that might be the absolute hardest way to learn.

With the fresh release of this camera, I thought maybe it would be great if other new users could share as they learn

I'll start with a real easy question:

I also bought a spare battery, the Synergy Digital SD-ENEL3e "Replacement for Nikon EN-EL3e 7.4 volt 1800mAh" -- is this a legit equivalent battery, or is this one of the generics that they warn you about??

The instruction manual is just that instructions for the various components for you to become more proficient using it the camera. It will not give suggestions on how to do this or that. I guess it assumes you have a working knowledge of photography.

Now that is not to say that many of us including me would like the manual to say use these Fn settings because they worked for us in the Nikon lab. I rely on this forum and eventually the pletora of books that will come out soon. I got the Nikon newsletter concerning the manual and what's the best way to use and read it. The author pointed out that it is not a novel to be read from front to back. The way he approched it was to use color coded tabs. Flash section Red and so on. I guess use colors that signal to you what you may need to refer to more often.

Concerning the use of third party accessories other than lenses I rather pay the extra money so that if anything happens I have my bases covered for warranties.

hope this helps

Harryb

1pocket wrote:

I know it has a 400 page manual, but that generally doesn't tell you what works best for this or that, or why to set something one way or the other, what with all the available options. I'm reading the manual, but that might be the absolute hardest way to learn.

With the fresh release of this camera, I thought maybe it would be great if other new users could share as they learn

Great idea for a thread.

Here's a link that may be of some help.


I would also check out the forums at http://www.nikonians.org/

Finally, for now, Thom Hogan always does a guide book for the various Nikon bodies. Keep checking his web site for his release of the D300 guide book. i have always found them to be invaluable.

1pocket

Maybe I should have framed the title "newbie Q&A" I took a quick look at the link below & realized I really don't know much!

There is a lot of talk about custom "my menu" settings. Okay, I better try to figure out what the heck they are talking about... it sounds like something I could use say, for my preferred settings in low light situations where I cannot have flash, or the focus assist light even??

Harryb

1pocket wrote:

Maybe I should have framed the title "newbie Q&A" I took a quick look at the link below & realized I really don't know much!

There is a lot of talk about custom "my menu" settings. Okay, I better try to figure out what the heck they are talking about... it sounds like something I could use say, for my preferred settings in low light situations where I cannot have flash, or the focus assist light even??

We are all newbies when it comes to the D300. There is a definite learning curve with the camera. Just take it step by step.