My new D300 rocks...

photocatphotocat Registered Users Posts: 1,334 Major grins
edited February 2, 2008 in Cameras
As some of you know, I got myself a Nikon D300 while being in America.
We were there for fourteen days, and I had a warm up with the camera, shooting 3000 pics. I kept 400 of them, still a good photo album.
The camera is a big improvement on the D70 and D200, I upgraded from first to D300, and finally feel at home. I can do technical language, I can only tell you guys in sort of romantic language how this baby feels.
I got it with the 28-135 nikon lens, and kept this lens on for the whole trip. I had my D200 with my macro 60mm, but shot more with the D300. The biggest surprise came when I saw my aerial shots taken on the flight from Phoenix to Chicago. When I imported them into lightroom, it was a disaster, as I had suspected, as there was a lot of haze. But to my surprise, after I cranked up the black and the contrast (both sliders to the maximum right), I got air pics like never before. Since I am the same, just older, it must be the camera...
I also took it to the mission of San Xavier Del Bac, and shot inside, on hmmm, iso 3200. The noise issue is gone totally. You can actually shoot on iso 3200 now. I shot a lot of pics while hubby was driving, the camera coped extremely well with the movement, I even tried out some live view shots.
Had a bit of a gaffle there, as you have to press the shutter 3 times instead of focus en snap. I found this out after I had no pics while I knew i had taken some with the live preview on. Lucky only a couple of restaurant pics in Las Cruces... No biggie.
I am so utterly happy with this camera. I am posting some shots taken from the plane, and as usual, I am writing up about the trip on my blog...
Don't hesitate in buying the D300, worth every single penny.

The first pic is coming from the camera without processing. The others are processed. O, I am also looking for the name of the air port in the pre last photograph... Is it Albuequerke NM?
Thanks for looking. Comments welcome!

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http://photocatseyes.net
http://www.zazzle.com/photocatseyes

Comments

  • leaforteleaforte Registered Users Posts: 1,948 Major grins
    edited January 29, 2008
    I really like that forth shot. It looks to be number one with some PP. I like the shadow on the ridge, and the bold shapes. Congrats on the new equipment. Have fun!
    Growing with Dgrin



  • Van IsleVan Isle Registered Users Posts: 384 Major grins
    edited January 29, 2008
    We haven't seemed to have heard a lot from the D300 crowd, perhaps over shadowed by the D3. headscratch.gif So let me be one of the first to say:

    I hate you I hate you I hate you!! mwink.gifmwink.gif

    I just splurged on a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, myself. Don't need the cost of a D300 yet, but oh it's on the shopping list (after a properly calibrated monitor)

    GREAT shots! Glad you're happy! clap.gif

    VI
    dgrin.com - making my best shots even better since 2006.
  • photocatphotocat Registered Users Posts: 1,334 Major grins
    edited January 30, 2008
    Thanks guys... grin. The fourth is my favorite too, have it on my desktop (24inch) and it even looks better. It must be New Mexico, or maybe Colorado, as we flew over the latter for a little while before turning North East to Chicago.
    I thought I had seen a good thread about the D300 on D-grin, I just did not find it back last night when I posted my shots. Jetlag is still killing me.
    They probably could have used a bit more contrast, but the slider was at the end. I will have to add some extra pop in photoshop...
    It is the first time that I ran out of contrast room in Lightroom.
    Thanks both for the comments, much appreciated!
    http://photocatseyes.net
    http://www.zazzle.com/photocatseyes
  • TravisTravis Registered Users Posts: 1,472 Major grins
    edited January 30, 2008
    OH....SO....JEALOUS..... Those ariel shots turned out fantastic. I'm counting the days until I make the big switch over. Thanks for sharing!
    Travis Owney Photography
    My Images | My Lessons Learned and Other Adventures
  • NikonfanNikonfan Registered Users Posts: 26 Big grins
    edited February 1, 2008
    Travis wrote:
    OH....SO....JEALOUS..... Those ariel shots turned out fantastic. I'm counting the days until I make the big switch over. Thanks for sharing!

    Congratz.

    Im not upgrading to d300 from my two d200's.

    Performance wise d200 is still the champion.
  • photocatphotocat Registered Users Posts: 1,334 Major grins
    edited February 1, 2008
    Nikonfan wrote:
    Congratz.

    Im not upgrading to d300 from my two d200's.

    Performance wise d200 is still the champion.


    I can tell you that the performance of the D300 is far better then the D200. I still have my D200, and will use it as a backup, but I have not had a single moment of regret for upgrading to the D300.
    The batteries go a far longer time, it deals better with high contrast shots, it has a better sensor, the LCD is bigger, the way you can zoom to see if a picture is sharp is better... Need I go on?
    The only minor issue that I have found is in the battery pack. You have to take the battery pack off to fit a battery in the camera. The battery pack of the D200 has two batteries in the pack itself, which is a lot handier.
    But I was astonished to see how long the battery goes... And it first uses the battery in the grip, to then switch to the one in the camera. The D300 does a very good job in battery life...
    It is of course an expensive machine... I had to save up for it, but I am so glad I did. I shot 3500 pics with it so far, and under very different conditions, if you have taken some shots with it, you will see the difference yourself... The noise levels have gotten better drastically!
    I would tell anyone to save up for it and get it, if you are serious about photography... mwink.gifmwink.gif
    http://photocatseyes.net
    http://www.zazzle.com/photocatseyes
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 1, 2008
    photocat wrote:
    I can tell you that the performance of the D300 is far better then the D200. I still have my D200, and will use it as a backup, but I have not had a single moment of regret for upgrading to the D300.
    The batteries go a far longer time, it deals better with high contrast shots, it has a better sensor, the LCD is bigger, the way you can zoom to see if a picture is sharp is better... Need I go on?
    The only minor issue that I have found is in the battery pack. You have to take the battery pack off to fit a battery in the camera. The battery pack of the D200 has two batteries in the pack itself, which is a lot handier.
    But I was astonished to see how long the battery goes... And it first uses the battery in the grip, to then switch to the one in the camera. The D300 does a very good job in battery life...
    It is of course an expensive machine... I had to save up for it, but I am so glad I did. I shot 3500 pics with it so far, and under very different conditions, if you have taken some shots with it, you will see the difference yourself... The noise levels have gotten better drastically!

    15524779-Ti.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!"
  • The RoadrunnerThe Roadrunner Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins
    edited February 1, 2008
    Looks like there is going to be a big rush to get the D-300 when us photographers get the "Rebates" Congress is supposed to work out. Especially if they stick to the $600 per Individual or $1,200 per household. clap.gif
    Of course they have a way of screwing things up, but for now we can keep our hopes up! :ivar

    The Roadrunner
  • photocatphotocat Registered Users Posts: 1,334 Major grins
    edited February 1, 2008
    Heard about that one last week in Phoenix... Can't think of a better thing to do with the rebate then getting the D300... A bit of good news in an otherwise bit depressing world. (Can you tell I am back in grey old England, foggy, wet and cold? I want to go back to Globe)rolleyes1.gif
    http://photocatseyes.net
    http://www.zazzle.com/photocatseyes
  • The MuseThe Muse Registered Users Posts: 3 Beginner grinner
    edited February 1, 2008
    mine rocks too!
    I just love my d300:)
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,132 moderator
    edited February 1, 2008
    The Muse wrote:
    I just love my d300:)

    Welcome to the Digital Grin. clap.gif

    Anything in particular that you love about the D300, especially compared to previously owned equipment?
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • The MuseThe Muse Registered Users Posts: 3 Beginner grinner
    edited February 1, 2008
    ziggy53 wrote:
    Welcome to the Digital Grin. clap.gif

    Anything in particular that you love about the D300, especially compared to previously owned equipment?

    well i went from a canon rebel to a d300 so pretty much everything is better haha. but i love the colors this camera captures i mean some of them seem unreal but i love it. it is hard to make bad pictures.
  • PhyxiusPhyxius Registered Users Posts: 1,396 Major grins
    edited February 1, 2008
    Photocat wings.gif Congrats on the D300, I love mine too!!

    I was freaking out the other night though. I thought my autofocus was screwed up. EEK! I reset the camera, removed the battery, removed the lens...NOTHING would fix it.

    ne_nau.gif


    Um...


    I had the multi selector locked. 11doh.gif

    So, other than idiot user error the camera has been great!!! rolleyes1.gif
    Christina Dale
    SmugMug Support Specialist - www.help.smugmug.com

    http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
    Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
  • photocatphotocat Registered Users Posts: 1,334 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2008
    I had the multi selector locked. 11doh.gif

    So, other than idiot user error the camera has been great!!! rolleyes1.gif

    I freaked out when I could not get the live view to work... It helped to read the book... grin. The live view is somewhat cumbersome I must say. It takes more time to snap with live view. You also need to push the button 3 times for one frame. I did two and did not understand why I did not have pics...
    But that is a minor nit pick.
    Guess if you shoot with an SLR the viewfinder is the way to go anyway...
    I am extremely happy with the big LCD though!
    It is definitely a camera that you have to read up on to know all the features. I could work with it without the book as I stepped up from the D200, but for the more advanced features, I most surely will need a lot of reading and figuring out. I've had the D200 for almost 2 years and was not done with getting to know it completely. Part of me wonders if it was a good idea to upgrade if you don't even know the present machine, but I do see so much difference in the photographs that I am in total peace with the upgrade. And the D200 will be my backup for a LOOOOOONNNNGGG time...
    I have two fantastic camera's now... Now I need to start booking more work...
    http://photocatseyes.net
    http://www.zazzle.com/photocatseyes
  • z_28z_28 Registered Users Posts: 956 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2008
    My D300 is just a camera, nothing special.
    Maybe you got better copy.
    Congratulations mwink.gif
    D300, D70s, 10.5/2.8, 17-55/2.8, 24-85/2.8-4, 50/1.4, 70-200VR, 70-300VR, 60/2.8, SB800, SB80DX, SD8A, MB-D10 ...
    XTi, G9, 16-35/2.8L, 100-300USM, 70-200/4L, 19-35, 580EX II, CP-E3, 500/8 ...
    DSC-R1, HFL-F32X ... ; AG-DVX100B and stuff ... (I like this 10 years old signature :^)
  • PhyxiusPhyxius Registered Users Posts: 1,396 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2008
    z_28 wrote:
    My D300 is just a camera, nothing special.
    Maybe you got better copy.
    Congratulations mwink.gif

    It's lots special. iloveyou.gif

    Photocat, I did read the manual, I love manuals. I'm just a doofus and forgot to check the lock since I never use it. I let someone else shoot with the camera and they must have locked it by accident. Oh well, I'm happy it happened at a party with friends instead of a show I was working.rolleyes1.gif

    I have used live view, but only on a stationary object where I had to place the camera and could see through LCD, but couldn't see through the viewfinder. I don't think I'll use live view often, but it's nice to have. :):
    Christina Dale
    SmugMug Support Specialist - www.help.smugmug.com

    http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
    Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
  • z_28z_28 Registered Users Posts: 956 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2008
    Phyxius wrote:

    I did read the manual, I love manuals.

    Yup, it must be something in manual I missed :D
    D300, D70s, 10.5/2.8, 17-55/2.8, 24-85/2.8-4, 50/1.4, 70-200VR, 70-300VR, 60/2.8, SB800, SB80DX, SD8A, MB-D10 ...
    XTi, G9, 16-35/2.8L, 100-300USM, 70-200/4L, 19-35, 580EX II, CP-E3, 500/8 ...
    DSC-R1, HFL-F32X ... ; AG-DVX100B and stuff ... (I like this 10 years old signature :^)
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