D3 vs. D300 shooting Amateur Hockey
I wanted to test this for myself and for a few of you out there that asked. I will send the pics with EXIF for those that pre-requested:thumb
Both cameras were set-up the same and both bodies used the same 70-200 f/2.8 VR
here were the following settings:
ISO = 3200
Mode = AP @ f/2.8
EXP = +0.03
Metering = center weighted
Lens VR = on
Auto focus = 9 point
File Format = JPEG fine
First five are from the D300 the last five are from the D3:D
D300 #1
D300 #2
D300 #3
D300 #4
D300 #5
D3 #1
D3 #2
D3 #3
D3 #4
D3 #5
.
My notes on the comparison:
Reduction in noise ~ D3 by far did a better job
Autfocus Speed ~ D3 was faster and easier with focusing
Clarity ~ D3 has better clarity as well as contrast
Focal length ~ D300 with the crop factor gave me more reach
View Finder ~ D300 had a brighter and more clear view finder:scratch
Camera Feel ~ D3 felt more solid and comfortable while shooting
Since the D3 is more than twice the price of the D300 it is no wonder the D3 did better but the D300 is well worth its price. The D300 did a great job in this harsh environment. The D200 with its limited high ISO abilities could never shoot @ ISO 3200 and produce pictures like this. The D300 is a huge improvement over its predecessor. :bow
The only negative experience I had with the D300 was the limit of 6 frames per/sec compared to the D3's 9 frames per/sec. If you want 8 frames per/sec you will have to spend another $250 on a MB-D10 battery grip, $110 EN-EL4a, and most annoying you have to buy a separate battery carrier $35 BL-3 to even use the EN-EL4a battery and that is if you can find one in stock:scratch
Both cameras were set-up the same and both bodies used the same 70-200 f/2.8 VR
here were the following settings:
ISO = 3200
Mode = AP @ f/2.8
EXP = +0.03
Metering = center weighted
Lens VR = on
Auto focus = 9 point
File Format = JPEG fine
First five are from the D300 the last five are from the D3:D
D300 #1
D300 #2
D300 #3
D300 #4
D300 #5
D3 #1
D3 #2
D3 #3
D3 #4
D3 #5.
My notes on the comparison:
Reduction in noise ~ D3 by far did a better job
Autfocus Speed ~ D3 was faster and easier with focusing
Clarity ~ D3 has better clarity as well as contrast
Focal length ~ D300 with the crop factor gave me more reach
View Finder ~ D300 had a brighter and more clear view finder:scratch
Camera Feel ~ D3 felt more solid and comfortable while shooting
Since the D3 is more than twice the price of the D300 it is no wonder the D3 did better but the D300 is well worth its price. The D300 did a great job in this harsh environment. The D200 with its limited high ISO abilities could never shoot @ ISO 3200 and produce pictures like this. The D300 is a huge improvement over its predecessor. :bow
The only negative experience I had with the D300 was the limit of 6 frames per/sec compared to the D3's 9 frames per/sec. If you want 8 frames per/sec you will have to spend another $250 on a MB-D10 battery grip, $110 EN-EL4a, and most annoying you have to buy a separate battery carrier $35 BL-3 to even use the EN-EL4a battery and that is if you can find one in stock:scratch
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Comments
oh, I so want a D3 or even a D300. Do you think if I show the spouse your post, he'll let me get one, even though I just bought a 70-200/2.8 lens last month? Maybe my d200 will break soon, it's almost a year old and has about 60k frames on it...
thanks for the post, though now I feel the need to go shopping...
Land sports: http://scippix.smugmug.com/
All kidding aside, I loved my D200 but became annoyed with the noise even with ISO 400. I just lived with the fact that my brother shooting a canon will get the shoots at low light levels and I would get the shoots at good light levels. When he got the Mark III, I sold some of my film camera equiment as well as all of my darkroom equipment to buy the D3 and have the D300 as my second body. I hated to sell my stuff but considering I have not used film in years, I justified it.
My Photo Blog -->http://dthorpphoto.blogspot.com/
I'll write him a note if it will help, I went from a D40x to a D3. It's low light capabilities are amazing! I routinely shoot in the ISO 1600-3200 range without issue. The D3 with a 50mm f1.4 is a wicked combo.
If anyone is interested in viewing low light images from my D3, go check these shots.
http://photos.digitalq.com/gallery/8257585_NYW5k/1/541154768_YZuAK
With the exception of the last couple shots in the collection, all shot with my D3, no flash, 70-200mm indoors with an ISO range of between 1250-2000.