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The first thing that attracted me to the D300 so many months ago was not the promise of megapixels (12.1), it wasn't the magnesium body with sensor cleaning, and it wasn't the switch to CMOS sensor technology. It was the new eXpeed processor, and the promise of low noise high-ISO settings.

My initial thoughts after pulling the camera out of the box was that it might as well be a glorified D200, just with a bigger screen. At least as far as size, weight, and button layout were concerned. A small part of me did expect a little change in the body, but why mess with a good thing? The D200 was perfect, and so would be the D300.

Button Layout

If you are at all familiar with the nikon D200, the layout has not changed. The buttons are layed out to best serve a professional photographer, with the ability to configure a few of the buttons as you see fit. The two buttons to the grip side of the lens, I have set to AF-on, and Exposure lock respectively, but that might change in the future as I get more accustomed to the layout.

Menu system

I was quite happy to see the traditional nikon menu system, bright, crisp and colorful as it is. I would reccomend spending alot of time in the menu checking over every single option, and testing all the 'in-camera editing' programs.

Auto Focus

The first big test I put the camera through, was at a minor hockey game. I took several shots ranging through the 6 different AF settings.

To the left of the lens, you have the focus switch, settings at C,S, and M

S= Single Servo AF
C= Continuous Servo AF
M= Manual Focus

Single I found to be quite good for the non-action shooting, but was not fast enough (even with the 70-200) to take in the puck or player action

Continuous was more like it, but even then I have not shot hockey before, so it was still a learning experience, the camera is completely capable of predicting where your moving taget is going to be when you trip the shutter

Single Point AF, Dynamic AF, and AUTO AF

Preferable for action shooting are Single, or Dynamic. Both settings will allow you to pick your focus, and get a clear shot of what you intended. When shooting auto, you have full access to all 51 points of focus, but i found it to be too unreliable to shoot the hockey game. I will be sticking to focus, compose.. instead of the other way around.

1)
2)
3)

*all shot with 70-200/2.8VR*
1) Shot with dynamic AF, composed the net where I wanted it, and set the left most focus point
2) Auto AF, the camera picked out the goalie as the center of interest, and that was what i intended
3) Single point AF, Focus on the middle of the net with F4 aperture to get a deeper DOF

High ISO

Factory settings are at standard noise reduction, so i took it off for the above shots that i was shooting between 640 and 1000 ISO, and i must say, even up at 1600 ISO, the blacks were still clean!

I took it up to 6400 a few times with standart noise reduction on, and if you arent planning on making a full size 40x30 inch print, its super impressive.

Im going to track down a copy of Noise Ninja (and the others) and see about post process noise reduction

Low ISO

at 64 iso, you can get some beautifully clean shots, but they are a tad on the pastel side, so be aware that you may have to bump up contrast and sharpness a tad in post process

Framerate (burstmode)

One of the hockey Dads i was standing by shoots canon, 40D with 70-200/2.8L IS USM. He didn't have it with him, but he was absolutely blown at how fast i was writing NEF (raw) files to the card

Im not sure if the RAW burst is any slower, i couldnt find any information, but captures at about 5fps NEF only. I was using a 4gb 80x speed card to shoot the bantams (13-15yo) and I found that while the buffer could take alot of frames into it, the in camera programs would slow it down a little. So for the older kids afterwards, i popped in a 2gb 120x speed card. bursts of 10 or more were still subject to the in-camera programs slowing it down, so at two points i found myself waiting about 4 seconds for the buffer to clear.

I will be getting one 4gb (maybe 8gb) 300x speed card to shoot action.

File size

I have shot so far about 400 frames NEF only and its giving me an average file size or 18-20mb. So the following restrictions on images per card should be (for raw only)

1gb - 50
2gb - 100
4gb - 200

The D300 is also capable of writing files in TIFF format.

Live View

Something I told myself i would never use, but just preliminary testing shows that it is perfect for macro focusing or studio stuffs on tripod. Took a few shots handheld, wasnt happy.. But then again, it was indoors at night.

Playback

The three inch screen is amazing for checking focus, with a high quality zoom that works quite fast.

VS D3

There are a few things that are quite different about the nikon D3, but if you are considering one or the other, consider the fact that with the D3, you will have to invest in a new lens system, the F mount. If you use DX lenses on full frame, you are shooting at a 5 megapixel mode.

Availability and price.. For $4000 less, the D300 is moer than enough camera, and consider that availability in the states is about 6months backorder.. so you wont even get it until June. Pro photographers with nikon pro cards get it first.


In conclusion

I am really happy with the overall performance of the D300, and would whole heartedly put my support behind it. I am looking forward to the upcoming months when i can test this in concert settings, on the street, and every other way i can imagine. Of course, there will probably be a few bugs arising, but that is what firmware updates are for.

If there are any questions to any other items not covered here, drop me a note and I will answer them for you.

Cheers,
-Fox (Scott)

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