For the opportunity Nikon D300 body camera review many thanks to Vadim Jadan http://vk.com/id23823306.
Nikon D300 review
Nikon D300 is positioned by Nikon as a professional APS-C camera (a camera with a matrix in which crop factor 1.5X). The camera was introduced on 23.08.2007 along with Nikon D3. D300 and D3 have opened up a whole new level of camera engineering among all Nikon cameras. A whole bunch of innovations was laid in them.
Popularly, Nikon D300 is legendary 'shooter', 'armor piercing', 'small D3', 'cropped D3', 'workhorse', etc. Actually, such epithets are the best characteristic of the camera.
View of Nikon D300 from different sides
The main parameters of the Nikon D300, which should be paid attention to the photographer:
1. Professional ergonomics in a very high quality case. The camera body is waterproof and dustproof. The entire body is made of magnesium alloy, this affects the weight of the camera (about 1 kg). The heavy weight of the camera helps with handheld photography and keeps weight balance well with heavy lenses. Even the lugs for the strap are asymmetrically positioned for proper weight distribution. The camera grip is rubberized, and the front and rear control dials are also rubberized. The camera fits perfectly in the hand.
The camera is very convenient to control, all the necessary control buttons are moved to convenient places. The Nikon D300 has an excellent large monochrome display for quick setup. Such a large monochrome display is only in Nikon D200 и Nikon D300s, other cropped models have this display 'cut down'. In general, Nikon D300 can be controlled only by this display and not enter the camera menu itself. But for whom it is not enough, Nikon D300 has an excellent 3-inch color display with 920.000 dots. The same display is used in Nikon D3, D3s, D700, D300s, D90... The camera has an 'info' button which calls up all basic settings on the color display.
2. The D300 uses a cropped CMOS sensor. Most likely the same matrix is taken as the basis for the camera Nikon D300s, D90 and D5000. The ISO range is available from 200 to 3200 units. Strange, but in the professional camera Nikon D300 ISO is used instead of ISO 100 lo1, which is a plug-in and is equivalent to ISO 100. The ISO value can be expanded up to 6400 units (indicated by 'Hi1'). I do not recommend shooting at ISO higher than 1600. At present, the matrix does not show very clear images at high ISO. 12 megapixels are enough for any kind of standard tasks.
3. The camera has a huge maximum continuous shooting speed - Nikon D300 is one of the fastest "crop". The camera can shoot 6 frames per second. And if you connect an additional power supply unit (booster), then the speed increases to 8 k / s.
4. Nikon D300 has a built-in focusing motor, which allows the use of non-motorized lenses marked with 'AF', sometimes this allows you to save on optics. Also the camera can work with old AI lenses and AI-S types. You can store information on 10 manual lenses.
5. A very important indicator of camera speed is the frame buffer capacity. The buffer is the fast internal memory of the camera, where the captured photos are stored before they are written to the memory card. The Nikon D300 can hold a maximum of 18 frames in RAW format.
- 17 frames with 12 bit RAW lossless compression
- 18 frames with 12 bit RAW standard compression
- 15 frames at 14 bit RAW
- 14 frames in TIFF format
- 21 frames in JPEG L format, quality priority
You can save RAW files in the camera in several ways: 12 or 14 bits per pixel and one of three compression levels. TIFF format is available.
Important: when shooting in RAW format with 14 bit color depth, the maximum shooting speed will be only 2.5 frames per second. This is a serious limitation, so if you count on a 14-bit color depth, you will need to sacrifice speed. One RAW file with 14 bit color depth occupies 25 MB on the card. The problem with a low shooting speed at 14 bit was solved in Nikon D7000but she surfaced again in Nikon D7100.
Important: when you turn on noise reduction at high ISO, noise reduction at slow shutter speeds, enable Active D-lighting frame buffer can be reduced to only 6 shots. I usually turn off all these features when shooting in RAW.
6. The camera can use Live View. True, the activation of the mode occurs through the mode selection ring near the "tower" of control. This location of the Live View switch is very inconvenient. Live View works in two modes: “tripod” and “manual”. In one of them, you can compose images through the display, but when you press the shutter button, the camera turns off Live View and focuses through the focus sensors, and only then takes a picture. In the other mode, Live View works like a conventional point-and-shoot camera, allowing you to focus using contrast focusing. When zoomed in on a portion of the image using Live View, the image begins slow down, such a defect is no longer in Nikon D90.
7. The Nikon D300 has one of the best Multi-CAM 3500DX Focusing Systems, which includes 51 focus points (15 of which are cross-shaped). The same number of focus points have Nikon D3, D3s, D3x, D4,D4s, D800,D800e, D7100 и D700. Focusing is very tenacious and has a huge amount of settings. Focus speed is very dependent on the lens.
8. The camera’s battery can withstand over 1000 shots on a single charge. In fact, if you use a lens without autofocus and without a stabilizer, you can squeeze over 2000 frames on a single charge. Batteries are fully compatible with Nikon D90, D200, D80, D700.
9. Camera supports fast FP sync with external flashes. This means that with external flash it will be possible to shoot at any shutter speed, even for 1 \ 8000 s (the shortest excerpt in the camera). Also, the flash may work in command mode and control two groups of flashes using Nikon CLS. You can set the sync speed to 1 \ 320 s.
10. The camera has another million useful little things: fine-tuning the focus for different lenses, the processing functions of captured images, bracketing for different values, etc.
Nikon D300 is the continuation of the line, which previously included Nikon D100 и D200. The camera body is very, very similar to D200after I exchanged my camera Nikon D200 on Nikon D300, for writing a review, when manipulating the camera during shooting, I did not feel any difference. The controls are in their convenient places, all the buttons are the same.
Separately, it is worth considering the difference between Nikon D200 and D300
- The main difference in the number of focus points. 11 points D200 and 51 points on the D300. The difference is almost 5 times.
- The D300 optical viewfinder covers 100% of the frame, the D200 only 95%, which allows you not to be afraid of the edges of the frame when shooting.
- D300 has Live View
- The D300 has a matrix cleaning system. The types of matrices are also different: CCD vs CMOS.
- The D300 has a much quieter sensor than the D200. The D200's biggest problem is its very “noisy” matrix.
- Burst speed increased to 6 (up to 8 with a booster) frames per second, versus 5 fps for D200
- The display has increased. The difference in the display when viewing pictures is very much felt.
- D300 works much better with voluminous memory cards
- D300 consumes an order of magnitude better battery life. One battery charge in the D300 is enough for 1000-1500 frames, and in the D200 only for 400-500.
- The D300 can save 14-bit RAW files, which improves the original image during processing.
The rest of the cameras are very similar. The old D200 has even one advantage over the D300: frame buffer holds 21 frames, while the D300 has only 18, given the camera speeds, the D200 can shoot continuous high-speed shooting for a couple of seconds longer than the D300. (21/5 = 4,2 seconds versus 18/6 = 3 seconds, or 18/8 = 2,25 seconds). But since the D300 works better with memory cards, the difference is not particularly noticeable. I do not recommend upgrading D200 to D300, D300s without much need.
To date, the Nikon D300 is morally obsolete, it has successor Nikon D300s. Details the difference between Nikon D300 and D300s described in Nikon D300s review.
For whom will such a camera be useful?
First of all, Nikon D300 will be useful for professional photographers who can apply all the useful functions hidden behind the huge camera menu. Especially the D300 is good at reporting. For beginners, I do not recommend buying the Nikon D300. If there is a desire to join the ranks of the owners of the CZK, then to begin Nikon D90, D7000 much better, but you can even start with Nikon D40.
Sample photos on Nikon D300
All photos in this review were shot on Nikon D300, RAW + JPEG, JPEG L quality priority, ADL normal, Noise reduction on. The size is reduced to 2048 * 1536 and the data about the shooting parameters from EXIF. All photos were taken with Nikon 50mm F1.8D.
UPDATE 2
Examples of photos on HELIOS-44M 2/58 and camera Nikon D300 with readers of Radozhiva shared by photographer Alexander Gvozd.
Personal experience:
I really like the Nikon D300 because it has a full Live View, but there is no video mode that I do not need. Working with the Nikon D300 is very pleasant, since all the controls are at hand. The camera works with any optics that can be planted on it. In hand Nikon D7000 и Nikon D7100 inferior to the convenience of the D300, and for me, convenience is a very important indicator, since I have to run around with the camera all day. On the other hand, Nikon D300 is much inferior in some respects to brand new cameras.
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Hack and predictor Aviator
Nikon D300 performs very well in use, it is one of the best Nikon 'crop'. In an unequal struggle with time, it began to yield in some parameters to newer amateur cameras. But still, when working at low ISO - Nikon D300 is a camera, after 'talking' with which you don't want to use something else.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Good afternoon, Arkady! Do I have a nikon d80 + nikkor 50mm 1 / 8d? I shoot mostly weddings with the release of photo books, the largest spread is 30X60cm. I look closely at the d300. Arkady, will I see a difference in the colors, sharpness and lower noise at higher ISOs? or all the same, wait for the collapse of prices on the d700? :)
Arkady, help with choosing a camera. I plan to professionally shoot weddings, other reports, performances, corporate parties and other commercial plots. Torn between D300 and D7000. The first likes functionality, convenience and reliability. In the second, I like a wide DD and good work at high ISO (back side of the D300).
As a professional - tell me which of these 2 cameras would you choose as the main one and why?
Thank you.
Arkady, I really look forward to your advice - he will help me a lot. thanks
Arkady chose the D700.
Arkady, tell me please, does it support Compact Flash up to what size? I think so that with a RAW size of more than twenty meters, it makes no sense to buy for long hikes / walks less than 16 Gb, but will he be able to read them - after all, the model is already five years old ... Is this type of cards any specificity or complexity compared to conventional SD-cards - something you need to know about before choosing a carcass for yourself? Now I'm torn between the new D90 and the used D300 for the same price, I really want a XNUMX, but damn because of these cards I'm just afraid to take it - it's somehow unusual, and a whole heap of SD cards has already accumulated ...
I think the fear of CF cards is unfounded. Most professional equipment works on CF cards, they are more resistant to loads. CFs have their own microcontroller, because in fact their volume is not limited. The D300 is wonderful friends with 32GB flash drives and should be friends with 128GB flash drives, but the D90 is limited to 32GB.
Thank you!
Hello. I read a lot of reviews, comparisons of different cameras (including on your site). I'm interested in reliability, the possibility of acceptable use of non-autofocus lenses (at the initial stage). I’m a little familiar with the basic principles of the photo, I shot Zenith with Helios-44 for a very long time. In modern amateur-level DSLRs, the presence of video, the number of megapixels, which does not greatly affect the quality of the photo, but the price is significant)))))) It’s worth a look at the D300, despite the fact that its price is very affordable in the secondary market ???? ???????
Arkady, Hello. If you had a choice only between Nikon D300 and Canon 5D, what would you choose and why. Thanks.
Arkady would choose the D700
Coming out of the tasks, I would have decided on the camera. For myself - 5d, for reportage - d300 ... and so on.
Just starting to shoot, tell me what parameters need to be set for shooting in a night club, despite the fact that there is an external flash?
Hello, Arkady, I have a few questions for you: now I have a D5100 and a couple of Nikon 50 1.4G and 35 1.8G fixes for it. I shoot mostly a child (3,5 years old) and a family + sometimes family events (at home or in restaurants). The d5100 does not like the viewfinder and its coverage with AF points (the autofocus speed would also be faster), the ergonomics of the camera itself is also not very convenient (the absence of the second scroll wheel). In fact, the question is, what to choose next? The D7100 is too expensive, the viewfinder was looking at the d7000, the autofocus points are too crowded and the problems with the oil on the matrix are scary (the autofocus modules are also unpretentious). I think between d300s and d700 (it's expensive, of course, but in principle you can pull it. You can monitor the BU d300s market for 20-25 thousand rubles ($ 700-800 can be taken in the Russian Federation). And another such moment, I'm bespectacled, eyesight - 3 , I do not like the viewfinder d5100 at all in this parameter, I can hardly see it either with glasses or without glasses. Thank you in advance for your answer.
The focusing speed with these lenses will not change, because it is the lens that focuses slowly. D700 has the best viewfinder among those listed, I recommend it.
Arkady, but in terms of coverage of the viewfinder with AF points, as I understand it, d300s has the best of the crop? I read your article about the d7100 and looked at the comparison table for the AF system. Therefore, he made such a conclusion.
Sorry for the intrusiveness, but of the Nikon crop at my request, the D300s is probably the best option?
D700 I can certainly pull, but financially it is very burdensome for me.
Of the 7100 Krops, it’s still the best, except for the POSSIBLE big noise at high iso, than the modern 7000/XNUMX, and then, not to say that this greatly influenced something.
However, if you have such a problem with your eyes, I would recommend twisting / looking in real life, somewhere in a store or rental shop, viewfinders D700 (or some other full-frame) and crop. This may be the deciding factor for you.
Thanks for the tips. Yes, the problem is not that big, I just made a compromise at the time (there was a choice between the D90 and D5100). I bought the D5100, thinking that I would need a video, etc., then twisting the D90 in my hands and looking at its viewfinder, I realized that the D5100 is very inferior to the D90.
I don’t see the recording according to the ISO shooting parameters, shutter speed, etc. The image itself and the focus points can be seen more or less the norm, but the type of viewfinder on professional cameras is much more humane made for bespectacles :)
D90 is not a professional camera, but an amateur one, and not to say that “there are a lot of handicap points” gives D5100 for “just taking pictures”.
But his weight is much higher (especially with a zoom), so you need to take it only clearly imagining the “issues of dragging”, well, or as “the first camera that will give a kick for self-improvement”.
Thank you very much for the answers, well, in general, I have already regretted several times that I took d5100 instead of d90 (at that time they cost almost the same). One of these days I’ll go to the store and feel all the devices. Thanks again!
Personally, I, after six months of filming on the D90, sold it, and took a D3100.
Now I shoot significantly more, and not to say that I am very sad about 90 (except sometimes, when a few quick settings are needed), but now they take me as a “professional photographer” on the street much less often. ))
On the contrary, I shoot on the d3100 and buy the d300. I would certainly like the d7100, but while the cheap d300 turned up, I focus on it.
Well, if I had never set foot, and took d300 instead of d90, then POSSIBLE would not have changed it to 3100, who knows.
More than a controversial exchange!
Hello, I have a nikon d5100 but I already want to improve the quality of the photos, the budget is not very large while I look at d300 b d300s is it worth it to switch to them, will the result be improved in practice, or maybe you can advise something else ???
Hello Arkady, Thank you for the professional reviews of photographic equipment! Now I’m considering the purchase of a professional device and based on your reviews I settled on two Nikon d300 and d2x models. What do you advise from your experience. With deep respect. Thank you.
I would advise to first describe the tasks that will face the cameras :)
Arkady, can you tell me whether it makes sense to exchange d5100 for d300s or start saving right away for a D600 or D700, I take amateur pictures but I think about taking photos more deeply, I would like to know the opinion of a professional who was holding all this technique in their hands, I would like something more serious!
and how 12 megapixels after 16 is not at a loss ?? I looked that the 300s are almost two classes higher than the 5100 and as a matter of fact I have no idea I would like to hear the answer from the pro.!
artistic shooting, portrait. Thank you. Regards, Victor.
for artistic leisurely filming is still better than d700, IMHO.
Arkady, thanks for the answer. Artistic shooting, portrait.
Does this camera have high-speed sync with an external flash ?? or on the model D300s ???
Yes, there is, it was written about in the review, it was enough to read it at least once. Quote:
Good day! Tell me how D300 is friends with Tamron 17-50 2.8 with a stub? Is this a good kit?
Important: when shooting in RAW with a color depth of 14 bits, the maximum shooting speed will be only 2.5 frames per second. This is a serious limitation, so if you are counting on a 14-bit depth of field
typo at the end of the sentence
Fixed
Thanks for the review.
On the one hand, I want a D300 screwdriver for my finances, but on the other hand, I really like the rotary display of the existing D5100 - convenience at the bottom of the shooting and real quality with ISO 1250. Kit 17-55 turned out to be good, and 55-300 - great, “the kit itself” is budgetary and conditionally sufficient. I have been in creative photography as a hobby for more than 40 years, the camera itself does not shoot, this is a fact. If there is not enough money for the full format, then take the D3100 and take excellent photos with the KIT, the Old Testament flagships - the way back and marking time. Long lingered in the desire to buy either D80 or D90 used - the mind won.
For 9 years in the 90s he lived through photography, only in this case a pro-camera is needed. If you shoot 2-3 thousand frames a year, and not a week, you shouldn't fool yourself with the purchase of "armor piercing".
Hello, I always wanted to get a good camera, and here I came back with an option and I bought a used d 300, tell me which lens is better to get. I would like to have a fix and not expensive, they plan to shoot nature, holidays, and generally family photos. The main thing is a good zum.
Hello Arkady! As your reader this is what I noticed ...
You write - Nikon D300 has one of the best focusing systems Multi-CAM 3500DX, which includes 51 focus points (15 of which are cross-shaped). The flagship Nikon D3, D3s, D3x, D4 and professional Nikon D700, D800, D800E have the same focus points.
Please add to this list the camera 7100.
Good afternoon!
I have been using Nikon D40 for 8 years, during this time I learned a lot, decided to take the carcass more seriously - yesterday I bought Nikon D300 from my hands. I took a few frames and ... was horrified. There are no colors, the contrast is high, the DD seems to be generally lower than the plinth, and all this is on the 50mm 1.8D lens! And all this with the same settings that I shot on the D40! but on d40 for some reason the colors are excellent, with minimal processing in the FS, great pictures are obtained. on d300 there is some kind of horror. Tell me why this is so? Really the matrix of 2003 and the one that is 5 years younger are so different and the latter is many times worse, although it is in the prof. technique? Thank you for your reply.
By the way, the same garbage with flowers and DD and other things on my third ink, bought six months ago, a new one - canon 60D. Are the CMOS matrices so awful?
Hello Arkady, thanks for the great review! Your reviews are very informative and give a clear idea of its capabilities when choosing a technique! Since your overwhelming audience (I only dare to assume from reading the comments that are left after your articles) are beginner amateur photographers who have allowed themselves the Central Exhibition Center, in the hope that they can take a photo no worse than a professional! I am more of a connoisseur of good quality and do not assign any Mastery Ranks! Probably many have seen and many love the "national geographic" channel, so I was lucky enough to watch the work of these professionals and even talk to one of them! So he had a D300s camera in his hands! After talking with him, I was only convinced once again that there are professional photographers who can use any technique to get an excellent shot! Please don't throw stones! I left this comment for general development! Take good shots with what you have at the moment and do not create the illusion that a professional-grade camera will make you a professional! Arkady, thank you again for your site and what you are doing!
um .. well, considering that the D300 is like a bae, IMHO, one of the best creations of Nikon (and the s version is just a small modification for video and others), then I don't see anything strange or “non-top” in his choice.
Lynx, I didn't ask for expert help! And the fact that the D300 is one of the best, I know even without yours: “um .. well” and “like bae, IMHO”!
If you write, then write correctly and to the point!
Thank you Arkady! after your tests of devices of different classes, at the end I stopped with a choice that fell on the d300, before that there was the d3100 and something was missing when using manual lenses, and now there is a continuation of the experiments.
Hello,
My friend has such a camera. She really complains that the lens is not enough for many of her purposes: either the house does not fit completely, or the approximation is not enough. There is little, in general. I do not understand and I will not pretend. that I understand) I want to give her a better lens and more, but I drowned in a sea of lenses - figs you will understand which one will fit the D300. How to navigate this sea of lenses, what parameters to look at so as not to miss a purchase? help, please.
Svetlana present her friend Nikon 17-55mm f / 2.8G IF-ED AF-S DX Nikkor and she will be happy!
After reading reviews of the D300 and D7000, I realized that they are similar!
Tell me, however, what will be easier to use and more reliable to serve.
I'm not a pro but I want a cool camera!
If possible by points in comparison !!!
Sergey, both cameras are good! I would advise you to choose a “cool” lens than to understand which camera is better! And in essence, if you are not going to take a photo of a reportage in extreme conditions - D7000 is the best option !!!
Hello my Nikon D3000 I bought it last year and now he started throwing me like “This battery does not fit this camera” what can it be and what to do?
Please promptly!
There is an opportunity to buy D300 or D7000.
Urgently need help please!
For an amateur - d7000, for a pro - d300.
does d300 turn out mainly for reporting?