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.
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
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
Hello!
Amazing blog, I read with pleasure)
Can you please tell me if it is worth buying this model today? (I may repeat myself). I'm worried that I'm a bit strovat ... What is the permissible mileage? (I saw used 57 thousand run). Does it need a flashing? and what things should be paid attention to when buying from hands. Thank you so much)
D300 is a working tool, 57k mileage is not much for this device, with good optics you can take excellent pictures. What to look for is described here https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/10/where-are-you-bug/
Good day! There was such a problem. Recently, the built-in flash cover does not open. I press the forced opening button and nothing. Before that, I used only an external flash, but then I decided to use a camera. There were no problems before. I do not get it. What could be the reason? D300 users tell me.
The latch sits, there is no electronics
Sticks)
Good day!
I wanted to ask knowledgeable people about the choice of carcasses in the secondary market.
Mileage over 100 thousand (there are also 150+), is it worth it to look at such options and generally what to look for when buying?
close the lens with a cap and photograph for dead pixels, the external state. I don’t want to get into the hole.
ps and is it worth taking a boo booster? is there a possibility of "money down the drain"? Or is it better to take a new one?
thanks in advance!
FA check there is an article https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/10/where-are-you-bug/ and comments to it, for a used booster it is even easier - check its condition so that it is intact, not broken, rubber bands in place, the operability of all sockets for accumulators (batteries), buttons on the booster, joystick (if any).
With a mileage of more than 50 thousand, I would not take it.
And about the used booster - a friend took a used booster for d90 at the price of a new Chinese, the state - as new, of course, was satisfied.
In principle, d300 can leave 300 thousand. Much depends on how it was used and on the particular instance. I remember two acquaintances had long ago canons 40d, bought in the same store. One has a 10 thousand shutter, while the other has a mileage over 150 and is now plowing. In general, you cannot give an exact figure, but 100 thousand is already a period. It is worth understanding what price is in question. If for 10-12 thousand, then, of course, you can take at your own peril and risk, if 20 thousand, then too much. Personally, when buying a carcass, I check in the simplest way - I take several frames and watch the result right on the screen. Two or three photos of a homogeneous object, two or three of a heterogeneous one. I check autofocus (in the sense of accuracy), plus a photo with a closed aperture. There are those who like to test carcasses for an hour, watch them on their computers and so on. For me, this is too much, I never bothered with it. Theoretically, you can check the shutter - in M mode, shoot at 1/4000 and at 1/8000 - whether there will be a difference. And then the dying shutter does not work out short exposure times. It still does not hurt to check the functionality of all buttons - suddenly water got in or the contact where oxidized. In general, a few minutes drive the camera in different modes and types of shooting and that's it. I never chose a camera for more than 2-3 minutes.
As for the booster, for a three hundred I would take my own - the three hundred have a very confused attitude towards boosters. Whether new or used, it makes no difference - if it works at the time of purchase, with a probability of 99.99% it will continue to work. I myself often buy Chinese boosters and I haven't had any special problems with them either. Considering their price of 1-2 thousand, there was no need to complain.
took d300s with mileage 100 from the wedding. I stuffed another 000k and gave it further. No complaints at all, except for the rubber bands. The camera is old - they beat the robbers on the head - it works. I'm not afraid of boo - if the thing is good, then she's not afraid of anything))))
I am grateful to everyone for the advice. I agree - it's a matter of chance and the decency of the seller, but if you haven't checked everything yourself, then it's a sin not to leave such a buyer))
ps I took d3100 and 5100 before, both with whales that had a backlash when focusing the lens, read that it was a problem and that money wasted .. in practice, both devices worked for a year with a bang, without any reproaches towards the backlash of the whale lens. I'm glad I didn't overpay)) and now I want to play it safe as much as possible =)
You can meet with mileage up to 20, but they break the price for it. At the given moment, a max for 300 would give 350 tanks and then in perfect condition. It’s better to add and take 7100. If 300 is definitely a priority, then look for 300s.
Good day! please tell me that it is better to take d200 or d300 with approximately the same mileage of 60-80k and the same price of 100-110 ye. I will shoot mainly on manual Soviet optics. Is there a big difference in the colors of the pictures in these two cameras? Thanks for the answers for earlier.
for a reportage - three hundred.
for artistry and colors - two hundred.
That is, even despite the noisiness of two hundred you can safely take it, or does the noise concern only high ISO?
Here it’s two hundred, that three hundred (it may have a little more iso, but that won’t save you).
And it will make noise from somewhere in ISO800 (although for me, even up to 1600 everything is quite acceptable)
Now on hand d200 and d90. I do not really understand how they can be compared by Iso. D200 makes noise almost immediately, BB is poor. Indoors in general in BB can not get in any way. D90 is heaven and earth with d200 in terms of matrix. In general, d200 will arbitrarily feel some antiquity) and the picture too
Well, yes, d90 is generally not an ice, although I don’t think it’s worth comparing with the ground.
Definitely for the manual d300, which only costs a lively look and a larger screen.
Tell me where to get the D300 for 100 ye.
I'm looking at ebay. still bought 200-ku for 150 ye along with sigma 18-125. let's see what happens, roughly speaking, carcass 75 and glass 75.
For a hundred you can buy in 2023 with a range of up to 25 thousand.
Hello! I am new to this business, can you please tell me which AF-S or AF lenses are suitable for this camera? Thanks
Any with Nikon F, AF-S, AF, AF-I mount
thank you very much. You are so well done, I always read your reviews, very informative)))
I can sell NIKON-D300. the price is 20000 rubles. mileage-22000 frames.
Hello !!! if the lens is 80-200mm, then how best to install the FR in the D300 settings? thanks!!!
D300 + Jupiter 37A
Hello. Arkady, I have 2 Nikon. D80 and D5100. Now offered the D300 with a ridiculous mileage of 12000 frames for 270 y. e. I think to take instead of one of mine. How do you tell?
A very strange thought, after all, there are already excellent colors and a screwdriver on 80ke, as well as an excellent dynamic range (1,6EV), more detail and a working ISO 1300 to 5100!
I forgot to clarify that I actively used all these cameras.
Tell me about the backlight af, it only works with the center point on the camera and this is understandable, but the same thing happens in the on-camera flash, the backlight on the flash is turned on only when the center point is selected.
Flash YN565
It should be so. It also turns on in the auto point selection mode.
should this be only on the D300 or in general? The D800 and an external flash work differently — in AF-S mode, the flash illuminator comes on at any point.
Still depends on priority for af-s, af-c
Those. Can't turn on the backlight at any focus point?
not only the built-in lamp in the camera is interested, but also the backlight lamp in the external flash behaves the same
Hello. Please advise a professional Nikon camera (photo + video). thanks
Nikon professional modern cameras: D4, D4s, D5, D500, D800, D800E, D810, D810a
All the rest are either old or amateur.
Hello, Nikon D5300 kit 18-200 ....... pros and cons?
Five pluses and four minuses
I did not get that…
Hello. What's better? Nikon D5300 kit 18-200 or Nikon D7100?
Hello. What's better? Nikon D5300 kit 18-200 or Nikon D7100?
And which is better - a car or a truck (both Mercedes)? It depends on whom and for what. And at 18-200: I myself often prefer 18-55 (because of its lightness and compactness), 28-75 / 2,8 (because of the picture and focal lengths), 35 / 1,8 (because of the picture and aperture ) more versatile, with a stub 18-105. It would be 18-200 - even less often the queue would reach.
I don’t like my comparison of a passenger car-truck (5300vs7100), it is better to have a simple car versus Krutetskoy (with a powerful motor and a bunch of options). Where do you go and how much money?
That is, clearly the Nikon D7100 is better ???
5300 Great camera, the difference is mainly in the convenience of settings. 7100 is very convenient because of the additional screen and the second wheel of settings.
In general, yes.
You have in the picture D5300 + 18-55 VR (not even VRII)
I will buy Nikon D300 or Nikon D300S. Maybe there is someone =) I do not consider mileage up to 70.000. Ukraine. 067-910-36-58
Good afternoon!
I traveled a lot and for a long time on the d3100. Very satisfied. It was possible to change your favorite Roach. Attention to the question. I choose between d300s and d7000. The reason is that I am fond of astrophotography. Of course, if you put your mind to work, you can make good amateur shots on the Roach, attaching a Nikkor 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5 to it. But I want more. In this case, ISO 6400 is like a thread. I will use it in two directions - astrophoto, respectively, and portrait photography. How to be?
Hello! advise, please, I want to change your d90. I choose between d300, d300s and d2x. I shoot children, portraits, weddings. Fast focusing is very important.
Changed last week d90 to d300, delighted with the upgrade! I use the Nikkor af 50 mm 1,8 d fix, it focuses noticeably faster than the d90.
Good day! On my D300, a rubber overlay on the handle goes off (a known problem). Need advice, which is better to glue or change the pad? If glued, then with what?
Better to change. The problem is not that it peeled off, but that it was swollen.
Good day. Morally and financially matured for the exchange of Nikon d 90 on nikon d 300. Am I doing the right thing? (amateur, but often use manual optics). Thanks .
better d7000 / d700 / canon 5d
Nikon d 300 with mileage up to 5000 for 8000 UAH. And d 7000, d 700 in this state are waybills for me. Thanks .
"Nikon d 300 with mileage up to 5000"
This is the mileage on which account the shutter? Or do you, as a little one, also believe in Santa Claus?
Sorry for the stupid question, but what does “Can store information for 10 manual lenses” mean? are these some presets?
No, this carcass remembers 10 lenses without electronic contacts (focal and aperture). She needs to know and remember to properly measure exposure
Thanks, but how to set it up?
Read the instructions. p.195
Thanks. 198 pages, already found