Testing the D300

[bolden]

Coming from a d50 this camera is absolutely amazing. The autofocus is incredible, so the large majority of pictures were in focus. This was the biggest problem for wildlife with the d50.

The other great thing is 12 mp. With my d50 i would always have to crop, and with only 6 mp it was only presentable for web viewing. All of my shots today were cropped, but they are still larger than my d50 files when untouched.

Finally, the buffer is a big change. With the d50, you can shoot 4 shots at 2.5 fps (frames per second) until the buffer is full and you have to wait a couple seconds to shoot. With the d300, you can shoot at 6 fps for over 20 shots, and even when the buffer is full, it only slows down a little.

I think i got more sharp bird in flight pictures today than i have in the past year with my d50.

Enjoy.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0724.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0757.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0792.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0806.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0830.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0848.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0849.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0854.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0869.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0855.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/Wildlife/DSC_0857.jpg

[SteelieD]

:shock:

[jhaquett]

Red tails are sweet.... 8)

[Jay Murakoshi]

Ben,

What lens did you use for the photo's of the red tail?

Jay

[bolden]

What lens did you use for the photo's of the red tail?

I used my 300mm f/4 with a 1.4 tc. To clarify, the only red tail is the first hawk taking off from the power line. The others are two different Northern Harriers.

[Adam Grace]

great pics

[jhaquett]

Hey Ben,

I was curious how close you actually were to the harriers?

Just wondering how high of a zoom you were busting out there 8)

[Jay Murakoshi]

Bolden,

What lens are you shooting with the D300 and what telecoverter - brand.
I just checked out the D300 and found out the Nikon $600.00 teleconverter won't work on most of the lenses. Especially the 70mm-300mm 4.5. But the Promaster will work on the lens
The D300 is a sweet camera and I love the 3" screen. Maybe santa will stop by here on his way back home.

Jay

[Dave Sellers]

Ben,

I just discovered your photos. Yours is fantastic photography. It's second to none, period! You have not only a good eye but show tremendous patience and understanding of how to approach your subjects. You also have an obvious understanding of how to use the technical elements of depth of field etc. to create mood and color effects that are truly stunning. To my eye, you are not coming along in your pursuits, rather you have arrived! Again, outstanding wildlife photography! Keep it up, and I'll pass on links to this page for others to enjoy.

Dave

[bolden]

What lens are you shooting with the D300 and what telecoverter - brand.

Nikon 300mm f/4 with a kenko 1.4x tc.



Ben,

I just discovered your photos. Yours is fantastic photography. It's second to none, period! You have not only a good eye but show tremendous patience and understanding of how to approach your subjects. You also have an obvious understanding of how to use the technical elements of depth of field etc. to create mood and color effects that are truly stunning. To my eye, you are not coming along in your pursuits, rather you have arrived! Again, outstanding wildlife photography! Keep it up, and I'll pass on links to this page for others to enjoy.

Dave

Thanks for your comments, photography is something i really enjoy doing. I have many more pic's, so you can go to my photobucket site that i will link for you. On the left side of the page there are categories such as wildlife, fish, and landscapes. You can click on those to go into those albums.

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/Photography/

[Jay Murakoshi]

Ben,

Great photos. Compare the D50 to the D300. Sorta like night and day.
I was impressed with the clarity in the HUGE viewer and not to mentioned how fast you can shoot continuous.

I've have done a couple weddings but mainly with a miniDV camera. The last wedding I shot was with the digital D70S and my old antique Nikon F100.
Weddings can add years to your life, just hoping every thing comes out.


Keep up the good work

Jay

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I think Bolden could easily have a career as a professional photographer.

[Jay Murakoshi]

You Bet. His photography is above a lot of others who are even in the business. I know years ago when I was big into the game, I was shocked when National Geographic bought a couple of my stock photo's of the Lone Cypress and the Bixby Creek Bridge. I had just finished up an Ansel Adams course in Yosemite.
Ben, have you ever sent sample stock photo's to any of the big companies and also to calendar businesses. I would even have some post cards made up and go talk to a few businesses and see if you can sell them some.

You have a future in those photo's

Jay

[OceanSunfish]

I'm considering getting the 70-300 VR 4.5 since Nikon is offering a $100 instant rebate on the lens when purchased with a qualifying camera body and lens. I picked up the 'eligible body and lens' already, so I just need to decide if I want to jump 'all in' and pick up the big zoom lens.

Any thoughts?

I know it's not the 70-300 2.8 or the venerable Canon 70-300 2.8 that you see on all the cameras on the sidelines at pro sports, etc. Of course, the 'venerable' cost a ton more too.

BTW, I just jumped back into the SLR 'game' by starting out with the D40x. I have to say that photography is once again a ton of fun. I look at a D40x body and it's priced right about or lower what a new Sage Z Axis runs. In one hand, high tech that does everything but press the button.. in the other, essentially a stick that still requires the user to do all the work. Hmmm..... :D

Thanks for replies.

[Dave Sellers]

Hi Ocean,

The lens you are looking at is considered a good lens by the "pros". In the "lab" it performs very well at the lower focal lengths but not as well at the 300mm range. However, that's not the story. Those guys are geeks and way too into things that you may not care about. Your issue with that lens is going to be capturing action low light. (the classic conundrum with long focal length lenses). The VR is the wildcard there. I simply don't know how well the VR will help in low to moderate light, which is the time you will really want to use the lens for capturing crepuscular images, particularly involving wildlife. The VR suposedly adds a few stops to the speed but I'm not sure if that is hyberbole or reality. However, if this lens IS your budget, then it's a good bet that you'll prefer this lens over NOT this lens. In other words, it's as good or better than any other lens of this speed out there, and certainly better than not having a lens of this capability at all. If you can bring the 300mm f2.8 VR into the realm of reality through a lottery win or a rich uncle, you will be much more satisfied but if you are like me, the choice is as I said, it's between this lens and not this lens. If you can rent one for a day and test it in moderate light for some action shots, then you'll know how good the VR is and if it works for you and your photography goals. And finally, in this over worded opine, the camera body you chose will make a big difference in the performance of this lens for wildlife and action. Here, pixel count matters and shutter speed matters as well as buffer speed. But you probably know this stuff already.

Dave

[OceanSunfish]

Thanks Dave for your insightful reply. I appreciate hearing your opinion as I feel, by reading your various posts, you're very observant, practical and fastidious about 'things' as I am.

There's a reason why the 2.8 70-300 cost what it does. I completely understand. In boating terms, there isn't a boat made/configured that is a versatile as this lens.

I elected not to 'jump' at the promo price of the less venerable 70-300 DX VR 3.4. At this time, it's considered a "nice to have" item. I'm in no hurry and I can use the time to really understand my true needs in a lens of this magnitude. Besides, my kids are a few years from running around a basketball gym. Beside, I haven't gone fishing, let alone caught a fish in quite some time to photograph anyway. :lol:

Your suggestion to 'rent' a 300 length lens is sound. I have no idea what it's like to shoot with a focal range beyond 150 in old 35mm. 300 (400) has to be outrageous!

I have so much to learn.

Thanks.

[k.hanley]

Say Hey OS,

I don't know where you live, but if it's anywhere near the San Francisco Bay Area, you may want to contact Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto. Here is a link to their rental department... http://www.kspphoto.com/activepages/rental.html

Download the PDF for rental specifics or call the store and see what's available. Excellent resource for top quality gear. Enjoy!
Cheers, Ken