The OFfiCiAl SNow PhOtOgrAphy ThrEAd!

[thursday 1]

 

 

 

This is the spec for the newly announced D300

 

Enjoy:

 

Price (body only)

• US: $ 1799

• UK: £ 1299

• EU: € 1980

Body material Magnesium alloy

Sensor * • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor

• DX format

• RGB Color Filter Array

• Built-in fixed low-pass filter (with self-cleaning unit)

• 13.1 million total pixels

• 12.3 million effective pixels

• 3:2 aspect ratio

Image processor * Nikon EXPEED

A/D conversion * 14 bit

Image sizes * • 4288 x 2848 [L; 12.2 MP]

• 3216 x 2136 [M; 6.9 MP]

• 2144 x 1424 [s; 3.1 MP]

File formats • NEF (12-bit or 14-bit *, compressed or lossless compressed RAW)

• NEF + JPEG

• TIFF *

• JPEG (EXIF 2.21)

NEF compression • Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Lossless compressed): approx. 60-80% *

• Compressed 12/14-bit NEF (RAW, Compressed): approx. 45-60%

Lens mount • Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts

• 1.5x field of view crop

Usable lenses • DX AF NIKKOR: All functions possible

• D-/G-type AF NIKKOR (excluding IX NIKKOR lenses): All functions possible (excluding PC Micro- NIKKOR)

• AF NIKKOR other than D-/G-type (excluding lenses for F3AF): All functions except 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible

• AI-P NIKKOR: All functions except Autofocus, 3D-Color Matrix Metering II possible

• Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data

 

Dust reduction * • Self-cleaning sensor unit ('Clean image sensor') *

• Image dust-off data acquisition (Capture NX required)

Auto Focus • 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) *

• Multi-CAM 3500DX *

• AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature)

• Contrast Detect in Live View (Tripod) mode

Lens Servo • Single Servo AF

• Continuous Servo AF [C]

• Manual focus [M]

• Focus Tracking automatically activated by subject's status in or [C] AF

Focus Point * • Single point from 51 or 11 focus points

• Liveview (Tripod mode): Contrast AF on a desired point anywhere within frame

AF Area Mode * • Single point AF

• Dynamic Area AF [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)]

• Automatic-area AF

 

Focus Lock Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

 

AF assist Yes, lamp

Exposure modes • Program Auto [P] with flexible program

• Shutter-Priority Auto

• Aperture-Priority Auto [A]

• Manual [M]

Metering TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1005-pixel RGB sensor

• 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed)

• Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13 mm dia. circle in center of frame or weighting based on average of entire frame (8 mm circle when non-CPU lens is used)

• Spot: Meters approx. 3 mm dia. circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)

 

Metering range • 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV

• Center-Weighted Metering: 0 to 20 EV

• Spot Metering: 2 to 20 EV

• At normal temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens

Meter coupling CPU and AI

Exposure lock Locked using AE-L/AF-L button

Exposure bracketing • 2 to 9 frames

• 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps *

 

Exposure compen. • +/-5.0 EV

• 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps

Sensitivity * • Default: ISO 200 - 3200 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps

• Boost: 100 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps

 

Shutter • Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter

• 30 to 1/8000 sec (1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps)

• Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec (up to 1/320 sec with reduced GN *)

• Bulb

DOF Preview • Stop-down lens aperture by pressing button

• Activates modelling flash

White balance • Auto (1005-pixel CCD, image sensor)

• Presets (seven) with fine tuning *

• Manual presets (four)

• Color temperature in Kelvin (2500 - 10000 K, 31 steps)

• White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames, 10,20,30 MIRED steps)

Picture Control * • Standard

• Neutral

• Vivid

• Monochrome

Image parameters * • Sharpening: Auto, 7 levels

• Contrast: Auto, 5 levels, Custom tone curve

• Brightness: 3 levels

• Saturation: Auto, 5 levels

• Hue: 5 levels

Color space • sRGB (Standard and Vivid modes)

• Adobe RGB (Neutral mode)

Viewfinder • Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism

• Built-in diopter adjustment (-2 to +1m-1)

• Eyepoint: 19.5 mm (at -1.0m-1)

• Frame coverage 100% *

• Viewfinder magnification approx 0.94x with 50 mm f/1.4 lens

Focusing screen • B-type BrightView Clear Matte Screen II

• Superimposed focus brackets

• On-demand grid lines

LCD monitor * • 3.0 " TFT LCD

• 922,000 pixels

• 170° viewing angle

• Brightness adjustment

LCD Liveview * • Handheld mode: TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors)

• Tripod mode: focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area

 

Shooting modes • Single frame

• Continuous Low [CL]

• Continuous High [CH]

• Liveview [LV]

• Self-Timer (programmable)

• Mirror-up mode

Continuous shooting * • With built-in battery: up to 6 fps

• With AC adapter or MB-D10 pack and batteries other than EN-EL3e: up to 8 fps

Continuous buffer • JPEG Large/Normal: 100 shots (at 6 fps)

• RAW: no data yet

Self-timer • 2 to 20 sec custom

Flash control • TTL: TTL flash control by 1,005-pixel RGB sensor.

• Built-in Speedlight, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash

• AA (Auto Aperture-type) flash: Available with SB-800 used with CPU lens

• Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 28, 27, and 22S

• Range-priority manual flash; available with SB-800

 

Flash Sync Mode • Front-curtain Sync (normal)

• Red-Eye Reduction

• Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync

• Slow Sync

• Rear-curtain Sync

Built-in Speedlight • Manual pop-up with button release

• Guide number (ISO 200, m) approx 17 (manual 18)

• Guide number (ISO 100, m) approx 12 (manual 13)

Flash Accessory Shoe ISO 518 standard-type hot shoe contact; Safety lock mechanism provided

 

Flash Sync Terminal ISO 519 standard terminal, lock screw provided

Flash compensation • -3 to +1 EV

• 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps *

Creative Lighting System With Speedlights such as SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-R200, supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock

 

Orientation sensor Tags images with camera orientation

Playback mode • Full frame

• Thumbnail (4 or 9 images)

• One-touch zoom

• Slideshow

• RGB histogram

• Shooting data

• Highlight point

• Auto image rotation

Languages * • Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)

• Dutch

• English

• Finnish

• French

• German

• Italian

• Japanese

• Korean

• Polish

• Portuguese

• Russian

• Spanish

• Swedish

 

Custom functions 48 custom functions

Connectivity • USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Mini-B connector

• HDMI video out (version 1.3a, Type A connector) *

• Remote control 10-pin terminal

• PC Sync flash terminal

 

10-pin terminal • GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)

• Remote control: via 10-pin terminal

 

Communications FTP and PTP/IP file transfer with optional Wireless Transmitter WT-3 (IEEE 802.11 b/g)

Storage • Compact Flash Type I or II

• UDMA *, Microdrive and FAT32 supported

• 36 characters of text can be input and stored in EXIF header

Power • Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e (7.4 V, 1500 mAh)

• Included battery charger MH-18a

• Optional AC adapter EH-5a

• Optional MB-D10 battery pack / vertical grip *

Vertical grip * • Optional MB-D10 battery pack / vertical grip

• One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, EN-EL4 or EN-EL3e or eight R6/AA-size alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese ZR6 batteries

Battery monitoring The LCD monitor on the camera back displays the following information

about the EN-EL3e battery:

• Remaining charge (%)

• No. of shots taken since last charge

• Battery life (5 stages)

Dimensions 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in)

Weight (no batt) 825 g (1.82 lb)

Box contents Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Quick Charger MH-18a, USB Cable UC-E4, Video Cable EG-D100, Strap AN-D300, LCD monitor cover BM-8, Body cap, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Rubber Eyecup DK-23, Software Suite CD-ROM

 

Optional accessories Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10, Wireless Transmitter WT-4, Magnifying Eyepiece DK-21M, AC Adapter EH-5a, Capture NX Software, Camera Control Pro 2

 

 

 

[spook 0]

cheers for the advice kuma (and everyone else). mucho appreciated.

[bushpig 0]

I actually use a tamron 28 - 300 mm lense kuma. But close enough

 

Hey Kuma, you shoot pretty much in RAW right? I've been only shooting in JPEG but wanna start getting into RAW. Does it require much post-processing? Pain in the arse? Any pointers for where to look for info on learning about RAW?

[thursday 1]

it will fill up your card in now time.

[spook 0]

do you lose anythig by having a lense go all the way from 28 - 300? obviously i'm very new to this, but it seems like a handy thing to just use one all purpose lense like that

[bushpig 0]

My lense is fine for my purposes spook. I don't notice any downsides, but I'm sure there probably are.

[marnix 0]

In perfect weather lens quality doesn't really matter. in less than perfect weather you will notice the difference.

 

better buy a good lens and a cheaper body, although 'fit' sure is important. 400d or d40 is to small for my hands to make it comfortable. (that is true for most guys, that's why those models are for 'soccer moms')

 

It seems that there are only Nikonians here?

 

Check the D3 the first full frame from Nikon. great specs, but you will need longer lenses because there is no crop effect.

[thursday 1]

Yeah, The D3 IS ALSO OUT.

 

FF, so suck it up DX owners.

 

A lens from 28-300?? Wow, that would be great. But look up this word: vignett. Construction of such a lens is not actually possible without the V word.

[Yuki's Passion 1]

 Originally Posted By: Bushpig

My lense is fine for my purposes spook. I don't notice any downsides, but I'm sure there probably are.

wot bout that wide-angled lens you keep mentioning...?

[bushpig 0]

that's not actually a lense... or a piece of photographic equipment for that matter CB...

 

Yeah I know Thursday, but I can honestly say I haven't had issues with it. Not that they may not be there on close inspection, but this lense has been pretty good.

[bushpig 0]

Tamron 28-300 Review

 

Seems vignetting is a minimal worry with this lense Thursday, and I haven't really noticed it too often either.

[Mantas 3]

I've got a 28-300 lens in mine. It is handy. I've taken some great shots with it.

I'm not as technical as these guy though.

 

Could someone tell me what RAW is all about? I have seen the setting on mine but left it well alone.

[soubriquet 0]

RAW is uncompressed format. It can be a bugger to deal with because different manufacturers use different standards. The files are big. If I want to get RAW file from my Canon into Photoshop, I have to use the Canon software to read the file and save it into a standard format.

[thursday 1]

I NEVER need to use raw. If you take photos for clients, the raw format gives you the quality you may need to play with the final result. The JPG format loses something like 3 or 5% of the raw quality. So is it really worth it for you?

 

By the way, you can have both for every shot. Set it to raw + JPEG fine and you have 2 files for every shot.

[thursday 1]

I think I have about 5 years more to play with my D200 before going for a D3. But by then, the D3 would be replaced by the D5 prob.

 

So much to play with, so little time before obsolescense.

[thursday 1]

BP,

 

Tamron does not have the aspherical lens constrution, does not have ED (extra low dispersion) glass. What you use gives you the end result of something much inferior than what you would've got from Nikon lenses.

 

Us mere mortals will not notice the difference. But I live by the doctrine of Nikkor lenses for my Nikon, and NEVER DX lenses.

[thursday 1]

I say that cos I can.

[thursday 1]

Kuma, 6.5 fps means 0.15 secs per exopsure or 1/6.5 sec per shot. No ordinary lens can do that without you going to a grainy 1600 ISO. Which looks crap.

[contender 0]

What?

 

I have no problem shooting at iso 100 at 5 fps with my ordinary lenses.

[Kumapix 0]

Thursday has got his stats all muddled up. I shoot sports at 1/1000 of a second...

[bushpig 0]

Whatever it does or doesn't do, I have been more than happy with it. Perhaps I need to use a nikkor lense to really appreciate the difference, but I am happy shooting away with this lense for now. My lense is not a DX anyway. It is a model or two behind that one linked.

[Kumapix 0]

dx are great lenses so there's no need to throw yours away just because the new 6000$ nikon camera can shoot fullframe (oh and it does shoot dx also!)

[Adobe1998 0]

Hi folks. Good thread.

 

I have a Nikon D80 with a few lens, got the Nikkor 105mm Micro (as they call it) macro lens and really love it.

[contender 0]

 Originally Posted By: soubriquet

RAW is uncompressed format. It can be a bugger to deal with because different manufacturers use different standards. The files are big. If I want to get RAW file from my Canon into Photoshop, I have to use the Canon software to read the file and save it into a standard format.

What version of camera raw and photoshop are u using? I can open canon raw from my 20D directly with Photoshop CS3

I shoot 95% in RAW and 5% in JPEG

[soubriquet 0]

I was using a 10 year old version of photoshop. I admit not trying it since upgrading to CS3.