D300 and D300s Tips and Tricks - Official thread

[Tuka]

my tip would be..

if your coming from D70... allways use atleast -0,3EV or more :biggrin:
i tend to get overexp. during winter (comparing to D70 need to go +++EV)

 

[scooptdoo]

Just be careful you don't inadvertantly change any of those settings when you didn't mean to, due to an accidental button press. I prefer the security of the press+hold approach.

yes ,i can understand that point also!

 

[MMarz]

Found two nice tricks while setting up my D300...

- Set the Multi Selector Center button assignment for Shooting Mode to Select Center Focus Point (CSM f1, Shooting Mode) to immediately move the selected focus point back to the center location.

- I assigned the Function Button for Press (CSM f4, Function Button Press), to turn off the flash...especially useful when using the SB-800 but also with the on-camera flash when using it for fill light, and you want to turn it off (Duplicated this on my D200)

- I assigned the Function Button + Dials, (CSM f4, Function Button + Dials) to cycle through the number Dynamic AF points... Got this from a post elsewhere in this thread (wish I could duplicate this on the D200)

- I assigned the AE-L/AF-L button Press, (CSM f6) to Spot Metering (also can't duplicate this on the D200..)

While I was at, I changed the function of the AF-On button on the D200's Grip to cycle the AF point with the Sub-command dial since you can't really reach the multi-selector in portrait mode... Not required on the D300 due to the additional multi-selector.

 

[Proxes]

In reading this thread, a profound thought comes to mind. Photography has been a part of my life for 30 years, and it is a very personal thing. I have enjoyed it, and I am sure that we all share the same passion for our art.

In my eyes, the most amazing feature of this camera (D300) is the ability to make it my own. This incredible tool has become personal, allowing me to adjust it in a way that makes it perfect for me. For this situation. For exactly what I want it to do, with the controls set the way that make them intuitive to me.

My last film camera was an F5, but I never got around to purchasing the camera control software that made it "somewhat" adjustable. I believe that Nikon has opened a door that all camera manufacturers will be forced to go through, and that leads to a camera that is a true extension of you.

When I read the threads that identify the D300 as a D200 with a few new features, I get a laugh now. When I bought mine, I had no idea what I was getting into. I have always been one of those people that would tell anyone interested in photography to buy glass. "Forget the body, it doesn't matter...get the best glass you can afford." Today I can honestly say that if I had to give up my D300 or my 17-35 f/2.8, I would need some time to think about it.

 

[hbillsmith]

Someone suggested I repost this in this thread. Here goes.

What follows is a compilation of tips and resources seen on various sites such as nikonians.org and dpreview.com. This collection is for those that just bought a new D300 who may have questions asking for help may find some useful links in this thread for beginners as well as other folks Hopefully, with the help of the kind folks here, hope you find this informative.

Owner’s manual: http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/noprint/D300_en_noprint.pdf

Nikonians Spreadsheet:
http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcb...orum=149&topic_id=113811&mesg_id=113811&page=

Elite's D300 Made Easy DVD:
Active D-Lighting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtWDS1va_Dk&feature=related
Live View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSABJjmk-gI
Demo Tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3lhyUNapqs&feature=related

Live View White Balance: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=25928617

How to use Capture NX:
Setting files for capture NX (Jason Odell): http://www.luminescentphoto.com/capturenx.html
Capture NX Tutorials, tech guides and tips (Nikon site): http://www.capturenx.com/

Capture NX How-To Articles (Nikon site) - a lot of power in NX that isn't 'obvious':
http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bi...Jvd19jbnQ9MzQsMzQmcF9wcm9kcz00MiwyOTgmcF9jYXR

High Pass sharpening in Capture NX: http://dptnt.com/2007/11/high-pass-sharpening-using-nikon-capture-nx/

Lens glyphs: http://www.nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/glossary.htm
Lenses Reviews: http://www.nikonimaging.com/global/products/lens/af/index.htm

Other helpful websites:
NikonCafe: https://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/index.php?
Thom Hogan: http://www.bythom.com/
Bjorn Rorslett: http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html
Rob Galbraith: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/index.asp
Nikon Digitutor: http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d300/index.shtml
Luminous Landscape: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/

 

[Máire]

Bill, that is an extraordinarily kind thing to do! I have been trying to compile a D300 favourites folder and will now include this link in it. Many thanks.

 

[wwallace]

Thanks Bill!
Very helpful!
Bill

 

[AntonioJV]

Thanks Bill, excellent compilation!
Antonio

 

[Compulsion]

Quick Chimp Focus check:
f1: Playback Mode -> Zoom on/off -> Medium Magnification

During playback, hit the center selector to automatically zoom to your image's focus point. It's easy to see if you nailed focus or not.

 

[JeffKohn]

A tip for those using the RRS L-bracket for camera + grip. The offset between the horizontal and vertical mount plates is 11mm, so you need to take that into account if you're calculating nodal points (entrance pupil) for panos.

 

[rondha]

sRGB vs aRGB

What is the difference (benefit) between sRGB and AdobeRGB ?

I heard that sRGB is better for internet and screen, but why people are still using aRGB?

 

[silvercar]

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that Elite Video is having a promotion for their Nikon D300 Training DVDs. With the secret code (CL20) you can get 20% off!! The web address is: www.elitevideo.com

Allie

 

[loudtiger]

What is the difference (benefit) between sRGB and AdobeRGB ?

I heard that sRGB is better for internet and screen, but why people are still using aRGB?

If you're shooting in RAW, it makes no difference. You can select it afterwards in your RAW converter.

Otherwise, in JPEG, it does get assigned in-camera. Adobe RGB has a wider gamut than sRGB. However, it is recommended to convert to sRGB for web use because most browsers disregard the tag, and won't understand how to interpret the Adobe RGB profile. The result is a duller appearance in a browser. New browsers, such as Firefox 3.0 and Safari, provide support for different profiles.

 

[MurphyD]

HI all,

I found one by accident today. While in Live View, press the Playback button. The red square appears and you move this around with the multi selector button. It shows how the image would change while metering at the spot highlighted by the red square. Works in all three metering modes Matrix, Center Weight and Spot. You will see a much greater changes in Spot mode than when in Matrix or Center Weight.
Try it with a really high contrast subject. Black item on white bg.
This is great for knowing exactly how the metering system is working.
David

 

[Shacks]

Today I joined the D300 Club.
Already I have 1 Tip.
1. Go back to page 1 of this thread and start reading, take your time.

 

[schwazche]

Today I joined the D300 Club.
Already I have 1 Tip.
1. Go back to page 1 of this thread and start reading, take your time.

Profound indeed! I can't believe all the features I've missed. Darned A.D.D. kills my concentration, but this thread's information is invaluable.

 

[AggieCJ]

You have a TV in your fireplace! now that is a great idea. We never use our fireplace (afterall I am in Texas) and that would be a great place to put one for the kids.

Getting back on subject, this is a great thread. I have read the manual about 3 times and I think I may have picked up more from just this thread.

 

[Kqw1208]

Maybe this is common knowledge, but I just figured it out by accident so I thought I'd post it here for others. While the camera is in shooting mode (except for liveview), pressing the lock/info/? button by the LCD will give you a display on the back LCD of all the shooting info normally displayed on the top LED. Actually it gives you slightly more information, because it shows the current max frame rate, the current color space, and the status of long-exp and high-ISO noise reduction.

This is actually pretty handy because sometimes I set the camera up at eye level on a tripod only to realize I have to stand on my tip-toes to see the top LED. I can see my self using this quite a bit for tripod-based shooting.

Did you also notice that if your lighting condition changes, the LCD will also change it's background color?

 

[intofotos]

In that vein, CSM f10 (pg. 311) allows you to reverse the indicators so that you can put negative values on the left and positive values on the right.

Great tip! Thanks:wink:

 

[intofotos]

Quick Chimp Focus check:
f1: Playback Mode -> Zoom on/off -> Medium Magnification

During playback, hit the center selector to automatically zoom to your image's focus point. It's easy to see if you nailed focus or not.

Fantastic! I love this tip. Thanks