diving into the deep end - d300 and....

Dcg300 · 30-11-2007, 13:24

....GULP, the nikon 200-400vr in the same day! bonus hit at a good time, and against all odds i was able to find the lens in stock 150 miles away - only $44 one-day by ups ground (i am waiting for it today) - i was hearing anywhere from 10 days to 4 months to get it in stock - and then i also actually caught the camera shop with a new shipment of d300s, 3 unspoken for.

i am upgrading from the d200 which was an upgrade from the d70, lens-wise i am upgrading from the nikon 80-400vr. this has been a great lens and i shoot with it almost exclusively - mostly wildlife. i love the ability to carry this thing far into the field and shoot hand held. it may be a bit tougher to do the same with the 200-400, but i have always had a wee bit of disappointment with consistency of sharpness and of course the dog slooooooow AF on that lens.

so - in the coming weeks i will either be boasting of my newfound prowess with this camera or lamenting my demise at its behest - time will tell!

----
david
"golf is for weenies that cant surf or ride a mountain bike"
birds, nature, and wildlife photos

***Dave*** · 30-11-2007, 13:38

Congratulations !!!!!!

Can't wait for your 1st thoughts on D300 , plus that lens (never been sure whether to buy or not)

**stepheno** · 30-11-2007, 14:00

Nice one

It just so happens we don't have an equipment review of the D300 yet so if you feel up to it I'm sure members would appreciate reading your thoughts on it.

Dcg300 · 30-11-2007, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepheno

Nice one

It just so happens we don't have an equipment review of the D300 yet so if you feel up to it I'm sure members would appreciate reading your thoughts on it.

AAAARGH!! I dont believe this - UPS just came, and its keyed in as being on his truck. the tracking number at UPS.com shows it is on the truck - but it is NOT on the friggin truck! where is my lens????

i think i am going to cry, and it aint gonna be pretty.......

**stepheno** · 30-11-2007, 18:10

Never mind....at least it prolongs the anticipation

_MB_ · 01-12-2007, 09:45

Thats a damn good combination right there!

Turning over a 400/5.6L in my mind at the moment

P-E · 01-12-2007, 09:51

Looking forward to seeing some shots from the combo Dcg300.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _MB_

Turning over a 400/5.6L in my mind at the moment

Gets some v/good reviews with probably the only thing users wanting is IS on it

_MB_ · 01-12-2007, 09:53

I'd rather work without IS and improve my long lens technique then when I do get an IS lens it'll be a lovely surprise

Had a huge 300/2.8 Tamron but it backfocused so want to go Canon this time!

P-E · 01-12-2007, 09:56

Fair comment MB

Dcg300 · 03-12-2007, 21:31

ok, after a weekend of shooting - a few comments:

d300 was an easy transition with so many controls just like or very near the d200 so i was able to shoot without cracking the manual.

the 200-400vr is HEAVY. i am a pretty big guy and this thing wore me out shooting for 4 hours hand held. stuck it on my cheap monopod and felt like i should be a pole vaulter the dang thing bowed like - well, a bow. went and spent another $400 on a GOOD monod and wimberly head, but didnt use it much as i was shooting birds in flight and jumping in and out of my truck too much. it will get a good test this weekend.

found that shooting hand held even with a 1.4tc is doable. got a little tricky going portrait for a tall heron standing straight up - that really tested the VR and i'd say it passed with flying colors.

speaking of color, the color seems to be a lot better than the d200........

detail! shot at iso200 all day - had bright sun to cloudy bright conditions - i definitely like the sharpness of this combination given i was shooting all hand held (well, a little resting on the bed rails but not that much) so i am hoping that with improved technique and a little weightlifting and more monopod work that it will get even better!

i changed computers recently and dont have the software on my new one yet to upload files to my website otherwise i'd post a few examples .. .. maybe i'll try the galleries tonight after i scale a few files down to size.....

UPDATE: added to gallery and moved thread to the proper forum....if you are thinking of a d300 - do it (with the 200-400vr as well, of course... )

http://www.pixalo.com/gallery/showga...r/4649/cat/500

all d300 and 200-400vr at iso 200, aperture priority, all hand-held, pelican and great blue heron cropped a little bit

water · 05-12-2007, 10:28

Lovely detail in those shots and looking at the Exif data it would seem that :
a} a very good lens.
b} you know how to use it.

c} VR works well

Charlotte · 11-01-2008, 20:53

First class shots there Dcg300

I'm jealous! but not for long

frances · 19-01-2008, 05:59

Hi ! great shots ! I'm so excited because I have the very same cameras as you from day one !! first the D70, then the D200, and now I want to buy the D300, and it's so great to know someone who has it ! and you have been shooting great pics with it !! I shot a heron just yesterday, so will post it in the members gallery tonight, but I loved your shots of the pellican especially ! I, like you, love to hand hold my camera, and am using the 80-4oo Nikon VR lense, and was very happy with it on the D70, seemed to be able to stop birds in flight, but having more trouble with the D200, so am wondering , and hoping the D300 will be more like the D70, which stopped action much better, where did you order the D300 from? I am looking at ordering mine from bestpricecamera.com, they have a pakage there that looks to be a great deal ( #10 ) but don't know if I can trust that place ? am looking into it, good luck, and so far you are getting great results !!! love your work !!!

***Dave*** · 19-01-2008, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlotte

I'm jealous! but not for long

Soupdragon · 19-01-2008, 15:52

Scary sharp lens camera combo.
Love the two barns shot!

30-11-2007, 13:24	#1 (permalink)
Dcg300 New here Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: texas Posts: 14	diving into the deep end - d300 and.... ....GULP, the nikon 200-400vr in the same day! bonus hit at a good time, and against all odds i was able to find the lens in stock 150 miles away - only $44 one-day by ups ground (i am waiting for it today) - i was hearing anywhere from 10 days to 4 months to get it in stock - and then i also actually caught the camera shop with a new shipment of d300s, 3 unspoken for. i am upgrading from the d200 which was an upgrade from the d70, lens-wise i am upgrading from the nikon 80-400vr. this has been a great lens and i shoot with it almost exclusively - mostly wildlife. i love the ability to carry this thing far into the field and shoot hand held. it may be a bit tougher to do the same with the 200-400, but i have always had a wee bit of disappointment with consistency of sharpness and of course the dog slooooooow AF on that lens. so - in the coming weeks i will either be boasting of my newfound prowess with this camera or lamenting my demise at its behest - time will tell! ---- david "golf is for weenies that cant surf or ride a mountain bike" birds, nature, and wildlife photos

30-11-2007, 13:38	#2 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,704	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... Congratulations !!!!!! Can't wait for your 1st thoughts on D300 , plus that lens (never been sure whether to buy or not)

30-11-2007, 14:00	#3 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,482	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... Nice one It just so happens we don't have an equipment review of the D300 yet so if you feel up to it I'm sure members would appreciate reading your thoughts on it.

30-11-2007, 18:10	#5 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,482	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... Never mind....at least it prolongs the anticipation

01-12-2007, 09:45	#6 (permalink)
_MB_ Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 826	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... Thats a damn good combination right there! Turning over a 400/5.6L in my mind at the moment

01-12-2007, 09:53	#8 (permalink)
_MB_ Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 826	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... I'd rather work without IS and improve my long lens technique then when I do get an IS lens it'll be a lovely surprise Had a huge 300/2.8 Tamron but it backfocused so want to go Canon this time!

01-12-2007, 09:56	#9 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,428	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... Fair comment MB

03-12-2007, 21:31	#10 (permalink)
Dcg300 New here Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: texas Posts: 14	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... ok, after a weekend of shooting - a few comments: d300 was an easy transition with so many controls just like or very near the d200 so i was able to shoot without cracking the manual. the 200-400vr is HEAVY. i am a pretty big guy and this thing wore me out shooting for 4 hours hand held. stuck it on my cheap monopod and felt like i should be a pole vaulter the dang thing bowed like - well, a bow. went and spent another $400 on a GOOD monod and wimberly head, but didnt use it much as i was shooting birds in flight and jumping in and out of my truck too much. it will get a good test this weekend. found that shooting hand held even with a 1.4tc is doable. got a little tricky going portrait for a tall heron standing straight up - that really tested the VR and i'd say it passed with flying colors. speaking of color, the color seems to be a lot better than the d200........ detail! shot at iso200 all day - had bright sun to cloudy bright conditions - i definitely like the sharpness of this combination given i was shooting all hand held (well, a little resting on the bed rails but not that much) so i am hoping that with improved technique and a little weightlifting and more monopod work that it will get even better! i changed computers recently and dont have the software on my new one yet to upload files to my website otherwise i'd post a few examples .. .. maybe i'll try the galleries tonight after i scale a few files down to size..... UPDATE: added to gallery and moved thread to the proper forum....if you are thinking of a d300 - do it (with the 200-400vr as well, of course... ) http://www.pixalo.com/gallery/showga...r/4649/cat/500 all d300 and 200-400vr at iso 200, aperture priority, all hand-held, pelican and great blue heron cropped a little bit Last edited by Dcg300 : 03-12-2007 at 22:09. Reason: add info

05-12-2007, 10:28	#11 (permalink)
water Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 663	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... Lovely detail in those shots and looking at the Exif data it would seem that : a} a very good lens. b} you know how to use it. c} VR works well

11-01-2008, 20:53	#12 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,704	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... First class shots there Dcg300 I'm jealous! but not for long

19-01-2008, 05:59	#13 (permalink)
frances Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 696	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... Hi ! great shots ! I'm so excited because I have the very same cameras as you from day one !! first the D70, then the D200, and now I want to buy the D300, and it's so great to know someone who has it ! and you have been shooting great pics with it !! I shot a heron just yesterday, so will post it in the members gallery tonight, but I loved your shots of the pellican especially ! I, like you, love to hand hold my camera, and am using the 80-4oo Nikon VR lense, and was very happy with it on the D70, seemed to be able to stop birds in flight, but having more trouble with the D200, so am wondering , and hoping the D300 will be more like the D70, which stopped action much better, where did you order the D300 from? I am looking at ordering mine from bestpricecamera.com, they have a pakage there that looks to be a great deal ( #10 ) but don't know if I can trust that place ? am looking into it, good luck, and so far you are getting great results !!! love your work !!!

19-01-2008, 15:52	#15 (permalink)
Soupdragon Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,074	Re: diving into the deep end - d300 and.... Scary sharp lens camera combo. Love the two barns shot!