Enter the D300
While I owned the D80, I’d briefly bought a Nikon D200, but was overwhelmed by the learning curve. I really wasn’t ready for it. So I returned it.
When the D300 came out, I read about it with some interest. What really impressed me was the vast improvement at high ISO settings. I hemmed and hawed, then finally bit the bullet and bought a D300 body. At the same time, I picked up a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 zoom.
The camera turned out to be fabulous. It was every bit as complex – maybe a little more so – than the D200. But I was ready this time, diving into all the settings, tweaking and experimenting. I finally got away from the “Program mode” crutch and started shooting mostly in aperture mode – occasionally, even in full manual.
The Sigma 70-200 proved to be a mistake. It was generally slow in focusing, so I missed a lot of good shots. So I sold it and bit the bullet, buying both a Nikon AF-S 24-70 f/2.8G ED and a AF-S 70-200 f/2.8G ED VR. That was painful, because both lenses together could have paid for a pair of D300 bodies. But they also proved to be the best lens purchases I’ve ever made.
Learning the ins and outs of the D300, combined with fast, sharp zoom lenses, helped me shoot better pictures. It wasn’t so much the gear, as I could finally forget about the limitations of the gear and concentrate on shooting. The camera’s heft originally worried me, but the D300 proved to be a much more stable platform, complementing the Nikkor 70-200 quite well. I was able to catch more shots, and caught better moments.
Sharper and a little better composed
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4 comments
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Elizabeth says:
November 6, 2009 at 3:23 pm (UTC -7 )
This is great dad!
I’m looking forward to part II.
Neil says:
November 8, 2009 at 1:33 am (UTC -7 )
What do you find yourself using continuous mode for, in general? Do you make slide shows, or low-fps movies? Obviously for sports shooting it’s great so as to not miss a crucial action shot; But is there anything to do with all those leftover exposures than let them succumb to the recycle bin of oblivion?
YS says:
November 8, 2009 at 9:58 am (UTC -7 )
Yes, it goes to the bin. This what the process known as “editing” is for. Professional photographers do it. So should you.
Jon Lusty says:
November 10, 2009 at 8:31 pm (UTC -7 )
Loyd, I very much enjoyed this post, perhaps because it closely mirrors my own progression, tho I’m about 2 years behind. Instead of a Dimage 7 it was a Z1, a Dimage A200, a Nikon D50 and now, a Nikon D90. I am grateful you steered me towards the D90 at this point in my path. I’m not ready for the D300s yet. I’m loving the Nikkor prime lenses as most of what I shoot is nature-based thus far. I have a 3.5 year old on the way up so I’ll need a big fast zoom before I know it. For now, I’m learning.
Thanks again for an excellent post. It is encouraging to read what another guy has been through in this mad trek.
Jon
uberVU - social comments says:
November 9, 2009 at 6:00 pm (UTC -7 )
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by loydcase: My evolution as a digital photographer. Point-and-shoot, film and DSLRs. http://bit.ly/4qhdTj...