What drives you nuts about the D300?

<p>The fact that it's so incredibly good, I can't bring myself to ditch it for another D700. I'm currently using a mix of D700s and D300s. Normally I would prefer to have all bodies the same, but the D300's DX format gives me capabilities that I don't have on the D700. It's a bit smaller and lighter than the D700, and a comparable FX format lens would be heavier as well; I use it when I need longer reach, or want to travel a bit lighter.</p>

<p>That I only have one, so I switch lenses more often than I like.</p>

<p>Nothing... :):)</p>

<p>Last time 840 pictures at the temperature below zero all day... and still remained 40% of battery!..</p>

<p>NB.</p>

 

<p>Threads like this one....</p>

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<p>I am surprised no one has mentioned this but I live in NYC (The Bronx) and what bothers me is the neckstrap telling everyone which camera I have. I wouldnt mind if it said NIKON but do you have to the theives which one!</p>

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<p>Then you should replace it =)<br /> I like this <a href="http://www.optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=45&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=">strap</a></p>

<p>I agree about the strap. Hey maybe some people don't know, but Nikon will not confiscate your camera if you don't wear their thin, uncomfortable strap. I never used them, don't care much for flashy branding. 13 year Tamrac strap is serving me well and is holding a 4th Nikon now. I don't have a problem with bumping Focus switch accidently, but I do have a hard time changing it when I want to. Especially in the winter when your fingers are not as nimble. What I do have a problem with is the rocker selector. The center push is not always perfect and I'm glad Nikon corrected it in D700. It bugs me that D3 had it, so why did Nikon try to save $0.50 on this cheesy switch.</p>

<p>Love my D300 and I can't honestly think of any gripes. My D40x was a lot of fun but D300 just made everything so fast and easy. I don't bump the focus switch ever, but my girlfriend sometimes does with her D300. She is left eye dominant, maybe that has something to do with it. She has more trouble pressing her nose into the screen because of her left eye as well.</p>

 

<p ><em><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=1800914">Sun Dance</a> , Feb 15, 2009; 12:18 p.m.</em></p>

 

<p><em>My number 1 gripe: Cannot lock up the mirror in LIVE VIEW mode.</em><br>

<em>I use Live-view for taking low-angle close-ups. The current set up requires you to switch back and forth between Live-view and Mirror-lock-up modes for every shot. Pain in the neck!</em></p>

<p>Sun Dance: Why don't you just turn exposure delay mode on. I assume you are on a good tripod for those low-angle close-ups. It would save you a step, and if you are on a tripod I have read the the 1 second delay is enough to stop the mirror slap vibration. Just a thought.</p>

 

<p>The 'multi selector' (rocker switch/Nintendo control) is also what irritates me most. As well as the less than positive centre press and the size that needs unnecessary lateral movement of the thumb to operate, its placement makes it too easy to change settings accidentally with your nose when shooting left-eyed (or maybe I just have a big nose!). I would have written that it's also a bit annoying that moving the switch doesn't change the focus point unless you activate the meter first, but when I actually Read TFM I found the custom fuction that changes this. Agree about the dedicated bracketing switch, too - I'd much rather have one of these than a button for 'Qual'. And I'd really rather not have to go into a menu to switch auto ISO on and off - it would be nice if (e.g.) holding the ISO button down for a few seconds (without rotating the command dial) engaged/disengaged the auto setting.</p>

<p>Jonathan, thanks for the tips on the 1 second shutter delay. I'll do some tests to see if it's as sharp as w/ mirror up. :)</p>

<p>

<p>Hmm?<br>

Almost nothing drives me nuts about this camera. There are of course little quirks that cause me to say “why didn’t Nikon do it this way?”<br>

I’ve heard some others complain that the D-300 is too heavy. What? No way; unless of course one is using a 600mm prime hand held. LOL<br>

I’ve shot all day with this camera and find it very comfortable with little if any hand fatigue. The ergonomics are terrific! Much better than my now dusty F5 HP.<br>

What irks me; is just when I think I have derived the best possible images from this camera only to find other ways to squeeze out more dynamic range.<br>

“Camera strap?” Who uses a camera strap? LOL Yep, I may be taking a risk, but seriously, I don’t use camera straps. I find they get in the way and scratch the camera body. I know; one day I will no doubt regret this decision not to use one.</p>

<p>Pete</p>

</p>

<p>Kevin - RE: "Only thing I have had is the playback mode has inadvertinly turned off on me, and sometimes it does not play back when I hit the play button.. "<br>

This happens to me all the time and drives me nuts. Any idea what causes this? It seems to be mostly random, though occassionally it will happen in bursts. Am I bumping a button? Perhaps one of my playback settings is causing the problem. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.<br>

Other than this small gripe, I love my D300. It has turned me from an amateur photographer to an enthusiastic hobbiest. And it makes me look like a better photographer than I am. It is flexible yet intuitive. I love the Qual/ISO/WB/S/CL/CH grouping on the top left of the body - easy access to commonly used functions. The large, bright display is incredible. Autofocus is fast, metering is accurate and with the updated firmware, the auto White Balance is superb. The High ISO performance is terrific, only bested by perhaps a handful of cameras - most of which are 60-200% more money. The D300 put a lot of great, older cameras permenantly out of business, inluding some very expensive and much bulkier Nikons. It handles like a gem and is solid as a rock. I have had 3 people already offer to buy it from me when I am ready to sell.<br>

While the secondary market for the D300 will continue to show declining values as newer/better models are rolled out, this camera performs well enough that it should retain significant used values for years to come, a reflection of the well balanced design of the camera.</p>

<p>The price, so I bought a pair of discontinued D200s at a very good price and I'm very pleased!</p>

<p>"<br>

"Again, if you hold the camera correctly, you should not have any finger near that S/C/M switch while you are holding the camera horizontally or vertically. Instead, the center of your left palm should be bracing the bottom of the camera, and I simply don't see how you palm can accidentally knock that switch out of position. Even though you try, it should be very difficult to move that switch with your palm, especially when there is a lens on the camera."<br>

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Shun: Feedback suggests there are a lot of folks holding the camera wrong if that is the case. Also, I've never heard previously that I had to hold a camera a certain way.<br>

Since my Nikon F days my left hand has always supported the body and/or lens. My style didn't cause problems with any other Nikon including the F100 and the F4s or older Pentaxes or Olympuses or any other make of camera (the exception being the "Contax Grip" needed to operate that paricular RF, which I've never been comfortable with). That tells me the design of the DSLR switch has some issues--nothing I can't deal with but Come on! Claiming operator error on a camera that cost almost two grand just doesn't fly. If a modern camera in that class is designed so there is a problem if it is held a little differently that what is recommended, then that is a bad design. The location of the switch isn't the problem. It is the ease with which the selector can be changed that is the issue.</p>

<p>Well said Wayne. Operating a camera like this should be a seamless experience without concern for switches getting inadvertently dislodged. Do you think Nikon reads this stuff?</p>

<p>The 'multi selector' (rocker switch/Nintendo control), is pants, it's a bit of a lucky dip most of the time. Nintendo will se sueing you for that comment, lol, the button is from a market stall £1.99 snyde controler, a hunking great piece of wood, would be an improvement. The M/C/S button being where it is has made me hold my camera correctly (apparently) to stop me changing the settings, so, that is a good thing. Other than the multi selector, i think it's fantastic and way beyond my talent.</p>

<p>In a photo mag several years ago, I read that wearing a camera's "iconic" camera strap (like one that says, "Nikon D300") was similar to wearing a huge sign saying, "Mug me: I'm giving this camera away." Since then I've used an after-market strap. I like the Op/Tech USA straps. They have a weight distribution system for a neck strap that at least gives the impression of lightening the load.<br>

Like others on this thread, I bought professional Kodak DSLR's until they abandoned that line of business. The last one cost $4999. I used it until a month ago when I bought the D300. It's amazing how much has changed, and it's equally amazing how well Nikon has integrated the changes into the D300. It's a great camera.</p>

<p>You can always turn the strap over. I did, not so much for the logo but because that fake suede hurt my neck. I can remember when everyone complained because Nikon was the only camera company not to supply a free strap.</p>

<p>I gotta gripe about the D300's handle --it feels like there isn't enough room for your fingers. The vertical grip, on the other hand, has a lot more room and feels better.</p>

<p>And I gotta complain about auto-white balance. I don't use the auto-white balance, but I probably would use it if it were better.</p>

<p>Also, I don't want to sound like a basher, but it's a drag scrolling through so many focus-points? I appreciate that there are that many, but I wish moving the fp around were a little faster or easier somehow --was playing around with my friend's 5D mk I. It's an animal... old, by today's standards, but I liked the simplicity of the AF points.</p>

<p>I also wish the useless DOF preview button were programmable to do something else? And I wish you could add "format cf card" to your custom menu.</p>

<p>But those are my only gripes --the camera is excellent; I love it.</p>

<p>Joshua - you can assign the DOF button to do other stuff. Look under F4 and F5 in that nightmare of a menu system.</p>

<p>Would be nice to store 5 or 10 image comments that you could preload and use in the field. The input is too slow in the field.</p>

<p>The D300 is a bit on the heavy side to me, say three or four ounces.<br>

Owners of D700's kick sand in my face (just kidding)<br>

The usual Nikon owner complaint that Canon has a more extensive selection of lenses.<br>

In reality, the D300 is the best crop format DSLR body on the planet today over a year after its release.</p>

<p>"What drives you nuts about the D300?"<br>

The two zeros after the 3. :)</p>

<p> </p>

<p>lol Lou.<br>

I love my d300, I do hate the af switch and do bump sometimes. Sometimes it bothers me how, the d300 HAS to be focused on something before it takes the pic. I guess it is a good thing, but it annoys me sometimes.</p>

<p>I wish the D300 had the option of the infrared remote like the D40. I have both cameras and I wish the D300 had the capability. Those remotes can be had on ebay for $20 bucks-ish. That would be sweet to use with the D300.<br>

I also agree with the complaint regarding the position of the focus area selection switch.</p>

<p>It would be interesting to ask this question over on the Canon forum about the 50D.</p>