Even more than its predecessor D200 the new D300 forms a bridge between amateur amateur camera and professional model. This bridge function also refers to the price: The D300 currently costs 1840 euros, so is more than 500 euros more expensive than a Canon EOS 40D or Sony Alpha 700. For this extra charge you get a Kameragehäuse, which has in the class under 2000 euro prototype character . The camera is not as bulky as a professional model with integrated battery handle, but still has enough mass to provide an adequate counterweight to heavy telephoto lenses. With 825 g, the D300 weighs 135 g more than the Sony Alpha 700, but the exterior looks more massive. Equipped with a standard standard zoom, the D300 does not burden the photographer’s shoulder, but also for the Sunday walk not too much. The D300 is a second-generation professional, as a welcome addition to the classic flip-out flash, which can not replace a powerful system flash but provides valuable services when lightening
If you want, the camera is supplemented by the optionally available multi-function battery section (MB-D10) with portrait format trigger and additional multi-function switch. In addition, the maximum image rate of 6 B / s measured according to the manufacturer should be increased to 8 images per second. However, only when the MB-D10 is equipped with the lithium-ion battery EN-EL4a from the D3 or eight Mignon cells (AA). Alternatively, use the EL-EN3e, the standard battery of the D300, which can not be operated even with the EN-EL4a of the D3. However, the camera remains ready for operation even if you take the battery out of the case and only a battery is in the screwed MB-D10.
The new 3-inch monitor is already known from the Sony Alpha 700. But you can see it again because it is the best with a resolution of 3 x 307 000 pixels and a viewing angle of 170 degrees horizontal / vertical Can get Detailed detail and brilliance are exemplary, which you can see when you zoom in on a picture.
The D300 has a live-view function: The TFT monitor can also be used as a motif reader during shooting. The 12-megapixel image sensor is used for the live image, the mirror has to be pivoted out of the beam path. In this position, it can also remain for automatic focusing when the camera uses the (often very slow) contrast measurement via the image sensor. This live-view mode calls Nikon "tripod". In the so-called freehand mode, however, the camera uses the AF phase detection system when arming, but the mirror must return to the initial position at short notice. The AF is activated either by half-pressing the shutter button or by pressing the AF-on button. The fastest way to get a shot: Press and hold the shutter button all the way until the AF measurement is completed (acoustic signal) and the shutter has tripped. Also there can be no delay-free triggering, which makes the use of the live view in snapshots to the fortune. Nevertheless, if you take over-the-head recordings, you would rather take the delay than take a picture in a blindfold.
For automatic focusing, the D300 uses the AF module Multi-CAM 3500DX, which is also used with the Profimodell D3, with 51 measuring fields, including 15 cross sensors. The measuring range is from LW -1 to 19 (ISO 100 at 20 ° C). The autofocus can be fine-tuned to different objectives, as well as a motor recognition function for the tracking.
The optical Pentapris sensor is characterized by an effective viewfinder magnification of 0.63 times, based on the image format of 23.6 x 15.8 (DX format). Thus, the D200 already scored in the competition comparison. What is new, however, is that the field coverage now reaches 100% in professional travel, while the D200 needs to be satisfied with 95%. For precise alignment of the camera in architectural or object images, grid lines can be displayed in the viewfinder.
The operating concept of the D200 has been retained on the D300 in all essential features and refined in some points. Typical for the D200 / 300 are, for example, the rotary switches for selecting the exposure measurement methods and the AF field configuration. Very practical is that you have important functions and settings by means of switches and buttons in direct access, such as for autofocus, exposure metering method, white balance, image quality or sensitivity. For this frequently used settings you do not have to dive constantly into the menus. It is also self-evident that Nikon has direct access to the correction of the main exposure, but also to the exposure compensation via a key.
The multi-function selector on the rear, the D200 a 4-way switch, has developed further with the D300 to the 8-way switch. That is, it allows not only up-down or left-right movements, but also steps in the diagonal direction. This function is used when selecting individual AF fields, since this allows the field to be reached much faster. In the case of image reproduction, the multi-function selector is used as a 4-way switch, so that, for example, the image change is performed by clicking left-right-clicking and switches between different display modes by up-down clicks. This assignment can also be reversed if necessary. Small drop of vermouth: The brightness histogram (switchable to RGB) can no longer be displayed large in the frame, instead it is displayed smaller than a thumbnail. In this case, however, the window also shows all important recording data well structured under the image. If you want to see more of the motif, press the Magnifier Plus button once. A maximum of eightfold magnification is possible, with the monitor quality offered here allowing an unusually good sharpness judgment.
With the D300, Nikon has an additional LC-display for recording recording data, as is customary at the top of the camera and can be illuminated as required. In addition, the D300 also allows the display of the recording data on the TFT monitor, with bright background lighting and large letters. Both possibilities are pure luxury and guarantee optimum readability in any position and recording position. The electronically controlled, vertically running slot shutter allows exposure times up to 1/8000 s and a flash sync time with full guide number of 1/250 s A lifetime of 150_000 releases tested. The firing delay plus AF time reaches a good, but no peak value, at 0.29 s. The switch-on delay is twice as long as 0.4 seconds for the D200.
The CMOS of the D300 format (23.6 x 15.8 mm) produces images with a maximum resolution of 4288 x 2848 pixels (12.2 megapixels), about 2 million more than the D200 (3872 x 2592) . A low-pass filter is installed in front of the image sensor, which catches dust in the camera housing and shakes it off by vibrations of high frequency. The measured resolution is 1271/1286 LP / BH at ISO 200/400, about 100 LP more than on the D200 (1173/1084 LP / BH at ISO 100/400), but slightly less than on the Sony Alpha 700 (1335 / 1358 LP / BH) with a similar image sensor. The Expeed image processor of the D300 processes the data internally with 16 bits to output as 12 or 14 bit files. For RAW images, this preliminary decision is taken in the shooting menu. The sensitivity range from ISO 200 to 3200 can be extended in the "Lo-1" to 100 ISO settings and "Hi + 1" to 6400 ISO. In noise, the D200 delivers excellent results: 0.7 / 0.8 VN at ISO 200/400, which means twice the maximum number 15. For Lo-1 (corresponding to ISO 100), test recordings showed a slightly lower noise than with ISO 200, but this is not confirmed by measurements. Even more astonishing are the results at ISO 800/1600: With 0.9 / 1.3 VN is even the best so far best model in this discipline, the Canon EOS 1D Mark III (1.3 / 1.9 VN), in the Measured values exceeded. The fact that the ISO 400/800 results are so close to each other suggests that the noise filter is increased at ISO 800, which is confirmed by a decrease in the measured resolution from 1286 to 1172 LP / BH. At ISO 1600, the resolution is then reduced to 1147 LP / BH. With this compromise, however, you can live well, since noise is a distracting subject with a wide range of shadows and a bit less resolution.
The dynamic capture is 10.5 stops at ISO 200 and at ISO 800, 9.5 is at ISO 400 as well as 9.0 screens at ISO 1600. For particularly problematic subjects, the camera also offers a switchable contrast compensation (D-Lighting), which directly affects the processing of images to JPEGs. In addition, one finds D-Lighting but with the post-processing functions of the camera. This means that already recorded images can be edited with D-Lighting and then saved to the card. In contrast to the active D-lighting directly during the recording, one can subsequently decide in which of the three intensities offered one wants to use the function. In this case, D-Lighting can lighten the shadow parts and amplify the noise.
Other post-processing features include converting color to SW images, software filters, changing the color balance, red-eye correction, or fading out of two RAW images. Over 48 individual functions allow the camera to be adapted to the needs of its user, and four user locations are provided for user profiles.
$ Break $
$ Break $ assessment according to new test criteria
Nikon D300
12 megapixel camera, which is the winner in the semiprofessional category of 1000 to 2500 Euro, with consistently good picture quality. Although it is in the border resolution slightly behind the devices of Canon or Pentax. But thanks to low image noise and a good value in the color accuracy, it creates the best picture quality at ISO 100 in its category and pushes itself into the range of professional cameras. This high demand remains, even with the higher sensitivities, it occupies the highest value in terms of image quality in its category every time. The Nikon D300 is the undisputed test winner in its category, and gets a high-quality image.
Nikon D300
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