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Nikon D300 Review
by Romulo Lubachesky
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RAW Compression
There
are three options for RAW compression: no compression, compressed
lossless and compressed. I will use the lossless compression
option most of the time and without compression when there's
the need of a large dynamic range, this must increase my possibilities
of post processing.
There
is also the option of saving the image in TIFF, but the file
is huge, practically 3 times bigger than the 12bits RAW with
lossless compression. This is impracticable, not only thinking
about the memory card, but the computer storage too. I believe
I would only use TIFF in very specific situations.
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D-Lighting
A
new tool is the Active D-Lighting, destined to situations
where the dynamic range exceeds the normal sensor capacity,
scenes with harsh sun and strong shadows, for example.
It
looks very interesting, mainly using 14bits mode; however,
it must be used carefully because it could increase
the noise at high ISOs, mostly in the brightened-by-the-tool
area.
The
advanced white balance system was further improved for
fine tuning. The displays can now show independent channel
RGB histograms. This improves precise adustment of exposure
and white balance fine performance.
I only photograph using RAW, that's why options like
white balance, image parameters, and noise reduction
don't need to be changed in the camera. I prefer to
adjust these and others options on the Nikon software,
the Nikon Capture NX, which is a magnificent image editing
tool.
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Conclusion
The
Nikon D300 is more than I expected from a camera, a highly
respectable D200 update with an accessible and fair price.
The
main changes which I consider highly relevant are:
• Sharpness and Noise performance at high ISOs
• 12 and 14 bits RAW files
• 12.3 mega pixel CMOS sensor
• Natural colors and smoother color graduation
• Excellent performance of the 51 focus points newAF
module
• The capability to individually adjust AF for 9 different
lenses
• More customize-able buttons
• Storage of information of non-CPU lenses and switch
from one to another by a function button
• New My menu
• Professional 100% image viewfinder coverage
• Bigger LCD monitor with superb definition
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functions that I would probably not use much myself,
although I do consider them significant improvements
are:
•
Live View function
• New vertical grip MB-D10
• Continuous 6fps shutter speed
• TIFF files
• Retouch menu right on-camera
• High resolution videos capability
• Active D-Lighting
• 3D-tracking on Continuous focus
• Control panel on the LCD monitor
You
may download here the complete
specifications.
Certainly the best camera in this market segment, considering
all models released up to the end of 2007.
An excellent updated camera choice for someone who either
has previously used another Nikon DSLR -who will find
its handling very intuitive- or advanced DSLR users
from other brands.
Not necessarily recommended to beginners, because of
the complex controls. It requires plenty of study and
practice to master it and make good use of what this
incredible camera has to offer.
Of
course, if you live in North America, you have the Nikonians
Academy workshops to train you well and in no time. |
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