Learn about the incredible Nikon D300 digital SLR!

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Whether you’re a veteran of my previous books or a new convert, I think you’ll find this introduction to the D300 quite different from the other books on the market. When Nikon unveiled the long-awaited D300, I realized that a compact “field guide” wouldn’t hack it for such an advanced camera. Although many shrewd beginners will be buying the D300 as a first digital SLR, the vast majority of you will be advanced amateurs or professional photographers – or those who aspire to join those ranks as quickly as possible.

You don’t need a book that devotes almost third of its pages to little sections that provide the rudiments of shooting the most basic types of pictures. You don’t need to be told that you ought to use a fast shutter speed when shooting sports – you probably already know a dozen different kinds of action situations when slower shutter speeds are superior (such as motor sports with spinning tires, or when panning to capture a long jumper speeding towards the pit.) There’s a good chance that telling you to use a large aperture when shooting a portraits a bit simplistic for your skill level, too. If not, don’t worry, I provide this kind of information, too. I just don’t waste dozens of pages on these basic techniques when they can be covered in a few pages before jumping into the truly cool stuff. Instead, I’m going to emphasize the exciting things you can do in the Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography.

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Click the cover picture at right!

Or read an excerpt from Chapter 7 on autofocus and Live View

Don't settle for a pocket-sized
guidebook! Your Nikon D300
deserves hundreds of pages more
of photographic knowledge!

After a couple introductory chapters that help you get your bearings with this innovative camera, we’re going to explore dSLR photography together using a significant new tool. I’ve tried to make the Nikon D300 Guide to Digital Photography different from your other D300 learn-up options. The roadmap sections use larger, color pictures to show you where all the buttons and dials are, and the explanations of what they do are longer and more comprehensive. Instead of the checklists devoted to general topics like “architectural photography” or “landscape photography,” you’ll find tips and techniques for using all the features of your Nikon D300 to take any kind of picture you want. The Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography is aimed at both Nikon and dSLR veterans as well as newcomers to digital photography and digital SLRs. Both groups can be overwhelmed by the options the D300 offers, while underwhelmed by the explanations they receive in their user’s manual. The manuals are great if you already know what you don’t know, and you can find an answer somewhere in a booklet arranged by menu listings. I've done my best to make my book accessible, friendly, and comprehensive.

Why the Nikon D300 is great:

I’ve been using Nikon-based digital single lens reflex (SLR) cameras since before they had Nikon’s name on them. (Thank you, Kodak!) And never before have I been blown away by a digital SLR as I was by the Nikon D300.

First and foremost, it's affordable, if you’re serious about photography. For those who are already (or soon to become) avid photographers, and for professionals looking for a solid main or backup camera body, when you consider the features and capabilities stuffed into the Nikon D300, its introductory price of $1799 is a bargain.

The Nikon D300 is also more expandable than any previous Nikon dSLR at this price. Add the MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery pack (which integrates much more solidly with the camera than did the MB-D200 pack for the D200 model.) That gives you a longer-lasting power-source, a convenient vertical grip/shutter release for portrait-orientation shots, and the potential to fire off 8 frames per second with 12 megapixels of resolution.You can now add a WT-4a wireless transmitter for WiFi remote operation and direct transfer of your photos to a laptop or other computer. That capability was previously solely within the realm of Nikon’s top-of-the-line pro cameras. Want hi-res viewing? All you need is an HDTV and an HDMI cable.

The Nikon D300 also includes tons of very cool features, many of which it shares with Nikon’s current flagship, the Nikon D3. These shared capabilities include a Live View capability that allows previewing the actual image on the camera’s LCD screen before you snap a picture; a super-speedy 51-point autofocus system that’s more accurate than anything this side of the D3 itself; and a metering system that works well with virtually every Nikon lens ever made, dating back to 1959 (although some require a $35 modification for compatibility.) Indeed, the Nikon D300 provides 80-90 percent of the functionality of the D3 (except for the full frame sensor) at a fraction of the price. The D300 even includes features not found on the D3, such as a built-in flash and automatic/manual sensor cleaning.

My recommendations for Nikon D300 must-have essentials:

(Click picture for a discount price)

You gotta get this!

Wow! After I tried this out, I told everyone I knew about it, and then I ordered three more; one for each of my camera bags. Don't pay $50 or more for a scope to check out your sensor for dust. This $8.95 gadget does the job for a fraction of the price. It's a Carson slide-out 3X magnifier (although the packaging says it's a 2X unit) with an LED light. Lock up your mirror, open the shutter, and focus in on your sensor by holding the Carson magnifier just above the lens mount. Any dust, scratches, or other artifacts just pop out. You can even use a sensor brush or other tool to clean the sensor while you're looking at it with the magnifier. I'm rarely blown away by inexpensive gadgets, but this one belongs in every digital photographer's camera bag.


My guidebook, natch!	The Nikon SB-800 Speedlight	MB-D10 battery pack/vertical grip	Nikon D300 camera

MC-30 remote release Never leave home without your MC-30 release!	Manfrotto Monopod I own this, and the Manfrotto carbon fiber monopod. Super for sports, landscapes, wildlife.	Tokina 12-24mm zoom. I love my Nikkor 12-24 DX lens, but here's a chance to save some money on a lens that is virtually as good (or better) at a lower price.	Nikon DK-21M Magnifier Helps you focus your macro shots manually for better control over depth-of-field.

Take advantage of your D300's 8 fps rate with the MB-D10 and 8 alkalines, and get fast transfer to your computer as a bonus with this fast CF card.	While the 4GB Sandisk card is great, I've standardized on 8GB cards. I can shoot all day on a single card for sports and travel photography.

Stuff I can't live without:

The New "Magic Three" Unless you're shooting close-ups or distant sports, you really don't need any other lenses. Sharp, fast, and expensive, these lenses do everything! They are full-frame lenses for both DX and FX formats, too.
	Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor	Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor	Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor

This 70-300 VR lens is a bit slower than the legendary 70-200 VR, but it has a longer range, is more compact, and costs less. Great for traveling light	The 80-400 VR gives you a bit more range for sports, and many photographers prefer it to the 70-200 VR for wildlife photography.	105mm VR Micro-Nikkor Vibration Reduction may be overkill for a macro lens, but folks said the same thing about autofocus. This one is great indoors or out.	Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Serious photographers usually replace their kit lens with this one after they've worked with their cameras for awhile. Sharp!

	Nikon 85mm f/1.4 "Cream Machine" Beautiful bokeh; this is the #1 portrait lens for Nikon dSLRs. Get one now before Nikon replaces it with something less. You can own a legend!	AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR This versatile lens is the new king of the kit lens crowd for DX format dSLRs. It handles everything from architecture and landsapes to portraiture.