V1.02
Thom Hogan’s Complete Guide to the Nikon D300
Page 46
From the back, the D200 (left) and D300 (right) are still very similar, with
the larger LCD being the biggest difference. But a close examination shows
changes in virtually all buttons (mostly position, but also function, size, and
marking).
In short, the D300 will be remarkably familiar to D200 users,
yet it has so much new technology internally that it will seem
like a different camera (and a far better one).
If you’re coming from one of the consumer Nikon DSLRs,
especially older ones such as the D70, you’re in for a lot of
surprises; the D300 is a big step up from those cameras, and
is essentially a pro caliber camera hiding in a consumer
camera size.
Indeed, if you’re coming from any previous Nikon DSLR
you’ve got a lot of learning to do. Let me break it down into
two groups.
If you’re coming from a D200 or D2 series camera:
•
Learn the new autofocus system.
The D300 has Nikon’s
most capable autofocus system yet. But it has a great deal
of complexity to it, and there are a lot of things that you
need to learn to maximize your use of it.
•
Be prepared to find matrix metering differences.
The D300
integrates even more data than before, and it has a
tendency to “just do the right thing.” You’ll find that
you’re using exposure compensation less often. But it’s
not perfect, so you have to learn what things still fool it.
