Just a few minutes ago the new Nikon D300 camera arrived by FedEX.

While I am waiting for the battery for the D300 to charge, I put the new 18-200 mm lens on my Nikon D70 to take a few shots to test it out. Here shots each at 18 mm, then 70 mm, then at 200 mm. This covers the focal range of my two prior zoom lenses, a 18-70 and a 80-200 mm. All images were shot in RAW. Click here to see the images in full resolution.

Three more at the same 18, 70 and 200 mm, then with the new battery charged, I repeated the same three shots using the new D300 and new lens. The time of day was different so it is not a good comparision. I have not fine tuned the exposure compensation for the new camera and I also have a custom curve in my D70, which I have yet to do for the D300.

D70 at 18 mm

D300 at 18 mm.

D70 at 70 mm

D300 at 70 mm

D70 at 200 mm

D300 at 200 mm

I then got my 55 mm Nikon micro lens out that I have not been able to use with the D70 camera. The D300 works with the older lenses. I just dialed in the focal length and maximum aperature and the metering worked fine. I did a quick picture close up but the focusing so close without the screen I use to have on film cameras was a bit tricky but it was very easy to put the camera on aperture priority mode and have it handle the exposure. I have several such prime lenses, 24 mm, 35 mm, 50 1.4, 55 micro, 105 2.5, 200, that I can not use once again.

I forgot to set the clock in the new D300. Guess what the date was set for. My birthday, March 23rd!

Categories: Equipment
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