Nikon has released a new full frame (FX) digital SLR named the D700.  In a simplified way you could think of it as a D3 sensor in a D300 body.  Until the D3 was released, all Nikon digital SLR were based on a DX sensor size with a crop factor of abotu 1.5.  The D700 is the second DSLR from Nikon that offers a sensor the same size as 35 mm film so that a lens will have the same field of view as it did on a film camera.

But where does this new model fit into the lineup.  As you can see from this chart, it is significantly more expensive than the highly rated D300 while also being signficantly less expensive than the D3.  As one would expect, the price point increases rapidly as the model moves toward the pro level.  One could argue that the best camera, strictly from a price point, is the D300.  Above that model, the price increases rapidly.

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It has been sometime since I have been able to use my old manual focus lenses. On my prior digital SLR there was no support for either focusing or metering. With the new Nikon D300, I am once again able to use them. I did simple test inside the house this evening using my 50 mm 1.4 AI lens. With the D300 you tell it the focal length and maximum aperture of the manual lens you have attached and it works fine from that point. Focusing is not as easy as with the older cameras that had screens geared for manual focus, but there is a rangefinder indicator that works. Here is a shot I took wide open, at f1.4, 1/125 sec, ISO of 400. Lighting is all ambient. Notice the very shallow dept of field.

As an experiment I took a second shot changing it to f2.0, 1/60 second, also ISO 400.

I expected a more shallow dept of field at f1.4 compared with f2.0 but it looked about the same.

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I had a chance to experiment further using the Nikon D300 with my old Nikon PB-6 bellows. Due to the grip on the camera, you first need to rotate the mount on the bellows 90 degrees. After the camera body is mounted, you can rotate it back. I put my old 55 mm Nikon macro lens (Nikon calls them micro lenses). This is what the setup looks like.

I used the LiveView feature on the D300 to focus. LiveView is the ability to use the 3 in. LCD screen and lets you zoom way in on the image. This is probably more accurate than using the viewfinder. I set the camera to Aperture Priority and stopped the lens down to F8. I let the D300 handle the exposure and color balance. I pointed the entire rig outside for lighting. Here is an example of a picture I took of a 20 year old slide.

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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!

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I just ordered a new Nikon D300 Digital SLR with a 18-200 VR lens. The question might be why did I purchase since I already have a Nikon D70 Digital SLR. This new camera is highly rated and I can use my extensive collection of Nikon lenses that I had bought back in the days of film. My D70 would use those lenses but without any metering. Nikon had a promotion of $300 off if you bought this camera body with the 18-200 VR lens. VR stands for Vibration Reduction, allowing up to two more stops than you could normally shot. Since this is the DX format sensor, 200 mm is equivalent to a 300 mm lens on a 35 mm camera so having VR is important.

The new camera has a lot of improvements and has been highly rated in many of the reviews I have read, including the recent Mac World magazine, where it was given an editor’s pick.  It was also the Popular Photography & Imaging, Camera of the Year 2007

Here are some additional reviews at DP Review:

• Nikon D300 Camera
• Nikon 18-200 VR Lens

I had intended to order it from Costco which had a reduced price in addition to the $300 off but their shipping period was 10-15 business days and I needed it before that. I ended up buying at BuyDig.com where I have purchased other items. The camera is sold out at many online stores but they had 3 left so I went ahead and ordered this morning.

I feel in the Nikon digital SLR line this is their 2nd best camera ever. The only one that beats it is the new D3, a full frame DSLR. But that camera body costs 2.5 times more and is really geared only for professional photographers. This review of the D3 shows how the D300 compares to the D3.

Some of the features of this camera that excite me include:

• 12.3 mega pixels
• CMOS sensor
• Super fast operation
• 1/250 flash sync
• Ability to work with my older Nikon, non auto focus lens with either manual or aperture priority mode
• 3 in. LCD
• More sophisticated auto focus system
• 100% coverage in view finder
• Lower noise, especially at higher ISO settings

Some views of the camera.

Here are the specifications:

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