Magic Lantern Guides®: Nikon D300

The Nikon D300

Design

Nikon has a long heritage of innovative engineering and progressive design that sets their cameras apart from the rest of the pack, and the D300 is no exception. It is clear that development of the D300 took place along near parallel paths with the flagship D3 model, which was announced at the same time. These two cameras have much in common, sharing cutting edge technology and many advanced features. As a consequence of this design philosophy, the D300 possesses a meld of qualities that allows it to be used proficiently at assorted skill levels, from the relatively inexperienced photographer who seeks nothing more than point and shoot convenience to the demanding requirements of professionals.

At first glance the D300 appears almost identical to its predecessor, the D200, as both models share virtually the same specifications in terms of size and weight: W x H x D 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 inches (147 x 114 x 74 mm) and approximately 29 oz (825 g) without battery or memory card. On closer inspection, the 3 inch (7.6 cm) LCD monitor that dominates the rear of the D300 and the relocation of some external control buttons hint at the significant changes that have taken place internally, including an entirely new 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor.

Nikon has long been trumpeting that image quality in the digital world rests on three pillars: optical quality of the lens, sensor technology, and internal camera processing. The D300 epitomizes this in respect of the latter two aspects, where the new sensor supports a multi-channel output to an in-built 14-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC), thereafter all internal camera processing is handled at a 16-bit depth by a single ASIC. Nikon has dubbed this entirely new image-processing system Expeed, and it is at the heart of the camera’s ability to record, process, and output high quality images at a rapid rate. This fast data processing is combined with a completely new design of the mechanical shutter that enables the D300 to cycle at a maximum of 6 frames-per-second (fps), which can be raised to 8 fps with the addition of the MB-D10 Multi-Battery Pack; the shutter unit is tested to perform at least 150,000 actuations.

Another new aspect of the camera is its 51-point autofocus system, which is one of the numerous features and functions that mirrors very closely those available on the D3 model, along with its comprehensive menu system. The camera body is built around a sturdy magnesium alloy chassis that imparts a solid, rugged feel to the camera, as well as sealing against moisture and dust.

The D300 has a Nikon F lens mount with an automatic focusing (AF) coupling and electrical contacts, the design of which can be traced back to the Nikon F introduced during 1959. The greatest level of compatibility is achieved with either AF-D or AF-G type Nikkor lenses. Other lenses can be used but provide a variable level of compatibility: AF and Ai-P type Nikkor lenses offer a slightly reduced functionality of the camera’s TTL metering system, as 3D Color Matrix is not available. Even manual focus Ai, Ai-s, Ai converted, and E-series Nikkor lenses can be used with the D300, although neither 3D Color Matrix metering, nor Programmed Auto and Shutter Priority exposure modes are supported.

For image storage, the D300 accepts CompactFlash cards—both Type I and Type II.

Nikon D300 — Front View

1. button

2. Depth-of-field preview button

3. Sub-command dial

4. AF-assist illuminator

Self-timer lamp

Red-eye reduction lamp

5. Built-in flash

6. Flash pop-up button

7. Flash mode button

Flash compensation button

8. Flash sync terminal cover

9. Ten-pin remote terminal cover

10. Video/DC/USB connections (undercover)

11. Lens release button

12. Focus mode selector

Nikon D300 — Back View

1. OK button

2. Playback zoom button

3. Thumbnail/playback zoom out button

4. Protect button

Help button

INFO button

5. MENU button

6. Playback button

7. Delete button

FORMAT button

8. LCD Monitor

9. Viewfinder eyepiece

10. DK-23 viewfinder eyepiece cup

11. Diopter adjustment control

12. Metering selector

13. AE/AF lock button

14. AF-ON button

15. Main command dial

16. Multi selector

17. Focus selector lock

18. Memory card access lamp

19. AF-area mode selector

20. Card slot cover latch

21. Memory card slot cover

Nikon D300 — Top View

1. Accessory shoe (for external flash unit)

2. ISO sensitivity button

3. WB (white balance) button

4. Eyelet for camera strap

5. Image quality/size button

6. Release mode dial lock release

7. Release mode dial

8. Power switch

9. Shutter-release button

10. MODE button (exposure)

FORMAT button

11. Exposure compensation button

Two-button reset button

12. Control panel

13. Focal plane indicator

Power

A single Nikon EN-EL3e (7.4V, 1500mAh) rechargeable Lithium-ion battery powers the D300. This battery weighs 2.8 oz (80 g) and is distinguished from earlier EN-EL3 batteries (see note below) by its light-gray casing. There is no alternative power source for the D300 that can be fitted internally; the standard camera body cannot accept any other type of non-rechargeable, or rechargeable battery. Battery performance is dependent on a number of factors, including condition of the battery, the camera functions and features used, and the ambient temperature. At a normal room temperature of 68°F (20°C) the power-up time of the camera is just 0.13 seconds, and it is possible to make many hundreds of exposures on a single fully charged EN-EL3e. Alternatively the D300 can be connected to the Nikon EH-5a or EH-5 AC adapter to power the camera during extended periods of use.

Note: The D300 is not compatible with the earlier EN-EL3 (7.4V, 1400mAh) or EN-EL3a (7.4V, 1500mAh) batteries originally supplied for the Nikon D70-series and Nikon D50 cameras, although these models will accept the EN-EL3e battery.

MB-D10 Battery Pack

The MB-D10 is a battery pack/grip that attaches directly to the base of the standard D300 body via the tripod socket. Unlike fitting the optional battery pack for the D200, there is no requirement to remove the battery chamber door of the D300, so the camera’s internal EN-EL3e battery can be left in place. The MB-D10 has the capacity to hold either one EN-EL3e battery, one EN-EL-4 / EN-EL4a battery, or eight AA-sized batteries, which must be fitted in the MS-D10 battery holder. In addition to providing extra power, the battery pack has a shutter release button, duplicate main and sub-command dials, an AF-ON button and a duplicate multi selector to improve handling when the camera is held in the vertical (portrait) orientation.

Hint: Fitting the MB-D10 requires a rubber terminal cover to be removed from the base of the D300; it can be stowed in a depression in the top plate of the MB-D10.

When fitted with an MB-D10, which contains an EN-EL4, an EN-EL4a, or eight AA-sized batteries, the D300’s maximum frame rate is raised to 8 frames per second (fps). The same frame rate can be achieved if the camera is powered from its dedicated AC adapter.

Note: All electronically controlled cameras may occasionally exhibit some strange behavior where unexpected icons or characters appear in the LCD display, error messages are displayed, or the camera ceases to function properly. This is often caused by an electrostatic charge. To remedy the situation, try switching the camera off, removing and replacing the battery, or disconnecting then reconnecting the AC supply, before switching the camera on again.

Sensor

The Complimentary Metal Oxide Semi-conductor (CMOS) sensor used in the D300 is not unique to the camera. It is produced by Sony and also used in their Alpha 700 D-SLR. There are total of 13.1 million photo sites (pixels), of which 12.3 million are effective for the purpose of recording an image. Each photo site is just 5.9 microns (mm) square. This gives the camera a maximum resolution of 4,288 x 2,848 pixels, sufficient to produce 11.8 x 17.8 inch (30 x 45 cm) prints at 240ppi without interpolation (resizing).

The imaging area is 0.66 x 1 inch (15.6 x 23.7 mm), which is smaller than a 35mm film frame of 1 x 1.5 inches (24 x 36 mm), but retains the same 2:3 aspect ratio. Nikon calls this their DX-format (often referred to as the APS-C format) and use the same DX designation to identify those lenses that have been optimized for use with their digital SLR cameras. Due to the smaller size of the DX-format digital sensor, the angle-of-view offered by any focal length is reduced compared with a lens of the same focal length used on a 35mm film camera. If it assists you to estimate the angle-of-view for a particular focal length in comparison with the coverage offered by the same focal on a 35mm film camera, multiply the focal length by 1.5x (see page 179 for a full explanation).

The D300 is powered by the EN-EL3e battery. The life of a battery charge is decreased by the use of power-hungry features such as Live View, the built-in flash, and picture playback.

The CMOS sensor of the D300 is actually a sandwich of several layers each with a specific purpose:

Wiring Layer: Immediately adjacent and in front of the layer of photodiodes is the wiring layer that carries the electrical circuitry that not only carries the electrical signal way from each photodiode but also amplifies it before it is fed on to the analogue-to-digital converter (ADC).

Bayer Pattern Filter: Above the wiring layer is a colored filter layer. The photodiodes on the CMOS sensor do not record color—they can only detect a level of brightness. To impart color to the image formed by the light that falls on the sensor, a series of minute red, green, and blue filters are arranged over the photodiodes in a Bayer pattern, which takes its name from the Kodak engineer who invented the system. These filters are arranged in an alternating pattern of red/green on the odds numbered rows, and green/blue on the even numbered rows. The Bayer pattern comprises 50% green, 25% red, and 25% blue filters; the intensity of light detected by each photodiode located beneath its single, dedicated color filter according to the Bayer pattern, is converted into an electrical signal before being converted to a digital value by the ADC. If the camera is set to record a NEF Raw file the value for each photodiode is simply saved. When you open this file in an appropriate raw file converter the software will interpret the value from each photodiode to produce a red-green-blue (RGB) value, which in turn is converted into an image that can be viewed. However, if the camera is set to record either JPEG or TIFF files then the value from each photodiode is processed in the camera by comparing it with the values from a block of surrounding photodiodes, using a process called interpolation. The interpolation process produces a best guess for the RGB value for each sampling point (photodiode) on the sensor.

Microlens Layer: Immediately above the Bayer pattern filter there is a layer of micro lenses. Since the photodiodes on the sensor are most efficient when the light falling on them is perpendicular each photodiode has a miniature lens located above it to channel the light into its well to help maximize its light gathering ability

Optical Low-Pass Filter: Positioned in front of the CMOS sensor, comprising the layers of the photodiodes, wiring layer, Bayer pattern filter and micro-lenses but not connected to it is an optical low-pass filter (OLPF), sometimes called an anti-aliasing filter.

When the frequency of detail in an image, particularly a small regular repeating pattern, such as the weave pattern in a fabric, alters at or close to the pitch of the photodiodes on the sensor there is often a side effect that produces unwanted data (often referred to as an artifact) due to the way in which the in-camera processing converts the electrical signal from the sensor to a digital value via the analog to digital (ADC) converter. This additional data is manifest in the final image as a color pattern known as a moiré. Furthermore, the same in-camera processing can also result in a color fringing effect, known as color aliasing, which causes a halo of one or more separate colors to appear along the edge of fine detail in the image

The OLPF is used to reduce the unwanted effects of color aliasing and moiré. However, the OPLF reduces the resolution of detail, so the camera designers must strike a balance between its beneficial effect and the loss of acuity in fine detail, which increases as the strength of the filter is increased. The OLPF also incorporates a number of important coating layers to help improve image quality:

To help prevent dust and other foreign material from adhering to the surface of the OLPF it has an anti-static coating made from Indium Tin Oxide.

To reduce the risk of light being reflected from the front surface of the OLPF onto the rear element of the lens, which could then result in flare effects, or ghost images, the filter has an anti-reflective coating.

The CMOS sensor is sensitive to wavelengths of light outside the spectrum visible by the human eye. This light, which can be either in the infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV) parts of the spectrum, will pollute image files and cause unwanted color shifts and a loss of image sharpness, so the OLPF has both an IR-blocking and UV-blocking coat. These IR and UV blocking coatings are very efficient, consequently, the D300 cannot be recommended for any form of IR or UV light photography, which was possible with some earlier Nikon D-SLR cameras, such as the D1 and D100.

A D300 on the assembly line in Thailand.

Note: The Indium Tin Oxide anti-static coating applied to the surface of the OLPF is more susceptible to being damaged by physical contact, or use of alcohol based cleaning fluids compared with the Lithium Niobate coating used in other Nikon D-SLR cameras such as the D200. So take extra care if you decide to clean the OLPF of your D300 for yourself.

Built-In Sensor Cleaning

The presence of dust and other unwanted particles on the front surface of the OLPF (i.e. the surface closest to the rear of the lens mounted on the camera) is the bane of all digital photographers, because it causes dark shadow spots to appear in the final image. The definition of such spots will, to some extent, be dependent on the lens aperture used; at very wide aperture settings these shadow spots will appear less well defined and in some instances may not even be apparent. But at moderate-to-small aperture settings they will mar the image. This will require extra effort to remove them using software cloning tools in post-processing.

Regardless of how careful you are, dust will eventually find its way into a camera. The action of focusing, or adjusting the zoom ring of a lens, causes groups of lens elements to be shifted inside the lens barrel, creating very slight changes in air pressure that can cause dust in the atmosphere to be drawn through the lens into the camera. A visual inspection of the OLPF is often fruitless due to the extremely small size of the offending dust particles, which can be just a few microns across, so they are beyond the resolution of our eyes.

In an effort to help reduce the effects of such deposits, and to reduce the frequency with which external cleaning measures need be applied, Nikon has incorporated a self-cleaning mechanism into the D300 that vibrates the OLPF at four different frequencies using a piezo-electric oscillator. The cleaning process can be set to activate automatically when the camera is turned on, turned off, or both. Alternatively, it can be activated at anytime the user deems it necessary.

Beyond the self-cleaning function of vibrating the OLPF Nikon implement a comprehensive regime that spans camera production through to using software during post-processing of an image to reduce the risk of dust affecting images recorded by the camera. This includes the following:

• All internal mechanisms with moving parts such as the shutter unit are designed to minimize the generation of dust

• During manufacture of the D300 its shutter unit is activated 500 times before being installed in the camera as part of a running-in process. A similar procedure is performed once the camera is assembled.

• An anti-static coating is applied around the image sensor and OLPF assembly, while a border area surrounding the OLPF is specially treated with a tenacious adhesive material, so any dust particles dislodged from the OLPF by the self-cleaning process adhere to it and prevent them from migrating elsewhere inside the camera.

• In the D300 the space between the OLPF and image sensor has been increased, so that dust is less likely to affect the final image and the gap between the two is sealed to prevent dust particles from entering the senor assembly.

• The camera can record a reference frame that shows the location of dust spots, which can be used in Nikon Capture NX software to reduce the effects of dust in images shot in NEF (RAW) format.

File Formats

The D300 can record images as three types of files: compressed using the JPEG standard, TIFF (RGB) files, and files saved in Nikon’s proprietary Nikon Electronic File (NEF) Raw format. The NEF Raw files can be saved in either uncompressed, lossless compressed, or regular compressed form.

The files using the JPEG standard can be saved at three different sizes, Fine (low compression 1:4), Normal (medium compression 1:8), and Low (high compression 1:16). As the level of compression is increased there is a greater loss of detail in the image. Furthermore, all JPEG compressed files are saved to an 8-bit depth, which can influence the width of the tonal range in the image. Likewise, the TIFF (RGB) files are also saved to an 8-bit depth but, despite using a form of lossless compression, they are significantly larger than JPEG files recorded by the D300.

The highest quality results come from the NEF Raw format files, since these contain the data direct from the sensor with virtually no modification or other in-camera processing. The D300 provides options to have the NEF Raw files output at either a 12-bit or 14-bit depth. This applies regardless of whether the files are uncompressed, lossless compressed, or compressed. Nikon states that the lossless compressed NEF Raw files are compressed using a reversible algorithm, which can reduce file size by 20-40% with no affect on image quality. In comparison, the compressed NEF Raw files are processed using a non-reversible algorithm that can reduce file size by 40-55%; however, this process can have a slightly adverse effect on image quality in certain circumstances.

Previously Nikon has referred to this type of compression as being visually lossless, which is not quite the same as saying lossless. The visually lossless claim is due to the method of compression used by the camera during the processing of the NEF Raw file. In essence it averages the highlight data to reduce the file size, but when this process is reversed to open the image file, highlight tone values are rounded up or down, which can restrict the range of tones in the image. However, it is unlikely the human eye will perceive this effect, hence the terminology. To get the most out of NEF files you will need additional software such as Nikon Capture NX, or a good quality third party raw file converter such as Adobe Camera RAW (see pages 107 and 296 for details).

Nikon D300 Viewfinder

1. Battery indicator

2. AF-area brackets

3. Framing grid (select ON from CS d2)

4. Focus points

1. Flash-ready indicator

2. Number of exposures remaining

Number of shots until buffer is full

White balance indicator

Exposure/Flash exposure compensation values

PC mode indicator

3. ISO sensitivity setting

4. Exposure compensation indicator

5. Flash compensation indicator

6. Exposure mode (P,S,A,M)

7. Aperture (f/stop)

8. Shutter speed

9. Autoexposure (AE) lock

10. Metering

11. Focus indicator

12. FV lock indicator

13. Flash sync indicator

14. Aperture stop indicator

15. Electronic analog exposure display

Exposure compensation display

16. Auto ISO indicators

17. K indicates memory for more than 1000 exposures

The Viewfinder

The D300 has a fixed, optical pentaprism, eye-level viewfinder that shows approximately 100% (vertical and horizontal) of the full frame coverage. It has an eye-point of 19.5 mm (0.71 inches), which should provide a reasonably good view of the focusing screen and viewfinder information for users who wear eyeglasses, plus there is a built-in diopter adjustment between –2.0 to +1.0m-1. To set the diopter, mount a lens on the camera and leave it set to its infinity focus mark. Switch the camera on and point it at a plain surface that fills the frame. Rotate the diopter adjustment dial to the right of the viewfinder eyepiece until the AF sensor brackets appear sharp. It is essential to do this to ensure you see the sharpest view of the focusing screen. Since the built-in correction is not particularly strong, optional eyepiece correction lenses are available between –5 to +3m-1. These are attached by slotting them on to the eyepiece frame (the rubber eyecup must be removed first). Similarly, the viewfinder eyepiece does not have an internal shutter to prevent light entering when the D300 is used remotely, so the camera is supplied with the DK-5 eyepiece cap that must be fitted, using the same method as the eyepiece correction lenses, whenever the camera is used this way in any of the automatic exposure modes.

The focusing screen is fixed and the viewfinder provides a very useful magnification of approximately 0.94x. The viewfinder display includes all the essential information about exposure and focus (see illustration page 34). The focusing screen is marked with a pair of arcs to define the area covered by the fifty-one individual autofocus points The D300 employs and LED projection system to display and illuminate the markings on its focusing screen. The screen only shows the bracket markings for the active focus area, which reduces clutter in the viewfinder, making the image easy to see. A user selectable reference grid can also be displayed that is useful for aligning critical compositions and keeping horizons level.

Control Panel A

1. Image quality selection

2. Image size

3. Exposure mode (P,S,A,M)

4. Flexible program indicator

5. Flash sync indicator

6. Shutter speed

Exposure/Flash compensation values

ISO value/Focal length (non-CPU lenses)

White balance preset/Color temperature

Number of shots in bracketing for: exposure/ flash/white balance

7. Color temperature indicator

8. Aperture stop indicator

9. Aperture (f/stop)

Number of shots per interval

Max aperture (non CUP lenses)

PC mode indicator

Bracketing increment for: exposure/flash/ white balance

10. Audible indicator

11. Flash mode

12. Battery-level indicator

13. K indicates memory for more than 1000 exposures

14. Number of exposures remaining

Number of shots until buffer is full

Preset white balance indicator

15. White balance selection

16. White balance fine tuning

17. Auto-area AF/AF-area indicator

3D-tracking

Control Panel B

1. Image comment indicator

2. Clock not set

3. FV lock indicator

4. ISO sensitivity/Auto ISO indicator

5. Exposure compensation indicator

6. Flash compensation indicator

7. Interval time indicator

8. GPS connection

9. Multiple exposure indicator

10. Batter pack indicator (MB-D10)

11. Electronic analog exposure display

Exposure compensation

PC/Mass storage display

Bracketing in progress for: exposure/flash/white balance

12. Bracketing indicator for: exposure/flash/white balance

13. Custom settings bank

14. Shooting menu bank

The Control Panel

This large monochrome LCD display on the top plate of the D300, which Nikon calls the Control Panel, should not be confused with the color monitor on the rear. If the power is off, the only information shown is the number of remaining frames available on the installed memory card, and if no card is inserted, the display shows to indicate empty. As soon as the camera is powered on, the display shows a wide range of camera control settings, including battery status, shutter speed, aperture, shooting mode, active focus sensor and focus mode, white balance, audible warning, together image quality and size. Other controls will be indicated as and when they are activated.

Shooting Information Display

1 Exposure mode

2 Flexible program indicator

3 Flash sync indicator

4 Shutter speed / Exposure compensation value / Flash compensation value / Number of shots in exposure and flash bracketing sequence / Number of shots in WB bracketing sequence / Focal length (non-CPU lenses) / Color temperature

5 Color temperature indicator

6 Aperture stop indicator

7 Aperture (f-number) / Aperture (number of Stops) / Exposure and flash bracketing increment / WB bracketing increment / Maximum aperture / (non-CPU lenses)

8 Camera battery indicator

9 MB-D10 battery type display

MB-D10 battery indicator

10 Shooting menu bank

11 Custom settings bank

12 Picture Control indicator

13 Color space indicator

14 Active D-Lighting indicator

15 High ISO noise reduction indicator

16 Long exposure noise reduction indicator

17 Release mode (single frame / continuous) indicator / Continuous shooting speed

18 Exposure and flash bracketing indicator / WB bracketing indicator

19 Image size

20 Electronic analog exposure display

21 FV lock indicator

22 ISO sensitivity indicator / Auto ISO sensitivity indicator

23 Exposure compensation indicator

24 Flash compensation indicator

25 GPS connection indicator

26 Beep indicator

27 Flash mode

28 Multiple exposure indicator

29 K (appears when memory remains for over 1000 exposures)

30 Number of exposures remaining Manual lens number

31 White balance / White balance fine-tuning indicator

32 Auto-area AF indicator / Focus points indicator / AF-area mode indicator / 3D-tracking indicator

33 Image quality

34 Interval timer indicator

35 Image comment indicator

36 Clock not set indicator

The Shooting Information Display (SID) essentially replicates the display shown in the control panel except it uses the 3 inch (7.62 cm) LCD monitor on the back of the camera. Not only does this make the display far clearer due to its size (and the option to have either dark lettering on a pale background or white lettering on a dark background), but it also improves camera handling by being more convenient to read, since you can quickly glance at the LCD instead of having to lower the camera and look down at the control panel.

Scene Recognition System

This innovation is part of the invisible wizardry of the D300. In essence it comprises the venerable 1,005-pixel RGB sensor for color Matrix metering with a new twist—a diffraction grating placed in front of it that acts as an optical color separation system to divide the light into its constituent colors. This enables the camera to recognize conditions pertaining to the subject and the overall scene in advance of an exposure being made, as it is able to make a finer assessment of color and contrast distribution within the frame area. The pioneering system brings benefits to the performance of the autofocus, autoexposure, and auto white balance functions.

Automatic Focus

The autofocus system is based on the new CAM3500 AF module, a system that assesses 3500 individual points in the process of focus acquisition. It features fifty-one focus points arranged in a rectangular pattern with its long edge parallel to the long edge of the frame. The central block of 15 focus points are cross-type sensing areas, while the other thirty-six (eighteen to the left and eighteen to the right of the central block) are single line-type sensors that are orientated parallel to the short edge of the frame. When selecting the focus points manually it is possible to have either all 51 available or reduce the number to just 11.

The focus mode selector.

The detection range of the AF system is –1 to +19 exposure values (EV) at an ISO 100. There is an AF-assist lamp for low light levels that has an effective range from 0.5m to 3m (1’8 to 9’10). In addition to new focus algorithms, the D300’s AF system benefits from extra information supplied by the Scene Recognition System that helps with subject identification and tracking. The system has three focusing modes, Single-servo focus, Continuous-servo focus, and Manual focus. There are three focus-area modes, Single-area AF, Dynamic-area AF, and Auto-area AF. The Dynamic-area AF provides options to use a combination of 9, 21, 51 auto-focus points, or 51 autofocus points with 3D tracking. In the Continuous-servo focus mode, the camera will activate Predictive focus tracking automatically if it detects subject movement while the autofocus system is operating. The camera will attempt to predict the position of the subject at the moment the shutter is released. The D300 also has Nikon’s proprietary Lock-on system that controls whether the camera re-focuses if the subject-to-camera distance changes significantly in an abrupt manner (see page 180 for full details of the focusing system).

The AF-area mode selector.

Exposure Modes

The D300 offers four user-controlled exposure modes that determine how the lens aperture and shutter speed values are set when the exposure is adjusted: Programmed Auto (P), Aperture-Priority Auto (A), Shutter-Priority Auto (S), and Manual (M):

• P – Programmed Auto selects a combination of shutter speed and aperture automatically but the photographer can override this using the flexible program feature.

• A – Aperture-Priority Auto