D300.

[screambitch]

Hey guys, I just want to get some feedback and views.
Im planning on upgrading from a D90 to D300. Mainly for 2 reasons, the 51 point AF and faster FPS rate. I do enjoy extreme sports photography and I find the D90 to be very limited in terms of FPS. At 4.5fps I miss some key moments.

I'm planning on getting this camera later today. Together with a 17-50f/2.8 Tamron lens. I've heard some good feedback with regards to this lens. I figured it will also come in handy for my trip to Melbourne.

What do you guys think?

[tkbonz]

Originally Posted by screambitch Hey guys, I just want to get some feedback and views. Im planning on upgrading from a D90 to D300. Mainly for 2 reasons, the 51 point AF and faster FPS rate. I do enjoy extreme sports photography and I find the D90 to be very limited in terms of FPS. At 4.5fps I miss some key moments. I'm planning on getting this camera later today. Together with a 17-50f/2.8 Tamron lens. I've heard some good feedback with regards to this lens. I figured it will also come in handy for my trip to Melbourne. What do you guys think?

No personal experience for the tamron lens, but if you get the D300 for sports (which is a good choice obviously), you might be limited by the len's AF. It might not be able to keep up with the D300 and end up a D90 + kit lens might be faster...

My 2 cents

[sjackal]

Originally Posted by screambitch Hey guys, I just want to get some feedback and views. Im planning on upgrading from a D90 to D300. Mainly for 2 reasons, the 51 point AF and faster FPS rate. I do enjoy extreme sports photography and I find the D90 to be very limited in terms of FPS. At 4.5fps I miss some key moments. I'm planning on getting this camera later today. Together with a 17-50f/2.8 Tamron lens. I've heard some good feedback with regards to this lens. I figured it will also come in handy for my trip to Melbourne. What do you guys think?

To get the great 8 FPS with D300, you can add a MB D10 battery grip and shoot JPG.

Focusing speed is another matter, with 51 points continuous auto, my D300 with 17-55mm f2.8 Nikkor is sometimes slower to focus or not as accurate as single point focus. Its a trade off one has to make for 51 points auto continuous focus.

Tamron hunts even longer than Nikkors to get focus, especially in low light situation, or so it had been discussed in many forums. But it is a great performer at that price.

Not sure what kind of sports you are shooting, but at 17-50mm range, it doesn't sound suitable unless you are allowed to stand very near to the athletics.

[buddy]

What sjackal said is absolutely true. The 51pt AF with 3D still loses out to single center point in terms of locking on to a subject.

From my experiences with the D300 w/ 17-50, the D300's AF module though fast and even shooting at 8FPS, doesnt guarantee that you will be able to capture the moments you want and still keep your subject in focus. I suspect the D90 can do the same job if you apply the right skill and timing.

[screambitch]

Originally Posted by sjackal To get the great 8 FPS with D300, you can add a MB D10 battery grip and shoot JPG. Focusing speed is another matter, with 51 points continuous auto, my D300 with 17-55mm f2.8 Nikkor is sometimes slower to focus or not as accurate as single point focus. Its a trade off one has to make for 51 points auto continuous focus. Tamron hunts even longer than Nikkors to get focus, especially in low light situation, or so it had been discussed in many forums. But it is a great performer at that price. Not sure what kind of sports you are shooting, but at 17-50mm range, it doesn't sound suitable unless you are allowed to stand very near to the athletics.

i shoot extreme sports like skateboarding n bmx. so its not that much of an issue getting up close and personal. Most of my extreme sports shots are in the day.

Any other lenses that you recommend i look at?

[screambitch]

Originally Posted by buddy What sjackal said is absolutely true. The 51pt AF with 3D still loses out to single center point in terms of locking on to a subject. From my experiences with the D300 w/ 17-50, the D300's AF module though fast and even shooting at 8FPS, doesnt guarantee that you will be able to capture the moments you want and still keep your subject in focus. I suspect the D90 can do the same job if you apply the right skill and timing.

hmm the problem with the D90 is that its 4.5fps is just way too slow. I miss key moments in stunts sequences.

[RezzShaz]

Seems like what u really looking for is faster fps.
Agreed with the D300, but not the lens choice. And get the battery pack for better fps.

[screambitch]

Originally Posted by buddy What sjackal said is absolutely true. The 51pt AF with 3D still loses out to single center point in terms of locking on to a subject. From my experiences with the D300 w/ 17-50, the D300's AF module though fast and even shooting at 8FPS, doesnt guarantee that you will be able to capture the moments you want and still keep your subject in focus. I suspect the D90 can do the same job if you apply the right skill and timing.

Originally Posted by RezzShaz Seems like what u really looking for is faster fps. Agreed with the D300, but not the lens choice. And get the battery pack for better fps.

what lens would you reccomend that can focus quickly enough?
yeah im definetely getting the MB-D10 grip.

[nice1888]

Originally Posted by screambitch what lens would you reccomend that can focus quickly enough? yeah im definitely getting the MB-D10 grip.

Ideally, try out :-
a) Nikon AF-80-200 f2.8D ED
b) Nikon AF-S VR 70-200 f2.8G IF-ED

If got budget constriant or you only shoot in closer range, then try out :-
c) AF-S VR 16-85 f3.5-5.6G ED DX
d) AF-S VR 18-200 f3.5-5.6G IF-ED DX

P.S. Tamron are way too slow (AF) for sport, not a good choice.

[luntut]

Originally Posted by nice1888 Ideally, try out :- b) Nikon AF-S VR 70-200 f2.8G IF-ED

On the D300, there is absolutely NOTHING you can hate about it.

[JacePhoto]

Originally Posted by luntut On the D300, there is absolutely NOTHING you can hate about it.

Yah. You just wish that it was FF....

[Andrew Ng]

If you really want to shoot sports... my take is that a D2Hs body, or a D3 may get you more moment pics than any other camera.

Make sure you load Extreme III/ IV CF card into your Camera.

AF-S 70~200 will bring Higher success. 300mm f/4 AFS equally good. Sports needs fast lens like f/4 and above (f/2.8...) and AFS. I strongly recommend Nikkor glasses for sports.

When you use AF-C with 51 point.... practice 'tracking and tapping'... some guys I shoot with just keep their fingers on the shutter like firing GPMG.... Very soon, you will loose your AF point. Rattle off a few shots, let go of the shutter, refocus, keep AF at the center, and shoot again.

Anyways. I have done a few comparison... if you really want a fast focusing camera, lens... USM is definitely more spot on and faster. Serious. People are going to kill me here. I am a die hard Nikon user though.

Cheers!

[Andrew Ng]

Originally Posted by luntut On the D300, there is absolutely NOTHING you can hate about it.

There is something I hate about the D300... That AF - C,S,M switch which always get accidentally switched....

[earthling82]

Do u really use continuous high shooting often? Unless and of course, then D300 will merely give u a few more shots that u desire.

Otherwise probably u can apply basic pre-focusing and center-focusing to acheive the shot u want with your D90

I use a D300 with 17-55mm nikkor btw

Take note that at fast fps, the D300 needs battery grip. It will weigh u down. And if u do shoot sports, u shoot use a long lens isn't it? Try 70-200mm tamron/sigma/nikkor F2.8 first

[gollum]

Originally Posted by screambitch i shoot extreme sports like skateboarding n bmx. so its not that much of an issue getting up close and personal. Most of my extreme sports shots are in the day. Any other lenses that you recommend i look at?

imho upclose and personal for sports i doubt even the d300 will have any effect.

the focus will not be able to keep up. use a zoom from far will be better.

[RezzShaz]

Originally Posted by screambitch what lens would you reccomend that can focus quickly enough? yeah im definetely getting the MB-D10 grip.

Try Nikkor 70-200 f2.8, the zoom is useful if u're shooting fast sports.

[anuar ahmad]

In skateboarding & bmx, the max fps of the D90 should be capable of capturing the essence of the sports with a short zoom lens as you can can come close to it. Very close to the ramp, hump, berm. Look thru our fellow CSer "Kruger" post, who is also a very active contributor at togoparts. You don't need a tele zoom lens for these sports. The problem is how fast can you follow the subject?

Kruger...where are you?

[sjackal]

Manual focus mode, prefocus so that everything in the anticipated 'action zone' will be in focus, when the skater enters that zone, trigger off.

[luntut]

Originally Posted by JacePhoto Yah. You just wish that it was FF....

hahaha I just wish sometimes that it has the same (or similar) ISO performance with FF...

Originally Posted by Andrew Ng There is something I hate about the D300... That AF - C,S,M switch which always get accidentally switched....

yeah that happens to me occasionally too. it will just suddenly scare me when my system doesnt autofocus anymore.. untill i check that switch.. i think its my holding position.. but flicking it can be a breeze sometimes in the middle of a shoot...

Originally Posted by RezzShaz Try Nikkor 70-200 f2.8, the zoom is useful if u're shooting fast sports.

that lens when attached to a D300 with grip is amazing. but it is a CHORE to transport it around. i just brought mine around with that monster and 17-55, to walk today around town and more, and almost died from the weight. and i still have yet to include a laptop in..

[aspenx]

Eh, I feel that for TS's application, the Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 would be a much better choice than those longer lenses.