We've been UPgraded...

Things have been changing. Ad campaigns, higher end luxury albums, new lenses and now (finally) a new camera. at 9:49 am this morning my new baby arrived here in Laramie.

I am now the proud owner of a brand spankin new Nikon D300. Most of this is techno mumbo jumbo (which I will post for those interested) however here are a few simpler explanations for why I picked this model. The D300 is the newest top of the line medium format DSLR. It has a 12.3 mega pixel sensor, 51 point auto focus system and is amazing under low light high ISO conditions aka every wedding I have ever shot.

I am a firm believer in the photographer NOT the camera making the difference. You could hand someone inexperienced a D300 vs a pro with a disposable and hands down the pro will win every time. That being said the tools which a professional photographer has at their disposal can make a world of difference in the quality of their images as well as the creativity they are able to utilize. Armed with my new D300 I am ready to take the next step with my photos. I believe each one of my clients deserve the absolute best as far as their photos are concerned. That means shooting with the absolute best. Welcome home D300... I've been waiting.

Photo courtesy Neil Takahara

Tech Spec:

Effective pixels
12.3 million

Image sensor
CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 13.1 million; Nikon DX format

Image size
4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]

Sensitivity
ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV with additional settings of approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 EV (ISO 100 equivalent) under ISO 200 and approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) over ISO 3200

Storage media
CompactFlash (CF) Card (Type I and II, UDMA compliant), Microdrive

LCD monitor
3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide viewing angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

Exposure metering
3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering

Exposure modes
1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program
2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
3) Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
4) Manual (M)

Interface
Hi-Speed USB

Power sources
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional) with one Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, EN-EL4 or EN-EL3e or eight R6/AA-size alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese ZR6 batteries, AC Adapter EH-5a (optional)

Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.)

Weight
Approx. 825 g (1.82 lbs.) without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover