Camera Craniums: The Photography Community for Enthusiasts

Photography Equipment => DSLR Cameras => Topic started by: Zenmer on September 11, 2009, 08:22:26 PM

Title: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Zenmer on September 11, 2009, 08:22:26 PM
I just bought a D300 because it is being discontinued and I have wanted one since they came !
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to have the focus points showing on the screen like my trusty D200 does, I can't work out how to do it  :(
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: greypoint on September 11, 2009, 08:28:15 PM
They do don't they? I usually stick to single point but set it to use all the focus point this afternoon and distinctly remember seeing a myriad of focus points across the screen - did'nt help my dragonfly in flight attempts over much tho'!
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Zenmer on September 11, 2009, 09:16:34 PM
I usually use single point too, but I'm dying to find out what the 51 point 3D tracking does   :2funny:  bet I still can't get a decent pregrine at full speed shot  ;)
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Oldboy on September 11, 2009, 09:26:23 PM
Quote from: Zenmer on September 11, 2009, 09:16:34 PM
I usually use single point too, but I'm dying to find out what the 51 point 3D tracking does   :2funny:  bet I still can't get a decent pregrine at full speed shot  ;)

There is a switch below the shuffle button, just flick that upto the top option. You can check these icons with your manual.  :tup:
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Zenmer on September 12, 2009, 10:13:40 PM
Yep I know that switch, it's on the 200 but it doesn't bring the things up in the viewfider  :'(
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Oldboy on September 12, 2009, 10:23:17 PM
Quote from: Zenmer on September 12, 2009, 10:13:40 PM
Yep I know that switch, it's on the 200 but it doesn't bring the things up in the viewfider  :'(

They should show for a split-second when you half press the shutter button, but they don't stay on long.  ::)
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: greypoint on September 13, 2009, 08:30:01 AM
Ok - now I really am puzzled! When I was trying to get some flying dragonflies I switched to multi point focus and got banks of focus points showing as the subject moved in the frame. Tried the multi-point this morning and tried the same thing with a plane in the sky. One single point it showed a single point - on multi-point it showed nothing. not even for a split second. I have'nt changed the camera settings other than exposure wise. I'd like someone who knows to answer too now! ::)
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Zenmer on September 13, 2009, 09:49:44 AM
Lol Sue, that is exactly what I'm getting, only I do have the single one that I can move around the frame, never yet got all the multi ones show up  :'(
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Oldboy on September 13, 2009, 11:03:44 AM
Well I can't say about the D300 but on my D3 they do show but only for a fraction of a second when I half press the shutter button. I have seen around ten appear together.  ;D
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Simple on September 13, 2009, 11:40:35 AM
I'm no expert, but this is how my D300 works.
The AF-area mode selector should be set to Auto-Area AF (the top choice of the three)
In the menu: Custom settings - a-Autofocus GOTO a3 Dynamic AF Area and set this to 51 or 51(3D).
The camera has an LED projection system that displays and illuminates the markings on the focussing screen.
To reduce clutter the camera only shows the Active focussing marks. That means that if you have a single small object
closest to the lens you only have one or two focussing points active.
If you have for example a tree or a house closest to the camera it could show as many as 10 or more focus points.
Now, the trick is to have the Focus Mode selector on S to see the dots!!!! As soon as you go to C (continuous) It does not show any dots.
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Zenmer on September 13, 2009, 12:17:26 PM
Aah Haa, think you may have answered this one, will check later but I mainly have my focus set to C
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: GBOBM on October 03, 2009, 10:03:30 AM
I must be the only person in the world that uses the dynamic tracking and likes it!   ???

Depending on what I'm shooting (and what bank setting I'm using) I switch between 9 point and 21 point.
Great for moving subjects!   :tup:
Title: Re: Any D300 Users ....... help!!!!
Post by: Zenmer on October 03, 2009, 06:53:26 PM
Well.......................... I'm off to the Hawk Conservancy again tomorrow and plan to give it a try, will let you know if I love or hate it