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How to Operate a Nikon D300

Nikon's D300 tops the range of cameras that cross the line between amateur and professional shooting. It shares upgrades and features with its professional cousin, the Nikon D3, including color processing, advanced auto focus and high performance in low light conditions. Nikon's camera controls are similar across the company's models, so photographers familiar with Nikons may have a small learning curve when working with the D300.

Instructions

- 1
  Charge the D300's EN-EL3 battery fully before use. The camera's features work best when the battery is at full capacity. A low battery results in sluggish response time and decreased performance. Once the battery is fully charged, open the battery compartment on the underside of the body, insert the battery and close the battery chamber's door.
- 2
  Insert a blank Compact Flash memory card by opening a "CF" compartment on the side of the camera body. The D300 supports multiple cards and there are two CF card slots. Using two cards allows for more storage, but the camera operates fine with one. Format the card by holding the "Mode" and trash can buttons for two seconds until "For" blinks on the LCD screen.
- 3
  Remove the protective cover from the lens mount to expose the lens mount mechanism. Align the dot on the mount side of the lens with the dot on the camera body near the lens mechanism. Insert the lens and gently twist until the lens locks.
- 4
  Turn on the camera by setting the switch on the upper right of the camera to "On."
- 5
  The D300 offers manual, automatic and semi-automatic shooting modes. Use the dial on the top right of the camera body to change modes apart from "M," the manual setting.
- 6
  For manual mode users, set the aperture and shutter speed. Hold the "+/-" button on the top right of the camera and use the selection dial to set your aperture setting. Release the "+/-" button and use the dial to set your shutter speed.
- 7
  Before composing your image, look through the viewfinder and find the bar along the bottom. This measures your exposure. Correct the shutter speed and aperture until the bars are displayed evenly in the middle of the meter.
- 8
  Press the shutter release to take your picture.

Photography