Birds in flight with the Nikon D300

Mikew started an interesting thread asking for tips on Nikon D300 camera settings for shooting birds in flight (BIF).

A summary of the discussion follows:

1. AmatureMike’s D300 settings for BIF: Mike lists a total of seven settings
2. Leonard Shepherd’s additional settings: Leonard suggests some additional AF (autofocus) and ISO settings and also recommends shooting RAW and processing the files in the free Nikon ViewNX software.
3. Chris_B1 shares three BIF photos shot with the Nikon D300, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR lens (Digiscoped.com has a nice Nikon 300mm VR review) and a Nikon 1.7X TC (teleconverter).
4. Nikon D300 vs Canon 1D Mark III: MikeW reports back about his experience shooting birds at Gatorland (Gatorland tips for photographers) with both cameras. The Nikon D300 was paired with an AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED while a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM lens was used on the 1D Mark 3. The D300 focus performance compared favorably against the much more expensive 1D3.

Check Availability, Price and Reviews

Canon 1D Mark III

	Canon EOS 1D Mark III 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Price: $4,048.00
	Canon LP-E4 Battery Pack for Canon 1D Mark III DSLR Price: $104.79
	Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Price: Too low to display
	2GB SD MEMORY CARD for Canon EOS 1D Mark III N Camera Price: $17.40
	Canon EOS-1D MARK-III Digital SLR Camera with 10.1 Megapixel - Refurbished by Canon U.S.A. Price:
	Magic Lantern Guides: Canon EOS-1D Mark III EOS-1Ds Mark III (Magic Lantern Guides) Price: $9.95
	MDX-PRO Mark III Housing f/ Canon EOS 1D Mark III/, SS-06135, Underwater Digital Camera Housings Price:
	PhotoBert Photo CheatSheet for the Canon EOS 1D-Mark III Digital SLR Camera Price: $9.95
	SD SDHC MEMORY CARD 4GB for Canon EOS-1D Mark III / EOS-1Ds Mark III Digital Camera Price: $18.89
	MADE Products CA-1131-BLK Camera Armor for Canon Eos 1D Mark III Digital SLR (Black) Price: Too low to display

Canon 400mm f/5.6L

	Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras Price: $1,343.93
	Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Autofocus Lens Price: $1,649.99
	Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens + Accessory Kit w/5 Year Extended Warranty Price: $1,459.95
	Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM AF Zoom Telephoto Lens & 5 Year Warranty & Filters & Accessory Kit Price: $1,659.95
	Tripod Collar Mount for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM, EF 300mm f/4L USM, & EF 400mm f/5.6L USM SLR Lenses Price: $59.95
	Canon ET-83C Lens Hood for EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens Price: $33.95
	Canon EF 1.4X II Extender Telephoto Accessory Lens + Accessory Kit w/5 Year Extended Warranty Price: $564.99

Nikon 1.7x

	Nikon TC-17E II (1.7x) Teleconverter AF-S for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Price: $399.95
	Nikon Prostaff Shotgun Scope 2-7X 32 Nikoplex Matte 1" Price: $132.29
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 1.4x, 1.7x and 2x Tele Extender Set - Forest Green Woodland Camo Price: $29.95
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 1.4x, 1.7x and 2x Tele Extender Set - Black Price: $29.99
	Nikon Prostaff Shotgun Hunter Shotgun Scope 2-7X 32 Nikoplex Realtree 1" Price: $151.19
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 1.4x, 1.7x and 2x Tele Extender Set - Realtree Advantage Max4 (m4) Price: $34.99
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 1.4x, 1.7x and 2x Tele Extender Set - Realtree Hardwoods Snow (hws) Price: $34.99

Nikon 300mm f/2.8

	Sigma 300mm f/2.8 EX DG IF HSM APO Telephoto Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras Price: $2,699.00
	Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG IF HSM APO Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras Price: $2,249.99
	Nikon HK-26 Lens Hood for the 300mm f/2.8 II AF-S Telephoto Lens. Price: $430.00
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR Lens - Realtree Hardwoods Snow (hws) Price: $89.99
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 AFS I Lens - Forest Green Woodland Camo Price: $79.99
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR Lens - Realtree Advantage Max4 (m4) Price: $89.99
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR Lens - Black Price: $79.99
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 AFS I Lens - Realtree Advantage Max4 (m4) Price: $89.99
	120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon AF-D Price:
	LensCoat Lens Cover for the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR Lens - Forest Green Woodland Camo Price: $79.99

Tags: Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 400mm f/5.6L, Nikon 1.7x, Nikon 300mm f/2.8