D3 or D300 or another system ?
I recently got a mail from a friend who wanted my thoughts on switching systems because of his problems ( in specific cases) with AF on the D300. Well here goes.
Equipment doesn’t matter for most parts but, for the last 10-15% “edge” I guess it does. What matters even more inside that 10-15% is, to know throughly the capabilities and limitations of that system, so you know how to work around those and still, get what you intend.
Q1. Nikon VR Vs Canon IS
Ans: Ive not had problems with the VR on Nikon. Besides I do like that the image is stabilised visually in the viewfinder, as in the Nikon system. The Canon IS is supposed to be good as well but, I have no personal experience of it. But, the fact is that the IS on the Canon 600mm is a now been there for more than a few years and by that yardstick, the Nikon VR on the 600mm is more recent.
Q2. Slow AF on the D300.
Ans: On the D300, the lens you use will matter as well. Besides I have read reports of issues when used with the TC. You mention a Sigma 500mm. F4.5. With the TC added it could be that the AF response slows due to lesser light now available for computing. The 105VR is also probably not the best to compare. I think you will see a marked difference (improvement) with a Nikon lens, say a Nikon 300mm F4 or 300mm 2.8 or the 500/600mm VR.
Q3. Some AF tips on the new CAM3500
Ans: Both Nikon and Canons have their own quirks as regards AF. So far I have not been limited by the Nikon AF system. Here is what I know about the new AF module.
Basically a tad slower to acquire but, much much better tracking and maintaining AF.
Ok what I do, is use manual focus a lot and,a lot of manual pre focus as well. This results in the lens motor moving lesser hence, faster acquisition. Knowing how to use the subject contrast on vertical / cross type AF sensor is also needed in the new system. Subject contrast horizontal, then use vertical AF sensor. Subject contrast vertical , use horizontal AF sensor. you need to know which AF point is of which type. For good AF acquisition, the subject should be adequate size for the AF to grab and have sufficient contrast as well.
For the new AF module, use 9 points, non 3D, and AF-C, Release Priority, Dynamic area, AF Lock set to OFF. Don’t pump the AF ON button after you have acquired the subject while tracking.
Please read these threads.
http://forums.dpreview.com/
Specific AF settings here
http://forums.dpreview.com/
Q4. AF difference between the D300 & the D3
Ans: D3 has faster AF ( due to more computing horsepower in the D3 hardware) and you already know the AF points are bunched closer & its Full Frame. I am tending towards the D3 than the D300 only because I tend to favour better AF to pure pixel density.
Basically there is no one solution at the moment. The best AF in the Nikon range is the D3. The best Pixel density is, the D300. If you can manage it, get the D3 and the 600VR. If you can hire a D3 and try it as well. You will only know about the new manufacturer system and its intricacies once you begin to use it, not that there wont be any, just that they are different. Here you already know about them perhaps mostly have solved them already to some level.
As for me, I am staying with the pro body from Nikon. I do prefer the Nikon pro body ergonomics very much and can do most things without taking my eye off the camera. Hence, I am staying with the D2X (for pixel density) and also might get a D3 (for low light) shortly. Once you have a long lens you do need two bodies, one for the long lens and one for the short lens. But, if what you shoot is landscapes or anything that does not need a super quick AF response, stick with the D300.
You should have a D3X announced sometime March next year I guess. For the FF vs 1.5x crop, one can use “foot zoom” for some parts.
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Finally hit Uran over the weekend 
Red Avadavat @ Uran Today
D2X, 600mm + TC14, lying prone on the ground at our very dependable, what I will now call “Rue de la Prinia”. This birdie is giving me quite a look here Pretty much inside of 5-6 meters and, barely being able to focus on this guy.
And here is the same one where I have reworked the left eye ( lightened it) and, cropped off a bit on the right.
Sometimes Sandpipers is all you fin, so that’s what you click ! Here I waited for this guy to walk into that nice green background. Yes regular shot but , I liked it
And a Glossy Ibis takeoff from yesterday. I liked the “parasol plus Kanjeevaram saree shine” the wings create here.
Baya weaver
Purple Heron banking
A bit of Gaussian Blur
I worked on this pic from Tadoba, so as to blur everything but, the four spotted owlets.
And here is another which is not as much blurred.
Raining Jacanas @ Uran 03 August 2008
With the monsoon in full swing, we headed out to Uran to check things out. Luckily it did not rain for most parts. We saw Pheasant tailed Jacanas in full breeding regalia in the pond next to the police post.
A Common Moorehen preening
Tried a lil monochrome, look forward to your comments on how these look.
1 commentPack Attack ! - Tadoba- Andhari Tiger Reserve
After a three hours forty minutes being on “holding pattern”, our flight into Nagpur got diverted to Hyderabad. We cooled our heels waiting inside the aircraft for the weather to clear. Finally we landed at Nagpur at 0100H in the morning. Thankfully, the van was waiting and we drove straight to Tadoba. Tadoba is about 230Kms south of Nagpur. We reached Tadoba at 0500H dumped our bags, and got into a Bandu’s Gypsy for the morning safari.
During the morning drive we heard a tiger and we waited for about 40 mins and decided to move on. The morning was nice and cool and the drives with zero dust since it had rained the previous day. A sloth bear crossed the road and before we could edge nearer, another jeep rushed ahead to get a closer view and, the bear scooted off into the woods . We saw lapwings by the dozens and Indian pittas. The Pittas scrambled before we could get any where close. We did get some good views of the White eye buzzard but no luck with pics. Jungle quails were visible in plenty but, not much chance for pics as the scampered away before one could “take bead” .
Lapwing Chick, right Lesser whistling teals
We were able to see this huge handsome wild boar up close. Bandu drove us all over in search of the elusive tiger but, no luck. Did see a lot of birdlife which was just fine. Definitely a good drive given the sleepless night we had endured to get here.
On the photography front, this was my very first safari with the 600mm. I was hand holding the 600 and, keeping it on my lap while moving. The seats on the jeep were facing sideways. While shooting, I got up and used the driver cabin roof for support. Sitting sideways is not the best way to scan the scene as also uncomfortable to travel for any length of time.
When we got back after the safari, we heard that the tiger had crossed at at that same point, about ten minutes after we had left. Back at the room we crashed to catch up on sleep before the evening safari.
For the evening safari, after the not so great experience in keeping the 600mm on a sideways facing vehicle, I decided to take the 300 2.8 + TC 1.7. We started to do the tiger routes but not much luck. The white eye buzzard was sighted pretty close but we couldn’t react fast enough to take a pic and it flew off. We did stumble on a small water basin where different birds came in to drink. I wish I had the 600mm here. Badly need another body for my next trip. Wish that D3X would be available soon ! We saw the magpie robin , the oriental white eye and also the paradise flycatcher come in for a drink n a dip ! Yes we did see pittas but, they gave us the slip every time. Swapnil started this thing about code naming the Pitta into a “Tho” hopin if one doesn’t say the Pitta word, the bird might stay long enough to get a pic ! On the way back , a Roller gave us great views, so much so that we got sick of clicking roller pics !
The next day morning I decided to try the tripod on the jeep and , it worked very well. As we entered the park a Jungle Fowl gave us great views.
Then…we spotted an Indian Pitta on the road. The driver smartly switched off the engine and we coasted nearer and we finally got the “Tho” shot !!!
We drove repeatedly around the area where we might spot a tiger but not much luck at all. A few alarms calls but no tiger. Meanwhile we did see a sight of two monitor lizards fighting . They were about 300 meters away and before we could edge nearer , another vehicle zoomed ahead scattering the monitor lizards. However I did work the 600mm and got this shot which I call, “Lizard Hug” !
Ahead of Tadoba lake, we spotted a Crested Serpent Eagle close to the trail. The CSE dove and caught three frogs. Two on one claw and one on another.
That had it really puzzled as to what to do next>>
The CSE then lost one frog>>
and then lost the other two as well.
Here is the “Duh” look !>>>
Then it managed to grab one back >>>
and snacked in. >>> 
Before we turned back, we then checked out another waterhole and saw this snake cooling off.
Afternoon we checked out a wetland about a kilometer before the park entrance. I saw a few pied kingfishers hovering and I setup my tripod and 600mm. Awesome sight !
Evening, tiger hunt again but not much luck. But got great views of Sambar deer and a bee eater juvenile.
As we were returning , we heard alarm calls and, Bandu the driver, dived in and went “hell for leather”, on a new trail trying to get to the spot of the call. As the vehicle was speeding, I spotted something ahead and on the right, running towards us and,shouted “Fox” ! As we slowed I saw it was a Wild Dog or “Dhole” chasing an adult deer. The pack was following close and as the deer came near us the dogs caught up with it and ….we saw the rare sight of a wild Dog Hunt in its final stages. I had the 70-200 lens on initially. This shot.
then switched to the 600mm, ISO 800 for all shots.
Series here >>> Wild Dog Hunt Series
Awesome and rare but gruesome sight, a wild dog hunt. They keep rotating the “chase lead” and, tire out their prey. Unlike cats which strangulate and kill before they eat, wild dogs eat their prey alive. The wild dogs indeed are, the supreme predators. All of us got shots and, Vivek shot a video of the hunt on his Panasonic Lumix.
The last day morning safari Bandu gave us a replacement driver. The drive started off well actually. A Wild Dog pack had encircled a Gaur but the Gaur was too big to handle and, they gave up.
The rest of the drive was quite an anti climax. Not much sightings. Sighted A pair of Barred Jungle Owlets and, got this Changable Hawk Eagle take off.
We missed Bandu and his enthusiasm to find game. I am sure we would have had better sightings if he would have been there. We got back and packed up to head back to Nagpur. On the way we stopped by the wetland and grabbed some Pratincole pictures. I chose the 300+TC 1.7 since I had already packed in my 600. Even though I crawled (army style) pretty close to a bird in all that muck, the afternoon haze made getting a shot very tough . But, I did manage this flyer of a collared Pratincole.
Parag also spotted lapwing and pratincole nests in that area. He is one nest sniffer !
All in all, a wonderful and hugely satisfying trip. And I picked up some Marathi words as well “Samur” - Ahead n “Varti”- above n “Fandi” - a branch Tadoba is worth a visit and, if you want to see tigers, get up there in May.
To view all pics from this trip Click Here>>> All Tadoba Pics
Driver Contact Details: Highly Recommended Guide n Driver - Bandu Mankar - Mobile : +91 9423652333, +91 9921980564
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