Curious how the two bodies compare focus wise. They both use the Multi-CAM 3500, but I'm curious if there's a difference between the two bodies in focusing speed and accuracy, especially when shooting action. I briefly held a D3 at a sporting event with the same lens I had on my D300 (70-200 f/2.8) and, though I only had it for a few moments, the focusing seemed 'snappier' on the D3. Was this my imagination or are there noticeable differences between the two?

I have never used a D3. The CAM-3500 shares with the D3, D700 and D300 but those who own the D3 have told me that AF is more responsive with the D3. I guess you proved that too.
The D200 shares many of the features of the D2X and although Nikon claimed that its AF was fast and precise, it does not compare with the CAM-2000 of the D2X. Same with the D100 and the D1X.
In general, we pay more to have those features. AF motors for the AF system in professional cameras are bigger and more powerful than those in amateur cameras.
Let's see what photographers who own both cameras have to tell you but I do not expect that their answers are going to be very different to mine.

William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.

I own The D300 and the D3 and the D3 does focus quicker. I think it’s because there is more light gathered in the pixels on the Full frame sensor. The pixels are more compact on the D300 which doesn't absorb as much light as the larger pixels of the D3. I still like my D300 for sports, and birds. Doesn't bother me.

IIRC the processor is faster in the D3 which gives it the faster focus speeds with af-s and yes af-d will be much faster due to the larger drive motor.


You can load the same program in two different computers and the one with the faster processor will run it faster no??

I heard that the reason that a D3 focuses faster is because of the increased CPU power. I like Adam's reason better though.

Adam73 wrote:
I own The D300 and the D3 and the D3 does focus quicker. I think it’s because there is more light gathered in the pixels on the Full frame sensor. The pixels are more compact on the D300 which doesn't absorb as much light as the larger pixels of the D3. I still like my D300 for sports, and birds. Doesn't bother me.

I think what you are describing is contrast measurement focusing which is what the camera uses in Live View mode. However, for phase detection focusing separate focusing sensors are used (different from the sensor that provides the image you see). What we are talking about here is phase detection focusing. So the diff between the D300 and D3 could lie in the processor or the type of sensors used for focusing - sensors which are separate entirely from the image producing sensor that I think you are refering to.

galenapass wrote:
Adam73 wrote:
I own The D300 and the D3 and the D3 does focus quicker. I think it’s because there is more light gathered in the pixels on the Full frame sensor. The pixels are more compact on the D300 which doesn't absorb as much light as the larger pixels of the D3. I still like my D300 for sports, and birds. Doesn't bother me.

I think what you are describing is contrast measurement focusing which is what the camera uses in Live View mode. However, for phase detection focusing separate focusing sensors are used (different from the sensor that provides the image you see). What we are talking about here is phase detection focusing. So the diff between the D300 and D3 could lie in the processor or the type of sensors used for focusing - sensors which are separate entirely from the image producing sensor that I think you are refering to.

Makes sense to me.

In order of AF speed/accuracy my D3/D700/D300 and 100,000 clicks later, the story's still the same.
Love 'em all, that's just the way it is.

the D3 and the D300 don't use the sensor for focusing except in LiveView mode.

Herb...

Adam73 wrote:
I own The D300 and the D3 and the D3 does focus quicker. I think it’s because there is more light gathered in the pixels on the Full frame sensor. The pixels are more compact on the D300 which doesn't absorb as much light as the larger pixels of the D3. I still like my D300 for sports, and birds. Doesn't bother me.

Thanks for the replies.

The reason for asking is that I've been a little underwhelmed with how my D300 focuses on action. Most recently at an ALMS race (sports car racing for those that don't know) I decided to do a little experiment and shoot in Focus Priority mode (I usually use Release Priority); I was stunned with what was happening.

I was shooting with the 80-400VR, Focus Priority, Continuous, 9-point Dynamic Area. I was pre-focused on the corner apex and as a car would come into the turn, I'd hit the AF button and see (and hear) the lens 'snap' to focus and could see the image was sharp through the viewfinder. However, when I pressed the shutter, I'd wait, and wait, and wait, what seemed like up to 3 seconds before the shutter would release. This happened over and over, despite every indication I had focus. It was like the camera was checking, double checking, and triple checking the focus. As you can imagine, this was incredibly frustrating. There were times where I could see the camera lose focus and reestablish it, but those were few and far between. Most of the time the cars looked in focus through the finder the entire time, but the shutter was held back for some reason. I ended up just hitting the AF button earlier in the turn and tracking the car for a couple seconds before pressing the shutter. I find this delay to be totally unacceptable.

Now, I know some of you may comment on the speed of the 80-400, however when pre-focused (as I was) it's actually quite fast. It only really has trouble when it needs to reach for focus (even with the limits set).

Thoughts? Similar experiences?

Turn focus priority off and delete what ever blurry shots you get

It ain't the D300 that is slowing you down, it's the 80-400VR. That lens is non-afs so it's using the screwdrive motor in the body for AF. Yes, if you pre-focus to get it close, it WILL work better as the drive motor doesn't have as far to go. It starts to fall apart when trying to keep focus to track a moving subject. The D3 has a beefier af motor in it (as does the D2x, D2h etc) which will help with non-afs lenses but these days, AFS is the way to go. If you can borrow a 70-200VR or 300 f4 afs (or rent) you should see a big difference.
Check your lock-on setting, fastest AF is with it set to off. Also check to be sure your D300 has the latest firmware, there was an upgrade that came out about this time last year that really perked up AF.

^^ well said.

If you want to see what the D300 can do with AFS lenses, visit my photo gallery at:
http://www.pbase.com/baywing/airshows
Look at the 2009 stuff, the F18 at Quonsett was moving at over 500 mph and the D300 AF followed it just fine. Granted, no distracting background in the way, but the body is very capable.

Very nice work Baywing.

My D700 also focused faster than my D300 when I had them, and I believe the D3 and D700 are practically the same in AF...?

Personal observation:

Top speed AF: D3

Medium speed AF: D300s and D700

Slower AF (not slow at all really): D300

Well, I'm at a loss. I decided to take the 70-200VR & the 80-400VR for a little comparison at a freeway overpass. I couldn't duplicate the issue I had with the 80-400 at the track. I even deliberately focused about 100 feet ahead of the oncoming cars. I'd see a blur through the viewfinder, hit the AF button, the 80-400 would quickly acquire focus (just as it did at the track), and the instant I pressed the shutter release, the shutter released. I was able to instantly acquire focus and track cars heading straight at me at ~70-75 MPH (100-110 feet /second) and get a picture as soon as I pressed the release; no more 2-3 second delay.

I double checked all the settings and they were all as I had them at the track & the conditions were similar; I don't get it...

BTW, where this was happening at the track was a low-speed corner (the slowest corner at Laguna Seca) where the faster cars were probably exiting at ~50 MPH.

Baywing- I had lock-on 'off' and have the latest firmware.

Thanks for the replies.

after extensive use of a D3 and a D700 i definitely find the D3 to be the faster of the 2 overall. the reaction time between the 2 is in some cases considerable

after shooting with the D3 since the day it came out in the US and trying the D700 the week it came out, it took about 30 seconds to tell that the D700 was definitely slower. not by much, but noticeable. the difference between them and the D300 is much more noticeable. that was the additional reason i needed to sell my D300 when i got my D3X and use the D3X in crop mode for wildlife.

Herb...

sjms wrote:
after extensive use of a D3 and a D700 i definitely find the D3 to be the faster of the 2 overall. the reaction time between the 2 is in some cases considerable