Tips for Using a Nikon D300 Camera

• The D300 is equipped for sports photography. Tim Klein/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  The Nikon D300, a 12.3-megapixel, digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR), offers high image quality. The D300 became the top semi-professional DSLR on the market when released in 2007, according to the website Digital Photography Review. The camera also holds up well against newer models, lacking only the ability to capture high-definition video. The D300 is equipped to handle most any situation, whether shooting sports, landscapes or inside a school auditorium.

Focusing

• The D300's Multi-CAM 3500DX auto-focusing system uses up to 51 autofocus points. The abundance of focus points can create an overload of information for the camera to process, so adjust for the situation for quicker focusing. Use "Dynamic Area" autofocus by selecting the center position on the "Autofocus Mode Selector" switch on the rear of the camera. Press the "Menu" button on the rear of the camera to access the "Custom Settings" menu, and select "Autofocus." Select "Dynamic AF area" for the options. The website Camera Labs recommends choosing the nine-point autofocus option for subjects with predicable movement, such as cars or runners. The 21-point option is best for covering a larger subject area and unpredictable motion. Finally, for subjects such as fast-moving wildlife, go with the full 51-point autofocus option.

Continuous Shooting

• One highlight of the D300 is its rapid-shooting capability of six frames per second. When photographing action such as youth sports or active pets, take advantage of the D300's speed by using "Continuous High-Speed" shooting mode. Press the "Release Mode Dial Lock Release" at the top left of the camera. Turn the release mode dial to "CH." Press and hold the shutter release button for continuous shooting.

Low-Light Shooting

• Dim light poses challenges to a photographer. The D300 is better-equipped for low-light than many cameras, according to Digital Photography Review, which says the high ISO setting of 3,200 is "perfectly usable" on the D300. When confronted with low-light indoors or at dusk, adjust the camera's ISO, or light-sensitivity, setting to 1,600, or for lower light, to 3,200. Press the "ISO" button on the top left of the camera and turn the "Main Command Dial" on the rear of the camera until the desired ISO setting is shown on the control panel on the top right of the camera.

Stabilization

• Even the steadiest hands can give unwanted movement to a camera, softening an image's sharpness. One way to avoid this is to use a tripod, which can be a cumbersome solution. Achieve similar gains in stabilization with a one-legged solution -- the monopod. They're light, small when folded, inexpensive, and easily moved with the camera attached. Attach the monopod to the mount on the base of D300, especially when using longer lenses.