today our local camera store called and told us that the D300's came in, we were on the waiting list, and we rushed over and got one along with the 18-200VR lens. YUMMY!!!! I'm LOVING this camera! I haven't had too much time to play, but I plan to all day today (and tomorrow.... and the next day! )

I LOVE getting new equipment! Do show us what you're getting with it!!!

SMOOCHES

I'm officially jealous even though it's the D3 I have my heart set on.

Can't wait to hear a real review from a real person!

ok, so I've been playing with it, and LOVE it! I was taking photos at 3200 ISO in my living room, using just the available light, of Bella during the late afternoon (when our living room doesn't have much natural light) They looked beautiful on the camera LCD screen. I couldn't wait to view them in Bridge, and convert them to share some examples with all of you...........


Well...... so far it looks like Adobe has the DNG converter update for CS3, but NOT for CS2

I'm searching the net right now looking for an answer, I'm hoping I'm just missing something. But I am NOT going to be a happy camper if after spending a WAD of cash on this new camera, I'm going to need to spend ANOTHER WAD of cash on CS3, just to EDIT my dang photos!!!!!!!

I believe that will be the case though. ACR 4.x is way better than 3.x, so it's not a bad thing. One word...Lightroom.

I know, we have been thinking about getting lightroom, I'm just not happy that I HAVE to right now, I was hoping to get it after a few more sessions come in after just buying the camera.

I saw on DPreview that there was a DNG conversion download for ACR, I didn't even know (or notice) that it was for 4.x rather than 3.x.

CS3 it is I'm afraid. Or for a better option, Lightroom. It's the same deal with Canon 40d and MKIII.

Didn't it come with a full copy of NX?
I know that is outside of your workflow, but it'll get you through until you can get LR or CS3...

grrrr, this is frustrating. Well thankfully Nikon did send the product key to Nikon Caputre NX not the option I wanted, but at least we can convert them to JPG now. Man, I'm so frustrated. We have all of our RAW presets in bridge, I don't want to have to start over with Lightroom, and yet I've heard it's such a good program. Ok, so here's that photo I spoke of above. it was taken as 3200 ISO f4.8 and 1/10 shutter speed with the 18-200VR lens.This is straight out of camera, no edits done to it besides converting from RAW to JPGyes it did. And that's the only thing keeping me sane right now but man, now I"m realizing how set we are on our current workflow. It's hard to step outside of what we are used to

Ohhhhhh.

So exciting! (and Jealousy-provoking). Looking great! It's so exciting that using those high ISO's is going to actually be a working possibility now

Thanks for the post, I'm looking into replacing my D200's with D300's.
Also another vote for lightroom. I have been using it this summer and it's great.

Jeff

Jen, that info is great! Pos some more pics if you can We pick ours up when we get home.

Oooh, I'm looking forward to getting the D300 now, I really love the noise levels on that pic you posted, it looks great, I'm drooling in anticipation now

The cameras don't come with full versions of NX. I asked this at Nikon when I went to see the cameras. I can't remember what the reply was other than they're not supplying it! I think it was something to do with the fact that people would only end up using their usual software and NX would go to waste. You can download View NX for free online and that will convert the files until PS, etc, is up-to-date.

Jen, Stewart... you lucky guys! We've ordered ours from Cyprus and there's not even a delivery date yet

Bella is adorable btw

Thanks Sophie, I've been putting this camera to good use, using Bella as my ever willing test subject

The camera came with the download trial information for NX, and then the product key to open the full version. So yes, in theory it does come with the full version, just not a disc of it. Though I did read, I believe on DPreview, that the cameras shipped in December will include the full program on a disc.

After much searching I found that the new update 4.3 for ACR comes with the DNG converter. While 4.3 won't work with CS2, I can use the converter. I'm trying to figure out now where to put that file so that I can read my files

Once I figure that out, I will post more test shots.

Awesome guys! I'm jealous, although I do have a D3 on order that I can't wait to receive.

You definitely need to get Lightroom. It'll save you a ton of time especially if you like setting up presets.

you may be jealous now, but I'm jealous that you're getting the D3

We went back and forth on what we were going to get, but with the D300, we decided it was a BIG upgrade from what we currently have, and with the 300 we could afford to get a second 300 in a few months. But those tests I've seen online with the D3 with SUPER high ISO are VERY tempting, not to mention that you can have 2 CF cards in the camera at one time.

So you did decide to go back to Nikon hu? Are you planning on selling your Cannon gear, or keep that as well?

When you have more info on that dng converter thing, and how well it works, I'd LOVE to know your thoughts.

I'm getting a D3 as soon as it comes out, and can't ugrade to CS3 just yet either, so I'll need the work-around. THANKS!!!!

And I agree: Bella is quite the adorable baby!!!

Very cool to see you two doing well. I definitely say get Lightroom. It is a great program and I hardly every use Photoshop anymore. Phylicia (the girl that does my editing) loves it and swears by it also.

c'mon...all those $s for the camera/lens but not 100 or so to upgrade to cs3...shsseeessh