I'd write in more detail, but I don't have my D300 with me at the moment...but in menu where you have different options for vivid color etc.. I went with the option that I think is called Normal (so it doesn't make my colors go crazy and also doesn't put my pictures closer to black and white..something like that). Then I believe if you scroll down in menu there is an area that asks about VR and I turned that on and noise reduction is turned on. The manuals from Nikon are HORRIBLE reading so I always just scroll through the menu to find the settings I like more. But I also just upgraded from the D2X and D200 so it's not as big of a switch for me

Email me if you need more info. I'll reply when I have my D300 in my hands
Hope that helps!