Hi guys,

I'm contemplating the upgrade from a D200 to a D300 (Woohoo!). A big reason is that the D200 side focus sensors are really, really slow in dim light, and that the focus motor is kinda slow driving the primes.

My Question is, for those of you who used the D3 and the D300, I know that the focus module are the same, but what about the motor itself? Is the D300 motor slower than D3? If so, is it faster than D200?

Thanks! It's still tough to get to play with these bodies at B&H, as I have to fight the weekend crowd... :-(

Yes and yes, I would say in low light the D3 shines a bit brighter for fast focus, outside I can't tell, as a tool both cameras are almost identical as far as the menu and operating systems. The center focus is still rockin fast, but the outer sensors on the D3 and D300 grab really well. Snap the focus mode on C and you can track processionals and recessionals much better than the D200 and on the D300 as good as the D2x. It takes a while to trust it, very nice cameras. People look at my photos all the time and tell me I must have a great camera.

Other noteworthy points are better auto white balance, less noise, much nicer lcd screen, better detail with the more megapixels, live view mode - it is a big difference from the d200.

Thanks for the reply, Steve. Not trying to beat a dead horse...I've heard everything else...but nothing pertaining to the speed of the focus motor... This stuff is not listed in the specs and people usually don't talk about it.

If using AF-S lenses, does the D3 still focus faster than the D300? I assume since the module is the same, there would be no difference?

People look at my photos all the time and tell me I must have a great camera.

That cliche was the dead horse not your question.

Yeah the d3 is faster but your not going to really see the speed at wedding photography. I have noticed the speed yes but I don't ooh and ahhh over it, now a pro sports photographer might really aprreciate it as it could make all the difference. I don't usually track focus on a bouquet in mid flight. The center focus of the D3 in low light is very noticable in regard to speed over the D300, the outer points also faster but nothing that you have to have. The dual card slot, incredible sensor detail , low noise are bigger reasons to get the 3 over the 300. The AF system, better auto white balance, lcd size, shadow/highlight balancing, live view, sensor cleaning , bettery battery life are good reasons to get the 300 over the 200 as well as over the d2x (assuming added grip)

Aahhh...how did I miss that? Thanks so much for the help.

The D3 has the same focusing system as the D300. The D3 is faster because it can gather more light to the focusing sensor due to being full frame. The DX lenses don't allow as much light to the focus sensors.

I'll say this, I have the D300's, and if I have an image not in focus, it's my fault, not the camera.

Are you positive of that?

I mean a 85mm F1.4 lets in the same amount of light, mounted on a DX camera or not..

Yep. The focus points are spread over a smaller area in D300 than in a D3. That's the way the Nikon guy explained it to me.