I rented a D300 for the month of June. I am really impressed with how good the images look at ISO 1600 and higher. Even at ISO 1000, you can't really see any noise. But, I am having some focusing issues with the D300 that I have. First of all, the red focus assist light will not work in single area focus mode, which is what I shoot in. Must be a firmware error. I'm thinking this has to be a defect.

My D200 focus's much better in lower light than then D300. I thought the D300 was suppose to be even faster at focusing. But mine is definately not.

Have any of you noticed this issue? Are you having problems with focus at all in low light with this camera?

Jason, what lenses are you shooting with?

A Nikon 80-200 2.8, 50 1.8 and Sigma 18-50 2.8. They all work fine with the D200.

In fact, at my last 2 weddings, I have ditched the D300 at the reception, and got the D200 back out.

I have the 50 1.4 and have no focus issues with that one in the dark on my D300 but I have had some issues with the Sigma 18-50. Are you using the center focus point or outer focus points?

I feel your pain as this has caused a number of OOF images.

Sure it does - but only with the center position selected no the outer points. hit the center on the pad to automatically go to the center position of the 51 focus points. Then the assist light will work.

Yea, I always use the center one. It must be specific to the D300 that I have. I tried all of my lenses, and it wont work in that mode with any of them. In the other focus modes it will.

Camera has to be on S on the front not C and the center focus position lighted in the display. If still no AF assist check the menu as the AF lamp can be turned off.

Jason, get that rental swapped out. Why suffer with it?

Yea, I did those things. It's the focus light on the SB800 that isn't functioning on the D300. I spent 45 minutes one day toggling switching around and such trying to get it to work. I was only able to get it to work in the top focusing mode. The one where the camera chooses what to focus on. That's the only mode it will work on with my camera. I also googled the problem, and I'm not the only one having it. I honestly think it's just a defect of some kind. It works in the exact same modes on my D200. So it should work on the D300 too.Good thinking, I didn't really realize it was a problem until last week. I was already 3 weeks into my 4 week rental by then. I chose to not even worry about it. It does what i need it to unless I'm shooting dark receptions. Then I just switch back to the D200.

Not to be sassy but wouldn't that negate the point of having it in the first place?

My wife is shooting with a D300 and D200. She says the 300 is faster than the 200. I'm thinking you got a bad one.

No problems with my D300 and my 50mm 1.4, 105mm 2.8 macro. and I rented the 70-200mm and 17-35, and 17-55 for about 4 days. No problems.

Good to know Frances. Thanks

Pretty much.I'm thinking you must be right. I must have gotten ahold of a rotten one. Not much I can do about it now though. I ship it back to them next week.