Magic Lantern Guides®: Nikon D300

If you've spent time and effort online and in the Nikon manuals you already know that they explain how the settings work but not why. As we all shoot different subjects and have preferences as to metering modes on different shoots , there are a lot of questions as to which is the best setting for each. I use Photoshop in post production; my settings will be different than yours if you do not use a powerful post software. I shoot fast moving subjects; my settings will be different than yours if you shoot landscapes. I basically shoot a Nikon D3X and D3 but help my brother with his D300. These are powerful tools you don't want to randomly mess-around with when you determine your best settings. I wasted two weeks playing around with possibilities on my three awesome factory default-set cameras, only to be more confused in the end. I even found a reviewer online named "Ken X" who's suggestions are outlandish! Most photographers don't even know what their own settings are, leaving everything at "default" that Nikon has installed into these powerful machines. As such, you will get wonderful shots, but miss so much more. This book is unbelievably simple and precise to understand, with not only what the settings do, but why, and what is suggested for each metering method. I actually recommended reading through the Nikon manual on my website, which is a vague start and takes a lot of guesswork on your part, but I'm going to change that recommendation to "Read the Magic Lantern" books by photographer Simon Stafford. You won't learn this information in the field or in school. My circle of friends include many retired Cinematographers who are still stuck on film because they don't understand digital until they see it in action. Even they need to rethink how digital works compared to the old film days. Finally, not everyone has the years of working in Photoshop that others may have; this is a big drawback as all shooting needs post production. The Dark Room is still as important today as it ever was, but it's in the camera settings. I'm sharing a treasure of information with you if you're really into photography and not merely shooting snapshots, though there is nothing wrong with that. Mary Ann

I bought my D300 used with no manual. I bought this manual and shipped it from Britain for 6 or 7 dollars shipping included! Arrived in great shape and answered all my questions.I also have one for my D80, so I knew what I was getting. Very informative.

Though this is not the owners manual, it is so much better! This book offers helpful ideas for shooting pictures and explains how different options on the camera affect your photos.

This is a great addition to the kit for anyone buying a used D300 (can't get a new one these days). This is not a newbie camera. It is a tool, and this book is clarifying a great deal of the function in the camera after four years of using it. The book is well written by knowledgeable people.It enhances the investment in this great piece of equipment.

As usual this Magic Lantern Guide is an excellent book. Very well made, high quality. This guide covers practically everything you would ever need to know about your D300. I say practically because although I have yet to ask a question that this wonderful guide couldn't answer I'm sure someone would if I said it DOES cover everything. Well worth the money. Highly recommend.

Very knowledgeable author. Well organized and fun to read.

Love the guide, lots of information and details, smaller physical size great for taking with you in the field or on trips, subtracted one star because the field guide card that comes with Magic Lantern Guides® was missing.

I've had this camera since it came out so I'm pretty secure with most of the camera's functionality but there were still some things, especially in the menu system, that I didn't understand. I picked up this used book as an addendum to my library. What a pleasant surprise! The language in the book is very clear and not only tells you what the function is, how it works and what it does but the author points out HOW the photographer might use the feature. So many times in camera books this is the missing piece. I am very pleased with my purchase and will definitely pick up a Lantern Guide for my next camera.

I found this book to be very informative and easy to read and enjoyed Simons style. All the relevant facts about the D300 are here in an easy to read and logical order. The book demystifies many parts of the manual but can be quite intensive in places. Having said that the D300 is not exactly a beginners camera!It matters not that the images are in mono because the author is not trying to demonstrate image quality or image style, he sticks to his remit of telling the reader what everything is and what everything does. On many occasions he imparts good advice on settings and I found his information of the D300s focus system very well explained and helpful. This book is the ideal take anywhere reference book due size and weight, and also includes smart wallet cards in the back.Bear in mind the book was completed before the last firmware update so the very latest changes are not included but as they are minimal it does not matter that much.Summary: No hesitation in reccomending this book. Well written, accurate and incredibly useful as a reference guide.

Poorly laid out,difficult to find things.

The book is the best on the market, if you have this Nikon Camera These books by Simon Stafford are the best Camera Manual books written. and he has written a lot

Much more useful than the Nikon manual.

Superb