D300 versus D7000

shaunly · Jan 16, 2011

Just get a D700 and call it a day

... Yes i kno it's out of your price range but just bit the bullet, you can thank me later

Derrel · Jan 16, 2011

No, the D7000 does not have a focus MODE control button on the rear...I think there's a bit of confusion on the terminology of what KmH was referring to and what Light Artisan is assuring us the D7000 has...the focus MODE switch on the D7000 is clearly missing...it's been moved into a menu-based setting...

Nikon has been simplifying this Focus MODE system...the D2 series had the most-capable switch system, and since then, the focus MODE setting switch has been fitted with fewer and fewer settings....

Take a look at the rear of the D2x....it has a FOUR-mode AF control switch, located belwow the "four-Way COntroller" for AF poijt is use, and above the microphone icon, as seen in this picture: http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD2X/Images/rearcontrols.jpg

The pro D2-series bodies had AF-S and AF-C controlled by a SWITCH on the left side of the lens mount, and with the 4-MODE AF system switch on the back of the camera, below the 4-way controller button, the D2 series bodies had eight different AF capabilities, as detailed here under the heading SUmmary of Autofocus Operations:
Nikon D2X Review: 7. Operation & Controls: Digital Photography Review

The pro D3 series bodies cut down the AF modes from 4 to 3, as shown in this nifty Ken Rockwell photo that has a big, orange-lettered illustration naming the AF mode button. http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3/users-guide/controls-back.htm

The main difference between the D300s and the D7000 is the degree of user experience the engineers have given the AF systems in each body; the D7000 has a slightly dumbed-down AF system, geared toward a user who needs or wants less control, less input, over the AF operation of the camera.

Light Artisan · Jan 16, 2011

Ugh, have either of you even held a D7000 or are you just Googling and assuming I'm an idiot?

D7000 has this on the AF switch near the lens release, it's a button you press and rotate the command dial to change settiings - you can also see it in the viewfinder - which I've mentioned already.
Again, no menu diving.

I use it every day, I think I know what I'm talking about. Same button lets you control how many focus points you want and if you want AF-S, AF-A or AF-C, works very well.

http://www.robgalbraith.com/data/1/rec_imgs/4165_d7000_af_button.jpg

Heck, even Ken Rockwell knows this... but he thinks it's a secret, even though it's in the manual (he says it isn't), page 13 and 14 if you want to look it up.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d7000/D3S_2883-af-modes-0600.jpg

Don't make me upload a video.

ghache · Jan 16, 2011

Light Artisan said:
Ugh, have either of you even held a D7000 or are you just Googling and assuming I'm an idiot?

D7000 has this on the AF switch near the lens release, it's a button you press and rotate the command dial to change settiings - you can also see it in the viewfinder - which I've mentioned already.
Again, no menu diving.

I use it every day, I think I know what I'm talking about. Same button lets you control how many focus points you want and if you want AF-S, AF-A or AF-C, works very well.

http://www.robgalbraith.com/data/1/rec_imgs/4165_d7000_af_button.jpg

Heck, even Ken Rockwell knows this... but he thinks it's a secret, even though it's in the manual (he says it isn't), page 13 and 14 if you want to look it up.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d7000/D3S_2883-af-modes-0600.jpg

Don't make me upload a video.

:thumbup:

Derrel · Jan 16, 2011

Light Artisan said:
Ugh, have either of you even held a D7000 or are you just Googling and assuming I'm an idiot?

D7000 has this on the AF switch near the lens release, it's a button you press and rotate the command dial to change settiings - you can also see it in the viewfinder - which I've mentioned already.
Again, no menu diving.

I use it every day, I think I know what I'm talking about. Same button lets you control how many focus points you want and if you want AF-S, AF-A or AF-C, works very well.

http://www.robgalbraith.com/data/1/rec_imgs/4165_d7000_af_button.jpg

Heck, even Ken Rockwell knows this... but he thinks it's a secret, even though it's in the manual (he says it isn't), page 13 and 14 if you want to look it up.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d7000/D3S_2883-af-modes-0600.jpg

Don't make me upload a video.

DUDE--you do not know what the heck you're talking about. We're not talking about an AF-S, AF-C switch, we're talking about a MORE-ADVANCED FEATURE found on the higher-end Nikon's, in a control right on the back of the body. I'm a former holder of Nikon's own certificate for Nikon Advanced Systems certified person...how about you???

flatflip · Jan 16, 2011

All I know is if I go to the index of my D7000 book and look up "focus mode" it sends me to page 50. There it tells me to press AF-mode button and turn command dial to select from 2 modes. Then turn sub-command dial to select from 4 AF-area modes.

sierramister · Jan 16, 2011

Absolutely right. Use the sub-command dial to get the same auto focus MODE selections. There are four to chose from.

The D7000 wins again!

Light Artisan · Jan 16, 2011

Derrel said:
DUDE--you do not know what the heck you're talking about. We're not talking about an AF-S, AF-C switch, we're talking about a MORE-ADVANCED FEATURE found on the higher-end Nikon's, in a control right on the back of the body. I'm a former holder of Nikon's own certificate for Nikon Advanced Systems certified person...how about you???

OK, you win... you have certs. :roll:

But like anything, certs don't mean jack when it comes to real life experience.

It's there, pick one up and see for yourself.

AF selector button plus rear command dial:
Auto
3D
39
21
9
S

AF selector button plus front command dial:
AF-A
AF-C
AF-S

And I don't have to menu dig to select the number of focus points like you do.

Eh, but who am I without certs... just someone who doesn't know what I'm talking about I guess.

Do yourself a favor and admit you're wrong before you dig a bigger hole, DUDE.

sierramister · Jan 16, 2011

First I use rear-command dial, then I use the front-command dial.

Light Artisan · Jan 16, 2011

Thank you for the vid!

Hopefully our disbelievers can get over it now.

Otherwise RTFM, I'm done trying to convince you - not worth any more of my time.

http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans...manual---d7000---guide-to-digital-photography

Derrel · Jan 17, 2011

D300s==note the RED ARROW pointing to the AF PATTERN SELECTOR, which is on the back of the camera. There is ALSO an Autofocus/Manual Focus selector switch located on the front side of the camera, to the left of the lens mount, where it has been on Nikon bodies made since the mid-1980's. Note also the presence of the AF-ON button, part of the professional-level Nikon AF systems.

The back of the D7000. Note the absence of an AF-ON button at the top, and note also the absence of the AF PATTERN SELECTOR, replaced by a locking switch.

You can go ahead and mumble, "Oh, that..." under your breath any time now...because you are continually referring to the WRONG CONTROL OPTIONS which only the "pro" Nikons have...

Sorry to show you up. But KmH is an owner of a pro Nikon or two....as am I...

Light Artisan · Jan 17, 2011

:banghead:

You've exhausted my patience level, leaving this thread before I post irrationally.

D7000 owners know it's there, it'll be our little secret I guess.

As far as the AF-ON button goes... No kidding, huh?

Light Artisan said:
Actually, it does.
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25468/D7000.html

Only one I can think of is AF-On, but it's available as an option to set on the AE lock button.

Lunchbox · Jan 17, 2011

lol, the d7000 does it different and this confuses certified nikon experts

sierramister · Jan 17, 2011

I was mad the day my Cadillac was outperformed by a Cavalier too. :greenpbl:

Ken Rockwell Fan · Jan 17, 2011

Light Artisan said:
:banghead:

You've exhausted my patience level, leaving this thread before I post irrationally.

D7000 owners know it's there, it'll be our little secret I guess.

As far as the AF-ON button goes... No kidding, huh?

Light Artisan said:

Actually, it does.
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25468/D7000.html

Only one I can think of is AF-On, but it's available as an option to set on the AE lock button.

Click to expand...