Nikon D300 1.03 Firmware Update

[manaheim]

EricBrian mentioned on another thread that Nikon had released the update so I figured people might be interested but not see that it was noted in that thread... soooooo...

http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nikoneurope_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=25158

Some reports of it having some undocumented enhancements, such as a speed boost to 14 bit...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=28642150

 

[Joves]

I think I may actually get this revision.

 

[manaheim]

I actually already have it downloaded, but I literally JUST had an experience where a computer crashed during a BIOS update rendering it unusable...

So I'm a little gunshy.

 

[sneshanian]

i did the update a few days ago, i had no issues applying the new firmware.

 

[manaheim]

Yup, I just did it now. Somewhat annoying that the D300 doesn't act like a hard drive as my D100 did, so I had to pop the card in and out of the device a few times. (I do NOT like swapping compact flash cards... I have nightmares about pulled and bent pins)

Update went smoothly... the 14 bit raw is DEFINITELY faster... still not as fast as 12 bit by any means, but WAY faster.

 

[Joves]

Yeah I updated too. Im waiting to see if the battery issue is with my 80-400 or, if I had the false low battery problem. I di think VR lenses do drain the batteries more.

 

[notelliot]

i don't normally shoot in 14bit, but with the firmware everyone is saying performance is increased - was the buffer updated? because it still clocks at 2.5fps.

 

[manaheim]

i don't normally shoot in 14bit, but with the firmware everyone is saying performance is increased - was the buffer updated? because it still clocks at 2.5fps.

I haven't actually tried clocking it, but it is NOTICABLY faster. Some reports I've read online said about 2x.

 

[notelliot]

I see no difference, still.. 2.5fps, same size buffer, and still takes a few seconds to clear the buffer after a 6-7 frame burst. this is with an extreme 4GB card.
I've never needed to use 14bit anyway. colours, tonal rendition and exposure haven't had any problems so far.

 

[manaheim]

Maybe your card is slower than mine or something... though I don't see how that would impact the sensor->buffer speed.

 

[sabbath999]

I just did this update, I waited a few days to see if there was "drama".

I had suffered the dreaded DBS (Dead Battery Syndrome) several times, it was quite annoying.