I'd recommend a freind to buy the book.
The book in addition to the a very concise description of every feature of the camera, it gives many small and helpful tips and ideas.

Ram

If you have a D300 get this book.I moved up from a D70s,and It was a good move.The D300 Is a lot more complex and does require some study.David "ALMOST" makes the Nikon manual obsolete,a lot easier to use and understand.I get lost In the manual but the book makes It look easy.You will be missing a lot of features of the camera if you don't read this book.

This book is for the person who knows nothing about photography and for those who think they know everything.
It is most informative in the complexes of this camera and if, like me, you find some aspects hard to take in at first, the beauty of the written word is that it can be re-read.
I've only got to page 63 so far but look forward to picking it up at every chance.
Highly recommended.

I actually bought this book thinking that it would be like the Magic Lantern books. A small but well written and illustrated field manual. WRONG. It is a large, well written instruction book that shows you everything you could possibly need to know about the fantastic Nikon D300 camera. There is not a better book out there if you have a D300, but dont expect to slip this monster in your camera bag.

If you have the D300, this is a must have book. Very thorough from front to back.

This is a great guide to both learning how to use the myriad of options on a Nikon D-300, but also gives great advice on how to be a better photographer. Whether you just want to find out how to do one thing, or want to learn how to use everything this is the guide.

I love it.

It also gives great information on accessories, e.g. get a generic strap not a Nikon D-300 strap that says steal me. Which lenses to buy etc.

Bill

Provides an explanation for each of the many features and menu choices for this complex camera. No small task. Far superior to manual. Also provides practical guidance of preferred settings for many situations with rationale for why used and some examples from personal experience. Comprehensive in scope with some areas beyond most amateurs, however nice to know they are there. Very helpful in taking full advantage of this wonderful camera.

David Busch writes very clear descriptions of the technical aspects of DSLR cameras. The Nikon D300 is quite a technical masterpiece, especially as I moved up from a Nikon D80 & needed all the help I could get! David Busch came through again. I highly recommend this book for all of us who like to have a book in hand as we learn something new. This book is so much easier and more detailed than the manual.

I have purchase this book recommended by a friend.It is a great book for new starters and others as well, the book gives great information on all the functions on the camera. After reading some of the topics on the book I can see my photography improving. Has very clear description and pictures to understand the operation of camera in different circumstances and examples of functions. Overall the camera is great, without the book it is slightly difficult to understand the instructions that come with camera and the book goes into alot more detail in general about getting the most out of your D300.

Highly recommended to all

Thank you

Michael

Great book; I read every page and am now a better user of my new D300.

I have found the Amazon reviews to be very useful most recently in selecting books and other items, so I felt obligated to try to write something about this book that has not already been said. Mr. Busch starts out by stating that his book is additive to the very extensive manual in that it not only will describe all the functions but how you should use them, when and why. To some degree he partially succeeded for some functions but not without providing the following stumbling blocks:
(1) Instead of taking a subject and completing it fully in one place with pictures that are easily seen on the same page, he defers to describing something later in another chapter....which then refers to another chapter.....(and in at least one case the reference was entirely wrong.) In other cases the circular reference gets you back to the starting point without all the necessary information. I am talking about big subjects like focusing, exposure, bracketing. Even though it appears that there is a portion of a chapter related, it takes bouncing around from one place to another to get it all.
(2) There are not only multiple typos but there are outright errors that will throw anybody off the track. When someone takes the time to read these books it would seem the auther and/or publisher would welcome corrections.

(3) What irks me more than anything is the arrogance of the author and publisher in sending this book in our direction without any means of us to notify anybody of substantive errors, typos, suggestions and yes, even quesions. .....whatever. There is no address for finding David Busch. His blog does not allow comments from us commoners as far as I can tell and there is no way for us to get an errata sheet showing any subsequent corrections. I wrote every company listed in the book as being responsible for the publishing and printing of the book and received no answer in over 2 months. It doesn't have to be this way. There is are publishers that not only provides a website to update any book, but admonishes its customers to go to the website before starting. The also provide a continuous errata sheet so that the book remains useful.
In the future, I will try to avoid books in which a customer service contact is not provided for the purpose of corrections, suggestions, questions, etc.

IF your buying a D300, I'd spring for Dave's book and just forget reading the manual inlcuded with the camera. The book is sooo much easier to read and follow. The nice color images of all the menus, settings, and examples(these are most useful) help accent the knowledgeable text. The price is well worth it (it's only $20 thruough amazon). Highly recommended.

I pay heavy attention to negative reviews before buying a book. I read the 3 negative reviews of this book, bought it anyway, and am glad I did. If you are considering buying a D300, just do it - it's a great camera. And if you buy a D300, this book is the best out there for getting you up to speed fast. The other books/video previews I've seen are a rehash of the manual. This book doesn't just tell you what a setting does, it tells you why and when you should use it. It also provides a number of different configurations for different shooting settings (studio vs. sports, etc.) - invaluable.

For the negative reviewer who whined and moaned that the author mentions a subject briefly and then mentions he'll talk about it in greater detail in another chapter? Dude, it's a literary device called a "cross reference". I'm not sure why your panties in a wad, but get over it, for Pete's sake. The other whines, moans and gripes I read are equally invalid and anal.

This is a great book - D300 owners should not hesitate to buy it.

Excellent book to supplement the instruction manual that is supplied by Nikon for the D 300.

I'm still reading it and will continue to do so until I have mastered this camera. Simple enough for non-techy's like me...helpful enough for the pro-photographer.

If you own a Nikon D300, this book is a must for your library.
What the author has done is amazing. I can think of no camera that has a better book to go along with the manual than this one. This book offers ideas and suggestions that I have to go to other books to get. This book is an all in one book.

I just hope the author does another on for the Nikon D700.
This is a must purchase for all Nikon D300 owners.

Excellent book, highly recommended. Have been using Nikon F-series cameras since 1979, my D300 is my first digital camera, and the David Busch guide has really helped me get comfortable with the camera, and explained a lot of associated things along the way. Definitely not a rehash of the manual.

My only criticisms would involve editing; there are some "oops" sections that better editing would have clarified, and some of the discussions that are supposed to take place in later chapters don't (at least I haven't found them, and I'm on my 4th reading).

I had only had my Nikon D300 for a few months before ordering this book. I had read the user's manual and was enjoying the camera very much. I knew I was not fully utilizing the camera and wanted more. This book did it. It was easy to read and understand. I am now doing more with this camera than I ever dreamed possible. If you want to understand your D300 to the max, this is the book!

David Busch writes clearly and covers all facets of using the D300. The book is best for less-experienced users of Nikon DSLRs. I was hoping for deeper insights and a larger collection of tricks and special methods of using the sophisticated exposure and focus controls than the writer offers.

I bought this book when I bought my D300.

My background is that I have owned Nikon SLRs for over 30 years, the most recent being a F90 (N90 in the USA). The D300 is my first digital SLR - I have a Panasonic FZ5 digital point and shoot. So I am pretty familiar with the Nikon film system and SLRs but not digital.

The book is over 400 pages long, printed on good quality paper and with reasonable quality colour images throughout. It achieves what Mr Busch's preface suggests : "... explains the purpose and function of every one of the D300's controls, how you should use them in specific situations and why".

It does not just rehash the manual and I found that having the manual alongside this book was useful in clarifying occasional points. The manual serves its purpose to describe the controls - Mr Busch adds a lot of meat to that skeleton in explaing how and why to use various features in real-world situations.

Some more advanced users may find some of the basic material a little low level but it only occupies a small portion of the book and is obviously very useful for beginners buying the D300.

In summary, I believe that the book does a great job in fulfilling its stated purpose. I certainly found it very useful. I've just finished reading it and I'll start at the beginning again.

And it costs twenty bucks! If that isn't good value, I don't know what is.
(I have no connection with the author, publisher or seller).

As a seasoned Nikon dSLR camera user (D70, D70s, D80, D100, D200, and the D300) and digital photograply/PC instructor, I constantly look for resources that will allow me and my students to maximize the potential of the current dSLR camera that we are using. There are so many features packed into the numerous, menus (6), buttons (23), switches (5) and dials (5) of the D300, it is difficult to learn the significance and proper use of these (by just reading the Users Manual). David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital Photography is the most comprehensive resource (432 pages) that I have found in print. David not only introduces you to each feature but explains when and how to use them to maximize your photographic skills. This resource is more than resonably priced and at a price of $19.79 it should be considered a 'steal'. If you really want to explore and master all the features embedded in Nikon's D300 dSLR then this is the resource for you. You want be disappointed.

Joe R. Bumgardner, M.D., F.A.C.S.

This book has been very helpful to me as an addition to the instruction manual with the camera. It is more comprehensive and much easier to understand. I am still working on learning about the camera but definitely would recommend the book to people like me who are not experienced photographers.

This guide is one of the best I have ever used. I read more of it every evening. It has turned my D300 into a tool , not just a toy anymore. Thank you David!

This is the best I have seen and read, easy to understand and great photos and graphics. A Must if you want to get the best handle on the D 300

I was overwhelmed by my D300 before I got this guide. Trying to understand how and when to use all the features of this camera was difficult. But David Busch's guide to the Nikon D300 was just what I needed.

The book is well organized and gives you a good solid understanding of how to make intelligent chices of how to set up and use the full power of this amazing camera.

I think this is the most comprehensive book fro D300 owners. It has all the information for new owners that you would find in the manual, but it is laid out much better and is easier to understand with all the large photos the author includes. There are so many menu pictures you can't help but understand.

The D300 is different from previous Nikon DSLRs in terms of focus and metering, and the author clearly explains the differences and offers suggestions as to when to use what metering and/or af option.

David Busch's Nikon D300 is an excellent guide for an excellent camera with complex multiple options. I highly recommend it to all D300 users with the possible exception of expert D200 users who need only become familiar with the several upgrades and new options.

The only fault, if it is one, for this extensively detailed guide book is that generic, basic photographic instruction is included and superficially covered when it would have been preferable, from my point of view, for those pages to be used for an easily referenced table listing all the D300 menu options. But, with over 400 pages covering all aspects of D300 use in detail with numerous high quality illustrations, photos and clear, easily followed language, this is a very minor complaint.

The best by far of any camera guide part of my experience yet published and as a bonus, it is priced at less than half the cost of many other photographic books of similar size and quality.

Purchased the D300 and read the Nikon owners manual. David Busch's Nikon D300 book does a better job of explaining in detail the functionality, purpose and ability of this wonderful camera. Simply stated, buy this book even if you think that you "know" this camera, you will not be disappointed.

Compared to the previous manuals I have owned for the D200, including the field guide by David Busch, this is the best. It covers not only the how-to but the why. Great illustrations, clear writing and a wealth of detail make this the second thing you should buy after your D300.

I have several competitors' books and dvd's for my D300, I am a writer with not an ounce of techie in me - my camera is used for art and that's how I approach photography. This book WAS A GODSEND!!! The extra large schematics of every LCD and custom menu screen was like water to a parched and frustrated traveler. I only wish I had gotten Busch's D200 book 2 yrs ago for my D200 instead of the dipsy-doodle Elite Video series where you watch a goon in a funny hat and another with big thumbs try and explain the many dials and settings of these magnificent pieces of equipment. Suffice it to say, I bought Busch's book, and immediately called my artist sister who also owns the D300, and said FINALLY a book we can understand with wonderfully articulate text coupled with great graphics. Maybe after I finish this excellent road map, Hogan's guide will make more sense to me.

I think overall the book is quite well written. The only suggestion that I have is that there is too much comparison between other models of the Nikon cameras which I felt were not needed. Few people who read this book will have the D3 to be concerned about how it compares to the D300. For some who do not have any of the other models they do not make any difference when trying to learn more about the D300. There is a lot of time spent describing various lenses that could be used with the D300 that is probably not necessary either. To mention the three "always have" lenses is ok, but the rest, in my mind were not needed. Also talking about the various speed lights that are available could be covered in a book specifically about the speed light the user owns and will use with the camera. I purchased the book to learn more about the D300 and it did that plus.

This is simply the best camera guide I have read. It is easy to follow and full of practical, hands on knowledge, not a rehash of the manual.

Where do you start with a camera as feature-rich as a D300? That was the question I asked myself as I started unpacking my new purchase. As a Canon 350D user, I had taught myself the basic differences between the digital and film world, but I still consider myself a long way away from being an expert.

The manual that comes with the D300 is comprehensive and explains how to do everything that the camera can do - but it doesn't tell you why! That's where David Busch's book comes in and why I rate it as one of the best books I have purchased. In each section the comprehensive features of the D300 are explained simply with step by step instructions on how to use a feature or how to get the most out it.

There are also excellent chapters on lens selection and use, on working with the various flash options the D300 offers, advanced shooting tips and suggested settings for the custom menu settings.

If you own a D300, you should own this book.

The Nikon D300 is not a point and shoot camera that you can master straight out of the box. One, regardless of photographic knowledge level, needs to invest time and effort to learn to be comfortable with his new toy. The supplied 450+ pages manual, albeit essential and very useful, does leave a lot to be desired. Besides, a manual is essentially a manual, no suggestions or explanations, and no teaching. To invest in a third-party guide book is a very wise thing to do, but with nearly a dozen titles to choose from out there, this one ranks amongst the highest, along with the great book on the D300 by Thom Hogan [...]. This book is not a rehashed manual with some superfluous additions that contribute little in practical terms. David D. Busch is an established photography writer who does a great job with this title. It teaches you how to get more out of your new D300 and how to unleash the hidden features and abilities of that wonderful camera. I will not go into more detail but in my humble opinion it is a good book and a well spent 20 odd bucks. Comes highly recommended.

The Nikon D300 is not a point and shoot camera that you can master straight out of the box. One, regardless of photographic knowledge level, needs to invest time and effort to learn to be comfortable with his new toy. The supplied 450+ pages manual, albeit essential and very useful, does leave a lot to be desired. Besides, a manual is essentially a manual, no suggestions or explanations, and no teaching. To invest in a third-party guide book is a very wise thing to do, but with nearly a dozen titles to choose from out there, this one ranks amongst the highest, along with the great book on the D300 by Thom Hogan (which -surprisingly- is not available on Amazon.com and has to be obtained directly from the author's web site). This book is not a rehashed manual with some superfluous additions that contribute little in practical terms. David C. Busch is an established photography writer who does a great job with this title. It teaches you how to get more out of your new D300 and how to unleash the hidden features and abilities of that wonderful camera. I will not go into more detail but in my humble opinion it is a good book and a well spent 20 odd bucks. Comes highly recommended.

I picked up this book while comparing other books on the D300 and I have to say that this book was completely BORING. Drawn-out discussions and overly technical jargon abound in this book. The author presents the material in a pompous manner and considering that his photos are not even GOOD, I have a problem taking his advice seriously.

This book is probably aimed at technical egg-heads and pixel-peepers.

At two and a half pounds and 430 pages this book is definitely not convenient to carry around as a reference guide, but it would be great for protection against someone trying to mug you for your camera.

So, if you need something to put you to sleep at night, or you like to read highly suspect technical jargon go ahead and buy this dog of a book.

This is a very helpful book and much easier reading than the supplied instruction book. The "independent" review of Nikon lenses, is also, while unexpected, very helpful, although it could have mentioned the "creep" in the 18 to 200 VR Zoom. I highly recommend this book.

This book is exactly what I was looking for. I have read the negative reviews, frankly the reviewer's opinion of the author is useless to me. What I wanted to know is does the book meet my needs, should I spend my money on it or not?

What I needed for my camera is a comprehensive guide that explaines the purpose and function of every one of the D300's controls, how I should use them in specific situations, and why.

Mr Busch does all of that plus provide helpful insights as to how settings which work well in one environment will actually degrade my work in a different environment (e.g., using D lighting set to high). I was also looking for tips for improving my photographic skills and techniques using the specific features of this camera. The author taps into his knowledge gained throughout his career and does that as well. Mr. Busch writes in a very readable fashion with a degree of humor. His explanations are clear and the pictures supporting the various explanations are accurate and very helpful (especailly in color - something else the owner's guide did not do). Therefore the book does meet my needs.

While it is true that the author does make repeated comments about why he is not covering this point or that point, I found those explanations helpful rather than a hinderance. They removed the guess work about why something was not mentioned or only covered in very limited detail. These are judgment calls by the Author and were necessary unless he wanted to produce an 800 page tome. In addition, since the vast majority of pictures in the book were photos of a D300 (making it a true Nikon D300 Book), of it's switches and menus and its various screens, showing how and where to find the functions being described, the fact (or possibility) that a few of the actual photographs may have been used in another of Mr. Busch's books, or may have been taken with another camera was completely irrelevant to the value of the book as a 'camera specific' guide to producing great work with the D300.

This is a great instruction book on using the D300 to produce great photographs, and it was worth every penny I paid for it.

EHF
Raleigh, NC

I think that the writer thinks he is the best and continues to just tell you things over and over again about what he is writing about. I think it is boring and he really doesn't get into the facts clearly. He just makes excuses as to why he isn't writting about a feature or he spends time and words to say he will discuss it later on. If he just went through all the issues and the complexity of the camera he would help us greatly...In fact he should tell you how he would set up his camera and tell you why. Then go into details as to how to just program what you would like to suit your own needs. It would be great if he would Cap or " " the words that refer to action as it appears on the camera. Too many times the words flow as description rather than a function that you need to open or click on. I love the large type and the pictures that show clearly the functions but they should be on the same page that the description is on so you don't have to turn pages to look at the picturial.

In general it is a good work book once you get passed all the useless verbage in the beginning.

This is extremely helpful for an amateur. Tells the why while the manuel only tells the what. Illustrations are excellent.

David Busch does this great camera justice with a great guide. A fine read as well, never boring or "too technical". If you own a D300, you should have this book.

Quite informative, great price, and needed for these more complicated cameras. It gives more in-depth information in to how the camera works, the settings than the original manual from Nikon.

The owner's manual that Nikon provide with the D300 is fine, up to a point. However, unless you're already an advanced photographer you'll find yourself asking the question, "Sure I now know how to change that setting, but why would I want to?"
This is where David Busch's book comes in. It is a comprehensive guide to the D300 and explains clearly in large colour pictures and text how to get better photos from what is already a fantastic camera.
I found it to be a superb book, well laid out and, at the price, excellent value for money.
I highly recommend it and suggest that, along with your tripod, alternative lenses and flashgun, it forms an essential component of every D300 photographer's kit.

This guide is excellent - written in layman's language.

I would recommend this book to the new owner, amateur or pro.

It contains such a wealth of information.

Thank you David Busch!

I have read the book and found it very informative.I feel it is packed with pertinant information and usable graphics.Well worth it in my opinion I refer back to it often.

By far the best book on the Nikon D300. Whereas most competing books do a quick overview of the options and then launch into generic how to take pictures advice (which is likely too simplistic and therefore not useful to someone who shells out major bucks for the D300), Busch's book concentrates almost exclusively on the various (and seemingly infinite) options for the D300. The book is clear and absolutely essential for those who have bought (or want to buy) a D300. I actually bought the book before buying the camera, and reading it convinced me to buy. The documentation that comes with the camera is clear but doesn't help decide when the various options might be useful. Most of the other books on the D300 are not much of an improvement in that regard. Busch's book is. Also the Busch book is extremely helpful on various accessories; the Nikon site is useless in deciding which of various versions of some accessories are important to buy. Several minor errors, a result of rush to publication, but not troublesome.

This is indeed the best book I have found on the D300. Although I am an amateur, I have owned a D100, a D200 and now the D300. I use a D40X as a backup. I use Photoshop to review and enhance images. So I'm not new to digital photography.

In general, all DSLR cameras have the same functions. Manufacturers develop similar operating system software, they integrate similar controls, the displays all appear with similar information. From 15 feet, one can't tell one camera from another, and I'll bet few of us could discern the difference between a Canon- and a Nikon-created digital photo, given similar quality lenses.

With this said, without experience with the device, the many functions of a DSLR camera are not easy to use effectively. If you pick up the Nikon D300 manual, it describes the functions of the D300 camera very well, but not WHY one ought to use each of them. David Busch's book does it, and does it very well. Yep, there are a few reiterations from previous publications, but that's because many functions are the same as on previous cameras!

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

I picked up four different "how to use the D300" manuals, five, counting this one; the graphics in this book are clearer, the images are higher quality, the language is well stated and technical points are made so even I can understand them. Plus the quality of this book rates a 10. If you buy this book, you don't need any others.

I bought the D300 the day it was released last November. I read and re-read and re-read the included manual. It is a typical Nikon user guide, poorly written and difficult to absorb. I've recently read David's book and am ASTOUNDED at how simple everything really is to understand and use! I flagged and highlighted the things I use most often for quick reference. This book will travel with me everywhere my camera goes. It has a nice, safe, and permanent place among my other gear. It's invaluable and AMAZINGLY written in comprehendable sentences. It's written for a real life photographer like myself. I'm grateful to have gotten this book. It's opened up all the possibilities of my camera to me. Possibilities I missed in the technobabble of the D300 user manual. I no longer carry the user manual with me. It's a nice dust collector on my desk now.

The book David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography is a must have for every Nikon D300 owner. In contrast to the owners manual and other 'field guides', this book gives a lot of detailed information about what the camera is capable of, what the tweaks and settings effect, it shows best practices and a lot of tips and tricks. It's not a book for the hasty types among us.

The Nikon D300 is an upgrade from the their D200 & has a number of new features. Bush's guide is well written & documents the changes as well as walking the reader through the camera's operations in easy to understand language.