d300junkie Loc: Cavendish, Vt.

Greetings from snowy Vt.!!

I just wrote a big long post to y'all and it took me about 20 minutes because I type the "hunt and peck" method then I accidently erased it. $%#&!! Anyways my name is Rene(rainy) which is Canadian French and I'm 60 and I just got back into photography. I subscribed to UHH years ago but I didn't go out much because I have like 25 unexposed rolls sitting in my cupboard starting from the mid 80's. Just never got them developed. I just picked up a beautiful Nikon D300 with about 3500 clicks on it for $209. The gentleman also sent me a cf reader, MB-10 winder, flash card and a couple of memory cards. Now here are my "problems"? When I turn on my D300, the ISO icon in the screen keeps blinking and adjusting it does nothing. It won't let me take any pictures. I also bought a book "D300 A digital field guide" by J. Dennis Thomas. I will mostly will be photographing landscapes and nature. Can anyone recommend some really good books? I have 3 lenses for my camera; 80-200mm f2.8 Nikon "D" lens, a Tokina 20-35mm ATX pro 2.8 lens and a Tokina 100mm Macro 2.8 ATX pro lens. I've set these lenses at f22 but none of these seem to autofocus. Shouldn't they auto focus or are they not compatible? I would guess these lenses are about 25 years old. I'm also looking at the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 ART lens. Knowing what I have for my lenses, would I be wasting my money? I also have Nikon N70 film camera body in nice shape that I would like to give away(works perfectly!) if someone will use it and would just cover the cost of shipping. I would love to hear from y'all and I would like to give a special shout out to jerryc41 because he is a very knowledgeable person and he always has something worthwhile to contribute. He also has a great sense of humor! As for me, "Did you hear about the guy who took his girlfriend into the darkroom to see what would develop?" Pretty crummy! Hopefully I didn't expose myself. Thank you for reading this and if I can figure out this camera, I can post some pictures on here.

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

I do not have a D300, but I do have Nikon that does that on occasion.
There are probably many causes, but you might check your ISO setting. Try setting it to 100 or 200 and see if that stops it.

On my camera I have to:
1. Turn on the camera
2. Push INFO button
3. Push ISO button.
4. Read the ISO in the back display.

Good Luck

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I am about out the door to two medical appointments but I think I can touch on a couple of your problems. First, are your lenses auto focus lenses to begin with? If so they should say AF on the lens body. If they are there should be a switch on the lenses marked AF to designate auto focus. Second, there should be a switch on the camera body near the opening for the lens that is also marked AF. Both need to be turned on in order for them to work.

I would move your aperture setting more toward 5.6 just to start. f22 should work fine but more of a lens opening might be helpful. Can you tell us what your ISO is set to? Three, is your battery charged? That will make a big difference.

I realize this is very basic but possibly a start. I guarantee someone else will be right along to offer more assistance. Good luck with the D300 and welcome aboard.

Dennis

d300junkie Loc: Cavendish, Vt.

Tried everything you said and the ISO is still blinking in the viewfinder. It is set to 3200 but I can't seem to change it. If I set the f stop to anything else but f22 I get "fee" reading which is an error because it has to be set to f22 for it to focus. Yes the battery is charged and the switches are correct. I just can't take a picture and it doesn't seem to be focusing.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

Welcome to the Hog

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Welcome!

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Welcome back. I have a D200 and N80 with now a broken rear film latch. Useless now unless I duct tape it in place.
On the ISO issue try to do a full reset on the camera, I am sure you already have. Also look at the menu and see what the ISO is set too. I set mine to 100. It would not hurt to check all the settings and custom settings against the factory default settings either. Just my 'off the top of the head' thoughts this morning. I really hope it gets resolved. I sure would like to know what it was because it could happen to me or someone else.
bruce.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog, Rene, You will be in great company here, enjoy.

d300junkie Loc: Cavendish, Vt.

Thank you everyone!! Riderxlx, I don't know how to do a full reset but maybe you can tell me. I appreciate all the answers and if anyone could use my Nikon N70 body, please let me know.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

To restoring Nikon D300 or 300S to its factory settings, just hold down the [QUAL] button and the [+/- Exposure Compensation] button together, until the control panel turns off briefly while the camera resets itself to the factory default.
On mine the QUAL is on the top left on the dial, the +/- is on the top right just next to the shutter button.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Ooops ! I forgot to ask, do you have the user manual ? if not, get one. Also when you get it working I strongly encourage you to get some books on the D300. There should numerous ones out there. I did for my D200 and they really help.

d300junkie Loc: Cavendish, Vt.

Yes, I downloaded the users manual and updated the firm ware. I bought the Nikon D300 digital guide by J Dennis Thomas. I need some recommended books on landscape and nature photography. Any other suggestions would be appreciated! Just reset it and it still won't focus and the ISO icon is still blinking. I'm sure it is just a setting issue.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Welcome to the forum. Good luck with your Nikon 300. Hope yur issues are solved.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

I hope so, thank you for the update.