help with a D300s setting

[blitz]

Hi guys
After my daughter borrows my camera I always go over it to check that the settings are back to normal - or where I want them; today I have one I cant sort out. After she had used it today I wanted to get some high speed photos of her riding her horse but when set on "S" it goes to x250 and stops?

Reading the manual it says that it can be set on either x250 or normal (up to 8000th) but doesn't say how to swap between the 2 settings?

If any of my enlightened photographic collegues could help I would be eternally grateful :D

Blythe

[dmdigital]

Check the flash sync settings and that the popup flash is properly locked down.

[blitz]

Check the flash sync settings and that the popup flash is properly locked down.

Your bang on the mark - but flash is properly closed and manual doesnt explain how to get it back off of flash (X250) :(

[dmdigital]

Few more things to check:
popup the flash and re-close it
check the hot shoe is clean
check the camera isn't trying to control an external flash (in the menu)
try moving the shutter speed dial through all speeds it will show in both directions
remove the battery and replace after leaving out for a few hours

Also consider doing a reset. All I can recall is you hold two buttons down, one on each side of the camera (I think the left one is the Qual button) and turn on. Anyway it will be in the manual.

[bell1975]

It could also be time for a firmware update. I just did my D7000 after the update notification popped up in the Nikon Message Centre program. There might be something there for your 300s. Otherwise taking the battery out would be the first thing I'd attempt.

[blitz]

Hi guys
I did the default reset before I posted on here so that aint it, have been through the menu checking but so far nothing I have changed makes any difference?

Am trying the battery out now will check shortly to see if that makes any difference, hope it does

Umm where do you find out about software upgrades?

[dmdigital]

Umm where do you find out about software upgrades?
Search Digital KDB (http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/list/theme/au)

D300s latest firmware is 1.01 (Publish date: 06 Jan 10).

Worth looking through the KB site from time to time.

[dmdigital]

Just had a good look on Nikonians.org and the most common reason seams to be the main command dial has been turned as far as possible to the left. As this is actually below the Bulb setting and 30" turning the wheel to the right should eventually get you back to a reasonable shutter speed. You need to be in S or M mode of course.

The other thing would be to PM Chucaro as he has a D300s from memory.

[blitz]

Just had a good look on Nikonians.org and the most common reason seams to be the main command dial has been turned as far as possible to the left. As this is actually below the Bulb setting and 30" turning the wheel to the right should eventually get you back to a reasonable shutter speed. You need to be in S or M mode of course.

The other thing would be to PM Chucaro as he has a D300s from memory.

That was one of the first things I tried? it goes all the way down to 30" as you said but only goes as high as X250.

I think your right Chucaro has a D300s from memory will pm him and see if he can help me out. it really has got me stumped?

[Chucaro]

In the Nikon D300s 1/8000s isavailable with optional SB-800, SB-600 or SB-R200 external flash units not with the in-camera flash.
The in-camera flash works on 1/250 or 1/320;
HERE (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D300/D300FLASH.HTM) is some info about it much clear than my spanglish :D

[blitz]

In the Nikon D300s 1/8000s isavailable with optional SB-800, SB-600 or SB-R200 external flash units not with the in-camera flash.
The in-camera flash works on 1/250 or 1/320;
HERE (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D300/D300FLASH.HTM) is some info about it much clear than my spanglish :D

Hey big fella :) my problem is it is stuck on flash with no flash present, apart from the pop up one? I want to get it back to normal speed selection, but frustrated because I cant work out hoe to do it??:(

[Chucaro]

I would call Nikon's Service Department in Sydney, on (02) 8748 5222.
Have the serial number handy and the firmware version as well.
Cheers

[300+]

Once you sort it out you can save the settings to the memory card. Firstly back them up to your PC, but you can also leave it on the memory card. Then when you get the camera back you can always choose load settings and it will be like she never touched it.

Of course formatting the card will delete it, hence keep it on your PC as well.

Ken Rockwell has his ideal setup files on his site for many Nikons, but not a D300s.

However, someone else with a D300s could save their's and email/PM it to you.

To use this file, download it to your computer, copy it to an SD card, pop it in your D7000, hit MENU > SET UP > Save/load settings > Load settings, and Bingo!, your D7000 is a carbon-copy of mine.

The D300s is likely to be very similar.

Cheers, Steve

[Chucaro]

I am confused Steve :confused:
Custom settings do not have nothing to do with firmware which is the one that can cause probels.
Custom settings in the D300s can be ignored by using the camera in manual.

[Chucaro]

HERE (http://www.outthereimages.com/images/D300_Setup_Guide.pdf) is a PDF doc with custom settings for the 300s

[300+]

I am confused Steve :confused:
Custom settings do not have nothing to do with firmware which is the one that can cause probels.
Custom settings in the D300s can be ignored by using the camera in manual.

Correct. The suggestion of saving settings is aimed more at solving future problems when it is messed with (and is a good plan for everybody).

I'm not sure what is wrong that is preventing it getting off the flash sync setting. That is another problem.

Cheers, Steve

[blitz]

OK problem sorted - the littly had played with the settings (do you have any idea how hard it is to try to question a 13 year old without having her crack it?)

When I was checking it (S) I wound it from X250 down to 30" scratched my head then wound it back up to X320 - Had I gone one more click past 30" it would have started to climb back up; as 30" is as slow as it can go without setting it to manual I thought I had turned it as far as I could but I tried again last night and was faster than normal, read that as frustration coming out; and it spun past and started to climb up the speed scale again.

DMdigital you were correct I just didnt realise it could go further around than 30".

OH well live and learn and I am now much more familiar with all the settings at least.

Thanks everyone for you help as without it I would have taken it in to a nikon repair shop

[dmdigital]

OK problem sorted - the littly had played with the settings (do you have any idea how hard it is to try to question a 13 year old without having her crack it?)

When I was checking it (S) I wound it from X250 down to 30" scratched my head then wound it back up to X320 - Had I gone one more click past 30" it would have started to climb back up; as 30" is as slow as it can go without setting it to manual I thought I had turned it as far as I could but I tried again last night and was faster than normal, read that as frustration coming out; and it spun past and started to climb up the speed scale again.

DMdigital you were correct I just didnt realise it could go further around than 30".

OH well live and learn and I am now much more familiar with all the settings at least.

Thanks everyone for you help as without it I would have taken it in to a nikon repair shop

Thought as much ;)